Bacillus Mycoides: Induced Systemic Resistance for Disease Control in Agricultural Crops

Microbial or biochemical agents that control plant diseases by inducing systemic resistance to pathogen infection could play a significant role in crop disease management. Bacillus mycoides, isolate J, BmJ, represents the first such agent that acts by foliar (rather than root) application and that does not cause leaf tissue damage in any plants. Disease control with this strain was previously demonstrated in sugar beets. Research in a Phase I SBIR project demonstrated control of multiple diseases in cucumber, significantly expanding the commercial potential. In the phase II SBIR project, MMP will advance BmJ commercialization by demonstrating cost effective disease control in cucumber and melon crops, developing commercial formulations, expanding potential markets with tests in additional crop, disease systems and conducting further research on the mechanisms by which BmJ induces disease resistance in plants.