What can Bacillus megaterium do?

Bacillus megaterium is a plant rhizosphere growth-promoting bacterium.

Bacillus megaterium can produce a large amount of organic acid during its growth and reproduction process, which can decompose or dissolve the insoluble phosphorus-containing substances in the soil and convert them into phosphorus elements that are easily absorbed by plants, thereby improving the utilization rate of phosphorus elements and improving the soil microecological environment, thereby reducing diseases and pesticide residues.


After Bacillus megaterium is applied to the soil, it rapidly multiplies and becomes a dominant bacterium, controlling the nutrition and other resources in the rhizosphere, causing the pathogenic bacteria to lose their living space and conditions to a considerable extent, making the cell walls of the plant’s related tissues thicker, fibrotic, and lignified, and forming a cutin double silicon layer outside the epidermis, forming a barrier to prevent the invasion of pathogens and improving fertilizer efficiency.

Bacillus velezensis

Bacillus velezensis is an aerobic, gram-positive, endospore-forming bacterium that promotes plant growth.

Bacillus velezensis has obvious growth-promoting effect on crops. Bacillus velezensis prevents soil-borne diseases, and have obvious effects on the prevention and treatment of bacterial diseases and resistance to fungal diseases in crops. Bacillus velezensis also improves the aggregate structure of soil and enhance the ability of soil to retain fertilizer and moisture.

Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM)

An arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) (plural mycorrhizae) is a type of mycorrhiza in which the symbiont fungus (Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, or AMF) penetrates the cortical cells of the roots of a vascular plant forming arbuscules. Arbuscular mycorrhiza is a type of endomycorrhiza along with ericoid mycorrhiza and orchid mycorrhiza (not to be confused with ectomycorrhiza). They are characterized by the formation of unique tree-like structures, the arbuscules. In addition, globular storage structures called vesicles are often encountered.

AM fungi help plants to capture nutrients such as phosphorus, sulfur, nitrogen and micronutrients from the soil. It is believed that the development of the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis played a crucial role in the initial colonisation of land by plants and in the evolution of the vascular plants. It has been said that it is quicker to list the plants that do not form endomycorrhizae than those that do. This symbiosis is a highly evolved mutualistic relationship found between fungi and plants, the most prevalent plant symbiosis known, and AMF is found in 80% of vascular plant families in existence today.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbuscular_mycorrhiza

Tank-mix adjuvants/spray adjuvants

Adjuvants that are mixed with pesticide formulations for immediate use are called tank-mix adjuvants or spray adjuvants.

Tank-mix adjuvants (spray adjuvants) refer to adjuvants that are used to improve the utilization rate of pesticides, improve the performance of spray liquids, and improve the control effect when pesticides are used, as well as additives that are mixed with pesticide formulations and added directly to the spray liquid.

Such adjuvants have properties such as promoting sedimentation, promoting absorption, resisting drift, resisting evaporation, and resisting rain erosion, as well as water quality regulators, synergists, pesticide damage reduction agents, etc.

The most common ones are vegetable oil or mineral oil synergists and surfactants, silicone additives, liquid fertilizers, and polymer additives that are beneficial to the pesticide’s resistance to rain erosion, increased wetting, and spreading.

Silicate bacteria

Nutrient Release: Silicate bacteria decompose minerals such as potassium feldspar and apatite, releasing soluble potassium, phosphorus, and trace elements, thereby enhancing soil fertility.

Secondary Metabolites: Some strains secrete plant hormones like indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellins to stimulate root development, while others produce antimicrobial substances that inhibit soil-borne pathogens.

Soil Improvement: Long-term application may improve soil structure and strengthen its water and nutrient retention capacity.

Application of Turpentine (pinene oil)in Agriculture

Turpentine, a natural plant extract obtained primarily through the distillation of resin from pine trees, contains terpenes such as α-pinene and β-pinene. Due to its chemical properties—including volatility, hydrophobicity, antimicrobial activity, and insecticidal effects—it has several applications in agriculture. Below are its main uses and considerations:


1. As a Natural Insecticide/Repellent

  • Pest Control: Turpentine exhibits contact-killing or repellent effects against harmful insects such as aphids, mites, termites, and nematodes. Its volatile compounds disrupt the respiratory and nervous systems of pests.
    • Application: Diluted spraying (e.g., 0.5%-2% solution) or mixing with other natural substances (e.g., soapy water, plant oils) for enhanced efficacy.
  • Wildlife Deterrent: Its odor can repel crop-damaging animals like rabbits and deer.

2. Fungicidal and Disease Management

  • Antifungal & Antibacterial Effects: It suppresses certain plant pathogens (e.g., powdery mildew, Botrytis cinerea), serving as a supplementary method to reduce synthetic fungicide use.
    • Application: Mixed with carriers (e.g., clay) for localized treatment or used for tool sterilization.

3. Herbicidal Effects

  • Weed Suppression: High concentrations may inhibit weed germination by damaging cell membranes, but caution is required to avoid crop harm.

4. Auxiliary Uses

  • Soil Amendment: Small amounts may stimulate beneficial microbial activity, but excessive use disrupts soil ecology.
  • Grafting Aid: Used for tool disinfection or wound sealing (must be diluted).

5. Other Innovative Applications

  • Pest Attractant: Combined with pheromones to trap pests (e.g., bark beetles).
  • Synergist for Biopesticides: Enhances the permeability of other natural pesticides.

Rhodobacter photoazotoformans

Rhodobacter photoazotoformans is a novel bacterium isolated from marine environments, possessing several important biological functions, particularly with potential applications in agriculture and ecosystems. Below is a detailed explanation of its main functions:

1. Nitrogen Fixation Ability

  • Functional Description: Rhodobacter photoazotoformans has a strong nitrogen fixation ability, capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into plant-usable nitrogen compounds (e.g., ammonia, NH₃).
  • Ecological Significance: Nitrogen is a key nutrient for plant growth, but most plants cannot directly utilize atmospheric nitrogen. Through nitrogen fixation, this bacterium can provide plants with accessible nitrogen sources, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and promoting sustainable agricultural development.

2. Enhancing Photosynthesis and Plant Immunity

  • Functional Description: This bacterium can enhance the efficiency of photosynthesis and improve plant immunity.
  • Mechanisms:
    • Photosynthesis Enhancement: Rhodobacter photoazotoformans may secrete certain metabolites or establish symbiotic relationships with plants to promote chlorophyll synthesis or improve light energy utilization, thereby enhancing photosynthesis.
    • Immunity Enhancement: The bacterium may induce systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in plants or produce signaling molecules that activate plant defense mechanisms, increasing their resistance to pathogens.

3. Fungal Disease Suppression

  • Functional Description: Rhodobacter photoazotoformans exhibits significant inhibitory effects on various fungi, effectively preventing multiple plant diseases.
  • Mechanisms:
    • Antifungal Metabolites: The bacterium may produce certain secondary metabolites (e.g., antibiotics or antifungal compounds) that directly inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi.
    • Competitive Effects: By competing with pathogenic fungi for nutrients or space, it suppresses their reproduction and infection.
  • Application Prospects: This antifungal property gives it broad potential in the field of biological control, reducing the use of chemical pesticides and minimizing environmental pollution.

Summary

Rhodobacter photoazotoformans, as a multifunctional microorganism, plays a significant role not only in nitrogen fixation and promoting plant growth but also in protecting plant health by suppressing fungal diseases. These characteristics make it highly applicable in agriculture, horticulture, and ecological restoration, particularly in advancing green agriculture and sustainable development.

Rhodobacter photoazotoformans

Rhodobacter photoazotoformans is a novel bacterium isolated from marine environments, possessing several important biological functions, particularly with potential applications in agriculture and ecosystems. Below is a detailed explanation of its main functions:

1. Nitrogen Fixation Ability

  • Functional Description: Rhodobacter photoazotoformans has a strong nitrogen fixation ability, capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into plant-usable nitrogen compounds (e.g., ammonia, NH₃).
  • Ecological Significance: Nitrogen is a key nutrient for plant growth, but most plants cannot directly utilize atmospheric nitrogen. Through nitrogen fixation, this bacterium can provide plants with accessible nitrogen sources, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and promoting sustainable agricultural development.

2. Enhancing Photosynthesis and Plant Immunity

  • Functional Description: This bacterium can enhance the efficiency of photosynthesis and improve plant immunity.
  • Mechanisms:
    • Photosynthesis Enhancement: Rhodobacter photoazotoformans may secrete certain metabolites or establish symbiotic relationships with plants to promote chlorophyll synthesis or improve light energy utilization, thereby enhancing photosynthesis.
    • Immunity Enhancement: The bacterium may induce systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in plants or produce signaling molecules that activate plant defense mechanisms, increasing their resistance to pathogens.

3. Fungal Disease Suppression

  • Functional Description: Rhodobacter photoazotoformans exhibits significant inhibitory effects on various fungi, effectively preventing multiple plant diseases.
  • Mechanisms:
    • Antifungal Metabolites: The bacterium may produce certain secondary metabolites (e.g., antibiotics or antifungal compounds) that directly inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi.
    • Competitive Effects: By competing with pathogenic fungi for nutrients or space, it suppresses their reproduction and infection.
  • Application Prospects: This antifungal property gives it broad potential in the field of biological control, reducing the use of chemical pesticides and minimizing environmental pollution.

Summary

Rhodobacter photoazotoformans, as a multifunctional microorganism, plays a significant role not only in nitrogen fixation and promoting plant growth but also in protecting plant health by suppressing fungal diseases. These characteristics make it highly applicable in agriculture, horticulture, and ecological restoration, particularly in advancing green agriculture and sustainable development.

Nematodes

Nematodes are tiny, worm-like, multicellular animals that are adapted to living in water. The number of nematode species is estimated to be half a million.

As an important part of the soil fauna, nematodes live in a maze of interconnected passages called pores, which are produced by soil action. They move in a film of water attached to soil particles.

Most of the plant-parasitic nematodes are root feeders, which are found associated with most plants. Some nematodes are endoparasitic, living and feeding in the tissues of roots, tubers, buds, seeds, etc. Others are ectoparasitic, feeding externally through the plant wall.

An endoparasitic nematode can kill a plant or reduce its productivity. Endoparasitic root feeders include such economically important pests as root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne species), kidney-shaped nematodes (Rotylenchulus species), cyst nematodes (Heterodera species), and root-rot nematodes (Pratylenchus species).

Direct feeding by nematodes can severely reduce the nutrient and water intake of plants. When nematodes attack the roots of seedlings immediately after seed germination, they have the greatest impact on crop productivity.

Nematode feeding also creates open wounds that provide entry for a variety of plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria. These microbial infections often cause more severe economic damage than the direct effects of nematode feeding.

Current nematode control is primarily focused on preventing nematodes from attacking plants. Once a plant is infested, it is virtually impossible to kill the nematode without damaging the plant. It would therefore be advantageous to provide nematode control compounds and methods of treating plants to prevent or reduce nematode damage.