Sunchang-gun, Excellent Effect of Microorganisms Suppressing Pepper Anthracnose Disease

Eco-friendly Microorganisms Inhibit Anthrax Bacteria Growth by 40%

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Geon-ju] The Agricultural Technology Center of Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk, announced on the 14th that Bacillus velezensis SCAT003, an eco-friendly agricultural microorganism discovered independently, is highly effective in suppressing anthracnose in chili peppers.

According to the county technology center, last year the native microorganism Bacillus velezensis was proven to inhibit the growth of anthracnose mycelium and spore germination. Based on this, they plan to conduct test analyses on the degree of anthracnose occurrence and control effects targeting chili pepper farms in open fields within the jurisdiction until September this year.

Anthracnose is a plant disease caused by infection with the anthracnose pathogen, and it is the most feared infectious disease among chili pepper farmers. Until now, the majority of local farmers have chosen pesticide control to prevent anthracnose.

From the perspective of Sunchang-gun, which is planning to transition to eco-friendly agriculture, there is a need for control methods using eco-friendly agents instead of conventional pesticides, and the chosen method is the utilization of microorganisms.

Last year, the county confirmed in the laboratory within the Eco-friendly Agriculture Center that the Colletotrichum scovillei strain is the main pathogen causing anthracnose in the area, and focused on discovering microorganisms that can suppress it.

After repeated research, the county discovered the native microorganism Bacillus velezensis, and in their own tests, it was found that a 30% concentration of the microbial culture solution inhibited about 40% of the mycelial growth of chili anthracnose (C. scovillei).

Additionally, when anthracnose spores were inoculated on PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar) and treated with a 100-fold diluted microbial culture solution, spore germination was inhibited 100%.

The county plans to promote the effectiveness and usage methods through farmer education and establish agricultural microorganism culture facilities to supply microorganisms once the preventive effect of the microorganism on chili anthracnose is verified through this demonstration test.

A county official stated, “If anthracnose, which causes significant damage to chili peppers, can be prevented through microorganisms via this demonstration test, it will greatly help increase farm income,” and added, “We will continue to discover good microorganisms and conduct various crop disease prevention tests in the future.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.