Researchers at the USil Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection have developed two solutions to protect rapeseed crops from certain pathogens in a natural way. If affected by various fungi, yields of this popular-in-Poland cultivated plan can be decreased by a significant percentage each year. The patented solutions are based on the use of endophytic bacterial strains with fungicidal properties.
‘The bacterial strains that interest us are endophytic, which means they live within the plant. Our research is a search for solutions that nature itself hints at us,’ says Katarzyna Hupert-Kocurek, PhD, Assoc. Prof., co-author of the patents. It all started with isolating the bacterial strains that were tested for traits that allowed them to combat fungi and promote plant growth. ‘This part of the research we carried out together with Dr Daria Chlebek, as part of her PhD thesis,’ says the scientist.
The growth of fungal pathogens (left side) and the expansion of the fungus Colletotrichum dematium inhibited by a microbial consortium (right side; bacteria are the visible scratch in the centre of the plate) | Photo by Bożena Nowak
Studies have shown that these strains not only influence plant development by facilitating, for example, the uptake of phosphorus or iron from the soil and by producing plant hormones but also, interestingly, inhibit the growth of various pathogens.
Biotechnicians decided that the subject for their further testing would be rapeseed because of its significance. The plant is widely used in the food industry and for biodiesel production; additionally—just like most crops—it is exposed to a number of pathogens. This group includes the fungus of the Rhizoctonia genus. It turned out that under laboratory conditions the isolated bacterial strains of Priestia megaterium do an excellent job when it comes to limiting the growth of this particular pathogen.
‘Our interest in the strain grew. We know of many different ways to combat rapeseed pathogens, but these are mostly chemical methods and have many drawbacks. After all, apart from the very pathogens, chemicals may affect other organisms in the environment as well. There’s a growing discussion about their impact on bees, for example. Moreover, microorganisms, including pathogens, can develop resistance to chemicals. Any chemical residue in the soil or in food is equally concerning; that is why the use of chemical agents is being progressively reduced, following the guidelines of sustainable agriculture,’ explains Prof. Katarzyna Hupert-Kocurek. Therefore, biological methods are gaining an edge and becoming more popular, as she points out. This should come as no surprise, especially given that the research focuses on strains isolated from plants functioning in the natural environment.
‘The results of our research were so good that we decided to continue it, with a view to implementation. The next step for the team was to prepare a project under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education programme Innovation Incubator 4.0, which made it possible to start the so-called pot experiment. The biggest challenge is to develop a formula for the fungicide that allows the bacterial strains to survive the entire process, from production to application. There are many methods to achieve that, for example, freeze-drying or immobilising bacteria on a special carrier. Protecting the strains from other microorganisms present in the natural environment is equally crucial.
‘In the future, we are also considering establishing partnerships with biological preparation manufacturers, as the potential of our patented solutions is very high, and we will certainly be looking for sources of funding for the next stages of research,’ says the researcher.
‘We are already investigating the presence and expression of genes that allow bacteria to combat fungi so effectively. All within the project funded by the National Science Centre. Exploring these mechanisms will allow us to prepare better for research on a product that we could consider in terms of commercialisation,’ she concludes.
The patents ‘Endophytic strain of Priestia megaterium and its applications’ and ‘Consortium containing endophytic plant-isolated bacterial strains with antifungal activity, method of its production and its applications’ are authored by scientists from the Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection at the University of Silesia: Katarzyna Hupert-Kocurek, PhD, Assoc. Prof.; Daria Chlebek, PhD; Bożena Nowak, PhD; and Danuta Wojcieszyńska, PhD, Assoc. Prof,
The article Patent for Rapeseed Protection was published in the December issue of University of Silesia Magazine No. 3 (323).