Bacilli and Agrobiotechnology

421 Pages·2016·8.69 MB·English

by  M. Tofazzal Islam

M. Tofazzal Islam · Mahfuz Rahman
Piyush Pandey · Chaitanya Kumar Jha
Abhinav Aeron Editors
Bacilli and
Agrobiotechnology
Bacilli and Agrobiotechnology
M. Tofazzal Islam • Mahfuz Rahman
Piyush Pandey • Chaitanya Kumar Jha
Abhinav Aeron
Editors
Bacilli and
Agrobiotechnology
Editors
M. Tofazzal Islam Mahfuz Rahman
Department of Biotechnology WVU Extension Service
Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman West Virginia University
Agricultural University Morgantown, WV, USA
Salna, Bangladesh
Chaitanya Kumar Jha
Piyush Pandey Department of Microbiology
Soil and Environmental Microbiology Government Science College
Laboratory, Department of Microbiology Vankal, Gujarat, India
Assam University
Silchar, Assam, India
Abhinav Aeron
Division of Biotechnology
Chonbuk National University
Iksan-si, Republic of Korea
ISBN 978-3-319-44408-6 ISBN 978-3-319-44409-3 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-44409-3
Library of Congress Control Number: 2016959463
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Foreword
Sustainability is not only a modern term but also is a major concept encompassing
present and future activities in agriculture to minimize harmful environmental
impacts and stabilize growth. In this regard ‘coming back to nature’ methods were
developed as ‘organic farming’, ‘biocontrol’ of pathogens and ‘biostimulation’ of
plant growth. There are many different ways to establish and practise environmen-
tally friendly cultivation systems. Looking at the food production chain from soil to
the consumer to microorganisms in particular, Bacilli can make a contribution to
secure sustainability.
Fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms previously had rather a bad reputation
because pathogens could reduce yield and quality of products or destroy parts of the
plants. At the least arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi have long been known and used to
improve the nutrient uptake of different crops. Moreover, bacteria, fungi and actino-
mycetes have been well investigated as the main contributors to the decomposition
of the organic materials in the composting process. Bacillus subtilis, Geobacillus
stearothermophilus, Pseudomonas ssp., Serratia ssp. and Flavobacterium can eas-
ily be detected at the beginning of this process.
The ability of microorganisms to promote plant growth and reduce growth dis-
turbance due to stress situations in the rhizosphere such as high salt concentration,
inadequate pH values and soilborne diseases was less investigated. There also are
fewer investigations on the role of microbes in minimizing impacts on plants that
are created by unfavourable climatic conditions such as low or high temperature,
drought and water stress. In intensive agriculture production, the use of biological
agents may be the best way to sustain food production.
The authors of this book in 16 chapters describe different Bacilli with a wide
range of functionalities and their interactions with plant growth as biological stimu-
lants in fluctuating growing conditions. Authors focus on the plant growth- promoting
rhizobacteria (PGPR), Bacilli that are able to enhance nutrient availability, e.g.
mobilization of phosphorus fixed in the soil and their role in nutrient uptake. Results
presented in the book from various studies also describe Bacillus spp. as prolific
siderophore producer in order to enhance the availability of iron and ability of bio-
logical nitrogen fixation for the plants as PGPR.
v
vi Foreword
Another very important effect of Bacilli is their antiphytopathogenic potential.
Bacillus spp. are promising biocontrol organisms for root, foliar and postharvest
diseases of plants. The use of biopesticides such as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
FZB42, B. amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum strains as well as some isolates of
the genus Paenibacillus has several advantages over chemical products as they do
not pose risk to the environment and human health and pests do not grow resistance
against these products. In addition, strains of Bacillus ssp. can induce systemic
resistance resulting in increased tolerance to harmful microbes and plant growth
promotion. Bacilli also have importance for biotechnological and pharmacological
applications varying from fermentation industry to bioremediation of recalcitrant
compounds.
I believe this book will be useful for researchers and teachers in agriculture or
other biological disciplines as well as students and policymakers. Likewise, farm-
ers, farm advisory services who are interested in the subjects in the plant and agri-
cultural sciences will be immensely benefited from this book.
February 2016 Michael H. Bohme
Preface
An ever-increasing worldwide population has raised demand for the food, which in
turn has led to an increasing dependence on the use of synthetic pesticides to control
major pests and plant diseases. Excessive use of agrochemicals has not only caused
serious environmental and health concerns but also has resulted in pests that are
resistant to pesticides making entire production systems less safe and sustainable.
This situation may be exacerbated by lower soil fertility that can lead to a severe
agrarian crisis on a global scale. Alternative plant production and pest control meth-
ods that involve biorational approaches may mitigate these adverse conditions.
There is a critical need for increased research funding that focuses on quality food
production, using biologically based methods without the use of synthetic chemi-
cals. Compilation and publication of the results from these researches should pro-
vide directions to sustainable pest management.
Since the inception of agriculture and crop production, prokaryotes have been
unsung heroes in boosting crop growth and yield by their interaction with other flora
and fauna. Their involvement predominantly takes place in the plant rhizosphere,
the endosphere and to some extent the phyllosphere. Among a few prominent pro-
karyotic genera, Bacillus spp. represent one of the most important unmapped pools
of biodiversity. This genus contains a vast member of species with many applica-
tions in agriculture, industry and medicine. These Gram-positive spore-forming
bacteria are some of the most dominant groups that exist in various ecological
niches on the earth due to their survivability in adverse environmental conditions by
producing endospores. Due to their survival capacity, Bacilli can competitively col-
onize plant roots and other plant organs while simultaneously acting as biofertiliz-
ers and as antagonists (biopesticides) of important plant pathogens including
bacteria, fungi, peronosporomycetes and nematodes. The Bacilli are grabbing atten-
tion due to their ability to produce phytohormones, solubilize inorganic nutrients
including phosphates, fix atmospheric nitrogen, produce antibiotics as well as lytic
enzymes and induce systemic resistance in plants against pathogens. Biological sys-
tems that utilize this genus for enhanced plant growth and development may well
shape the future of sustainable agriculture.
vii
viii Preface
Recognizing the enormous potential of the bacteria in this genus, scientists all
over the world have directed significant research towards selection and commercial-
ization of the best organisms that may provide protection of plants from harmful
microbes and/or enhance plant growth. The list of efficient disease-controlling and
growth-promoting Bacillus species is increasing daily. Some of the most promising
and widely studied microbes include B. subtilis, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. pumilus,
B. licheniformis and B. firmus.
Remarkable advancements made in understanding the biology of plant-Bacillus
interactions have resulted in a specialized area of research in agrobiology. This
book, Bacilli and Agrobiotechnology, was written based on those advancements.
The volume is comprised of 16 chapters that cover the applications of Bacillus in
promoting plant growth, protection and productivity. The book will be useful to
students, teachers and researchers who cover subjects such as agriculture, plant
physiology, plant protection, agronomy, microbiology, biotechnology and environ-
mental sciences.
Although the book’s major focus is with applied aspects in agriculture, it also
highlights research findings focused on utilizing microbes that produce industrially
important antibiotics, enzymes, probiotics and other biochemicals. The book also
describes innovative approaches utilizing Bacillus-mediated bioremediation of
environmental pollutants such as pesticides, explosive wastes, dyes and polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons. However, plant growth promotion and biological control of
plant pathogens remain the centrepiece of the book. Possible mechanisms and
modes of action are discussed as future research directions. The most common and
well-elaborated beneficial traits of Bacilli highlighted in the book include atmo-
spheric nitrogen fixation, organic and inorganic phosphorus solubilization, phyto-
hormone production, root development and nutrient uptake enhancements (e.g.
siderophore production), induction of systemic resistance in plants, enhanced plant
tolerance to environmental stresses and suppression of harmful microbes. Managing
major diseases with Bacillus spp. now is within the reach of researchers who can
utilize information presented in many of the chapters. A biotechnological approach
including genomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics to augment beneficial bio-
chemical production from this group of bacteria also has been suggested.
Using insecticidal toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is an approach in pest
management that has been useful in the development of pest-resistant crop varieties.
Agricultural biotechnology that involves a wide range of pesticidal genes from Bt
has dominated the pesticide management research for the last few decades – with
both favourable and unfavourable public comments. Transgenic Bt crops have
gained popularity in the United States and many other countries. A unique chapter
in this book illustrates the pros and cons of this technology when used to control
corn rootworm. The emergence of resistant insect pests to Bt-based bioinsecticides
and Bt crops has created new challenges. Readers will get some directions on how
to overcome these issues by diversifying available management tools. As mosquito-
borne diseases continue to threaten human health, the chapter that discusses the
potential of Bt to control mosquitoes in a more environmentally friendly way is a
timely addition.
Preface ix
This book represents a cooperative effort from all the editors and contributors
representing many different countries. The editors gratefully acknowledge the
authors who contributed to the project. We are grateful for the enthusiasm and col-
legial spirit they demonstrated. Our profound thanks also are due to Prof. Michael
Bӧhme for writing a scholarly foreword for this book.
We would like to thank Springer Life Sciences publishing editor Dr. Elodie
J. Tronche who made suggestions on making this book applicable to the audience.
It has been a privilege to interact with scientists who conduct research on these
fascinating microbes and compiling their findings. We believe researchers who
work with the Bacilli will find this book an essential reference.
Salna, Bangladesh M. Tofazzal Islam
Morgantown, WV, USA Mahfuz Rahman
Silchar, Assam, India Piyush Pandey
Vankal, Gujarat, India Chaitanya Kumar Jha
Iksan-si, Republic of Korea Abhinav Aeron
Contents
1 Role of Bacillus Genus in the Production of Value-Added
Compounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Milad Mohkam, Navid Nezafat, Aydin Berenjian,
Manica Negahdaripour, Abdolazim Behfar, and Younes Ghasemi
2 Bacillus: As Bioremediator Agent of Major
Environmental Pollutants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Baljinder Singh and Kashmir Singh
3 Growth Promotion of Nonlegumes by the Inoculation
of Bacillus Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
M.A. Baset Mia, Umme Aminun Naher,
Qurban Ali Panhwar, and M. Tofazzal Islam
4 Management of the Western Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica
virgifera virgifera LeConte, Using Transgenic Bt Maize . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Daniel L. Frank
5 Bacillus spp.: A Potential Plant Growth Stimulator
and Biocontrol Agent Under Hostile
Environmental Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Dilfuza Egamberdieva
6 Bacillus spp.: A Promising Biocontrol Agent
of Root, Foliar, and Postharvest Diseases of Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Mahfuz Rahman
7 Bacillus spp. and Their Biotechnological Roles
in Green Industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Naser Aliye Feto
8 Phytostimulation and Biocontrol by the Plant- Associated
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42: An Update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Rainer Borriss
xi