Discovering the Next-Generation Plant Protection Products: A Proof-of-Concept via the Isolation and Bioactivity Assessment of the Olive Tree Endophyte Bacillus sp. PTA13 Lipopeptides

Endophytic microorganisms (EMs) have recently attracted interest for applications in plant protection, mainly due to their bioactive compound-producing capacity. Therefore, we underwent the task of isolating olive tree EMs and investigating their bioactivity against the devastating pathogen Colletotrichum acutatum. Several EMs were isolated; however, the Bacillus sp. PTA13 isolate exhibited the highest toxicity to the phytopathogen. Bacteria of the genus Bacillus exhibit superior bioactive metabolite-producing capacity, with the lipopeptides (LPs) of surfactin, iturin, and fengycin groups being the most studied. A total LP extract and several fractions were obtained, and their bioactivity was assessed against C. acutatum strains. LPs of the major surfactin, iturin, and fengycin groups and the minor gageotetrin and bacilotetrin groups were annotated. The results confirmed the bioactivity of the major LPs, with fengycins being the most fungitoxic. Interestingly, the minor LP fraction exhibited selective toxicity to the fungicide-resistant C. acutatum isolate, an observation that highlights the significance of our approach to comprehensively mine the total LP extract. This work represents a proof of concept of the exploitation of EMs in customized olive tree plant protection and aligns well with strategies that focus on the sustainability and safety of food production via the development of next-generation plant protection products.

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Mining the effects of a Bacillus sp. olive tree endophyte-derived lipopeptide extract on the metabolism of Colletotrichum acutatum applying GC/MS and 1H NMR metabolomics

10.1055/s-0041-1736785 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

E.A. Papadopoulou ◽

A. Angelis ◽

L. Antoniadi ◽

K.A. Aliferis ◽

A.L. Skaltsounis

Keyword(s):

1H Nmr ◽

Olive Tree ◽

Colletotrichum Acutatum ◽

Bacillus Sp ◽

Nmr Metabolomics

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Comparison of Spray Configurations in a Spray Cabin Design for Ornamental Potted Plants: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Transactions of the ASABE ◽

10.13031/trans.11383 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 60 (3) ◽

pp. 647-656 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ingrid Zwertvaegher ◽

Dieter Foqué ◽

Donald Dekeyser ◽

Stephanie Van Weyenberg ◽

David Nuyttens

Keyword(s):

Integrated Pest Management ◽

Pest Management ◽

Plant Protection ◽

Spray Deposition ◽

Crop Protection ◽

Plant Protection Products ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

Spray Application ◽

Concept Study ◽

Potted Plants

Abstract. With the implementation of integrated pest management in the European Union, growers are obliged to manage pests in a manner that minimizes health and environmental risks due to the use of plant protection products. Among other approaches, this goal can be achieved by optimizing spray application techniques. As an alternative to the predominantly used handheld equipment, such as spray guns, spray boom systems might substantially improve spray application, and thus crop protection management, in greenhouses. The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to compare different spray configurations in a spray cabin designed to spray ornamental potted plants that are moving on a conveyor belt. Seven different spray configurations were examined for optimal spray deposition in two crops (azalea and ivy) using mineral chelate tracers. The deposition tests showed that the presented prototype can satisfactorily spray potted plants up to a height of 25 cm including the pot height. The best spray deposition was found with two flat-fan nozzles oriented 35° upward, spraying at 1.0 bar and an application rate of 1047 L ha-1. This configuration increased deposition on the underside of the leaves and at the middle foliage layer compared to the other configurations that were evaluated. The spray cabin with a band spray setting has potential to mitigate the use of plant protection products and achieve a more efficient spray application compared to traditional handheld techniques and broadcast spray boom techniques. Keywords: Crop protection, Integrated pest management, Nozzle type, Spray deposition.

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The Role of Microbial Inoculants on Plant Protection, Growth Stimulation, and Crop Productivity of the Olive Tree (Olea europea L.)

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants9060743 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 743 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Georgios Bizos ◽

Efimia M. Papatheodorou ◽

Theocharis Chatzistathis ◽

Nikoletta Ntalli ◽

Vassilis G. Aschonitis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Plant Protection ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

Olive Tree ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Bacillus Sp ◽

Plant Growth Promoting ◽

Growth Promoting

The olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is an emblematic, long-living fruit tree species of profound economic and environmental importance. This study is a literature review of articles published during the last 10 years about the role of beneficial microbes [Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF), Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), Plant Growth Promoting Fungi (PGPF), and Endophytes] on olive tree plant growth and productivity, pathogen control, and alleviation from abiotic stress. The majority of the studies examined the AMF effect using mostly Rhizophagus irregularis and Glomus mosseae species. These AMF species stimulate the root growth improving the resistance of olive plants to environmental and transplantation stresses. Among the PGPR, the nitrogen-fixing bacteria Azospirillum sp. and potassium- and phosphorous-solubilizing Bacillus sp. species were studied extensively. These PGPR species were combined with proper cultural practices and improved considerably olive plant’s growth. The endophytic bacterial species Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus sp., as well as the fungal species Trichoderma sp. were identified as the most effective biocontrol agents against olive tree diseases (e.g., Verticillium wilt, root rot, and anthracnose).

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Placing plant protection products on the Polish market with regard to the registration of individual formulations

Annales UMCS Agricultura ◽

10.2478/v10081-008-0022-5 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 63 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Ewa Matyjaszczyk

Keyword(s):

Plant Protection ◽

Plant Protection Products

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Effect of the Application Date of Fertilizer Containing Silicon and Potassium on the Yield and Technological Quality of Sugar Beet Roots

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10020370 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 370

Author(s):

Arkadiusz Artyszak ◽

Dariusz Gozdowski ◽

Alicja Siuda

Keyword(s):

Sugar Beet ◽

Foliar Application ◽

Plant Protection ◽

Plant Protection Products ◽

Water Shortage ◽

The European Union ◽

Yield Increase ◽

Time Of Application ◽

Technological Quality

Water shortage and drought are a growing problem in Europe. Therefore, effective methods for limiting its effects are necessary. At the same time, the “field to fork” strategy adopted by the European Commission aims to achieve a significant reduction in the use of plant protection products and fertilizers in the European Union. In an experiment conducted in 2018–2020, the effect of the method of foliar fertilization containing silicon and potassium on the yield and technological quality of sugar beet roots was assessed. The fertilizer was used in seven combinations, differing in the number and time of application. The best results were obtained by treating plants during drought stress. The better soil moisture for the plants, the smaller the pure sugar yield increase was observed. It is difficult to clearly state which combination of silicon and potassium foliar application is optimal, as their effects do not differ greatly.

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The Role of Source‐sink Dynamics in the Assessment of Risk to Non‐target Arthropods from the Use of Plant Protection Products

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry ◽

10.1002/etc.5137 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Gavin Lewis ◽

Axel Dinter ◽

Charlotte Elston ◽

Michael Thomas Marx ◽

Christoph Julian Mayer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Protection ◽

Plant Protection Products ◽

Source Sink

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Measurements of the dermal exposure to bystanders from direct off‐crop drift during the application of plant protection products

Annals of Applied Biology ◽

10.1111/aab.12686 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Christian J. Kuster ◽

Nicola J. Hewitt ◽

Clare Butler Ellis ◽

Christian Timmermann ◽

Thomas Anft

Keyword(s):

Plant Protection ◽

Plant Protection Products ◽

Dermal Exposure

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Field assessment of a pulse width modulation (PWM) spray system applying different spray volumes: duty cycle and forward speed effects on vines spray coverage

Precision Agriculture ◽

10.1007/s11119-021-09835-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Marco Grella ◽

Fabrizio Gioelli ◽

Paolo Marucco ◽

Ingrid Zwertvaegher ◽

Eric Mozzanini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Precision Agriculture ◽

Pulse Width ◽

Pulse Width Modulation ◽

Plant Protection ◽

Plant Protection Products ◽

Field Conditions ◽

Advanced Technology ◽

Real Field ◽

Spray Application ◽

Spray System

AbstractThe pulse width modulation (PWM) spray system is the most advanced technology to obtain variable rate spray application without varying the operative sprayer parameters (e.g. spray pressure, nozzle size). According to the precision agriculture principles, PWM is the prime technology that allows to spray the required amount where needed without varying the droplet size spectra which benefits both the uniformity of spray quality and the spray drift reduction. However, some concerns related to the effect of on–off solenoid valves and the alternating on/off action of adjacent nozzles on final uneven spray coverage (SC) have arisen. Further evaluations of PWM systems used for spraying 3D crops under field conditions are welcomed. A tower-shaped airblast sprayer equipped with a PWM was tested in a vineyard. Twelve configurations, combining duty cycles (DC: 30, 50, 70, 100%) and forward speeds (FS: 4, 6, 8 km h−1), were tested. Two methodologies, namely field-standardized and real field conditions, were adopted to evaluate the effect of DC and FS on (1) SC variability (CV%) along both the sprayer travel direction and the vertical spray profile using long water sensitive papers (WSP), and (2) SC uniformity (IU, index value) within the canopy at different depths and heights, respectively. Furthermore, the SC (%) and deposit density (Nst, no stains cm−2), determined using short WSP, were used to evaluate the spray application performances taking into account the spray volumes applied. Under field-controlled conditions, the pulsing of the PWM system affects both the SC variability measured along the sprayer travel direction and along the vertical spray profile. In contrast, under real field conditions, the PWM system does not affect the uniformity of SC measured within the canopy. The relationship between SC and Nst allowed identification of the ranges of 200–250 and 300–370 l ha−1 as the most suitable spray volumes to be applied for insecticide and fungicide plant protection products, respectively.

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