TÜBİTAK 1004

Development of insecticides, fungicides and plant growth promoters from Bacillus thuringiensis species

Under today's adverse conditions, it is becoming difficult to control plant development at a steady state. The data obtained as a result of many studies clearly show that the negativities caused by a vegetative problem and therefore its negative impact on human health should be minimized as much as possible. At this point, one of the most important parameters is that economic concerns do not pose an obstacle to the environment and human health. For this purpose, the development of soil-borne bacteria in terms of plant pathogens, pests and growth promotion is the basis of this study. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) type bacterial strains, which form the basis of our study and are frequently used as species-specific biopesticide agents in agriculture, are gram-positive, nature-friendly organisms with their ability to form spores, and are much more beneficial alternative organisms than chemical products that may harm humans and other non-target species. It is also one of the most important organisms that can be used in biotechnological studies. Some of the Bt strains can produce insecticidal proteins such as Cry, Vip, Sip, as well as antifungal proteins such as chitinase, thuricin, zwittermycin, and plant growth-promoting proteins and secondary metabolites such as phytase, phosphatase, deaminase, siderophore, abscisic acid, jasmonic acid. In this study, it is aimed to perform whole genome sequencing on Bt strains and isolates in our stock cultures, then to combine gene products encoding vip, phytase, nitrogenase and thuricin on the same Bt strain and to carry out studies to increase their expression, and then to carry out applications to confirm these effects on plant species. If results are achieved, it is envisaged to reduce agricultural inputs of fertilizers, insecticides and fungicides by at least 20%, and the outputs in terms of green deal will be much higher. In this context, gene screening and development processes will be carried out on many subspecies in our stock culture, such as Bt kurstaki, Bt aizawai, Bt israelensis, Bt sotto. Although studies have been conducted on the insecticidal effects of these and other similar subspecies on strains, as far as we know, there are no studies on the fungicidal effects and plant growth-promoting properties of these organisms and their combination in the same species. If the study is successful, an increase in productivity will be achieved through direct effects such as root development and shoot growth, as well as indirect growth effects by shortening the time sensitive to pathogens, as well as pest control and better intake of nutrients, thanks to the increase in Vip protein, hormone production and nitrogen fixation. The effect of mutant and wild type Bt strains on plants will be investigated by applying them in liquid form and/or as additives from points such as seeds, seedlings and roots. Pot trials will be carried out on eggplant and spinach plants in the form of seed coating, foliar application and root dipping, and a prototype will be developed. Within the scope of this project, it is aimed to reduce chemical inputs and create a healthy environment by developing a mutant strain that has a three-way effect by combining metabolites such as nitrogenase and thuricin, which have a direct and indirect effect on plant growth promotion on Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies that produce insecticidal protein.development-of-insecticides-fungicides-and-plant-growth-promoters-from-bacillus-thuringiensis-species

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