Microalgae Composition for Indirect Fungal Pathogen Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fungal pathogens significantly impact agricultural productivity by infecting plants, and existing methods are inadequate in effectively reducing their incidence, leading to reduced yields and quality in crops.
Innovation Solution
A microalgae-based composition comprising various types of microalgae such as Chlorella, Aurantiochytrium acetophilum HS399, Galdieria, Scenedesmus, Haematococcus, and Spirulina is applied to the soil or directly to plants, providing a bio-stimulatory effect that enhances plant resistance to fungal pathogens and improves growth and yield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional nutrient addition or foliar application is used to promote yield and quality, then plant growth is enhanced, but effectiveness is limited and fungal pathogen incidence is not sufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces beneficial microorganisms (Trichoderma species, Bacillus species, and Pseudomonas species) as intermediary agents that mediate between the plant and fungal pathogens. These microorganisms colonize the rhizosphere and plant surfaces, producing antifungal compounds and inducing systemic resistance, thereby providing more reliable protection against fungal pathogens compared to direct nutrient application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical and biological parameters of the soil and plant surface by applying specific formulations containing beneficial microorganisms, their spores, and metabolic products. This transforms the microbial community structure and biochemical environment, creating conditions that suppress fungal pathogen activity while enhancing plant growth
2Productivity
If nutrient addition to soil or foliar application is applied, then plant growth is promoted, but fungal pathogen incidence is not effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful interaction between plants and fungal pathogens into a beneficial relationship by introducing beneficial microorganisms that outcompete and suppress the pathogens. These microorganisms produce antifungal metabolites, compete for resources, and induce plant defense mechanisms, thereby transforming the pathogenic environment into a protective one while maintaining plant growth
3Object-affected harmful factors
If existing methods are used to reduce fungal pathogen incidence, then some protection is achieved, but yields and quality are still reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs beneficial microorganisms that provide self-service protection by continuously colonizing the rhizosphere and plant surfaces, producing antifungal compounds, and inducing systemic resistance. This self-service mechanism provides sustained protection without compromising plant growth, allowing plants to maintain yields and quality while being protected against fungal pathogens
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions and methods for indirectly reducing incidence of fungal pathogen infection in a plant are disclosed, wherein the fungal pathogen may be Botrytis, Macrophomina, Rhizoctonia, Sclerotinia, or Verticillium. The compositions comprise pasteurized microalgae cells in an amount effective to reduce incidence of the fungal pathogen in a plant compared to a substantially identical population of untreated plants. The composition treatment can include at least one microalgae such as Aurantiochytrium, Galdieria, Scenedesmus, Haematococcus, Isochrysis, Spirulina or any combination thereof.