The Need:

In the commercial greenhouse industry, the heavy reliance on chemical pesticides for ornamental plant production raises growing concerns regarding environmental contamination and safety. With increased interest in sustainable and safer alternatives, there is a demand for effective pest control methods that reduce chemical usage. Biopesticides, derived from natural materials and beneficial microbes, provide a viable solution to replace synthetic chemicals, promoting environmentally friendly and safe practices in greenhouse cultivation.

The Technology:

Beneficial bacteria, specifically strains from various genera, have been found to colonize plant roots and offer numerous advantages to plants. These bacteria stimulate plant growth and act as biocontrol agents, eliciting induced systemic resistance (ISR) effective against both foliar and root pathogens and insect herbivores. Their biocontrol mechanism may involve the production of antibiotics, fungal cell wall lysing enzymes, or competition with pathogenic microorganisms. Of particular interest are Pseudomonas species, widely studied for their ability to promote growth, directly suppress pathogens, and produce antibiotics like 2,4-DAPG, which effectively control root and seedling diseases caused by pathogenic fungi.

Commercial Applications:

• Greenhouse pest control: Effective in managing diseases like gray mold (Botrytis blight) caused by the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea, reducing crop quality deterioration and plant mortality in greenhouse crops.
• Ornamental plant production: Suitable for cultivating containerized ornamentals in controlled environments, ensuring healthier and higher quality plants for the market.
• Environmental safety: Offers an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides, mitigating environmental contamination and reducing the impact on ecosystems.

Benefits/Advantages:

• Safer plant cultivation: Minimizes the use of synthetic chemicals, promoting safer working conditions for greenhouse employees and ensuring consumer safety.
• Sustainable pest management: Supports environmentally conscious practices by using natural biopesticides, contributing to a greener and more sustainable greenhouse industry.
• Enhanced plant health: The stimulation of plant growth and suppression of pathogens lead to healthier plants with improved yields, contributing to increased profitability for greenhouse businesses.