Improved Biocontrol of Soybean Seedling Fungal and Oomycete Pathogens Via Probiotic Bacillus Engineering

This project seeksto improve soybean seedling survival using a biocontrol strategy that combines potent antibiosis activities into one gifted probiotic Bacillus strain. Indiscriminately toxic synthetic chemicals that are losing their potency are used as seed coatings to prevent seedling death. Fungal and oomycete pathogens cause billions of dollars in yearly losses in economically important crops such as corn, soybean, and cotton in spite of the heavy use of chemical treatments. A viable, efficient alternative uses plant growth-promoting bacteria that live in association with plant roots and some of these strains produce potent, bioactive compounds that prevent pathogen disease and death. Terra Bioforge and Auburn University are reinventing the pipeline for novel bio-derived chemistry and have identified generally recognized as safe Bacillus strains that can reduce disease due to fungal AND oomycete pathogens, a new innovation to the field. Using new technologies we will combine the best biocontrol metabolites from several Bacillus species into one chasis, making it harder for the pathogens to develop resistance to multiple modalties of biocontrol. An alternative method for controling fungal and oomycete pathgogens without the use of toxic chemicals is good for the health of farmers and the microbiome that improves the soil and crops.