Bacillus subtilis Composition for Wide-Area Pine Wilt Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling pine wilt disease, caused by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, are ineffective, costly, and difficult to implement in wide areas, particularly in high mountainous regions, with chemical trunk injections having limited efficacy and potential harm to uninfected trees.

Innovation Solution

A novel Bacillus subtilis JCK-1398 strain is developed to induce resistance in pine trees and various plants, using a microbial agent that activates induced resistance against plant pathogens, including Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, through compositions containing the strain, its culture, or culture supernatant, combined with synthetic agrochemicals for synergistic effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical trunk injection is used to control pine wilt disease, then disease control effectiveness is improved, but application difficulty and cost increase in wide areas and high mountainous regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisease control effectivenessVSAvoidapplication difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical trunk injection method with a microbial agent (Bacillus subtilis JCK-1398 strain) that can be applied through foliar spraying or soil drenching. This substitution eliminates the need for complex injection equipment and trained operators, allowing simple application methods that can cover wide areas including high mountainous regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a microbial agent as an intermediary substance that induces resistance in plants against pine wilt disease. Instead of directly injecting chemicals into the trunk, the Bacillus subtilis strain acts as a mediator that triggers the plant's own defense mechanisms, providing effective disease control through alternative application routes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If chemical trunk injection is used to control pine wilt disease, then disease control effectiveness is improved, but cost increases for wide area prevention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisease control effectivenessVSAvoidchemical cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a microbial agent that can be mass-produced at low cost and applied through inexpensive methods like foliar spraying. The Bacillus subtilis JCK-1398 strain serves as a cost-effective alternative to expensive chemical trunk injections, enabling wide area prevention without significant financial burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The microbial agent provides multi-functional benefits by inducing resistance against pine wilt disease while also being applicable through multiple routes (foliar spraying, soil drenching). This universality allows the same agent to be used for preventive treatment of uninfected trees and therapeutic treatment of infected trees, reducing overall chemical consumption and costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If repeated chemical trunk injection is used to control pine wilt disease, then disease control is maintained, but uninfected pine trees are harmed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisease control maintenanceVSAvoidharm to uninfected trees
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of repeated chemical applications into a benefit by using a microbial agent that induces resistance rather than directly killing pathogens. The Bacillus subtilis JCK-1398 strain triggers the plant's immune system, providing long-lasting protection without the harmful side effects associated with repeated chemical trunk injections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The microbial agent enables the plant to defend itself against pine wilt disease by inducing its own resistance mechanisms. Instead of relying on continuous external chemical interventions that harm uninfected trees, the plant activates its innate immune system through exposure to the Bacillus subtilis strain, providing sustainable protection without harm to healthy trees.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 subtilis JCK-1398 strain effectively controls pine wilt disease and other plant diseases by inducing resistance, allowing for eco-friendly control methods such as foliar spraying and soil drenching, reducing chemical use and costs, and preventing disease spread.

Implementation Method 1

a Bacillus subtilis JCK-1398 strain (accession number KCTC 14084BP) that activates induced resistance in a plant against disease and pests

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduced resistance:

Data Source

PatentEP4105317B1Bacillus subtilis JCK-1398 strain inducing resistance in various plants, and composition and method for controlling pine wilt disease by using same
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 JAN153 BIOTECH INC
  • EP4105317B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4105317B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4105317B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The present invention relates to a Bacillus subtilis JCK-1398 strain (Accession No. KCTC 14084BP) having induced resistance activity in pine trees and various plants, a pesticidal or antibacterial composition comprising same as an active ingredient, a composition for controlling plant diseases or pests, and a control method using same. The Bacillus subtilis JCK-1398 strain of the present invention was experimentally confirmed to have control activity against pests, nematodes, and fungi, which cause various plant diseases, by inducing resistance in a host. Thus, the Bacillus subtilis JCK-1398 strain of the present invention can be effectively used to control related plant diseases and can be spread over a wide area through foliar spraying, and therefore is expected to be able to prevent the spread of pine wilt disease at low cost.