1 2 C Free A to Control Cocoa Plant Diseases€¢ Vascular-streak dieback disease and black pod...
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Chemical-Free Alternative to Control Cocoa Plant Diseases In cocoa crops, plant diseases have been the major constraint to cocoa production. Among the major diseases that threaten cocoa plant and cocoa production are the vascular-streak dieback disease caused by Oncobasidium theobromae and the black pod disease caused by Phytophtora palmivora. The vascular-streak dieback disease is spread by wind-borne basidiospores that directly infect young, undamaged leaves. The pathogenic fungus then grows entirely in the xylem vessels, leading to shoot death if the hyphae penetrates into the plant’s main stem. The disease is favoured by high rainfall and outbreaks commonly occur after the wet season. Meanwhile, black pod disease occurs in all cocoa growing areas of the world. The pathogen affects leaves, shoots, stems, roots, flower cushions and pods. Black pod disease is responsible for the largest economic loss in cocoa production. The current method of controlling these diseases relies on the extensive use of fungicides. The natural and biological control of plant diseases is gaining much attention as a way of reducing the use of chemical products in crop production. However, only a small minority of endophytes has been characterised and applied as biocontrol agents. An endophyte is a microorganism, often a fungi or bacteria, which colonises the intracellular spaces of plant tissues without causing apparent harm to the host. In many cases, the symbiosis between plant and endophyte occurs in such a way that the plant protects and feeds the endophyte, while the endophyte produces bioactive substances such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and insecticidal compounds. Endophytes may also benefit the host plants by inducing protection in them. There is a continuous need to identify new endophytes to improve crop production as well as sustain the environment. The present study has identified an endophyte microorganism as a biological agent to control cocoa plant diseases. It also provides a chemical-free alternative method for controlling cocoa plant diseases. www.platcomventures.com The inventors would like to speak to companies interested in licensing this technology. E: [email protected] T: +603 8319 3116 Cocoa plant diseases can now be controlled by a biological agent called endophyte microorganism as a chemical-free alternative method. It contains natural resources with no harmful effects on plants, animals and humans and can be applied easily by direct spray. With natural bio-control agents gaining recognition and demand, it is a very promising product with low economical cost that improves crop production while preserving the environment. • Vascular-streak dieback disease and black pod disease are major cocoa plant diseases related to direct economic losses • In the future, natural bio-control agents against cocoa plant diseases are very promising products that offer low economical cost and are able to boost cocoa productivity in commodities © 2014 PlaTCOM Ventures. All rights reserved. Method for producing endophytic microorganism for controlling cocoa plant diseases has been protected via the filing of a Malaysia patent. J • Effective to control vascular-streak dieback disease and black pod disease • Easy to use with simple application – by direct spray • Easy handling and storage • Contains natural resources isolated from cocoa environment • No harmful effects on plants, animals and humans • Provides endophytic microorganisms with no dangerous and non-toxic chemicals • Demonstrates a great potential to use E-Bac1 as an alternative to fungicides in plant disease management products
Transcript of 1 2 C Free A to Control Cocoa Plant Diseases€¢ Vascular-streak dieback disease and black pod...
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Chemical-Free Alternative to Control Cocoa Plant Diseases
In cocoa crops, plant diseases have been the major constraint to cocoa production. Among the major diseases that threaten cocoa plant and cocoa production are the vascular-streak dieback disease caused by Oncobasidium theobromae and the black pod disease caused by Phytophtora palmivora. The vascular-streak dieback disease is spread by wind-borne basidiospores that directly infect young, undamaged leaves. The pathogenic fungus then grows entirely in the xylem vessels, leading to shoot death if the hyphae penetrates into the plant’s main stem. The disease is favoured by high rainfall and outbreaks commonly occur after the wet season. Meanwhile, black pod disease occurs in all cocoa growing areas of the world. The pathogen affects leaves, shoots, stems, roots, flower cushions and pods. Black pod disease is responsible for the largest economic loss in cocoa production. The current method of controlling these diseases relies on the extensive use of fungicides. The natural and biological control of plant diseases is gaining much attention as a way of reducing the use of chemical products in crop production. However, only a small minority of endophytes has been characterised and applied as biocontrol agents. An endophyte is a microorganism, often a fungi or bacteria, which colonises the intracellular spaces of plant tissues without causing apparent harm to the host. In many cases, the symbiosis between plant and endophyte occurs in such a way that the plant protects and feeds the endophyte, while the endophyte produces bioactive substances such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and insecticidal compounds. Endophytes may also benefit the host plants by inducing protection in them. There is a continuous need to identify new endophytes to improve crop production as well as sustain the environment. The present study has identified an endophyte microorganism as a biological agent to control cocoa plant diseases. It also provides a chemical-free alternative method for controlling cocoa plant diseases.
www.platcomventures.com
The inventors would like to speak to companies interested in licensing this technology.
E: [email protected] T: +603 8319 3116
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Cocoa plant diseases can now be controlled by a biological agent called endophyte microorganism as a chemical-free alternative method. It contains natural resources with no harmful effects on plants, animals and humans and can be applied easily by direct spray. With natural bio-control agents gaining recognition and demand, it is a very promising product with low economical cost that improves crop production while preserving the environment.
• Vascular-streak dieback disease and black pod disease are major cocoa plant diseases related to direct economic losses • In the future, natural bio-control agents against cocoa plant diseases are very promising products that offer low economical cost
and are able to boost cocoa productivity in commodities
© 2014 PlaTCOM Ventures. All rights reserved.
Method for producing endophytic microorganism for controlling cocoa plant diseases has been protected via the filing of a Malaysia patent.
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J
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• Effective to control vascular-streak dieback disease and black pod disease
• Easy to use with simple application – by direct spray
• Easy handling and storage • Contains natural resources isolated from cocoa
environment • No harmful effects on plants, animals and humans • Provides endophytic microorganisms with no
dangerous and non-toxic chemicals • Demonstrates a great potential to use E-Bac1 as
an alternative to fungicides in plant disease management products
Phytophthora palmivora infection (brown and black spot on cocoa pod).
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) EVALUATION INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) EVALUATION
PRODUCT PROFILES AND COMMERCIALIZATION POTENTIAL
• E-Bac1 (E – endophyte and Bac – Bacillus subtilis)
