Source: MICHIGAN STATE UNIV submitted to
MANAGING PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS IN SOIL TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0212353
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
MICL04029
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
W-1147
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2003
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2008
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Hao, J. J.
Recipient Organization
MICHIGAN STATE UNIV
(N/A)
EAST LANSING,MI 48824
Performing Department
Plant, Soil and Microbial Science
Non Technical Summary
1. Soil borne plant pathogens result in severe yield and economic losses for growers. Economic losses due to pathogens are estimated at 10-20 % of the attainable yield for many crops. 2. The cost of soil borne plant pathogens to society and the environment far exceeds the direct costs to growers and consumers. 3. As is readily apparent from reading the popular press, consumers are demanding plentiful low cost but safe food while simultaneously requiring the use of fewer chemical controls. Our goals are: 1).To provide society with a safe, low cost food supply. 2).To reduce the environmental impact of food production
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
40%
Developmental
10%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2014010100010%
2124010110240%
2154010107040%
2162410117010%
Knowledge Area
215 - Biological Control of Pests Affecting Plants; 212 - Pathogens and Nematodes Affecting Plants; 201 - Plant Genome, Genetics, and Genetic Mechanisms; 216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
4010 - Bacteria; 2410 - Cross-commodity research--multiple crops;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology; 1170 - Epidemiology; 1102 - Mycology; 1000 - Biochemistry and biophysics;
Goals / Objectives
1.To identify and characterize new biological agents, naturally suppressive soils, cultural practices, and organic amendments that provide control of diseases caused by soil borne plant pathogens. 2.To understand how microbial populations and their gene expression are regulated by the biological (plants and microbes) and physical environment and how they influence disease. 3.To develop and implement biological control in agriculture.
Project Methods
Object 1: To isolate and test individual and mixtures of microorganisms against diseases of local concern. To screen biocontrol agents against the most important pathogens causing serious disease on crops in the western region. A central database of biocontrol agents will be established on a website. New biocontrol agents will also be pursued through foreign exploration. The process of selecting candidate biocontrol agents will utilize methodologies which includes: 1) testing for antagonism against a target pathogen or a variety of soilborne plant pathogens; 2) testing putative agents in a seedling assay in the laboratory, greenhouse or growth chamber; 3) testing strains that show promise in small field plots; and, 4) testing the most effective agents in large-scale field plots using commercial practices. Molecular genetic techniques will increasingly be used to facilitate the selection process. Biosynthetic loci for many metabolites known to be involved in biocontrol have been cloned and sequenced. Objective 2: For the first time ever, the genome of a biocontrol agent will be sequenced. Using DNA fingerprinting techniques such as BOX-PCR, ERIC PCR, and restriction analysis of amplified 16S rRNA gene sequences, they identified seventeen genetic groups or subspecies within populations of DAPG producers. The focus will be on genetic trait of biocontrol in the biocontrol agents, and genes in the plant that may stimulate biocontrol colonization in the rhizosphere. Using techniques such as T-RFLP (terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms) analysis of the 16S ribosomal DNA, a culture independent technique, they will study the shifts in populations of non-target microbes in the rhizosphere of wheat grown in the field from seeds treated with Pseudomonas strains. Methodologies include quantitative real-time PCR, DNA fingerprinting and labeling organisms with green fluorescent protein (GFP). Objective 3: With muli-state colleboration, objectives 1 and 2 have done much to lay the ground work for the implementation of the biological control of plant diseases and results are providing reasons for optimism. With the continuation of W-147, we can now utilize results developed previously to obtain practical and beneficial economic results for the grower. During the next five years the W-147 project proposes to use all three of Cook's strategies for biocontrol to accomplish Objective 3: 1) the treatment of plant material and soil with biocontrol agents to reduce plant disease and maintain soil quality; 2) to encourage natural biological control with mulches, soil composts, and/or cropping practices to increase and support biocontrol agents; and, 3) the continuous application of biocontrol agents into irrigation water.

Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The is a multi-state project sponsored by USDA. I attended 2008 annual meeting and presented research updates from several research groups in Michigan State University. I was elected as the Chair of the project for next year. All the participants agreed to write a collaborative research proposal to USDA CAP grant. Additionally, I attended Soil Fungus Conference in Santa Paula, California and reported my research. I also attended farmers' meetings for soybean and potatoes and bring them with my research results and the information from the multi-state project. For my research update, I have demonstrated one biological control agent (Contans) as a good candidate for controlling soybean white mold, isolated and identified a novel strain of Streptomyces species that is different with known pathogens on potato, confirmed a soil that is suppressive to potato common scab, and have been developing a protocol using real-time PCR to detect and quantify Phytophthora capsici in soil. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Michigan potato farmers, and soybean growers. Extension workers and plant pathology researchers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
1. Bring together what have been achieved in Michigan to the national meeting and exchange the updated research information with scientists nationwide. 2. Create opportunities for multi-state collaboration. 3. Biocontrol of soybean white mold provided farmers an alternative disease control strategy. 4. Result of potato common scab study updated the knowledge on the pathogen, which will help to improve the disease management.

Publications

  • Durairaj, S., Yin, J., Hammerschmidt, R., Kirk, W. W., Douches, D., and Hao, J. 2008. Characterization of a new strain of Streptomycete causing symptoms associated with potato common scab from Michigan soil. Phytopathology 98:S49.
  • Qingxiao, M., Xiaolan, C., Yang, B., Xiaohong, L., Jianjun, H., and Xili, L. 2008. Study on the resistance risk and resistance inheritance of Phytophthora capsici to flumorph. Phytopathology 98:S128.
  • Zeng, W. T., Kirk, W. W., Hammerschmidt, R., and Hao, J. J. 2008. Control of white mold in soybean with biocontrol agents. Phytopathology 98:S179.
  • Ryser, E. T., Hao, J., and Yan, Z. 2008. Internalization of Pathogens in Produce. In: Microbial Safety of Fresh Produce: Challenges, Strategies and Perspectives. X. Fan, ed. (in press).


Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Joined the project from October. At the annual meeting at Riverside, California, in December 2008, we exchanged each laboratory's program, and discussed on the project renewal proposal. PARTICIPANTS: Jianjun Hao participated in the communication, meetings and proposal discussion. He was elected as a secretory of the projct W1147 for year 2008. He is responsible for the update of this work in Michigan State. TARGET AUDIENCES: Plant pathologists, USDA administrative leaders, EPA, and Agricultural industries.

Impacts
1. Characterized a field that has shown potato common scab suppressing. Higher population of Bacillus and Beneficial Streptomyces species contributed the soil for suppressing disease. 2. Several Streptomyces that inhibit pathogenic Streptomyces species have been tested in greenhouse and the experiment is undergoing. 3. Commercial biological control agents Serenade, Contans, and PlantShield have been tested in the field and greenhouse compared with fungicide Endura.Contans eliminated the sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum for apothecial production, and increasing the dosage increased the efficacy on killing or reducing the liability of the sclerotia. Higher dosage could also affect the plant growth and yield negatively. PlantShield controlled the sclerotia to produce apothecia. Higher dosage increased the efficacy of the agents and promoted plant growth as well. The effect of Serenade was not consistent, but it reduced sclerotial germination at certain dosage.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period