Gwangyang City Registers Patent for Indigenous Baegunsan Microorganism 'Baekgwangyi'

Proving Research Capabilities Through Independent Development Achievements
Promoting Technology Transfer and Commercialization to the Private Sector Within This Year

Gwangyang City in South Jeolla Province (Mayor Jung Inhwa) has once again demonstrated its outstanding independent research capabilities by successfully registering a patent for an entomopathogenic microorganism in June this year, following last year’s patent registration of the plant disease control agent “GY-gun.”

The city announced on June 20 that it had successfully completed the “Research and Development Project for Indigenous Entomopathogenic Microorganisms of Baegunsan,” which was conducted from July last year to June this year. In recognition of these achievements, the city completed patent registration (Registration No. 10-2822022) on June 13 for “Baekgwangyi (Beauveria bassiana GYF-2).”

Baekgwangyi, an indigenous entomopathogenic microorganism of Baegunsan.

The newly patented “Baekgwangyi” is a fungus indigenous to the slopes of Baegunsan in Gwangyang City. It was first isolated and identified in August last year after significant efforts.

This strain demonstrated excellent antimicrobial activity against major plant pathogens that cause diseases in crops, such as Sclerotinia sp. (white mold), Fusarium oxysporum (wilt), Phytophthora capsici (blight), Botrytis cinerea (gray mold), and Colletotrichum scovillei (anthracnose). It also showed strong insecticidal effects against pests that inhabit and damage crops, including stink bugs, moths, leaf beetles, and planthoppers. As a result, it has been recognized as an outstanding eco-friendly agent for pest and disease control.

By achieving the first patent registration among local governments nationwide for research related to entomopathogenic fungi through “Baekgwangyi,” the city has demonstrated its research capabilities both domestically and internationally, and has elevated its status as a leading local government in the field of agricultural microorganisms.

The city plans to promote technology transfer to private companies within this year and to support its use by eco-certified farms by registering it as an organic agricultural material for pest and disease control. In addition, the city will accelerate efforts to expand the distribution of the strain by collaborating with the Rural Development Administration, South Jeolla Province, universities, and related research institutions.

Kim Donghun, Head of the Crop Environment Team at the Technology Dissemination Division, stated, “Based on our outstanding research capabilities, the city has successfully completed the research, development, and patent registration of ‘Baekgwangyi’ this year, following last year’s success with ‘GY-gun.’ The newly developed ‘Baekgwangyi’ is an eco-friendly agricultural material with powerful pest and disease control effects. Once distributed to the actual agricultural field, it is expected to effectively replace chemical fertilizers and pesticides, significantly reducing agricultural management costs and greatly contributing to increasing farm income.”

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