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Nutrient‐induced spore germination of a B acillus amyloliquefaciens biocontrol agent on wheat spikes
Author(s) -
Crane J.M.,
Frodyma M.E.,
Bergstrom G.C.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/jam.12480
Subject(s) - bacillus amyloliquefaciens , spore , germination , spore germination , bacillus (shape) , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , endospore , botany , bacteria , genetics
Aims In this study, we investigated the feasibility of applying nutrient germinants to plant surfaces to stimulate the spore germination of the plant disease biocontrol agent B acillus amyloliquefaciens strain T rigo C or. Methods and Results Using the terbium chloride assay and phase‐contrast microscopy, we screened potential germinants of T rigo C or spores and found that a combination of d ‐glucose, d ‐fructose and potassium chloride ( GFK ), in addition to either l ‐asparagine ( A sn‐ GFK ) or l ‐alanine ( A la‐ GFK ), induced maximal levels of T rigo C or spore germination in vitro . The germinant mixture A sn‐ GFK was also able to significantly stimulate B acillus spore germination on wheat surfaces. Conclusions The successful in vivo stimulation of B acillus spore germination suggests that nutrient‐induced spore germination on plant surfaces is a feasible strategy for improving B acillus biocontrol. Significance and Impact of the Study One of the challenges of applying B acillus biological control agents to aboveground plant parts is that B acillus cells transition to a metabolically dormant spore state on plant surfaces, making them unable to prevent subsequent pathogen attacks. This study demonstrates that using nutrients to stimulate B acillus spore germination in vivo is a promising option for improving disease control and should be pursued further.