Microorganism having capability of controlling plant diseases

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a microorganism which has less load on the environment, has excellent capability of controlling various plant diseases, and can be effectively utilized for the control of plant diseases and the like in the form of cells, a culture product of the cells, or a culture supernatant contained in the culture product.　The problem can be solved by using Bacillus sp. 201106_1 strain (NITE BP-03884 strain).

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION MICROORGANISM HAVING CAPABILITY OF CONTROLLING PLANT DISEASES Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a microorganism having an ability to control a plant disease. The present application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-021425 filed on February 15, 2024, which is herein incorporated by reference.

[0002] Numerous chemically synthesized pesticides are used in the major methods for controlling plant diseases. However, chemically synthesized pesticides have only a few types of action points, and plant pathogens become resistant due to, for instance, repeated application.    This has been a problem.    In addition, some chemically synthesized pesticides have restrictions at the time of use or crops to be used because they are likely to cause chemical damage to agricultural and horticultural crops.

[0003] On the other hand, there is a growing interest in biological pesticides as control agent alternatives to, or in combination with, conventional chemically synthesized pesticides. Biological pesticides are known to have advantages over conventional chemically synthesized pesticides, such as low environmental load, loose restrictions on their use to avoid residues in crops, and a small risk of causing resistant bacteria. Examples of biological pesticides that have been used to control plant diseases of agricultural and horticultural crops, especially to control gray mold, include microorganisms belonging to the genera Trichoderma, Gliocladium, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, etc. Agricultural and horticultural fungicide compositions containing these microorganisms have also since been researched and developed.

[0004] Examples of the known Bacillus sp. that can be used to control plant diseases of agricultural or horticultural crops include Bacillus subtilis 4-5-1-1 strain No. 30 (Patent Document 1), Bacillus sp. 4-5-21 0306 strain (Patent Document 1), Bacillus sp. AT-332 strain (Patent Document 2), and Bacillus sp. AT-79 strain (Patent Document 2). Examples of the marketed pesticide containing a Bacillus sp. that can be used to control plant diseases include: "Agro Care Hydrate" (Non-Patent Document 1), which contains viable spores of Bacillus subtilis HAI-0404 strain as an active ingredient; "Serenade ASO", which contains viable spores of Bacillus subtilis QST-713 strain as an active ingredient; "Eco-Shot", which contains viable spores of Bacillus subtilis D747 strain as an active ingredient; and "Impression Clear", which contains viable spores of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain AT-332 as an active ingredient; etc. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 4695070 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 5198690 Non-Patent Documents

[0006] [Non-Patent Document 1] "NOYAKU JIDAI (Agrochemical Age)", No. 192, p.49 (2010) Summary of The Invention Object to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] All of these four pesticides have, as their active ingredient, viable spores (i.e., microbial cells) of microorganisms of the genus Bacillus. However, in general, the culture supernatant obtained when microorganisms are cultured contains metabolites of the microorganisms. The metabolites may be rich in substances that have antagonistic actions against plant diseases. Therefore, it is preferable to use not only the microbial cell of the microorganism itself but also the culture supernatant or its components obtained as a by-product for effective use in the control of plant diseases from the viewpoint of, for instance, efficiency of production of pesticides. In addition, since the culture supernatant can be obtained as a liquid component, it may be possible to develop a different formulation design and utilization method from that of the microbial cell as a solid component. Therefore, it is desirable to obtain a microorganism which not only its microbial cell but also the culture supernatant contained in its culture can be effectively used for controlling

[0008] The present invention has been made in light of the above situations. Specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide a microorganism that has a low environmental load, and an excellent ability to control various plant diseases, which not only its microbial cell but also the culture supernatant contained in its culture can be effectively used for controlling plant diseases. Means to Solve the Object

[0009] In order to solve the above problem, the present inventors collected microorganisms from various plants, cultured and isolated them, and searched for microorganisms with strong activity.    As a result, the present inventors have found a microorganism with a high ability to control various plant diseases. Further, the microorganism has been demonstrated that not only its microbial cell but also the culture supernatant contained in its culture can be effectively used for controlling plant diseases. The nucleotide sequences of the genes and mycological characteristics of the microorganism strongly suggest that the microorganism may be a novel strain belonging to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens or Bacillus velezensis.

[0010] Specifically, the present invention is set forth in the following items. [1] Bacillus sp. 201106_1 strain (NITE BP-03884 strain). [2] A mutant strain of Bacillus sp. 201106_1 strain (NITE BP-03884 strain) having an ability to control a plant disease or a nematode. [3] A culture of the strain according to [1] or [2] above. [4] A processed product of the culture according to [3] above. [5] The processed product according to [4] above, wherein the processed product is a culture supernatant. [6] A composition comprising the strain according to [1] or [2] above, a culture of the strain, or a processed product of the culture. [7] The composition according to [6] above, wherein the processed product is a culture supernatant. [8] The composition according to [6] or [7] above, wherein the composition is a plant disease control agent composition. [9] The composition according to [8] above, wherein the composition is a plant disease control agent composition for a plant after harvest.

[10] The composition according to [8] or [9] above, wherein the plant disease is a bacterial disease or a fungal disease.

[11] The composition according to [6] above, wherein the composition is a nematode control agent composition.

[12] A method for controlling a plant disease, comprising treating a plant and / or a plant cultivation soil with the strain according to [1] or [2] above, a culture of the strain (i.e., the culture according to [3] above), a processed product of the culture (i.e., the processed product according to [4] or [5] above), or a composition comprising any of the strain, the culture, or the processed product (i.e., the composition according to any one of [6] to

[10] above).

[13] A method for controlling a plant disease of a plant after harvest, comprising treating a plant after harvest with the strain according to [1] or [2] above, a culture of the strain (i.e., the culture according to [3] above), a processed product of the culture (i.e. the processed product according to [4] or [5] above), or a composition comprising any of the strain, the culture, or the processed product (i.e., the composition according to any one of [6] to

[10] above).

[14] A method for controlling a nematode, comprising treating a plant and / or a plant cultivation soil with the strain according to [1] or [2] above, a culture of the strain (i.e., the culture according to [3] above), a processed product of the culture (i.e., the processed product according to [4] or [5] above), or a composition comprising any of the strain, the culture, or the processed product (i.e., the composition according to any one of [6] to [7] and

[11] above).

[15] A method for producing a plant, comprising treating a plant and / or a plant cultivation soil with the strain according to [1] or [2] above, a culture of the strain (i.e. the culture according to [3] above), a processed product of the culture (i.e., the processed product according to [4] or [5] above), or a composition comprising any of the strain, the culture, or the processed product (i.e., the composition according to any one of [6] to

[11] above).

[0011] Further, examples of other embodiments of the present invention include the following.

[16] Use of the strain according to [1] or [2] above, the culture according to [3] above, the processed product according to [4] or [5] above, or the composition according to [6] or [7] above, for controlling a plant disease.

[17] Use of the strain according to [1] or [2] above, the culture according to [3] above, the processed product according to [4] or [5] above, or the composition according to [6] or [7] above, for controlling a plant disease of a plant after harvest.

[18] Use of the strain according to [1] or [2] above, the culture according to [3] above, the processed product according to [4] or [5] above, or the composition according to [6] or [7] above, for controlling a nematode.

[19] Use of the strain according to [1] or [2] above, the culture according to [3] above, the processed product according to [4] or [5] above, or the composition according to any one of [6] to

[11] above, for producing a plant.

[20] Use of the strain according to [1] or [2] above, the culture according to [3] above, or the processed product according to [4] or [5] above, in the manufacture of a plant disease control agent composition.

[21] Use of the strain according to [1] or [2] above, the culture according to [3] above, or the processed product according to [4] or [5] above, in the manufacture of a plant disease control agent composition of a plant after harvest.

[22] Use of the strain according to [1] or [2] above, the culture according to [3] above, or the processed product according to [4] or [5] above, in the manufacture of a nematode control agent composition.

[23] The strain according to [1] or [2] above, the culture according to [3] above, the processed product according to [4] or [5] above, or the composition according to [6] or [7] above, for controlling a plant disease.

[24] The strain according to [1] or [2] above, the culture according to [3] above, the processed product according to [4] or [5] above, or the composition according to [6] or [7] above, for controlling a plant disease of a plant after harvest.

[25] The strain according to [1] or [2] above, the culture according to [3] above, the processed product according to [4] or [5] above, or the composition according to [6] or [7] above, for controlling a nematode.

[26] The strain according to [1] or [2] above, the culture according to [3] above, the processed product according to [4] or [5] above, or the composition according to any one of [6] to

[11] above, for producing a plant. Effect of the Invention

[0012] The microorganism of the present invention has a low environmental load, and an excellent ability to control various plant diseases or nematodes, which not only its microbial cell but also the culture supernatant contained in its culture can be effectively used for controlling plant diseases or nematodes. Moreover, the microorganism of the present invention may be used to provide, for instance, a plant disease control agent composition and a plant disease controlling method, which are highly effective and have a low environmental load. Mode of Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] <1> Microorganism of the present invention The microorganism of the present invention is Bacillus sp. 201106_1 strain (i.e., strain having the Accession Number: NITE BP-03884) or a mutant strain thereof. The microorganism of the present invention has an ability to control a plant disease or a nematode. The mutant strain of the present invention is a mutant strain of Bacillus sp. 201106_1 strain having an ability to control a plant disease or a nematode. The mutant strain of the present invention include: a mutant strain obtained from Bacillus sp. 201106_1 strain by natural mutation without artificial manipulation; or a mutant strain obtained from Bacillus sp. 201106_1 strain by artificial mutagenesis, the mutant strain having an ability to control a plant disease or a nematode. The mutant strain of the present invention may have mycological characteristics similar to the mycological characteristics of Bacillus sp. 201106_1 strain described in the following, and it is preferable to have the same mycological characteristics as the mycological characteristics of Bacillus sp. 2011061 strain. As the microorganism of the present invention, either one of Bacillus sp. 201106_1 strain (NITE BP-03884 strain) or a mutant strain thereof may be used, and both of them may be used. It is preferable to use Bacillus sp. 201106_1 strain (NITE BP-03884 strain).

[0014] The mutant strain of the present invention may have, for example, the nucleotide sequence of the following i), ii), and / or iii). That is, it may have one or more of the nucleotide sequences selected from the group consisting of the following i), ii), and iii). Further, it is preferable to have all of the nucleotide sequences i), ii), and iii). i) a nucleotide sequence having 99% or more, 99.5% or more, 99.6% or more, 99.7% or more, 99.8% or more, 99.9% or more, 99.95% or more, or 100% identity with the 16S rRNA (16S ribosomal RNA) gene nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 3; ii) a nucleotide sequence having 99% or more, 99.5% or more, 99.6% or more, 99.7% or more, 99.8% or more, 99.9% or more, 99.95% or more, or 100% identity with the phoR (phosphate regulon sensorkinase; phosphate regulon R) gene nucleotide sequence iii) a nucleotide sequence having 98% or more, 99% or more, 99.5% or more, 99.6% or more, 99.7% or more, 99.8% or more, 99.9% or more, 99.95% or more, or 100% identity with the dam (DNA adenine methylase) gene nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 9. The mutant strain of the present invention may also have a mutation at a position other than SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 6, and SEQ ID NO: 9.

[0015] The mutant strain of the present invention may have, for example, the following nucleotide sequences: i) a nucleotide sequence having 99% or more identity with the 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 3; ii) a nucleotide sequence having 99% or more identity with the phoR gene nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 6; and iii) a nucleotide sequence having 98% or more identity with the dam gene nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 9.

[0016] In addition, the mutant strain of the present invention may have, for example, the following nucleotide sequences: i) a nucleotide sequence having 99% or more identity with ii) a nucleotide sequence having 99% or more identity with the phoR gene nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 6; and iii) a nucleotide sequence having 99% or more identity with the dam gene nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 9.

[0017] In addition, the mutant strain of the present invention may have, for example, the following nucleotide sequences: i) a nucleotide sequence having 99.8% or more identity with the 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 3; ii) a nucleotide sequence having 99.8% or more identity with the phoR gene nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 6; and iii) a nucleotide sequence having 99% or more identity with the dam gene nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 9.

[0018] In addition, the mutant strain of the present invention may have, for example, the following nucleotide sequences: i) a nucleotide sequence having 100% identity with the 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 3; ii) a nucleotide sequence having 100% identity with the phoR gene nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:  6; and iii) a nucleotide sequence having 98% or more identity with the dam gene nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 9.

[0019] In addition, the mutant strain of the present invention may have, for example, the following nucleotide sequences: i) a nucleotide sequence having 100% identity with the 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 3; ii) a nucleotide sequence having 100% identity with the phoR gene nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:  6; and iii) a nucleotide sequence having 99% or more identity with the dam gene nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 9.

[0020] In addition, the mutant strain of the present invention may have, for example, the following nucleotide sequences: i) a nucleotide sequence having 100% identity with the 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 3; ii) a nucleotide sequence having 100% identity with the phoR gene nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:  6; and iii) a nucleotide sequence having 100% identity with the dam gene nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 9. In the present specification, the term "having an ability to control a plant disease or a nematode" means having an antagonistic action against any of the plant disease pathogens or nematodes. The microorganism of the present invention exhibits antagonistic action against a plant disease pathogen or a nematode. This can prevent or cure a plant disease or damage caused by the pathogen or the nematode. The microorganism is particularly effective in preventing plant diseases. In the present specification, the term "prevent a plant disease caused by a pathogen" means that when plants, which are not infected with plant disease pathogens or do not show disease symptoms, are grown under the same suitable conditions except that the plants or their cultivation soil is treated with the microorganism of the present invention, the severity of disease of plants treated with the microorganism of the present invention is lower than that of plants not treated with the microorganism of the present invention. In the present specification, the term "cure a plant disease caused by a pathogen" means that when plants, which are infected with plant disease pathogens and show disease symptoms, are grown under the same suitable conditions except that the plants are treated with the microorganism of the present invention, the severity of disease of plants treated with the microorganism of the present invention is lower than that of plants not treated with the microorganism of the present invention. In the present specification, the term "prevent plant damage caused by a nematode" means that when plants, which are not infected with nematodes or do not show damage, are grown under the same suitable conditions except that the plants or their cultivation soil is treated with the microorganism of the present invention, the severity of damage of plants treated with the microorganism of the present invention is lower than that of plants not treated with the microorganism of the present invention. In the present specification, the term "cure plant damage caused by a nematode" means that when plants, which are infected with nematodes and show damage, are grown under the same suitable conditions except that the plants are treated with the microorganism of the present invention, the severity of damage of plants treated with the microorganism of the present invention is lower than that of plants not treated with the microorganism of Note that, in the present specification, the "damage" is not particularly limited, but it may be, for example, one or more selected from the group consisting of: nematode infestation and parasitism; feeding damage by nematodes, tissue destruction by nematodes, root bump formation by nematodes, and water or nutrient absorption by nematodes; and plant wilting, plant growth inhibition, and poor plant appearance. In the present specification, the wording "severity of disease is low" or "severity of damage is low" may be, for example, a low disease severity index, a low disease severity, or a low disease incidence, or a protective value greater than zero. Larger protective values are preferred, with 30 or higher being good, 50 or higher being better, and 60 or higher, 70 or higher, 80 or higher, 90 or higher, or 100 being particularly better. For example, the nematodes when treated with the microorganism of the present invention may exhibit abnormal behavior (e.g., symptoms of paralysis). In this case, nematodes are unable to, for instance, invade plants or give feeding damage on plants due to paralysis, and the severity of damage is thus considered to be low. Bacillus sp. 201106_1 strain was deposited internationally at the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE), National Patent Microorganism Deposit Center (NPMD) (Room 122, 25-8, Kazusa-Kamatari, Kisarazu, Chiba, Japan) on April 18, 2023, as International Accession Number: NITE BP-03884. The mycological characteristics of Bacillus sp. 201106_1 strain are as follows. The strain is a Gram-positive bacillus, produces acids aerobically, and is found to form bacillus-type spores. Bacillus sp. 201106_1 strain is presumed to be a bacterium of the genus Bacillus based on the colony morphology. In addition, from the results of genetic analysis, the strain is assumed to be a novel strain belonging to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens or Bacillus velezensis. The microorganism of the present invention may be obtained by isolating the microorganism while using the above-mentioned mycological characteristics, the nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA gene (SEQ ID NO: 3), the nucleotide sequence of the phoR gene (SEQ ID NO: 6), and / or the nucleotide sequence of the dam gene (SEQ ID NO: 9) as indicators, and then culturing the microbial cells. The microorganism may be in any of the forms (e.g., spores) exhibited by viable cells, including nutritive cells. The confirmation method, measurement method, etc. for each item as in the above are not particularly limited, and commonly known methods may be used.

[0023] (Culture method) The method of culturing the microorganism according to the present invention is not particularly limited, and the microorganism may be grown by known means. The base material (e.g., medium) used for culturing may be a liquid or solid. The method of culturing the microorganism according to the present invention may be, for example, a method of culturing at 20 to 50°C by using, for instance, a base material comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of processed rice, processed wheat, processed corn, processed potato, processed soybean, processed yeast, processed meat, processed seafood, sugars, oil and fat, an organic acid and a salt thereof, an inorganic acid and a salt thereof, an amino acid and a salt thereof, and a nucleic acid and a salt thereof. A culture of the microorganism of the present invention may be obtained by such methods. In addition, the culture of the microorganism of the present invention may be obtained, for example, by any of the methods described in Examples 2 to 4 below, or by other methods similar thereto.

[0024] (Culture and processed product thereof) The "culture" of the present invention means a product obtained by culturing the microorganism of the present invention, and includes microbial cells of the microorganism of the present invention and / or their metabolites (produced substances). The "culture" of the present invention may be used as it is after culturing the microorganism of the present invention, or it may be used as a processed product with some processing added if necessary. As for the "processed product of the culture" of the present invention, the method or type of processing is not particularly limited, and it may be a processed product obtained by subjecting the culture to one or more processing selected from the group consisting of separation, filtration, crushing, extraction, purification, dilution, suspension, concentration, drying, lyophilization, and spray-drying (i.e., one or more selected from the group consisting of an separated product, a filtrated product, an extract, a purified product, a diluted product, a suspension, a concentrate, a dried product, a lyophilized product, and a spray-dried product of the culture). As the processed product of the culture, specifically, a precipitate or a culture supernatant of the culture is preferable. These may be obtained by subjecting the culture to processing, for example, centrifugation or filtration. The precipitate of the culture mainly contains microbial cells of the microorganism of the present invention, and the microbial cells may contain their metabolites. The culture supernatant may contain metabolites released by the microorganism of the present invention. In addition, the metabolites may contain an antimicrobial or antinematode substance. Note that the culture supernatant does not need to be completely devoid of microbial cells or their debris, etc., but it may contain solid components. Any processed product of the culture mainly containing a liquid phase comprising the metabolites of the microorganism of the present invention can be called a culture supernatant. Similarly, the precipitate of the culture does not need to be completely devoid of liquid components, but it may mainly contain a solid phase comprising microbial cells of the microorganism of the present invention. The precipitate or culture supernatant of the culture, or the microbial cells or metabolites contained therein may be used as a processed product obtained by further processing (e.g., one or more processing selected from the group consisting of separation, filtration, crushing, extraction, purification, dilution, suspension, concentration, drying, lyophilization, and spray-drying). For example, it is possible to use as specific components (e.g., an antibacterial or antinematode substance) of crushed microbial cells, cell fractions, or metabolites etc. obtained by the processing. In order to obtain highly concentrated specific components, for example, an extraction process may be performed. The "extraction" may be performed using a known solvent and a known process. Examples of the solvent are not particularly limited and may be an inorganic or organic solvent.    More specifically, the solvent may be one or more selected from the group consisting of water, methanol, isopropanol, ethyl acetate, hexane, and a mixture thereof. Since the culture and the processed product of the culture of the present invention have an ability to control a plant disease or a nematode, they can be effectively used for controlling a plant disease or a nematode. (Plant disease) The plant diseases (pathogens) to which the microorganism of the present invention is applied are not particularly limited as long as the microorganism of the present invention may exert an ability to control the diseases. The microorganism of the present invention may be used, for example, for controlling bacterial disease or fungal diseases, and may be used for controlling both. For example, the microorganism of the present invention may be used for controlling one or more plant diseases selected from the group consisting of plant diseases caused by bacteria belonging to, for instance, obligate aerobic bacteria, microaerophilic bacteria, and facultative anaerobic bacteria.    Further, the microorganism of the present invention may be used for controlling one or more plant diseases selected from the group consisting of plant diseases caused by filamentous fungi belonging to, for instance, Oomycetes, Ascomycetes, Deuteromycetes, Basidiomycetes, and Zygomycetes. The bacterial disease, for example, may be one or more selected from the group consisting of bacterial soft rot, bacterial rot, bacterial spot, bacterial speck, canker, bacterial shot hole, bacterial leaf spot, bacterial brown spot, pith necrosis, bacterial grain rot, bacterial seedling blight, bacterial wilt, bacterial leaf blight, black rot, and fire blight. The fungal disease, for example, may be one or more filamentous fungal diseases selected from the group consisting of gray mold, brown rot, Sclerotinia rot, blotch, scab, Alternaria blotch, Black rot, early blight, ring rot, leaf mold, leaf spot, spot anthracnose, anthracnose, powdery mildew, rust, fruit spot, late blight, downy mildew, gray blight, blue mold, and green mold. The microorganism of the present invention may be preferably used to control, for instance, one or more selected from the group consisting of gray mold, Sclerotinia rot, powdery mildew, downy mildew, brown rot, anthracnose, gray blight, blue mold, green mold, bacterial soft rot, and canker. Further, the microorganism of the present invention may be used particularly preferably to control one or more selected from the group consisting of gray mold, powdery mildew, downy mildew, brown rot, green mold, and bacterial soft rot. Examples of the plant disease (pathogen), which is subject to control, are listed below. In the present invention, a plant disease (pathogen) may be one or more selected from these groups. Sugar beet:  Cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora beticola), Aphanomyces root rot (Aphanomyces cochlioides), root rot (Thanatephorus cucumeris), Leaf blight (Thanatephorus cucumeris), rust (Uromyces betae), powdery mildew (Oidium sp.), Ramularia leaf spot (Ramularia beticola), seedling damping-off (Aphanomyces cochlioides, Pythium ultimum), and the like Peanut: brown leaf spot (Mycosphaerella arachidis), yeast spot disease (Ascochyta sp.), rust (Puccinia arachidis), damping-off (Pythium debaryanum), Alternaria leaf spot (Alternaria alternata), southern blight (Sclerotium rolfsii) leaf spot (Mycosphaerella berkeleyi), peg, pod and root necrosis (Calonectria ilicicola), and the like Cucumber:  powdery mildew  (Sphaerotheca fuliginea), downy mildew   (Pseudoperonospora cubensis),   gummy stem blight (Mycosphaerella melonis), Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum), Sclerotinia rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), anthracnose (Colletotrichum   orbiculare), scab (Cladosporium cucumerinum), Corynespora leaf spot (Corynespora cassiicola), seedling damping-off (Pythium ultimum, Pythium debaryanum, Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn), black root rot (Phomopsis sp.) bacterial spot (Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans), and the like Tomato:   gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), leaf mold (Cladosporium fulvum), late blight (Phytophthora infestans), Verticillium wilt (Verticillium albo-atrum and Verticillium dahliae), powdery mildew (Oidium neolycopersici), early blight (Alternaria solani), Cercospora leaf mold (Pseudocercospora fuligena), bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum), fruit rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), and the like Eggplant:  late blight (Botrytis cinerea), black blight (Corynespora melongenae), powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum), leaf mold (Mycovellosiella nattrassii), stem rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae), brown spot (Phomopsis vexans), and the like Red pepper: Phytophthora blight (Phytophthora capsici), gray mold    (Botrytis   cinerea),    Sclerotinia   rot    (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum),      anthracnose      (Colletotrichum      aenigma, Colletotrichum capsici, Colletotrichum fructicola, and Colletotrichum jiangxiense), powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica), and the like Strawberry:  gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca humuli), anthracnose (Colletotrichum acutatum, Colletotrichum fragariae), Phytophthora rot (Phytophthora cactorum), soft rot of fruit (Rhizopus stolonifer), Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum), Verticillium-wilt (Verticillium dahliae), crown rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), and the like Onion:  gray-mold neck rot (Botrytis allii), gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), gray-mold neck rot (Botrytis squamosa), downy mildew (Peronospora destructor), Phytophthora porri foister (Phytophthora porri), leaf blight (Ciborinia allii), small sclerotial (Botrytis squamosa), Fusarium basal rot (Fusarium oxysporum), Pink root rot (Pyrenochaeta terrestris), white rot (Sclerotium cepivorum), rust (Puccinia allii), southern blight (Sclerotium rolfsii), and the like Welsh onion: bacterial soft rot (Pectobacterium carotovorum), downy mildew (Peronospora destructor), leaf spot (Pleospora allii), white rot (Sclerotium cepivorum), rust (Puccinia allii), leaf blight (Botrytis squamosa), southern blight (Sclerotium rolfsii), pink root rot (Pyrenochaeta terrestris), and the like Cabbage: clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae), bacterial soft rot (Erwinia carotovora), black rot (Xanthomonas campesrtis pv. campestris), bacterial leaf spot (Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola and P. s. pv. alisalensis), downy mildew (Peronospora parasitica),    Sclerotinia rot    (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), Alternaria sooty spot (Alternaria brassicicola), gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), black leg (Phoma lingam), Pythium rot (Pythium aphanidermatum, Pythium ultimum), white rust (Albugo macrospora), and the like Lettuce: bacterial rot (Pseudomonas cichorii, Pseudomonas marginalis), bacterial soft rot (Pectobacterium carotovorum), downy mildew (Bremia lactucae), gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), stem rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), big-vein disease (Mirafiori lettuce big-vein ophiovirus), root rot (Fusarium oxysporum), bottom rot (Rhizoctonia solani), powdery mildew (Golovinomyces orontii), and the like Kidney bean: stem rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum), angular leaf spot (Phaeoisariopsis griseola), and the like Pea: Mycosphaerella blight (Mycosphaerella pinodes), gray mold    (Botrytis   cinerea),    sclerotinia   rot    (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), powdery mildew (Erysiphe pisi), and the like

[0027] Apple:  powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha), scab (Venturia inaequalis), blossom blight (Monilinia mali), fruit spot (Mycosphaerella pomi), Valsa canker (Valsa mali), Alternaria blotch (Alternaria mali), rust (Gymnosporangium yamadae), ring rot (Botryosphaeria berengeriana), bitter rot (Glomerella cingulata, Colletotrichum acutatum), blotch (Diplocarpon mali), fly speck (Zygophiala jamaicensis), sooty blotch (Gloeodes pomigena), violet root rot (Helicobasidium mompa), white root rot (Rosellinia necatrix), gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), fire blight (Erwinia amylovora), silver leaf (Chondrostereum purpureum), crown gall (Rhizobium radiobacter, Rhizobium rhizogenes), and the like Japanese Plum: scab (Cladosporium carpophilum), gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), brown rot (Monilinia mumecola), sooty blotch (Peltaster sp.), pocket (Taphrina pruni), brown shot hole (Phloeosporella padi), and the like Persimmon:   powdery mildew   (Phyllactinia kakicola), anthracnose (Gloeosporium kaki), angular leaf spot (Cercospora kaki), circular leaf spot (Mycosphaerella nawae), gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), fly speck (Zygophiala jamaicensis), and the like Peach: brown rot (Monilinia fructicola, Monilia fructigena), scab (Cladosporium carpophilum), Phomopsis rot (Phomopsis sp.), bacterial shot hole (Xanthomonas campestris pv. pruni), leaf curl (Taphrina deformans), anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides), Cylindrosporium leaf spot (Phloeosporella padi), Coriolus stem rot (Coriolus versicolor), and the like Almond: brown rot (Monilinia laxa), leaf spot (Stigmina carpophila), scab (Cladosporium carpophilum), leaf blister (Polystigma rubrum), Alternaria blotch (Alternaria alternata), anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides), and the like Yellow peach: brown rot (Monilinia fructicola), anthracnose (Colletotrichum acutatum), black spot (Alternaria sp.), youngfruit rot (Monilinia kusanoi), Cylindrosporium leaf spot (Mycosphaerella cerasella), powdery mildew (Podosphaera tridactyla), and the like Grape: gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), powdery mildew (Uncinula necator), ripe rot (Glomerella cingulata, Colletotrichum acutatum), downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola), bird's eye rot (Elsinoe ampelina), leaf blight (Pseudocercospora vitis), black rot (Guignardia bidwellii), white rot (Coniella castaneicola), rust (Phakopsora ampelopsidis), cottony bunch (pathogenic microorganism is unidentified), crown gall (Rhizobium radiobacter, Rhizobium vitis), and the like Pear:  scab (Venturia nashicola), rust (Gymnosporangium asiaticum), black spot (Alternaria kikuchiana), ring rot (Botryosphaeria berengeriana), powdery mildew (Phyllactinia mali), Phomopsis canker (Phomopsis fukushii), brown spot (Stemphylium vesicarium), anthracnose (Glomerella cingulata), and the like Tea:  gray blight (Pestalotiopsis longiseta, P. theae), anthracnose (Colletotrichum theae-sinensis), net blister blight (Exobasidium reticulatum), Bacterial shoot blight (Pseudomonas syringae), blister blight (Exobasidium vexans), and the like Citrus:  spot anthracnose (Elsinoe fawcettii), blue mold (Penicillium italicum), green mold (Penicillium digitatum), gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), black spot (Diaporthe citri), canker (Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri), powdery mildew (Oidium sp.), Phytophthora rot   (Phytophthora citrophthora), anthracnose (Colletotrichum fioriniae), and the like Kiwi fruit: bacterial blossom blight (Pseudomonas marginalis, Pseudomonas syringae, Pseudomonas viridiflava), bacterial canker (Pseudomonas syringae), gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), soft rot (Botryosphaeria dothidea, Diaporthe sp., Lasiodiplodia theobromae), sooty spot (Pseudocercospora actinidiae), and the like Olive: anthracnose (Colletotrichum acutatum, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides), peacock spot (Spilocaea oleaginea), and the like Chestnut: anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) and the like

[0028] Wheat: powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici), scab (Gibberella zeae, Fusarium avenaceum, Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium crookwellense, Microdochium nivale), brown rust (Puccinia recondita), stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis), browning root rot (Pythium iwayamai), snow mold (Monographella nivalis), eyespot (Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides), speckled leaf blotch (Septoria tritici), glume blotch (Leptosphaeria nodorum), Typhula snow blight (Typhula incarnata), Sclerotinia snow blight (Myriosclerotinia borealis), take-all (Gaeumannomyces graminis), ergot (Claviceps purpurea), bunt (Tilletia caries), loose smut (Ustilago nuda), blast (Pyricularia grisea), damping-off (Pythium spp., Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia spp.), seedling blight (Pythium spp., Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia spp.), and the like Barley: stripe (Pyrenophora graminea), net blotch (Pyrenophora teres), scald (Rhynchosporium secalis), loose smut (Ustilago tritici, U. nuda), damping-off (Pythium spp., Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia spp.), seedling blight (Pythium spp., Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia spp.), and the like Rice: blast (Pyricularia oryzae), sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani), "Bakanae" disease (Gibberella fujikuroi), helminthosporium leaf spot (Cochliobolus miyabeanus), seedling blight (Pythium graminicola), bacterial leaf blight (Xanthomonas oryzae), bacterial seedling blight (Burkholderia plantarii), bacterial brown stripe (Acidovorax avenae), Bacterial grain rot (Burkholderia glumae), Cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora oryzae), false smut (Ustilaginoidea virens), discoloured rice grains (Alternaria alternata, Curvularia intermedia), Kernel discoloration (Alternaria padwickii), pink coloring of rice grains (Epicoccum purpurascens), and the like Tobacco: Sclerotinia stem-rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum), black shank (Phytophthora Tulip: gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), Botrytis blight (Botrytis tulipae), leaf rot (Rhizoctonia solani), bulb rot (Fusarium oxysporum), bulb-coat rot (Rhizoctonia solani), and the like Rose: black spot (Diplocarpon rosae), powdery mildew (Erysiphe simulans, Podosphaera pannosa), Botrytis blight (Botrytis cinerea), and the like Chrysanthemum: Botrytis blight (Botrytis cinerea), rust (Puccinia horiana), downy mildew (Paraperonospora minor, Peronospora danica), Pythium blight (Pythium aphanidermatum, Pythium dissotocum, Pythium helicoides, Pythium oedochilum, Pythium sylvaticum), root and stem rot (Rhizoctonia solani), Fusarium blight (Fusarium solani), and the like Gerbera: gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii), and the like Lily: Botrytis blight (Botrytis elliptica, Pestalotiopsis sp.), gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), and the like Sunflower: downy mildew (Plasmopara halstedii), sclerotinia rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), and Bent grass: Sclerotinia snow blight (Sclerotinia borealis), large patch (Rhizoctonia solani), brown patch (Rhizoctonia solani), dollar spot (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa), blast (Pyricularia sp.), Pythium red blight (Pythium aphanidermatum), anthracnose (Colletotrichum graminicola), and the like Orchard grass: powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis) and the like Soybean: purple stain (Cercospora kikuchii), downy mildew (Peronospora manshurica), stem rot (Phytophthora sojae), rust (Phakopsora    pachyrhizi),    Sclerotinia    rot    (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), anthracnose (Colletotrichum truncatum), gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), Sphaceloma scab (Elsinoe glycines), pod and stem blight (Diaporthe phaseolorum var. sojae), damping-off (Pythium spp., Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia spp.), seedling blight (Pythium spp., Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia spp.), and the like Potato: late blight (Phytophthora infestans), early blight (Alternaria solani), black scurf (Thanatephorus cucumeris), Verticillium wilt (Verticillium albo-atrum, V. dahliae, V. nigrescens), Black leg (Pectobacterium atrosepticum), bacterial soft rot (Pectobacterium carotovorum), gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), scab (Streptomyces spp.), Sclerotial rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), and the like Yam:  leaf spot (Cylindrosporium dioscoreae), anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides),   blue mold   (Penicillium sclerotigenum), and the like Sweet potato: violet root rot (Helicobasidium mompa), stem rot (Fusarium oxysporum), Foot rot (Diaporthe destruens), and the like Taro:   Phytophthora blight (Phytophthora colocasiae), Rhizoctonia stem rot (Rhizoctonia solani), and the like Ginger: root rot (Pythium ultimum, Pythium myriotylum), leaf spot (Phyllosticta zingiberis), and the like Banana:  Panama disease (Fusarium oxysporum), Sigatoka disease (Mycosphaerella fijiensis, M. musicola), and the like Mango:  anthracnose (Colletotrichum aenigma), bacterial canker (Xanthomonas campestris), stem-end rot (Diaporthe pseudophoenicicola, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Lasiodiplodia spp., Neofusicoccum parvum, Neofusicoccum sp.), gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), and the like Rapeseed: Sclerotinia rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), root rot (Phoma lingam), gray leaf spot (Alternaria brassicae), powdery mildew (Erysiphe cruciferarum, Erysiphe cichoracearum, Oidium matthiolae), downy mildew (Peronospora parasitica), and the like Coffee: rust (Hemileia vastatrix), anthracnose (Colletotrichum coffeanum), leaf spot (Cercospora coffeicola), and the like Sugarcane: brown rust (Puccinia melanocephala) and the like Corn: Zonate leaf spot (Gloeocercospora sorghi), rust (Puccinia sorghi), southern rust (Puccinia polysora), smut (Ustilago maydis), southern leaf blight (Cochliobolus heterostrophus), northern leaf blight (Setosphaeria turcica), damping-off (Pythium spp., Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia spp.), seedling blight (Pythium spp., Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia spp.), and the like Cotton: seedling blight (Pythium sp.), rust (Phakopsora gossypii), frosty mildew (Mycosphaerella areola), anthracnose (Glomerella gossypii), and the like Hop: downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora humuli), powdery mildew (Oidium sp., Podosphaera macularis), gray mold (Botrytis cinerea),

[0029] (Nematode) The nematodes to which the microorganism of the present invention is applied are not particularly limited as long as the microorganism of the present invention may exert an ability to control the nematodes. The microorganism of the present invention may be used for controlling nematodes that damage the terrestrial parts (e.g., stems, leaves, buds) or underground parts (e.g., roots, tubers) of plants, and preferably are used for controlling nematodes that damage the underground parts. The nematode that damage the underground parts, for example, may be one or more selected from the group consisting of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.), root lesion nematode (Pratylenchus spp.), and cyst nematode (Globodera spp. and Heterodera spp.). Preferred is root-knot nematode.

[0030] Examples of the nematodes, which are subject to control, are listed below. In the present invention, the nematode may be one or more selected from these groups. (1) Tylenchida (a) nematodes of the family Anguinidae, for example, species belonging to the genus Anguina (Anguina spp.) such as Anguina funesta and Anguina tritici; and species belonging to the genus Ditylenchus (Ditylenchus spp.) such as Ditylenchus destructor, Ditylenchus dipsaci and Ditylenchus myceliophagus; (b) nematodes of the family Aphelenchoididae, for example, species belonging to the genus Aphelenchoides (Aphelenchoides spp.) such as Aphelenchoides besseyi, Aphelenchoides fragariae, and Aphelenchoides ritzemabosi; and species belonging to the genus Bursaphelenchus (Bursaphelenchus spp.) such as Bursaphelenchus xylophilus; (c) nematodes of the family Belonolaimidae, for example, species belonging to the genus Belonolaimus (Belonolaimus spp.) such as Belonolaimus longicaudatus; and species belonging to the genus Tylenchorhynchus (Tylenchorhynchus spp.) such as Tylenchorhynchus claytoni and Tylenchorhynchus dubius; (d) nematodes of the family Criconematidae such as Criconema mutabile; (e) nematodes of the family Dolichodoridae such as Dolichodorus mediterraneus; (f) nematodes of the family Ecphyadophoridae such as Ecphyadophora tenuissima; (g) nematodes of the family Hemicycliophoridae such as Loofia thienemanni; (h) nematodes of the family Heteroderidae, for example, species belonging to the genus Globodera (Globodera spp.) such as Globodera rostochiensis, Globodera pallida and Globodera tabacum; and species belonging to the genus Heterodera (Heterodera spp.) such as Heterodera avenae, Heterodera cruciferae, Heterodera glycines, Heterodera schachtii and Heterodera trifolii; (i) nematodes of the family Hoplolaimidae, for example, species belonging to the genus Helicotylenchus (Helicotylenchus spp.) such as Helicotylenchus dihystera and Helicotylenchus multicinctus; species belonging to the genus Hoplolaimus (Hoplolaimus spp.) such as Hoplolaimus columbus and Hoplolaimus galeatus; and others such as Rotylenchus robustus and Rotylenchulus reniformis; (j) nematodes of the family Meloidogynidae, for example, species belonging to the genus Meloidogyne (Meloidogyne spp.) such as Meloidogyne arenaria, Meloidogyne chitwoodi, Meloidogyne hapla, Meloidogyne incognita, Meloidogyne javanica and Meloidogyne thamesi; (k) nematodes of the family Nothotylenchidae such as Nothotylenchus acris; (l) nematodes of the family Paratylenchidae, for example, species belonging to the genus Paratylenchus (Paratylenchus spp.) such as Paratylenchus curvitatus and Paratylenchus elachistus; and (m) nematodes of the family Pratylenchidae, for example, species belonging to the genus Pratylenchus (Pratylenchus spp.) such as Pratylenchus brachyurus,   Pratylenchus coffeae, Pratylenchus curvitatus, Pratylenchus fallax, Pratylenchus goodeyi, Pratylencus neglectus, Pratylenchus penetrans, Pratylencus scribneri, Pratylenchus vulnus and Pratylenchus zeae; and others such as Nacobbus aberrans, Radopholus similis, Tylenchulus semipenetrans and Radopholus citrophilus.

[0031] (2) Dorylaimida (a) nematodes of the family Longidoridae, for example, species belonging to the genus Longidorus (Longidorus spp.) such as Longidorus elongates; and species belonging to the genus Xiphinema (Xiphinema spp.) such as Xiphinema americanum, Xiphinema brevicolle, Xiphinema index and Xiphinema diversicaudatum.

[0032] (3) Triplonchida (a) nematodes of the family Trichodoridae such as Trichodorus primitivus and Paratrichodorus minor.

[0033] (Applicable plants) The plants to which the microorganism of the present invention is applied are not particularly limited as long as the microorganism of the present invention may exert an ability to control. The microorganism may be used, for example, for one or more plants selected from the group consisting of cereals; vegetables; root crops; tuberous and corm vegetables; trees such as fruit trees, tea, coffee, and cacao trees; grasses; turfs; and cotton plants. In the present invention, for example, the plants may be one or more plants selected from the group consisting of plants belonging to the family Brassicaceae, the family Solanaceae, the family Cucurbitaceae, the family Liliaceae, the family Leguminosae, the family Asteraceae, the family Chenopodiaceae, the family Poaceae, the family Rosaceae, the family Caryophyllaceae, the family Primulaceae, the family Rutaceae, the family Vitaceae, the family Actinidiaceae, the family Ebenaceae, the family Apiaceae, the family Convolvulaceae, and the family Araceae. Among them, in the present invention, plants are preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of plants belonging to the Brassicaceae family (e.g., Chinese cabbage), plants belonging to the Asteraceae family (e.g., lettuce), plants belonging to the Solanaceae family (e.g., potato), plants belonging to the Rutaceae family (e.g., lemon, navel), and plants belonging to the Rosaceae family (e.g., pear).

[0034] The applied part of the microorganism of the present invention is not particularly limited, and the microorganism of the present invention may be applied to each part, for example, one or more parts selected from the group consisting of leaves, stems, stalks, flowers, buds, fruits, seeds, sprouts, roots, tubers, tuberous roots, seedlings, and cuttings. In addition, the microorganism of the present invention may be applied to improved varieties, variants, and cultivars of plants as mentioned in the above, as well as mutants, hybrids, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) of plants as mentioned in the above.

[0035] (Application method) The microorganism of the present invention may be used in various treatments or applications performed to control various diseases developed in agricultural and horticultural crops including ornamental plants, turfs, and grasses, and for example may be used for one or more selected from the group consisting of seed treatment, seed tuber treatment, stem and leaf spray, soil application, application on water surface, and harvest treatment. Further, the microorganism of the present invention may be used as a seed treatment agent, and any form of seed treatment known to those skilled in the art may be used, including soaking seeds in the composition comprising the microorganism of the present invention, submerging them, or coating them with the composition. The seed treatment should be conducted prior to seeding. The harvest treatment may be a treatment of a plant before and / or after harvest, preferably the treatment of a plant after harvest (postharvest treatment). The treatment of a plant after harvest is not particularly limited, and may be a treatment for plant disease control (e.g., anti-rot treatment) of, for example, one or more plants selected from the group consisting of a plant during storage, a plant during transportation, and a plant during marketing. Examples of the plant before and / or after harvest include one or more agricultural products selected from the group consisting of fruits, vegetables, grains, and flowers. Fruits or vegetables are preferred.

[0036] (Non-agricultural use) As mentioned above, the microorganism of the present invention may be used mainly for agricultural purposes, but may also be used for non-agricultural purposes. The non-agricultural use is not particularly limited, and may be used, for example, as one or more selected from the group consisting of a mold inhibitor for wall surfaces of bathrooms, living rooms, etc., a water quality improver for reservoirs, swimming pools, cooling towers, etc., a treatment agent for organic waste, and a sludge treatment agent for sludge.

[0037] <2> Composition of the present invention The composition of the present invention is a composition comprising the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture. That is, the composition of the present invention comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of the following (1) to (4). In addition, the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture is comprised. (1) Bacillus sp. 201106_1 strain. (2) A mutant strain of (1) above, having an ability to control a plant disease or a nematode. (3) A culture of the strain according to (1) or (2) above. (4) A processed product of the culture according to (3) above.

[0038] The composition of the present invention is not limited to any particular use. The composition of the present invention may be used as a plant disease control agent, a nematode control agent, or a plant growth regulator. The composition is preferably used as a plant disease control agent composition or a nematode control agent composition.   Particularly preferred is use as a plant disease control agent composition. In addition, the plant disease control agent composition may also be used as a plant disease control agent composition for a plant after harvest. In other words, the composition of the present invention may comprise, as an active ingredient, the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, for their use (e.g., plant disease control, post-harvest plant disease control, nematode control, plant growth regulation).    In the present specification, the wording "as an active ingredient" means to contain an effective amount. The effective amount means an amount sufficient to produce a desired action. In the present specification, the wording "as an active ingredient" also means that other ingredients may be comprised, as long as they do not impair the effects of the present invention. The effective amount may vary depending on, for instance, the target, purpose, or timing of application.

[0039] (Prevention, cure) The composition of the present invention can prevent or cure a plant disease or damage caused by a pathogen or a nematode as the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture comprised in the composition of the present invention exerts the antagonistic action against the plant disease pathogen or the nematode.

[0040] (Form) The composition of the present invention comprises the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, its form is not particularly limited. For example, the composition of the present invention may comprise microbial cells of the microorganism of the present invention themselves, or a culture thereof as it is. The composition may also comprise a processed product optionally subjected to some processing as described above. The processed product is not particularly limited, and preferably is a culture supernatant. The microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture may be comprised in any form of a solid (solid phase), a liquid (liquid phase), or a mixture thereof in the composition of the present invention.

[0041] (Concentration) The concentration of the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, comprised in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. The concentration in terms of the microbial cell concentration at the time of use of the composition may be in the range of, for example, 1 x 102 to 1 x 1011 cfu / mL and preferably 1 x 104 to 1 x 109 cfu / mL. The composition may be diluted, before use, from the original product or undiluted solution so that the microbial cell concentration is within the above range at the time of use.    The concentration of the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, in the original product or undiluted solution may be appropriately set according to the dilution factor at the time of use.

[0042] (Content) The content of the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, in the present invention is not particularly limited, and for example, it may be from 0.001 to 99 parts by mass, preferably is from 0.01 to 80 parts by mass, more preferably is from 0.1 to 70 parts by mass, and still more preferably is from 1 to 50 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the composition of the present invention.

[0043] (Additive) The composition of the present invention may comprise an optional component in addition to the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. The optional component is not particularly limited as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired, and for example may be one or more selected from the group consisting of a carrier, a diluent, a surfactant, a dispersant, and an auxiliary agent. In addition, for example, one or more selected from the group consisting of an antioxidant, a colorant, a lubricant, a UV absorber, an antistatic agent, and a preservative may be further added as needed. Further, in the composition of the present invention, a chemical pesticide such may be mixed as long as the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, is not affected. The chemical pesticide may be one or more selected from the group consisting of microbicide, an insecticide, a herbicide, and a plant growth regulator. Furthermore, even a chemical pesticide (e.g., a microbicide, an insecticide, a herbicide, a plant growth regulator) that affects the microorganism of the present invention may also be used by allowing an interval of a few days between applications.

[0044] (Additive: carrier) The carrier is not particularly limited as long the carrier can be used in an ordinary agricultural and horticultural preparation. For example, the carrier may be one or more selected from the group consisting of an inorganic salt (e.g., calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, sodium sulfate, calcium sulfate, ammonium sulfate); an organic acid (e.g., citric acid, malic acid, stearic acid) and a salt thereof; sugars (e.g., glucose, lactose, sucrose, maltose, trehalose); and a solid carrier (e.g., alumina powder, silica gel, zeolite, hydroxyapatite, zirconium phosphate, titanium phosphate, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, hydrotalcite, kaolinite, montmorillonite, talc, clay, diatomaceous earth, bentonite, white carbon, kaolin, vermiculite). The content of the carrier is not particularly limited, and for example, the proportion of the carrier blended may be from 0.01 to 30 parts by mass, preferably is from 0.1 to 20 parts by mass, and still more preferably is from 0.3 to 10 parts by mass based on 1 part by mass of the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture.

[0045] (Additive: diluent) The diluent is not particularly limited as long the diluent can be used in an ordinary agricultural and horticultural preparation. For example, the diluent may be one or more selected from the group consisting of water, alcohol, acetone, ketone, pyrrolidone, sulfoxide, amide, glycol, nitrile, aromatic hydrocarbon, mineral oil, and vegetable oil. The content of the diluent is not particularly limited, and for example, the proportion of the diluent blended may be from 0.1 to 100000 parts by mass, preferably is from 1 to 50000 parts by mass, more preferably is from 5 to 10000 parts by mass, and still more preferably is from 10 to 5000 parts by mass based on 1 part by mass of the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture.

[0046] (Additive: surfactant or dispersant) The surfactant (which may also be used as a dispersant) is not limited as long as the surfactant can be used in an ordinary agricultural and horticultural preparation. Specifically, for example, the surfactant may be one or more selected from the group consisting of the following nonionic surfactant, anionic surfactant, cationic surfactant, and amphoteric surfactant. For example, the nonionic surfactant may be one or more selected from the group consisting of sugar ester-type surfactants such as sorbitan fatty acid esters (C12 to C18), POE sorbitan fatty acid esters (C12 to C18) and sucrose fatty acid esters; fatty acid ester-type surfactants such as POE fatty acid esters (C12 to C18), POE resin acid esters and POE fatty acid diesters (C12 to C18); alcohol-type surfactants such as POE alkyl ethers (C12 to C18); alkylphenol-type surfactants such as POE alkyl (C8 to C12) phenyl ethers, POE dialkyl (C8 to C12) phenyl ethers and POE alkyl (C8 to C12) phenyl ether formalin condensation products; polyoxyethylene- polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymers and alkyl (C12 to C18) polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymer ethers; alkyl amine-type surfactants such as POE alkyl amines (C12 to C18) and POE fatty acid amides (C12 to C18); bisphenol-type surfactants such as POE fatty acid bisphenyl ethers; polyaromatic cyclic surfactants such as POA benzyl phenyl (or phenylphenyl) ether and POA styryl phenyl (or phenylphenyl) ether; silicon-based and fluorine-based surfactants such as POE ether and ester-type silicon and fluorine-based surfactants; and vegetable oil-based surfactants such as POE castor oil and POE hardened castor oil.

[0047] For example, the anionic surfactant may be one or more selected from the group consisting of sulfate-type surfactants such as alkyl sulfates (C12 to C18, Na, NH4, alkanolamine), POE alkyl ether sulfates (C12 to C18, Na, NH4, alkanolamine), POE alkyl phenyl ether sulfates (C12 to C18, NH4, alkanolamine, Ca), POE benzyl (or styryl) phenyl (or phenylphenyl) ether sulfates (Na, NH4 alkanolamine), and polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene block polymer sulfates (Na, NH4, alkanolamine); sulfonate-type surfactants such as paraffin (alkane) sulfonates (C12 to C22, Na, Ca, alkanolamine), AOS (C14 to C16, Na, alkanolamine), dialkyl sulfosuccinates (C8 to C12, Na, Ca, Mg), alkylbenzene sulfonates (C12, Na, Ca, Mg, NH4, alkylamine, alkanol, amine, cyclohexylamine), mono- or dialkyl (C3 to C6) naphthalene sulfonates (Na, NH4, alkanolamine, Ca, Mg), naphthalene sulfonate-formalin condensation products (Na, NH4), alkyl (C8 to C12) diphenyl ether disulfonates (Na, NH4), lignin sulfonates (Na, Ca), POE alkyl (C8 to C12) phenyl ether sulfonates (Na) and POE alkyl (C12 to C18) ether sulfosuccinic acid half esters (Na); and phosphate-type surfactants such as POE alkyl (C12 to C18) ether phosphates (Na, alkanolamine) of such as carboxylic acid-type fatty acid salts (C12 to C18, Na, K, NH4, alkanolamine), N-methyl-fatty acid sarcosinates (C12 to C18, Na), and resin acid salts (Na, K), POE mono- or dialkyl (C8 to C12) phenyl ether phosphates (Na, alkanolamine), POE benzylated (or styrylated) phenyl (or phenylphenyl)     ether     phosphates     (Na,     alkanolamine), polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene     block     polymers      (Na, alkanolamine), phosphatidyl choline-phosphatidyl ethanol imines (lecithin) and alkyl (C8 to C12) phosphates.

[0048] For example, the cationic surfactant may be one or more selected from the group consisting of ammonium-type surfactants such as alkyl trimethyl ammonium chlorides (C12 to C18), methyl-polyoxyethylene-alkylammonium chlorides (C12 to C18), alkyl-N-methylpyridium bromides (C12 to C18), mono- or dialkyl (C12 to C18) methylated ammonium chlorides, and alkyl (C12 to C18) pentamethyl propylene diamine dichlorides; and benzalkonium-type surfactants such as alkyl dimethyl benzalkonium chlorides (C12 to C18) and benzethonium chlorides (octyl phenoxyethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides).

[0049] For example, the amphoteric surfactant may be one or more selected from the group consisting of betaine-type surfactants such as dialkyl (C8 to C12) diaminoethyl betaines and alkyl (C12 to C18) dimethylbenzyl betaines; and glycine-type surfactants such as dialkyl (C8 to C12) diaminoethyl glycines and alkyl (C12 to C18) dimethylbenzyl glycines.

[0050] One kind of the surfactant and / or dispersant may be used singly or two or more kinds may be mixed and used. The content of the surfactant and / or dispersant is not particularly limited.    For example, the proportion of the surfactant blended may be from 0.01 to 30 parts by mass, preferably is from 0.1 to 20 parts by mass, and still more preferably is from 0.3 to 10 parts by mass based on 1 part by mass of the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture.

[0051] (Additive: auxiliary agent) The auxiliary agent is not particularly limited as long the auxiliary agent can be used in an ordinary agricultural and horticultural preparation, and for example, it may be one or more selected from the group consisting of carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyethylene glycol, gum arabic, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and starch.

[0052] (Preparation form) The preparation form of the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited. Any of the usual forms of agricultural and horticultural agents may be adopted. Examples of the form may be Dustable Powder (DP), Wattable Powder (WP), Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC), Flowable (FL), Suspension Concentrate (SC), Water Soluble Powder (SP), Water Dispersible Granule (WG), Tablet, Granule (GR), SE agent (Suspo Emulsion), OD agent (Oil Dispersion), or EW agent (Emulsion oil in water). The method of preparing a preparation is not limited, and any known preparation method may be employed depending on the dosage form. Examples of preparation formulation are shown below. Note that the term “part” means “parts by mass”.

[0053] (Preparation 1: hydrate) Microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture 40 parts Diatomaceous earth                53 parts Higher alcohol sulfate             4 parts, and Alkyl naphthalene sulfonate       3 parts. These are uniformly mixed and finely ground to obtain a hydrate with 40% active ingredient.

[0054] (Preparation 2: emulsion) Microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture 30 parts Dimethylformamide                 30 parts, and Polyoxyethylene alkyl allyl ether 7 parts. These are mixed and dissolved to obtain an emulsion with 30% active ingredient.

[0055] (Preparation 3: Granules) Microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture   5 parts Talc                                40 parts Clay 3                               8 parts Bentonite                           10 parts, and Sodium alkyl sulfate               7 parts. These are uniformly mixed and finely ground, and then granulated into granules with a diameter of 0.5 to 1.0 mm and with 5% active ingredient.

[0056] (Preparation 4: Granules) Microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture      5 parts Clay                                   73 parts Dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium salt 1 part, and Potassium phosphate part. These are well-mixed and ground and water is added. The mixture is kneaded well, then granulated and dried to give granules with 5% active ingredient.

[0057] (Preparation 5: suspension) Microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture 10 parts Polyoxyethylene alkyl allyl ether 4 parts Polycarboxylic acid sodium salt 2 parts Glycerin 10 parts Xanthan gum 0.2 parts, and Water 73.8 parts. These are mixed and wet-milled until the particle size is 50 microns or less to obtain a suspension with 10% active ingredient.

[0058] (Plant disease and nematode to which composition of present invention is applied, applicable plant, application method, and non-agricultural use) The plant disease and the nematode to which the composition of the present invention is applied, the applicable plant of the composition, the application method of the composition, and the non-agricultural use of the composition are the same as the plant disease and the nematode to which the microorganism of the present invention is applied, the applicable plant of the microorganism, the application method of the microorganism, and the non-agricultural use of the microorganism as mentioned above.

[0059] <3> Method of the present invention The first method of the present invention is a method for controlling a plant disease, comprising treating a plant and / or a plant cultivation soil with a microorganism of the present invention, a culture of the microorganism, a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of the microorganism, the culture, or the processed product (i.e., one or more selected from the group consisting of the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, and a processed product of the culture). The second method of the present invention is a method for controlling a plant disease of a plant after harvest, comprising treating a plant after harvest with a microorganism of the present invention, a culture of the microorganism, a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of the microorganism, the culture, or the processed product (i.e., one or more selected from the group consisting of the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, and a processed product of the culture). The third method of the present invention is a method for controlling a nematode, comprising treating a plant and / or a plant cultivation soil with a microorganism of the present invention, a culture of the microorganism, a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of the microorganism, the culture, or the processed product (i.e., one or more selected from the group consisting of the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, and a processed product of the culture). The fourth method of the present invention is a method for producing a plant, comprising treating a plant and / or a plant cultivation soil with a microorganism of the present invention, a culture of the microorganism, a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of the microorganism, the culture, or the processed product (i.e., one or more selected from the group consisting of the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, and a processed product of the culture). (The first method of the present invention, the second method of the present invention, the third method of the present invention, and the fourth method of the present invention are sometimes collectively referred to as the "method of the present invention".)

[0060] That is, the method of the present invention comprises treating a plant and / or a plant cultivation soil with one or more selected from the group consisting of (1) to (5) below.   In particular, the second method of the present invention comprises treating a plant after harvest with one or more selected from the group consisting of (1) to (5) below. (1) Bacillus sp. 201106_1 strain. (2) A mutant strain of (1) above, having an ability to control a plant disease or a nematode. (3) A culture of the strain according to (1) or (2) above. (4) A processed product of the culture according to (3) above. (5) A composition comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of (1) to (4) above. In the present specification, the term "plant and / or plant cultivation soil" encompasses the meaning of “a plant and a plant cultivation soil” and “a plant or a plant cultivation soil”. Specifically, it means one or both selected from a plant and a plant cultivation soil.

[0061] In addition, the first method of the present invention, the third method of the present invention, and the fourth method of the present invention are not particularly limited as long as the method comprising treating a plant and / or a plant cultivation soil with the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of them. Further, the second method of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as the method comprising treating a plant after harvest with the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of them. Specifically, as in the case of using ordinary chemical pesticides or microorganism pesticides etc., the mode of treatment may be appropriately selected according to the type of plant disease or nematode, the type of applied plant, etc.

[0062] (Treatment method) The microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of them may be used without limiting the treatment method. The plant may be treated, for example, by directly applying or spraying them to the plant body. The soil in which a plant is grown (plant cultivation soil) may be treated by mixing, spraying, or irrigating them to the plant cultivation soil. In the case of treating a plant cultivation soil, the soil may be treated before the plant is planted, or the soil may be treated after the plant is planted in the soil.  In addition, as described in JP-A-2001- 302407, the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of them may be placed near the air outlet of an air blowing device that blows air into a facility, and may be sprayed together with the air that is blown out from the air outlet. Further, the plant seed or tuber may be coated, powdered, or dipped etc., with the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of them, and the roots of plant seedlings may be treated by dipping them. Further, a method of diluting, with water, the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of them and spraying them; the method of spraying a solid agent on soil as it is; the method of putting a solid agent in water and releasing it slowly to elicit its effect; and so on may be used.

[0063] (Treatment frequency) The frequency of treatment with the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of them may be appropriately selected according to the type of plant disease or nematode, the type of applied plant, the severity of disease, etc.

[0064] (Treatment concentration) When a plant or a plant cultivation soil is treated with the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of them, the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture or a composition comprising any of them may be used as they are, or they may be diluted with an appropriate amount of water or the like. The treatment concentration of the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of them cannot be generally specified because it depends on the type of plant disease or nematode, the type of applied plant, etc. When they are sprayed on soil, the concentration in terms of the microbial cell concentration of the microorganism of the present invention may be usually in the range of 1 x 102 to 1 x 1011 cfu / mL and preferably is 1 x 104 to 1 x 109 cfu / mL.

[0065] (Amount of water applied) The microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of them may be diluted with water. In this case, there are no restrictions on the dilution factor and the amount of water applied, and they may be appropriately adjusted depending on the content of the microorganism or a culture thereof. For example, when the culture of the microorganism of the present invention is diluted 1000 to 20000-fold with water, the amount of water applied may usually be from 1 to 100,000 L / ha, preferably is from 10 to 10,000 L / ha, and more preferably is from 100 to 7,000 L / ha.  For example, when the culture of the microorganism of the present invention is diluted 10,000 to 20,000-fold with water, the amount of water applied may be, for example, from 1000 to 10,000 L / ha. For example, when the culture of the microorganism of the present invention is diluted 1,000 to 2,000-fold with water, the amount of water applied may be a small water amount (e.g., 100 to 1000 L / ha) while the effects can be exerted.

[0066] (Mixed or combined use) The microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of them may be mixed with or used in combination with other components. As other components, for example, it may be one or more selected from the group of a microbicide, an insecticide, an acaricide, a nematicide, a soil insecticide, a deworming agent, a plant growth regulator, a synergist, a fertilizer, a soil conditioner, and an animal feed. Mixing or using in combination such other components may produce a synergistic effect.

[0067] Specific examples of the microbicide that may be mixed with or used in combination with the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of them are listed below. (1) Nucleic acid biosynthesis inhibitors: (a) RNA polymerase I inhibitors: benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, furalaxyl, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M, oxadixyl, clozylacon, ofurace; (b) Adenosine deaminase inhibitors: bupirimate, dimethirimol, ethirimol; (c) DNA / RNA synthesis inhibitors: hymexazole, octhilinone; (d) DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors: oxolinic acid.

[0068] (2) Mitotic and cell division inhibitors: (a) p-Tubulin polymerization inhibitors: benomyl, carbendazim, chlorfenazole, fuberidazole, thiabendazole, thiophanate, thiophanate-methyl, diethofencarb, zoxamide, ethaboxam; (b) Cell division inhibitors: pencycuron; (c) Delocalization inhibitors of spectrin-like proteins: fluopicolide.

[0069] (3) Respiratory inhibitors: (a) Complex I: NADH oxidoreductase inhibitors: diflumetorim, tolfenpyrad; (b) Complex II:   succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors: benodanil, flutolanil, mepronil, isofetamid, fluopyram, fenfuram, furmecyclox,       carboxin,       oxycarboxin,       thifluzamide, benzovindiflupyr, bixafen, fluxapyroxad, furametpyr, isopyrazam, penflufen, penthiopyrad, sedaxan, boscalid, pyraziflumid; (c) Complex III ubiquinol oxidase Qo inhibitors: azoxystrobin, coumoxystrobin, coumethoxystrobin, enoxastrobin, flufenoxystrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, pyrametostrobin, triclopyricarb, kresoxim-methyl, trifloxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, fenaminstrobin, metominostrobin, orysastrobin, famoxadone, fluoxastrobin, fenamidone, pyribencarb, mandestrobin; (d) Complex III ubiquinol reductase Qi inhibitors: cyazofamid, amisulbrom; (e) Oxidative phosphorylation uncoupling agents: binapacryl, meptyldinocap, dinocap, fluazinam, ferimzone; (f) Oxidative phosphorylation inhibitors (inhibitors of ATP synthase): fentin acetate, fentin chloride, fentin hydroxide; (g) ATP production inhibitors: silthiofam; (h) complex III: Qx (unknown) inhibitor of cytochrome bcl (ubiquinone reductase): ametoctradin;

[0070] (4) Amino acid and protein synthesis inhibitors (a) Methionine biosynthesis inhibitors: andoprim, cyprodinil, mepanipyrim, pyrimethanil; (b) Protein synthesis inhibitors: blasticidin-S, kasugamycin, kasugamycin hydrochloride, streptomycin, oxytetracycline.

[0071] (5) Signal transduction inhibitors: (a) Signal transduction inhibitors: quinoxyfen, proquinazid; (b) MAP / histidine kinase inhibitors in osmotic signal transduction: fenpiclonil, fludioxonil, chlozolinate, iprodione, procymidone, vinclozolin.

[0072] (6) Lipid and cell membrane synthesis inhibitors: (a) Phospholipid biosynthesis, methyltransferase inhibitors: edifenphos, iprobenfos, pyrazophos, isoprothiolane; (b) Lipid peroxidation agents:   biphenyl, chloroneb, dichloran, quintozene, tecnazene, tolclofos-methyl, etridiazole; (c) Agents acting on cell membranes: iodocarb, propamocarb, propamocarb-hydrochloride, propamocarb-fosetylate, prothiocarb; (d) Microorganisms that disrupt pathogen cell membranes: Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus subtilis QST713 strain, Bacillus subtilis FZB24 strain, Bacillus subtilis MBI600 strain, Bacillus subtilis D747 strain, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens; (e) Agents that disrupt cell membranes:   melaleuca altemifolia (tea tree) extract.

[0073] (7) Inhibitors of sterol biosynthesis in cell membrane: (a) Inhibitors of demethylation at C14 position in sterol biosynthesis:  triforine, pyrifenox, pyrisoxazole, fenarimol, flurprimidol, nuarimol, imazalil, imazalil-sulphate, oxpoconazole fumarate, pefurazoate, prochloraz, triflumizole, viniconazole, azaconazole,     bitertanol,     bromconazole,     cyproconazole, diclobutrazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, epoxyconazole,   etaconazole,   fenbuconazole,   fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flutriafol, furconazole, furkonazole-cis, hexaconazole, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, penconazole, propiconazole, fluquinconazole, simeconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, triticonazole, prothioconazole, voriconazole, mefentrifluconazole; (b) A14-reductase and A8->A7-isomerase inhibitors in sterol biosynthesis:    aldimorph,    dodemorph,    dodemorph    acetate, fenpropimorph, tridemorph, fenpropidine, piperalin, spiroxamine; (c) 3-Keto reductase inhibitors in C4-position demethylation of sterol biosynthetic system fenhexamid, fenpyrazamine; (d) Squalene epoxidase inhibitors of sterol biosynthesis system: pyributicarb, naftifin, terbinafine.

[0074] (8) Inhibition of cell wall synthesis (a) Trehalase inhibitors: validamycin; (b) Chitin synthase inhibitors polyoxins, polyoxorim; (c) Cellulose synthase inhibitors: dimethomorph, flumorph, pyrimorph, benthiavalicarb-isopropyl, iprovalicarb, tolprocarb, valifenalate, mandipropamid.

[0075] (9) Melanin biosynthesis inhibitors (a) Reductase inhibitors in melanin biosynthesis: fthalide, pyroquilon, tricyclazole; (b) Dehydratase inhibitors in melanin biosynthesis: carpropamid, diclocymet, fenoxanil.

[0076] (10) Host plant resistance inducers: (a) Agents acting on salicylic acid synthesis pathway: acibenzolar-S-methyl; (b) Others: probenazole, tiadinil, isotianil, laminarin, reynoutriasachalinensis extract.

[0077] (11) Agents with unknown action:  cymoxanil, fosetyl- aluminium, phosphoric acid (phosphate), tecloftalam, triazoxide, flusulfamide,    diclomezine,    methasulfocarb,    cyflufenamid, metrafenone, pyriofenone, dodine, dodine free base, flutianil.

[0078] (12) Agents with multiple points of action: copper (copper salt), bordeaux mixture, copper hydroxide, copper naphthalate, copper oxide, copper oxychloride, copper sulfate, sulfur, sulfur product, calcium polysulfide, ferbam, mancozeb, maneb, mancopper, metiram, polycarbamate, propineb, thiram, zineb, ziram, captan, captafol, folpet, chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid, tolylfluanid, guazatine, iminoctadine triacetate, iminoctadinetrialbesilate, anilazine, dithianon, quinomethionate, fluoroimide.

[0079] (13) Other agents: DBEDC, fluorofolpet, guazatin acetate, bis(8-quinolinolato)copper(II), propamidine, chloropicrin, cyprofuram, agrobacterium, bethoxazin, diphenylamine, methylisothiocyanate (MITC), mildew-mycin, capsaicin, cufraneb, cyprosulfamide, dazomet, debacarb, dichlorophen, flumetover, fosetyl-calcium, fosetyl-sodium, irumamycin, natamycin, nitrothal isopropyl, oxamocarb, pyrrolnitrin, tebufloquin, tolnifanide, zarilamide, algophase, amicarthiazol, oxathiapiprolin, metiram zinc, benthiazole, trichlamide, uniconazole, mildew-mycin, oxyfenthiin, picarbutrazox, fenpicoxamid, dichlobentiazox, quinofumelin, thiuram, ambam, Agrobacterium radiobacter, Coniothyrium minitans, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas rhodesiae, Talaromyces flavus, Trichoderma atroviride, non-pathogenic Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora, Bacillus simplex, Variovorax paradoxus, Lactobacillus plantarum.

[0080] Specific examples of the insecticide, the acaricide, the nematicide, the soil insecticide, the deworming agent, etc., that may be mixed with or used in combination with the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of them are listed below.

[0081] (1) Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: (a) Carbamate-based ones: alanycarb, aldicarb, bendiocarb, benfuracarb, butocarboxim, butoxycarboxim, carbaryl, carbofuran, carbosulfan, ethiofencarb, fenobucarb, formetanate, furathiocarb, isoprocarb, methiocarb, methomyl, oxamyl, pirimicarb, propoxur, thiodicarb, thiofanox, triazamate, trimethacarb, XMC, xylycarb, fenothiocarb, MIPC, MPMC, MTMC, aldoxycarb, aliyxycarb, aminocarb, bufencarb, cloethocarb, metam-sodium, promecarb.

[0082] (b) Organophosphorus-based ones:  acephate, azamethiphos, azinphos-ethyl, azinphos-methyl, cadusafos, chlorethoxyfos, chlorfenvinphos, chlormephos, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, coumaphos, cyanophos, demeton-S-methyl, diazinon, dichlorvos / DDVP, dicrotophos, dimethoate, dimethylvinphos, disulfoton, EPN, ethion, ethoprophos, famphur, fenamiphos, fenitrothion, fenthion, fosthiazate, heptenophos, imicyafos, isofenphos, isocarbophos, isoxathion, malathion, mecarbam, methamidophos, methidathion, mevinphos, monocrotophos, naled, omethoate, oxydemeton-methyl, parathion, parathion-methyl, phenthoate, phorate, phosalone, phosmet, phosphamidon, phoxim, pirimiphos-methyl, profenofos, propetamphos, prothiofos, pyraclofos, pyridaphenthion, quinalphos, sulfotep, tebupirimfos, temephos, terbufos, tetrachlorvinphos, thiometon, triazophos, trichlorfon, vamidothion, bromophos-ethyl, BRP,    carbophenothion,    cyanofenphos,    CYAP,    demeton-S- methylsulphone, dialifos, dichlofenthion, dioxabenzofos, etrimfos, fensulfothion, flupyrazofos, fonofos, formothion, fosmethilan, isazofos, jodfenphos, methacrifos, pirimiphos-ethyl, phosphocarb, propaphos, prothoate, sulprofos.

[0083] (2) GABAergic chloride ion channel antagonists: acetoprole, chlordane, endosulfan, ethiprole, fipronil, pyrafluprole, pyriprole, camphechlor, heptachlor, dienochlor. (3) Sodium channel modulators:   acrinathrin, d-cis- transallethrin, d-transallethrin, bifenthrin, bioallethrin, bioallethrin s-cyclopentyl isomer, bioresmethrin, cycloprothrin, cyfluthrin,    p-cyfluthrin,    cyhalothrin,   X-cyhalothrin,   Y- cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, a-cypermethrin, p-cypermethrin, 9-cypermethrin, Z-cypermethrin, cyphenothrin[(1R)-trans isomer], deltamethrin,     empenthrin[(EZ)-(1R)-isomer],     esfenvalerate, etofenprox, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, flucythrinate, flumethrin, T-fluvalinate, halfenprox, imiprothrin, kadethrin, permethrin, phenothrin[(1R)-trans isomer], prallethrin, pyrethrum, resmethrin, silafluofen, tefluthrin, tetramethrin[(1R)-isomer], tralomethrin, transfluthrin, allethrin, pyrethrins, pyrethrin I, pyrethrin II, profluthrin, dimefluthrin, bioethanomethrin, biopermethrin, transpermethrin, fenfluthrin, fenpirithrin, flubrocythrinate, flufenprox,     metofluthrin,     protrifenbute,     pyresmethrin, terallethrin.

[0084] (4) Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists: acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, sulfoxaflor, nicotine, flupyradifurone. (5) Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor allosteric modulators: spinetoram, spinosad. (6) Chloride channel activators:  abamectin, emamectine- benzoate, lepimectin, milbemectin, ivermectin, seramectin, doramectin, eprinomectin, moxidectin, milbemycin, milbemycin oxime, nemadectin. (7) Juvenile hormone-like substances: hydroprene, kinoprene, methoprene, fenoxycarb, pyriproxyfen, diofenolan, epofenonane, triprene. (8) Other nonspecific inhibitors:   methyl bromide, chloropicrin, sulfuryl fluoride, borax, tartar emetic. (9) Homoptera selective feeding inhibitors:  flonicamid, pymetrozine, pyrifluquinazon.

[0085] (10) Mite growth inhibitors:  clofentezine, diflovidazin, hexythiazox, etoxazole. (11) Microbially derived insect midgut inner membrane disruptors:  Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensi, Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai, Bacillus thuringtensis subsp. kurstaki, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionis, Bt crop proteins: Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1Fa, Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab, Vip3A, mCry3A, Cry3Ab, Cry3Bb, Cry34Ab1 / Cry35Ab1. (12) Mitochondrial ATP biosynthase inhibitors: diafenthiuron, azocyclotin, cyhexatin, fenbutatin oxide, propargite, tetradifon. (13)    Oxidative   phosphorylation   uncoupling   agents: chlorfenapyr, sulfuramid, DNOC, binapacryl, dinobuton, dinocap. (14) Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor channel blockers: bensultap, cartap hydrochloride, nereistozin, thiosultap-sodium, thiocyclam. (15)    Chitin    synthesis    inhibitors:    bistrifluron, chlorfluazuron, diflubenzuron, flucycloxuron, flufenoxuron, hexaflumuron, lufenuron, novaluron, noviflumuron, teflubenzuron, triflumuron, buprofezin, fluazuron. (16) Diptera molting disrupters: cyromazine. (17) Molting hormone receptor agonists:  chromafenozide, halofenozide, methoxyfenozide, tebufenozide. (18) Octopamine receptor agonists:  amitraz, demiditraz, chlordimeform. (19) Mitochondrial electron transport chain complex III Inhibitors: acequinocyl, fluacrypyrim, hydramethylnon. (20) Mitochondrial electron transport chain complex I Inhibitors:  fenazaquin, fenpyroximate, pyrimidifen, pyridaben, tebufenpyrad, tolfenpyrad, rotenone.

[0086] (21) Voltage-gated sodium channel blockers:  indoxacarb, metaflumizone. (22) Acetyl CoA carboxylase inhibitors:  spirodiclofen, spiromesifen, spirotetramat. (23) Mitochondrial electron transport chain complex IV Inhibitors:  aluminium phosphide, calcium phosphide, phosphine, zinc phosphide, cyanide. (24) Mitochondrial electron transport chain complex II Inhibitors: cyenopyrafen, cyflumetofen, pyflubumide. (25) Ryanodine receptor modulators:  chlorantraniliprole, cyantraniliprole, flubendiamide, cyclaniliprole, tetraniliprole. (26) Mixed function oxidase inhibitor compounds: piperonyl butoxide. (27)    Latrophilin   Receptor   agonists:    depsipeptide, cyclodepsipeptide, 24-membered cyclodepsipeptide, emodepside. (28) Other agents (mechanism of action unknown): azadirachtin,     benzoximate,     bifenazate,     bromopropylate, quinomethionate, cryolite, dicofol, pyridalyl, benclothiaz, sulfur, amidoflumet,    1,3-dichloropropene,    DCIP,    phenisobromolate, benzomate, metaldehyde, chlorobenzilate, clothiazoben, dicyclanil, fenoxacrim, fentrifanil, flubenzimine, fluphenazine, gossyplure, japonilure, metoxadiazone, oil, potassium oleate, tetrasul, triarathene, afidopyropen, flometoquin, flufiprole, fluensulfone, meperfluthrin, tetramethylfluthrin, tralopyril, dimefluthrin, methylneodecanamide, fluralaner, afoxolaner, fluxametamide, 5-[5-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazole-3-yl]-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)benzonitrile (CAS:   943137-49-3), broflanilide, other metadiamides, Steinernema carpocapsae, Steinernema glaseri, Pasteuria penetrans, Paecilomyces tenuipes, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, Beauveria bassiana, Beauveria brongniartii, Metarhizium anisopliae, Verticillium lecanii.

[0087] (29) Anthelmintic agents: (a)  Benzimidazole-based ones:  fenbendazole, albendazole, triclabendazole,    oxibendazole,    mebendazole,    oxfendazole, parbendazole,  flubenzazole, febantel, netobimin, thiophanate, thiabendazole, cambendazole; (b) Salicylanilide-based ones:  closantel, oxyclozanide, rafoxanide, niclosamide; (c) Substituted phenol-based ones: nitroxinil, nitroscanate; (d) Pyrimidine-based ones: pyrantel, morantel; (e) Imidazothiazole-based ones: levamisole, tetramisole; (f)    Tetrahydropyrimidine-based    ones:    praziquantel, epsiprantel; (g) Other anthelmintic agents: cyclodiene, ryania, clorsulon, metronidazole,   demiditraz,   piperazine,   diethylcarbamazine, dichlorophene,     monepantel,     tribendimidine,     amidantel, thiacetalsamide, melarsomine, arsenamide.

[0088] Specific examples of the plant growth regulator that may be mixed with or used in combination with the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of them are listed below: abscisic acid, kinetin, benzylaminopurine, 1,3-diphenylurea, forchlorfenuron,   thidiazuron,   chlorfenuron,   dihydrozeatin, gibberellin A, gibberellin A4, gibberellin A7, gibberellin A3, 1- methylcyclopropane,     N-acetyl     aminoethoxyvinyl     glycine (aviglycine), aminooxyacetate, silver nitrate, cobalt dichloride, IAA, 4-CPA, cloprop, 2,4-D, MCPB, indole-3-butyrate, dichlorprop, phenothiol, 1-naphthylacetamide, ethychlozate, cloxyfonac, maleic acid hydrazide, 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid, salicylic acid, methyl salicylate, (-)-jasmonic acid, methyl jasmonate, (+)-strigol, (+)-deoxystrigol,   (+)-orobanchol,   (+)-sorgolactone, 4-oxo-4-(2- phenylethyl)aminobutyric acid, ethephon, chlormequat, mepiquat chloride, benzyladenine, 5-amino levulinic acid, daminozide.

[0089] Specific examples of the fertilizer that may be mixed with or used in combination with the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of them are listed below. The fertilizer may be an inorganic or organic fertilizer. Ammonium salts (e.g., ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, ammonium nitrate sulfate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride);urea, nitrogen, phosphoric acid, potassium, iron, bitter lime, slaked lime, phosphorous acid, acetic acid, boric acid, a-amino acids (e.g., glutamic acid), Y-amino acids (e.g., GABA), fulvic acid, and their possible salts; seaweed extract, chicken manure, cow manure, goat manure, horse manure, sheep manure, pig manure, straw, rice husk, rice bran, soybean meal, oil meal, bone meal, fish meal, compost, bark compost.

[0090] Hereinafter, the present invention will be further described in detail with reference to Examples. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these Examples. [Example 1]

[0091] [Isolation and identification of bacteria] 1. Strain Selection Among spore-forming microbes isolated from plant surfaces in various regions of Japan, bacterial strains antagonistic to gray mold pathogen were selected. Then, a bacterial strain was isolated from dead grass in Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture. This bacterial strain was named 201106_1 strain. Here, 201106_1 strain was presumed to be a bacterium of the genus Bacillus based on the colony morphology. In addition, the strain is a Gram-positive bacillus, produced acids aerobically, and was found to form bacillus-type spores.

[0092] 2. Gene analysis (1) 16S rRNA gene The nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA gene was analyzed for 201106_1 strain. Specifically, first, genomic DNA was isolated from 201106_1 strain according to a routine procedure. PCR amplification was performed using the obtained genomic DNA as a template and the 9F primer (SEQ ID NO: 1) and the 1500R primer (SEQ ID NO: 2) used for amplification of the 16S rRNA gene according to a routine procedure. The obtained PCR products were sequenced using the 9F primer or 1500R primer to determine the partial nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA gene of 201106_1 strain (SEQ ID NO: 3).

[0093] A BLAST homology search was performed on the partial nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA gene of 201106_1 strain. The results showed 100% identity with several strains belonging to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens or Bacillus velezensis. This strongly suggests that 201106_1 strain may belong to Bacillus sp.

[0094] (2) phoR gene The nucleotide sequence of the phoR gene was analyzed for 201106_1 strain. Specifically, first, genomic DNA was isolated from 201106_1 strain according to a routine procedure. PCR amplification was performed using the obtained genomic DNA as a template and the phoR-F primer (SEQ ID NO: 4) and the phoR-R primer (SEQ ID NO: 5) according to a routine procedure. The obtained PCR products were sequenced using the phoR-R primer to determine the partial nucleotide sequence of the phoR gene of 201106_1 strain (SEQ ID NO: 6).

[0095] A BLAST homology search was performed on the partial nucleotide sequence of the phoR gene of 201106_1 strain. As a result, it was confirmed that the strain showed high identity (99% or higher) with several strains belonging to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens or Bacillus velezensis. In particular, it was found to be 100% identical to two strains belonging to Bacillus velezensis.

[0096] Examples of the commercially available pesticide containing Bacillus sp. as an active ingredient include: Agro Care Hydrate (Nisso Green); Serenade ASO (Bayer Crop Science); Botokiller Hydrate (S.D.S. Biotech); Eco-Shot (Kumiai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.); and Impression Clear (S.D.S. Biotech).   The bacterial strains contained in the above were isolated and the partial nucleotide sequence of the phoR gene was determined by the same procedure as described above and was compared with the partial nucleotide sequence of the phoR gene of 201106_1 strain. As a result, no strain had a partial nucleotide sequence of the phoR gene that matched that of 201106_1 strain. Among them, Bacillus subtilis HAI-0404 strain, the active ingredient of Agro Care Hydrate, showed the highest identity (99.5%). For this reason, Bacillus subtilis HAI-0404 strain was used as a Comparative Example in the respective tests of Example 5 to Example 7 described below.

[0097] (3) dam gene The nucleotide sequence of the dam gene was analyzed for 201106_1 strain. Specifically, first, genomic DNA was isolated from 201106_1 strain according to a routine procedure. PCR amplification was performed using the obtained genomic DNA as a template and the dam-F primer (SEQ ID NO: 7) and the dam-R primer (SEQ ID NO: 8) according to a routine procedure. The presence or absence of PCR products was checked by agarose gel electrophoresis. The PCR products were then sequenced using the dam-F or dam-R primer to determine the partial nucleotide sequence of the dam gene of 201106_1 strain (SEQ ID NO: 9).

[0098] A BLAST homology search was performed on the partial nucleotide sequence of the dam gene of 201106_1 strain. The results showed high identity with several strains belonging to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens or Bacillus velezensis. However, no strains with 98.0% or higher identity were identified. In addition, the whole genome sequences were examined for two strains described above belonging to Bacillus velezensis with which the partial nucleotide sequence of the phoR gene showed 100% identity. Both of these two strains were found to have no dam gene. These strongly suggest that 201106_1 strain may be a novel strain belonging to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens or Bacillus velezensis. [Example 2]

[0099] [To culture 201106_1 strain (1)] 100 mL of standard liquid medium (0.25% (w / v) yeast extract, 0.5% (w / v) casein peptone, 0.1% (w / v) glucose, and sodium hydroxide used to adjust the pH to 7.0) was put in a 300-mL Erlenmeyer flask, and was heated for sterilization. The 2011061 strain was inoculated and cultured in a reciprocating shaker at 30°C and 100 rpm for 3 days to obtain a culture. [Example 3]

[0100] [To culture 201106_1 strain (2)] 5 L of heat-sterilized Bacillus medium (5% (w / v) corn steep liquor, 3% (w / v) soybean peptone, 3% (w / v) glucose, 1% (w / v) sodium chloride, 0.1% (w / v) potassium dihydrogen phosphate, 0.05% (w / v) magnesium sulfate, 0.05%  (w / v) calcium chloride, 0.025%  (w / v) manganese chloride, and sodium hydroxide used to adjust the pH to 7.0) was put in a jar fermenter with a 10-L volume. The 201106_1 strain was inoculated and cultured at 30°C and 350 rpm and at a ventilation rate of 5 L / min for 4 days to obtain a culture. [Example 4]

[0101] [To culture 201106_1 strain (3)] 100 g of heat-sterilized solid medium for Bacillus (20% (w / v) defatted soybeans and 80% (w / v) water) was put in a tray. The 201106_1 strain was inoculated and cultured at 25°C for 7 days to obtain a culture. [Example 5]

[0102] [Test for effects of the microbial cells of 201106_1 strain on controlling kidney bean gray mold (indoor test)] The culture of Example 2 was centrifuged at 10000 x g for 5 minutes to remove the supernatant, and a precipitate of the culture mainly containing the microbial cells of 201106_1 strain was obtained. The precipitate was adjusted to OD600 = 0.1 with ion-exchanged water, and the flower parts of kidney bean were immersed in it for 10 minutes. Afterwards, the flower parts of kidney bean were placed on a petri dish lined with filter paper and allowed to air dry for about 2 hours. A conidial suspension (5.0 x 105 spores / mL) of a gray mold pathogen (Botrytis cinerea) was sprayed and inoculated by an airbrush at a rate of 200L / 10a onto the flower parts of kidney bean. Thereafter, the flower parts of kidney bean were placed on the surface of cucumber cotyledons housed in a plastic container with a lid for moisture retention and allowed to stand for 5 days at 20°C in the dark under humid conditions. Note that the reason for using the flower part of kidney bean and the cotyledon of cucumber is to facilitate the test. As a Comparative Example, the same procedure was repeated except that Bacillus subtilis HAI-0404 strain was used as the bacterial strain. The diameter of each lesion formed on the cucumber cotyledon was measured. The protective value was calculated based on the following formula. Note that the "average" is the average of four replicates. Protective value =  {1-( Average diameter of lesion in treatment plot / Average diameter of lesion in untreated plot)} x 100. As shown in Table 1, the results have demonstrated that the microbial cells of 201106_1 strain exhibited higher control efficacy against gray mold on the kidney bean than the microbial cells of Bacillus subtilis HAI-0404 strain.

[0103] Table 1: Protective value of kidney bean gray mold Protective Test strain value 201106_1 strain                            100 Bacillus subtilis HA1-0404 strain         89 [Example 6]

[0104] [Test for measuring minimum growth inhibitory concentration (MIC) of gray mold pathogen spores by the culture supernatant of 201106_1 strain (indoor test)]. The culture of Example 2 was centrifuged at 10000 x g for 5 minutes to obtain only a culture supernatant. The culture supernatant was filtered through a 0.2 pm filter to obtain a filtrate. The filtrate was mixed with a spore suspension (5.0 x 104 spores / mL) of a gray mold pathogen (Botrytis cinerea) prepared in a medium containing 200 ppm Tween 20 water, 2% glucose, and 1% yeast extract, dispensed into wells of a 96-well plate, and incubated at 20°C for 7 days. In this way, the mycelial growth rate in the wells was visually examined. Similarly, the filtrate was diluted 2-fold, 4-fold, 8-fold, and 16-fold with sterile water, and the resulting liquids were tested to calculate the maximum dilution factor that resulted in the minimum growth inhibitory concentration. As a Comparative Example, the same procedure was repeated except that Bacillus subtilis HAI-0404 strain was used as the bacterial strain. The results in Table 2 have demonstrated that when the culture supernatant of 201106_1 strain was used, the maximum dilution factor that resulted in the minimum growth inhibitory concentration for the spores of the gray mold pathogen was 8-fold and superior whereas that of Bacillus subtilis HAI-0404 strain was 4-fold.

[0105] Table 2: Minimum growth inhibitory concentration of the spores of the gray mold pathogen Minimum growth Test strain inhibitory concentration 201106_1 strain                              8 Bacillus subtilis HA1-0404 strain          4 *Indicates the maximum dilution factor that resulted in the minimum growth inhibitory concentration. [Example 7]

[0106] [Test for effects of the culture of 201106_1 strain on controlling cucumber powdery mildew (pot test)] The culture of 2011061 strain was diluted 10-fold with ion- exchanged water and a sufficient amount thereof was sprayed on cucumber leaves of potted seedlings. The spraying was performed 3 times with 7-day intervals. On the day of the first spraying, potted cucumber seedlings infected with cucumber powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca cucurbitae) were placed nearby. As a Comparative Example, the same procedure was repeated except that Bacillus subtilis HAI-0404 strain was used as the bacterial strain. Seven days after the third spraying, the number of cucumber powdery mildew lesions was examined. The protective value was calculated based on the following formula. Note that the "average" in the following formula is the average of three replicates, where one replicate is the test on one pot. Protective value = {1-(Average number of lesions in treatment plot / Average number of lesions in untreated plot)} x 100. As shown in Table 3, the results have demonstrated that the culture of 201106_1 strain exhibited higher control efficacy against cucumber powdery mildew than the culture of Bacillus

[0107] Table 3: Number of lesions and protective value of cucumber powdery mildew Test strain Number of lesions Protective value 201106_1 strain 0 100 Bacillus subtilis HA1-0404 strain 7 71 Untreated 24 - [Example 8]

[0108] [Test for effects of the culture of 201106_1 strain on controlling cucumber powdery mildew (field test)] (Test A) The culture of 201106_1 strain was diluted 1500-fold with ion-exchanged water and sprayed on greenhouse-grown cucumbers at a spray water volume of 300 L / ha (201106_1 strain culture sprayed plot A). The spraying was performed 3 times with 7-day intervals. The disease was developed by natural infection. As a Comparative Example, the same test procedure was repeated except that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens D747 hydrate (Double Nickel 55, manufactured by CERTIS Biologicals) was diluted 100-fold and sprayed at a water volume of 300 L / ha (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens D747 strain hydrate sprayed plot). Seven days after the third spraying, how the cucumber powdery mildew was developed was examined. The disease severity indexes were ranked such that index 0: no disease is found; index 1: lesion area is less than 5% of leaf area; index 2: lesion area is 5% or more and less than 25% of leaf area; index 3: lesion area is 25% or more and less than 50% of leaf area; and index 4: lesion area is 50% or more of leaf area. The severity of disease and the protective value were calculated based on the following formulas. Note that in the following formula, "n1" to "n4" are each the number of plants corresponding to the disease indexes 1 to 4, respectively. In addition, the "average" is the average of three replicates. Disease severity = {(1 x n1 + 2 x n2 + 3 x n3 + 4 x n4) / (4 x Total number of plants examined)} x 100. Protective value = {1-(Average disease severity in treatment plot / Average disease severity in untreated plot)} x 100. (Test B) The culture of 201106_1 strain was diluted 15000-fold with ion-exchanged water and sprayed on greenhouse-grown cucumbers at a spray water volume of 3000 L / ha. Except for the above, the same test procedure as in test A was repeated (201106_1 strain culture sprayed plot B). As a Comparative Example, chlorothalonil hydrate (Daconil 1000, manufactured by S.D.S. Biotech) was diluted 1000fold and sprayed at a water volume of 3000 L / ha. Except for the above, the same test procedure was repeated (chlorothalonil hydrate sprayed plot).

[0109] The results in Tables 4 and 5 have demonstrated that the culture of strain 201106-1 showed higher control efficacy against cucumber powdery mildew than the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens D747 strain hydrate, and also showed high control efficacy comparable to that of the chlorothalonil hydrate.

[0110] Table 4: Average disease severity and protective value of cucumber powdery mildew (Test A) Treatment plot Average disease severity Protective value 2011061 strain culture sprayed 0.8 96.5 plot A Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 8.8 63.4 D747 strain hydrate sprayed plot Untreated plot 24.1 -

[0111] Table 5: Average disease severity and protective value of cucumber powdery mildew (Test B) Treatment plot Average disease severity Protective value 2011061 strain culture sprayed 0.7 97.2 plot B Chlorothalonil hydrate sprayed 0.3 98.6 plot Untreated plot 24.1 - [Example 9]

[0112] [Test for effects of the culture of 201106_1 strain on controlling broccoli downy mildew (field test)] The culture of 201106_1 strain was diluted 500-fold with ion-exchanged water and a sufficient amount thereof was sprayed on greenhouse-grown broccoli (201106_1 strain culture sprayed plot). The spraying was performed 5 times with 7-day intervals. The day after the second spraying, pots diseased with broccoli downy mildew were planted at the base of the plants in a buffer plot. As a Comparative Example, chlorothalonil hydrate (Daconil 1000, manufactured by S.D.S. Biotech) was diluted 1000-fold. Except for the above, the same test procedure was repeated (chlorothalonil hydrate sprayed plot). Eight days after the fifth spraying, how the broccoli downy mildew was developed was examined. The disease severity indexes were ranked such that index 0: no disease is found; index 0.5: up to 2 leaf lesions are observed; index 1: 3 to 5 leaf lesions are observed; index 2: 6 to 10 leaf lesions are observed; index 3: 11 to 20 leaf lesions are observed; and index 4: 21 or more leaf lesions are observed. The severity of disease and the protective value were calculated based on the following formulas. Note that in the following formula, "n0.5" to "n4" are each the number of plants corresponding to the disease indexes 0.5 to 4, respectively. In addition, the "average" is the average of three replicates. Disease severity = {(0.5 x n0.5 + 1 x n1 + 2 x n2 + 3 x n3 + 4 x n4) / (4 x Total number of plants examined)} x 100. Protective value = {1-(Average disease severity in treatment plot / Average disease severity in untreated plot)} x 100. The results in Table 6 have demonstrated that the culture of 201106_1 strain showed high control efficacy against broccoli downy mildew, which efficacy was comparable to that of the chlorothalonil hydrate.

[0113] Table 6: Average disease severity and protective value of broccoli downy mildew Treatment plot Average Protective disease value severity 201106_1 strain culture sprayed 9.1           84.2 plot Chlorothalonil hydrate sprayed plot 9.1           84.2 Untreated plot 57.7            - [Example 10]

[0114] [Test for effects of the culture of 201106_1 strain on controlling Chinese cabbage bacterial soft rot (field test)] The culture of 201106_1 strain was diluted 100-fold with ion-exchanged water and a sufficient amount thereof was sprayed on field-planted Chinese cabbage (201106_1 strain culture sprayed plot). The spraying was performed 4 times with 7-day intervals. On the day of the second spraying, a suspension of Chinese cabbage bacterial soft rot pathogen (Pectobacterium carotovorum) in ion-exchanged water (OD600 = 0.1) was sprayed and inoculated at the base of the Chinese cabbage plants. As a Comparative Example, copper hydrate (Kocide 3000, manufactured by DuPont Production Agriscience) diluted 2000-fold added calcium carbonate (Clefnon, manufactured by Shiraishi Calcium) diluted 100-fold were sprayed. Except for the above, the same test procedure was repeated (copper hydrate sprayed plot). Fourteen days after the fourth spraying, how the Chinese cabbage bacterial soft rot was developed was examined. The disease severity indexes were ranked such that index 0: no disease is found; index 1: disease is observed on some of outer leaves; index 2: disease is observed on some of outer leaves and heading leaves; and index 3: disease is observed on majority of heading leaves. The severity of disease and the protective value were calculated based on the following formulas. Note that in the following formula, "n1" to "n3" are each the number of plants corresponding to the disease indexes 1 to 3, respectively. In addition, the "average" is the average of three replicates. Disease severity = {(1 x n1 + 2 x n2 + 3 x n3) / (3 x Total number of plants examined)} x 100. Protective value = {1-(Average disease severity in treatment plot / Average disease severity in untreated plot)} x 100. The results in Table 7 have demonstrated that the culture of 201106_1 strain showed high control efficacy against Chinese cabbage bacterial soft rot, which efficacy was comparable to that of the copper hydrate.

[0115] Table 7: Average disease severity and protective value of Chinese cabbage bacterial soft rot Treatment plot Average disease severity Protective value 201106_ 1 strain culture sprayed plot 15.3 38.9 Copper hydrate sprayed plot 15.7 37.3 Untreated plot 25.0 - [Example 11]

[0116] [Test for effects of the culture of 201106_1 strain on controlling peach brown rot (post-harvest treatment test)]. The culture of 201106_1 strain was diluted 1500-fold with ion exchanged water, and a sufficient amount thereof was sprayed on peach fruits that had been previously harvested and injured by needle pricking. The day after spraying, a suspension of peach brown rot pathogen prepared at a spore concentration of 100,000 spores / mL was sprayed and inoculated onto the peach fruits and stored at 25°C. Three days after inoculation, the percentage of diseased fruits and the percentage of injured diseased sites were counted, and the protective values for fruits and the injured sites, respectively, were calculated. In addition, the "average" is the average of two replicates. <Fruit> Percentage of diseased fruits = Number of diseased fruits / Total number of fruits examined x 100 Protective value = {1-(Average percentage of diseased fruits in treatment plot / Average percentage of diseased fruits in untreated plot)} x 100. <Injured site> Percentage of injured diseased sites = Number of injured diseased sites / Total number of injured sites x 100. Protective value = {1-(Average percentage of injured diseased sites in treatment plot / Average percentage of injured diseased sites in untreated plot)} x 100. The results in Tables 8 and 9 have demonstrated that the culture of 201106_1 strain showed high control efficacy against peach brown rot by post-harvest treatment.

[0117] Table 8: Average percentage of diseased fruits and protective value of peach brown rot Treatment plot Average percentage of diseased fruits (%) Protective value 201106_1 strain culture sprayed plot 41.7 53.1 Untreated plot 88.9 -

[0118] Table 9:  Average percentage of injured diseased sites and protective value of peach brown rot Treatment plot Average percentage of injured diseased sites (%) Protective value 201106_1 strain culture sprayed plot 19.4 71.2 Untreated plot 67.6 - [Example 12]

[0119] [Test for effects of the culture of 2011061 strain on controlling citrus green mold (post-harvest treatment test)]. The culture of 201106_1 strain was diluted 5000-fold with ion exchanged water, and a sufficient amount thereof was sprayed on orange fruits that had been previously harvested and injured by needle pricking. The day after spraying, a suspension of citrus green mold pathogen prepared at a spore concentration of 100,000 spores / mL was sprayed and inoculated onto the orange fruits and stored at 25°C. Ten days after inoculation, the percentage of diseased fruits was counted and the protective value was calculated. In addition, the "average" is the average of two replicates. Percentage of diseased fruits = Number of diseased fruits / Total number of fruits examined x 100. Protective value = {1-(Average percentage of diseased fruits in treatment plot / Average percentage of diseased fruits in untreated plot)} x 100. The results in Table 10 have demonstrated that the culture of 201106_1 strain showed high control efficacy against citrus green mold by post-harvest treatment. Table 10: Average percentage of diseased fruits and protective value of citrus green mold Average percentage Treatment plot of diseased Protective value fruits (%) 201106_1 strain culture sprayed plot 17.5 63.2 Untreated plot 47.5 - [Example 13]

[0121] [Test for effects of the culture of 201106_1 strain on controlling nematodes (indoor test)] A solution of the culture of 201106_1 strain diluted 500fold with ion-exchanged water and approximately 50 individuals of L2 larvae of Meloidogyne incognita were prepared in a 96-well plate at 200 pL per well. The 96-well plate was stored at 15°C. Two days later, the abnormal behavior was determined and the percentage of individuals with abnormal behavior was calculated. As a Comparative Example, the same test procedure was repeated except that the culture of 201106_1 strain was not used. The test was conducted in two replicates. The results showed that the percentage of Meloidogyne incognita individuals with abnormal behavior was 0% when the culture of 201106_1 strain was not used.    By contrast, the percentage of Meloidogyne incognita individuals with abnormal behavior was 100% when the culture of 201106_1 strain was used. Specifically, all individuals exhibited symptoms of paralysis. Paralysis prevents nematodes from, for instance, invading and / or feeding plants. This suggests that nematodes can be controlled by the culture of 201106_1 strain.

[0122] The above has demonstrated that the microorganism of the present invention, the culture thereof, or the culture supernatant, which is a processed product of the culture, has an ability to control at least Chinese cabbage bacterial soft rot as a bacterial disease; and also have an ability to control, as a fungal disease, at least the filamentous fungal disease, such as kidney bean gray mold, cucumber powdery mildew, broccoli downy mildew, peach brown rot, and citrus green mold. In addition, the comparison was made with existing Bacillus sp., which is an active ingredient of a commercially available microbial pesticide, or a culture thereof, etc., or commercial chemical pesticides. As a result, the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, has been found to have a high level of ability to control plant diseases. Therefore, the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, can be used to effectively control plant diseases. In addition, the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, has a high ability to control various plant diseases. Therefore, it is expected to be used effectively not only for the control of Chinese cabbage bacterial soft rot, kidney bean gray mold, cucumber powdery mildew, broccoli downy mildew, peach brown rot, and citrus green mold, but also for the control of various other plant diseases, such as gray mold, Sclerotinia rot, powdery mildew, anthracnose, gray blight, blue mold, green mold, bacterial soft rot, and canker. Further, the culture of the microorganism of the present invention was also shown to have an ability to control peach brown rot and citrus green mold in fruits after harvest. Therefore, the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, is expected to be used effectively for the control of various plant diseases not only in plants before harvest and / or in plant cultivation soils but also in plants after harvest. Furthermore, the culture of the microorganism of the present invention caused symptoms of paralysis in nematodes. Therefore, the microorganism of the present invention, a culture thereof, or a processed product of the culture, is expected to be used effectively not only for the control of plant diseases but also for the control of nematodes.

[0123] SEQ ID NO: 1: 9F primer GAGTTTGATCCTGGCTC

[0124] SEQ ID NO: 2: 1500R primer TACCTTGTTACGACTT

[0125] SEQ ID NO: 3: Partial nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA gene of 201106_1 strain TCGGAGAGTTTGATCCTGGCTCAGGACGAACGCTGGCGGCGTGCCTAATACATGCAAGTCGAGC GGACAGATGGGAGCTTGCTCCCTGATGTTAGCGGCGGACGGGTGAGTAACACGTGGGTAACCTG CCTGTAAGACTGGGATAACTCCGGGAAACCGGGGCTAATACCGGATGGTTGTCTGAACCGCATG GTTCAGACATAAAAGGTGGCTTCGGCTACCACTTACAGATGGACCCGCGGCGCATTAGCTAGTT GGTGAGGTAACGGCTCACCAAGGCGACGATGCGTAGCCGACCTGAGAGGGTGATCGGCCACACT GGGACTGAGACACGGCCCAGACTCCTACGGGAGGCAGCAGTAGGGAATCTTCCGCAATGGACGA AAGTCTGACGGAGCAACGCCGCGTGAGTGATGAAGGTTTTCGGATCGTAAAGCTCTGTTGTTAG GGAAGAACAAGTGCCGTTCAAATAGGGCGGCACCTTGACGGTACCTAACCAGAAAGCCACGGCT AACTACGTGCCAGCAGCCGCGGTAATACGTAGGTGGCAAGCGTTGTCCGGAATTATTGGGCGTA AAGGGCTCGCAGGCGGTTTCTTAAGTCTGATGTGAAAGCCCCCGGCTCAACCGGGGAGGGTCAT TGGAAACTGGGGAACTTGAGTGCAGAAGAGGAGAGTGGAATTCCACGTGTAGCGGTGAAATGCG TAGAGATGTGGAGGAACACCAGTGGCGAAGGCGACTCTCTGGTCTGTAACTGACGCTGAGGAGC GAAAGCGTGGGGAGCGAACAGGATTAGATACCCTGGTAGTCCACGCCGTAAACGATGAGTGCTA AGTGTTAGGGGGTTTCCGCCCCTTAGTGCTGCAGCTAACGCATTAAGCACTCCGCCTGGGGAGT ACGGTCGCAAGACTGAAACTCAAAGGAATTGACGGGGGCCCGCACAAGCGGTGGAGCATGTGGT TTAATTCGAAGCAACGCGAAGAACCTTACCAGGTCTTGACATCCTCTGACAATCCTAGAGATAG GACGTCCCCTTCGGGGGCAGAGTGACAGGTGGTGCATGGTTGTCGTCAGCTCGTGTCGTGAGAT GTTGGGTTAAGTCCCGCAACGAGCGCAACCCTTGATCTTAGTTGCCAGCATTCAGTTGGGCACT CTAAGGTGACTGCCGGTGACAAACCGGAGGAAGGTGGGGATGACGTCAAATCATCATGCCCCTT ATGACCTGGGCTACACACGTGCTACAATGGACAGAACAAAGGGCAGCGAAACCGCGAGGTTAAG CCAATCCCACAAATCTGTTCTCAGTTCGGATCGCAGTCTGCAACTCGACTGCGTGAAGCTGGAA TCGCTAGTAATCGCGGATCAGCATGCCGCGGTGAATACGTTCCCGGGCCTTGTACACACCGCCC GTCACACCACGAGAGTTTGTAACACCCGAAGTCGGTGAGGTAACCTTTTAGGAGCCAGCCGCCG AAGGTGGGACAGATGATTGGGGTGAAGTCGTAACAAGGTAGCCGTATCGGAAGGTGCGGCTGGA TCACCTCCTTT

[0126] SEQ ID NO: 4: phoR-F primer GTCCGTGTGCGTCTGTTCGC

[0127] SEQ ID NO: 5: phoR-R primer GCCGCTTCAGCGTCACG

[0128] SEQ ID NO: 6: Partial nucleotide sequence of the phoR gene of 2011061 strain GAGACGAAAAAATGCCAGCTGCTCAGACTTCCCATCAACATTGAGCGGCGCTACTTTGAAGTTG ACGGCGTTCCGATCATGGGCCCTGACGATGAATGGAAGGGCATCGTCCTCGTCTTTCACGATAT GACGGAAATTAAAAAATTGGAGCAGATGAGAAAGGACTTCGTCGCCAATGTCTCCCATGAACTG AAAACACCGATCACCTCGATTAAAGGATTTACGGAAACACTGTTAGACGGGGCGATGAAAGACG AAAAGGCGCTTTCAGACTTTCTGTCTATTATTCTGAAAGAAAGTGAGCGGCTCCAATCTCTCGT GCAGGATTTACTGGATTTATCCAAGATGGAGCAGCAAAACTTTACGATGCGCGTAGAGTCCTTT GACGCCGCAAAAATTCTGCATGAAATTGAAGCGCTTTTGCGGCATAAGGCTGAGGAAAAAGGCA TCAGCTTTCAGCTCGATCTCCCGGAAGAGCCGATTTTTGTGACGGGTGATGCGCACAGGCTGAA GCAGGTGTTTTTGAATCTGGCGAACAATGCCCTGACCTACACGCCTGAAAAAGGGACGGTGGGG ATTTCGGTACATGTGAAAGAAACCGTTGTCGATATCAAAGTGTCCGATACGGGAATCGGCATTC AGAAGGAAGAGATCCCGCGGATATTTGAGAGATTCTACCGCGTGGATAAAGACAGAAGCCGCAA CTCGGGAGGAACCGGGCTCGGCCTCGCCATCGTGAAGCACTTAATAGAAGCCCATGAAGGTAAA ATCGAGGTCACAAGCGAGCCG

[0129] SEQ ID NO: 7: dam-F primer ATGGCACGCTCACCATTAATCTGG

[0130] SEQ ID NO: 8: dam-R primer TTCCCTCCTGATCAAATAAGCTGAGTTG

[0131] SEQ ID NO: 9: Partial nucleotide sequence of the dam gene of 201106_1 strain ATCATAAATAAAATGCCCGCCCATAAGGTGTACGTCGAGCCTTTCGGCGGCGCGGCTCATGTCA TAGCGAATAAGCCGCAAATGGGACATGAAGTGTATAACGACATTGACGGCCATGTGGTGAATTT CTTGATGCAAGTTAGAAAGGATCCGAAGGCCATGCAGCAGGCCTGCGAGTCCATTCCGTACAGC CGGGCGCTCTATGAGAAATGGAAAACTGAAGATTACCCACAAGATGATTTTGACCGGGCTGTCA GGTGGTTTTATATGAATCGTTCCGGCATTAGTAAGGGGAACGCGGAGGAAGTACCGCAGACAGG CTGGAGGCATAGCACACAAAGCGGGCAGAACCCTGCTGGCGGATACATAAACGCCTGCGCTGCC TTCGAGTCTTTCGCCAACCGCATGAAGGGCGTCATGATCGAATGTAAGGATTTTCGCAACATCA TTGAGAAATACGATAGCCCGGATACTCTGTTTTATGTGGATCCGCCATACGTTGGCCGAGAGCG GTTTTACGCTGGCGGCTTTACGGAAGAGGATCACCGGGAACTGGCCCGGCTGCTTAATCAGGTC AAAGGGAAAGTGGTTCTTTCTTATTACGATGATCCTTTGATACTCGAGATCTACCCGAACTGGG AGTCAGAAACCTTTTCCGCATACAAACAGGTTGTCGGCGGATCCGGAAAAAGTCGCGGCGCTGA A

Claims

1. Bacillus sp. 201106_1 strain (NITE BP-03884 strain).

2. A mutant strain of Bacillus sp. 201106_1 strain (NITE BP-03884 strain) having an ability to control a plant disease or a nematode.

3. A culture of the strain according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A processed product of the culture according to claim 3.

5. The processed product according to claim 4, wherein theprocessed product is a culture supernatant.

6. A composition comprising the strain according to claim 1 or 2, a culture of the strain, or a processed product of the culture.

7. The composition according to claim 6, wherein theprocessed product is a culture supernatant.

8. The  composition according to  claim 6,  wherein thecomposition is a plant disease control agent composition.

9. The  composition according to  claim 8,  wherein thecomposition is a plant disease control agent composition for a plant after harvest.

10. The composition according to claim 8, wherein the plantdisease is a bacterial disease or a fungal disease.

11. The composition according to claim 6, wherein the composition is a nematode control agent composition.

12. A method for controlling a plant disease, comprising treating a plant and / or a plant cultivation soil with the strain according to claim 1 or 2, a culture of the strain, a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of thestrain, the culture, or the processed product.

13. A method for controlling a plant disease of a plant after harvest, comprising treating a plant after harvest with the strain according to claim 1 or 2, a culture of the strain, a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of the strain, the culture, or the processed product.

14. A method for controlling a nematode, comprising treating a plant and / or a plant cultivation soil with the strain according to claim 1 or 2, a culture of the strain, a processed product of the culture, or a composition comprising any of the strain, the culture, or the processed product.

15. A method for producing a plant, comprising treating a plant and / or a plant cultivation soil with the strain according to claim 1 or 2, a culture of the strain, a processed product of theculture, or a composition comprising any of the strain, the culture,or the processed product.