Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens Biocontrol for Soilborne Plant Pathogens

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for combating soilborne phytopathogens such as Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium irregulare, and Phytophthora sojae are inefficient and environmentally harmful, leading to significant crop losses and yield reduction.

Innovation Solution

Utilization of a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain (DSM34003) and its variants, which produce high levels of lipopeptides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to inhibit the growth of these pathogens, reducing the need for chemical fungicides.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical fungicides are applied to control phytopathogens, then disease control effectiveness is improved, but environmental degradation and pathogen resistance increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease control effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical fungicides (mechanical/chemical system) with a biological system using Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain DSM34003. The bacterium produces lipopeptides and volatile organic compounds that control phytopathogens through biological mechanisms, eliminating the environmental harm associated with chemical applications while maintaining disease control effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain acts as an intermediary organism that produces antifungal metabolites (lipopeptides and VOCs). These metabolites serve as the active agents that control phytopathogens, mediating between the applied biocontrol agent and the target pathogens without requiring direct chemical fungicide application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If chemical fungicides are used to manage Fusarium culmorum, then disease symptoms are reduced, but pathogen resistance and soil quality degradation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease symptom reductionVSAvoidpathogen resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes chemical fungicide treatment with biological control using Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. The bacterium produces lipopeptides and volatile organic compounds that control Fusarium culmorum through biological mechanisms, preventing pathogen resistance development while maintaining disease symptom reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mode of action from chemical toxicity to biological competition and antimicrobial metabolite production. By using Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and its fermentation products, the system alters the control mechanism parameters to avoid selecting for resistant pathogen strains while maintaining effective disease management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If conventional crop management practices are applied, then crop production continues, but biotic and abiotic issues reduce yield

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrop productionVSAvoidcrop yield

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies Bacillus amyloliquefaciens as a seed treatment or soil application before phytopathogen infection occurs. The bacterium establishes in the rhizosphere and produces antifungal metabolites proactively, preventing disease development before it can reduce crop yield, rather than treating symptoms after damage occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain serves as a protective intermediary between the crop and phytopathogens. It colonizes the rhizosphere and produces lipopeptides and volatile organic compounds that create a protective barrier, mediating protection against biotic stresses that would otherwise reduce crop yield

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain effectively inhibits phytopathogens, enhancing plant health and crop yield while minimizing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain and variants thereof, capable of inhibiting growth of phytopathogens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial activity:

Implementation Method 2

produce high levels of lipopeptides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to inhibit the growth of these pathogens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVolatile organic compounds inhibition:

Data Source

PatentUS20260047583A1Bacillus Strain and Variants Thereof for Inhibition of Plant Diseases

Publication Date: 2026.02.19 CHR HANSEN AS

AI summary

The present invention relates to the use of bacteria for inhibition of plant disease. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain and variants thereof, capable of inhibiting growth of phytopathogens, such as fungi and oomycetes including Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium irregulare, Pythium selbyi and Phytophthora sojae.