Bacillus subtilis B-21661 Crop Yield Enhancement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for increasing crop yield do not effectively address the challenge of enhancing plant growth under non-existent pathogen pressure, where pathogens are present but do not harm the plants, and existing solutions may not achieve yield increases beyond what healthy plants can produce naturally.
Innovation Solution
The use of a composition comprising the Bacillus subtilis strain with NRRL Accession No. B-21661, optionally combined with chemical compounds from various active groups, to treat plants, plant propagules, seeds, or the growth locus, enhancing crop yield and vigor even in the absence of significant pathogen pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical compounds are used to protect plants from pathogens, then plant protection is improved, but chemical residues remain on crops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses Bacillus subtilis as a biological intermediary that produces lipopeptides (surfactins, iturins, fengycins) to mediate plant protection against pathogens. This biological mediator replaces direct chemical application, providing pathogen control while avoiding persistent chemical residues on crops.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces chemical-based plant protection mechanisms with a biological system using Bacillus subtilis and its metabolites. This substitution transitions from chemical compounds to biologically-derived substances that degrade more completely, eliminating the harmful residue problem while maintaining protection efficacy.
2Productivity
If conventional methods are used to increase crop yield, then yield improvement is achieved under pathogen pressure, but yield increase is limited under non-existent pathogen pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The Bacillus subtilis-based composition provides multi-functional benefits: it protects against pathogens through antimicrobial metabolites while simultaneously promoting plant growth through hormone-like substances and nutrient solubilization. This dual functionality enables yield enhancement both under pathogen pressure and under non-existent pathogen pressure, making the solution universally effective across different conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from purely protective (chemical fungicides) to growth-promoting plus protective (biological agents). By using Bacillus subtilis that produces both antimicrobial compounds and growth-promoting substances, the system adapts to provide yield enhancement regardless of pathogen presence, effectively changing the operational parameters of plant protection.
3Productivity
If chemical compounds are applied to plants, then plant protection and yield increase are achieved, but the complexity of managing multiple chemical compounds increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single biological agent system. Bacillus subtilis simultaneously provides pathogen protection, growth promotion, and soil health improvement through its various metabolites and mechanisms. This consolidation replaces the need to manage multiple separate chemical compounds, reducing management complexity while maintaining or enhancing productivity.
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 described method significantly increases crop yield and plant vigor by promoting healthy growth and resistance, allowing for higher yields than would be expected under normal conditions, even when pathogen pressure is minimal, and can be applied without leaving chemical residues on crops.
Implementation Method 1
The strain produces a variety of antibiotics, including lipopeptides such as surfactins, iturins, and fengycins
Implementation Method 2
The strain is also capable of solubilizing phosphates and fixing atmospheric nitrogen
Implementation Method 3
The strain is also capable of solubilizing phosphates and fixing atmospheric nitrogen
Implementation Method 4
The strain can also induce systemic resistance in plants
Data Source
AI summary
A method for increasing the vigor and/or crop yield of agricultural plants under essentially non-existent pathogen pressure, wherein the plants, the plant propagules, the seed of the plants and/or the locus where the plants are growing or are intended to grow are treated with an effective amount of a composition comprising a) the Bacillus subtilis strain with NRRL Accession No. B-21661 or a cell-free extract thereof, and/or a mutant of this strain or extract having all the identifying characteristics of the respective strain or extract as component (I), and b) optionally at least one chemical compound as component (II), selected from the active compound groups A) to J): A) strobilurins; B) carboxamides; C) azoles; D) heterocyclic compounds; E) carbamates; F) other active substances; G) growth regulators; H) herbicides; J) insecticides.