Biocontrol of storage maladies of potatoes by bacterial antagonists produced in co-culture
Inventors
Slininger, Patricia J. • Schisler, David A.
Assignees
US Department of Agriculture USDA
Publication Number
US-8628764-B2
Publication Date
2014-01-14
Expiration Date
2029-09-29
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Abstract
Bacterial compositions effective for inhibiting fungal diseases of potatoes and/or potato sprouting are produced by co-culture of two or more of Pseudomonas fluorescens (NRRL B-21133), Pseudomonas fluorescens biovar (NRRL B-21053), Pseudomonas fluorescens (NRRL B-21102) and Enterobacter cloacae (NRRL B-21050). Compositions produced by co-culture of these bacteria together in the same culture medium are significantly more effective for inhibiting fungi-induced diseases of potatoes and/or inhibiting sprouting of potatoes, than blends or mixtures of the same bacteria cultured separately.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to bacterial compositions produced by co-culturing two or more of specific strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Enterobacter cloacae to inhibit fungal diseases of potatoes and also to inhibit sprouting of stored potatoes. These compositions, when produced by co-cultivation in the same culture medium, are found to be significantly more effective than blends or mixtures of the same bacteria cultured separately.
The problem solved by the invention is the need for improved biological control agents for fungal diseases of potatoes, particularly Fusarium dry rot and other postharvest diseases, as well as sprouting inhibition. Conventional chemical fungicides have drawbacks including environmental concerns, health risks, and resistant fungal strains, while biological methods prior to the invention had limited effectiveness and consistency. The invention overcomes these issues by providing co-cultured bacterial compositions exhibiting superior antagonistic activity and enhanced efficacy against fungal diseases and sprouting.
Claims Coverage
The patent claims include one independent composition claim and three independent method claims focused on production and application of bacterial co-cultures.
Composition of bacteria produced by co-culture
A bacterial composition produced by inoculating a culture medium with at least two bacteria selected from Pseudomonas fluorescens strains NRRL B-21133, NRRL B-21053, NRRL B-21102, and Enterobacter cloacae NRRL B-21050, incubating them under effective growth conditions to produce a co-culture, and recovering the co-culture.
Co-culturing under conditions increasing bacterial concentration
Incubating the selected bacteria together in the culture medium under conditions and for a period effective to increase the total bacterial concentration by at least approximately one order of magnitude.
Screening of co-culture for effectiveness
A process step of screening the recovered co-culture to select for effectiveness in inhibiting fungal diseases of potatoes or inhibiting sprouting.
Application methods for biocontrol and sprout suppression
Methods for suppressing fungal diseases or sprouting in potatoes by applying the bacterial co-culture composition to whole tubers, tuber parts, or seed tubers in amounts effective to reduce disease or sprouting relative to untreated controls, including fungal diseases such as Fusarium dry rot, pink rot, and late blight.
The claims cover the novel composition of co-cultured specific bacterial strains with enhanced biocontrol properties, the process of producing such co-cultures with significant bacterial growth, screening methods for efficacy, and methods of application to potatoes for fungal disease suppression and sprout inhibition.
Stated Advantages
The co-cultured bacterial compositions exhibit significantly greater efficacy for inhibiting fungi-induced diseases of potatoes compared to blends of separately cultured bacteria.
The compositions provide superior antagonism against fungal species responsible for Fusarium dry rot and other potato diseases occurring during storage or in the field.
The compositions exhibit significantly improved inhibition of potato sprouting during storage compared to mixtures of the same bacteria cultured separately.
Co-culturing enables synergistic inter-strain interactions that enhance biocontrol effectiveness beyond additive effects observed with blends.
The compositions show consistent performance across diverse testing conditions including various potato cultivars, disease challenges, and storage environments.
Documented Applications
Biological control of fungal diseases of potatoes including Fusarium dry rot caused by Gibberella pulicaris, pink rot caused by Phytophthora erythroseptica, and late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans.
Inhibition of sprouting in stored potatoes to prolong storage life and reduce losses.
Application to whole potato tubers, tuber parts, or seed tubers by sprays, dips, or formulated carrier systems during or after harvest and in storage conditions ranging from about 5° C. to about 30° C.
Interested in licensing this patent?