Bacillus subtilis QST713 for Pineapple Disease Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling pineapple disease in sugarcane, caused by Ceratocystis paradoxa, are inadequate due to the limitations of synthetic fungicides, including non-specificity, environmental and health concerns, and the development of resistant pathogen strains, necessitating the need for more efficient and environmentally friendly alternatives.

Innovation Solution

The use of Bacillus subtilis QST713 as a biological control agent, applied to plants and their growth loci, either alone or in combination with insecticides and fungicides, to effectively manage Ceratocystis paradoxa, reducing the risk of resistance and environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If synthetic fungicides are used to control pineapple disease, then disease control effectiveness is improved, but environmental and health risks increase and resistant pathogen strains develop

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease control effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental and health risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter from synthetic fungicides to biological control agents (Bacillus subtilis QST713 and Bacillus pumilus QST2808), transforming the mode of action from chemical toxicity to biological competition and antibiotic production, thereby maintaining effectiveness while reducing harmful residues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary substances (lipopeptide antibiotics iturin A, iturin B, and polymyxin B) produced by the biological control agents as mediators that directly inhibit pathogen growth, providing a mechanism that bridges biological control with potent antifungal activity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If synthetic fungicides are used to control pineapple disease, then disease control effectiveness is improved, but pathogen resistance develops

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease control effectivenessVSAvoidpathogen susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the active ingredient parameter from synthetic fungicides to multiple biological control agents with different modes of action (competition for resources, antibiotic production, induced resistance), making it difficult for pathogens to develop resistance through single-mechanism adaptation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite biological control formulations containing multiple Bacillus strains (B. subtilis QST713 and B. pumilus QST2808) that produce different antibiotics and employ multiple control mechanisms, creating a multi-faceted attack that prevents resistance development

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If biological control agents are used to control pineapple disease, then environmental and health risks are reduced, but control effectiveness decreases under severe infection pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental and health risksVSAvoiddisease control effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances the potency parameter of biological control agents by selecting strains that produce high concentrations of potent lipopeptide antibiotics (iturin A, iturin B, polymyxin B), enabling effective control even under severe infection pressure while maintaining environmental safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple biological control agents (B. subtilis QST713 and B. pumilus QST2808) with complementary antibiotic profiles and modes of action, creating a synergistic effect that amplifies control effectiveness under high pathogen pressure while maintaining low environmental impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 application of Bacillus subtilis QST713 demonstrates comparable efficacy to chemical fungicides in controlling pineapple disease, enhancing plant health and yield while minimizing residues and resistance risks, as shown in field trials.

Implementation Method 1

both of which produce the lipopeptide antibiotics iturin A, iturin B and polymyxin B

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntibiotic production:

Implementation Method 2

The use of biological control agents (BCAs) is an alternative

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiological control:

Data Source

PatentEP3240423B1Method for using a bacillus subtilis or bacillus pumilus strain to treat or prevent pineapple disease

Publication Date: 2020.10.21 BAYER CROPSCIENCE LP

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for controlling Ceratocystis spp. in a plant and/or reducing losses in harvested crops, the method comprising applying to a plant and/or locus for plant growth an effective amount of at least one biological control agent selected from Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus, and metabolites produced therefrom. The present invention also encompasses the use of a composition comprising at least one biological control agent selected from Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus, and metabolites produced therefrom for controlling Ceratocystis spp. in a plant.