Brevibacillus Laterosporus

Mode of Action

• Produces antibiotics and other secondary metabolites that inhibits the growth and development of plant pathogens.
• Produces a range of antimicrobial compounds including laterosporulin, bacillomycin D, fengycin, and surfactin, to disrupt the cell membranes of the target organisms, leading to leakage of intracellular contents and cell death.
• Some of these compounds can also induce systemic resistance in crops, making them more resistant to infection by pathogens.

Benefit

• Acts as a plant growth regulator, protecting crops from pests and diseases.
• Increases the resistance of crops to various biotic and abiotic stresses.
• Helps in the degradation of organic pollutants present in soil, enhancing soil health.
• Soil and fertility improver by fixing atmospheric nitrogen.
• Reduces spoilage to improve the quality and shelf-life of fruits and vegetables.
• Reduces the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, making agriculture more sustainable
• Acts as soluble fertilizer additives to enhance plant growth and yield by promoting nutrient uptake.

Application Rate

• For seed treatment: 5-10 gram per kg of seeds.
• For soil application: 1-2 kilogramm per hectare.
• For foliar spray: 3-5 grams per liter of water.

What are the best methods for applying Bacillus laterosporus powder in agriculture?

• Seed Treatment: Seeding before planting ensures that the bacteria colonize the root system of the seedlings and provide protection against soil-borne pathogens.
• Soil Application: Directly into the soil ensures that the bacteria colonize the soil and protect the crop roots from pathogens.
• Foliar Spray: Helps to protect the leaves and stems of plants from fungal and bacterial diseases.
• Drenching: Applying to the soil as fertilizer additives around the base of the crop ensures that the bacteria reach the root zone of the crop.
• Hydroponic System: The plant growth regulators can be added to hydroponic systems to prevent the growth of harmful microbes.

Brevibacillus laterosporus powder in controlling plant pathogens compared to chemical means

• Natural inhabitant of soil and water, and can colonize plant roots and rhizosphere.
• Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi that cause crop diseases.
• Produce spores that are resistant to environmental stress and can be easily formulated and applied .
• Lower risks of developing resistance in target pathogens, as the fertilizer additives can produce different types of biological active molecules.
• Lower impacts on non-target organisms, as it is pathogenic to insects, nematodes, and mollusks.