Bacillus subtitis strain QST 713, bacterial disease control in fruit, vegetable and ornamental production

摘要

Bacillus subtilis QST 713, a naturally occurring bacterial strain, discovered and commercialized byAgraQuest, Inc., USA, has been shown to possess significant efficacy against a broad spectrum ofeconomically important diseases in fruit, vegetable and ornamental production. In addition to activityagainst fungal pathogens, B. subtilis QST 713 also provides control of key bacterial pathogens such asErwinia amylovora (fire blight of pome fruit), Xanthomonas campestris (bacterial spot of tomato andpepper) and Pseudomonas and Xanthomonas spp. (bacterial spots of ornamentals). B. subtilis QST 713works through novel, multiple modes of action that involve the biological action of B. subtilis competingfor nutrients on the host surface in addition to the antimicrobial activity of lipopeptide metabolitesproduced by B. subtilis causing permeability changes of the cytoplasmic membrane and subsequentdisintegration of the pathogen cells. As determined by US-Environmental Protection Agency andinternational regulatory authorities, B. subtilis QST 713 is exempt from the requirement of a tolerancebecause there are no synthetic chemical residues, and it is safe to workers and the environment. As aresult, treated fruit and vegetables can be exported throughout the world without restrictions. B. subtilisQST 713 is also safe to non target; beneficial organisms have been shown to be an effective tool fordisease control in organic crop production and in integrated disease control programs contributing toresistance management and reduction in the use of synthetic fungicides.