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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Crop Bioprotection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #361941
Research Project: Development of New Production Methodologies for Biocontrol Agents and Fastidious Microbes to Improve Plant Disease Management

Location: Crop Bioprotection Research

Title: Taxonomy of registered Bacillus spp. strains used as plant pathogen antagonists

Author
item Dunlap, Christopher

Submitted to: Biological Control
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/16/2019
Publication Date: 4/17/2019
Citation: Dunlap, C.A. 2019. Taxonomy of registered Bacillus spp. strains used as plant pathogen antagonists. Biological Control. 134:82-86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2019.04.011.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2019.04.011

Interpretive Summary: An ARS researcher from Peoria, IL evaluated all the EPA registered Bacillus strains registered to control plant diseases to determine their taxonomic position under the most advanced methods of taxonomy. The results showed many of the currently registered strains are registered with species nomenclature inconsistent with current bacterial taxonomy. This has created a disconnect between the product labels and research literature. This study should help establish a link between the research literature and product labels, which should lead to improved knowledge and regulatory actions. This study will allow us to better understand these beneficial microbes through the consistent use of nomenclature. This research benefits U.S. farmers and consumers that rely on these products to control plant diseases.

Technical Abstract: Strains of Bacillus spp. are one of the most important classes of bacterial biocontrol agents, which are commonly used and commercialized as plant pathogen antagonists and plant growth promoters. In the United States, there are currently 14 strains of Bacillus sp. registered as crop protection products. Recent advances in sequencing technology have led to many taxonomic revisions in the Bacillus subtilis group, which encompasses many of these strains. Recent studies have identified a few strains that were registered with different species nomenclature than they are currently recognized. The current study determined that taxonomic position of each of these strains and the results show most were registered under species nomenclature that is inconsistent with their current taxonomy. In addition, the current study identified selective primers to identify Bacillus velezensis, which was the most commonly misidentified strain in the study. This study should help establish a link between the research literature and product labels, which should lead to improved knowledge and regulatory actions.