Patent Publication Number: US-7211428-B1

Title: Strain of Bacillus as a bioinoculant

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the selection and development of superior strain of  Bacillus  spp for improving plant growth and health by inhibiting pathogenic fungi 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Crops under cultivation suffer from many diseases caused by plant pathogenic fungi. One particularly damaging plant phytopathogenic fungus is  Rhizoctonia solani  which is widely distributed and causing common diseases of greenhouse-grown crops, field crops, vegetables, ornamentals, and fruits throughout the world. It also causes root rot and wilt disease of pyrethrum and geranium. Other detrimental fungal plant pathogens include  Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Thielavia basicola, Fusarium oxysporum , causing wilt,  Pythium aphanidermatum  causing lethal yellowing and damping off in numerous plants. 
     The incidence of various kinds of fungal diseases cause considerable damage to the medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPS) in different part of India. The occurrence in severe form may either kill emerging seedlings or reduce plant growth and adversely affect the crop yield. Among fungal pathogens, species of  Rhizoctonia, Sclerotinia, Fusarium, Thielavia, Pythium, Helminthosporium, Curvularia, Alternaria  and  Colletotrichum  are most important and common. They produce different kinds of diseases such as stem rot and twig blight ( Sclerotinia sclerotiorum ) on periwinkle, Egyptian henbane and  Ammi majus ; root rot &amp; wilt ( Rhizoctonia solani ) diseases on pyrethrum, leaf blight ( Curvularia andropogonis ); lethal yellowing ( Pythium aphanidermatum ) and collar rot ( Fusarium moniliforme ) on Java citronella; damping-off ( Pythium dissotocum ), collar rot ( Rhizoctonia solani ) and leaf blight ( Alternaria alternata ) on opium poppy, stolon and root rot ( Thielavia basicola ), wilt ( Fusarium oxysporum ), leaf blight ( Corynespora cassiicola ) on mints and anthracnose ( Colletotrichum acutatum ) and wilt ( Rhizoctonia solani ) on geranium; (Alam et al 1983, Indian Phytopath. 367: 480–483; ibid 1992, Plant Disease 43:10578–1061; ibid 1994, Plant Pathology 43:1057–1061; ibid 1996, Indian Phytopath. 49:94–97; Sattar et al. 1993, Indian J. Plant Pathol 10: 10–11; ibid 1999, Indian J. Plant Pathol. 17:74–76; ibid 2002, J. Mycol. &amp; Pl. Pathol. 32: 31–34). 
     The use of huge amount of fertilizers and chemical pesticides for maintaining the high productivity of crop has become fatal to human and animal health. They also poses many other serious problems including i) development of resistant strains of pathogen (Schwinn et al., (1991) “Control with Chemicals” Advances in Plant Pathology: vol. 7 : Phytophtohora infestans , the Cause of Late Blight of Potato, Ingram et al., eds., Academic Press, 8: 255–266) ii) build up of harmful residues in the edible plant and iii) non-target side effect of beneficial micro flora. It is desirable to replace them with biopesticides derived from the microorganisms. They are as effective as broad-spectrum chemical pesticides, easily degradable and have low cost production. They are a distinct possibility for the future and can be successfully exploited in modern agriculture without affecting our precious ecosystem. 
     Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) exert a beneficial effect on the plant by causing plant growth promotion and/or suppressing plant pathogen population to avoid infection. Efforts to select and apply PGPR for control of specific soilbome fungal pathogens have been reviewed (Kloepper, 1993; Glick and Bashan, 1997 Biotechnology Advances 15, 353–378). In most of the cases, activity is due to production of metabolites such as antibiotics, hydrogen cyanide, iron-chelating siderophores, and cell wall-degrading enzymes, which directly inhibit the pathogen. Plant growth promotion by PGPR may also be an indirect mechanism leading to a reduction in the probability of a plant contracting a disease when the growth promotion results in shortening the time that a plant is in a susceptible state. An alternative mechanism for biological control by PGPR is by induced systemic resistance. 
       Bacillus subtilis  and few other  Bacillus  spp. are used as biocontrol agents of fungal diseases caused by different plant pathogens (Swinburne et al. (1975) Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc. 65:211–217, Baker et al. (1983) Phytopathology 73:1148–1152, Singh and Deverall, (1984) Trans. Br. Mycol. Soc. 83:487–490, Cook (1987) Proceedings Beltwide Cotton Production—Mechanization Research Conference, Cotton Council, Memphis, pp. 43–45, Gueldner, et al., (1988) J. Agric. Food Chem. 36:366–370, Pusey et al. (1988) Plant Dis. 72:622–626, Ferreira et al. (1991) Phytopathology 81:283–287, Sholberg et al. (1995) Can. J. Microbiol. 41:247–252, Asaka, and Shoda, (1996), Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 62:4081–4085). McKeen et al. (1986) Phytopathology 76:136–139 and Pusey and Robins (1991) U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,239 disclose control of post harvest fruit rot using  B. subtilis . Among different  Bacillus  spp ( B. subtilis, B. megaterium B. cereus, B. polymyxa  and  B. pumilus ),  B. subtilis  is most exploited as biocontrol agent because it is considered to be a safe and potential biological control agent due to high thermal tolerance, rapid growth in liquid culture, ready formation of resistant spores. Handelsman (1991) U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,379 disclose that Zwittermicin-A producing  B. cereus  control damping off in alfalfa and soybeans by inhibiting root rot fungus. A  Bacillus subtilis  GBO3 strain is commercially used as seed dresser under the names KODIAC.™. HB. or GUS 2000.™. by Gustafson, Inc. Plano, Tex. 75093 (EPA Reg. No. 7501–146, 1992). This product is available as a 2.75% powder formulation containing not less than 5.5.times10. sup. 10 viable spores per gram and is to be applied at a rate ranging from 2–4 ounces per 100 pound of seed. The bacteria is said to colonize the developing root systems and compete with pathogens that would attack the roots. Huang et. al (1993), Can. J. Microbiol. 39: 227–233 investigated antagonistic behavior of two strains of  Bacillus cereus ; alf-87A &amp; B-43 against  Sclerotinia sclerotiorum , the causal agent of basal pod rot &amp; end rot disease on dry pea. The vegetative growth &amp; ascosporic germination of  S. sclerotiorum  are inhibited by diffusible metabolite produced by alf-87A but are unaffected by strain B-43 The spraying on pea plants at the pod development stage with alf-87A reduce the incidence of basal rot. The treatment of soybeans with  B. cereus  has been shown to improve soybean yield at field site (Osburn et al. 1995 Am. Phytopathol. Soc. 79: 551–556). Chen et al (2002) Chinese J. Biol. Control 18:45–46 report that antagonistic activity of B-916 strain of  B. subtilis  against  R. solani  is due to proteins because addition of ammonium sulphate in culture solution destroys its antagonistic ability. The application of  B. subtilis  reduced the stem canker disease caused by  R. solani  and common scab disease caused by  Streptomyces  scabies up to 63% and 70%, respectively. Liu et al. (1995) U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,583 disclosed a  Bacillus  sp., ATCC 55000 and a method to control the fungal plant pathogen,  Rhizoctonia solani . Leifert et al. (1995), J. Appl Bacteriol. 78:97–108, reported the production of anti- Botrytis  and anti- Alternaria  antibiotics by two  Bacillus  strains,  B. subtilis  CL27 and  B. pumilus  CL 45. The whole broth and cell-free filtrates were active against  Botrytis  and  Alternaria  in in vitro tests and were active against  Botrytis  in in vivo small plant tests. Leifert et al. (1997) U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,565 disclosed that  B. subtilis, B. pumilus  and  B. polymyxa  are effective against post harvest disease caused by  Alternaria brassicicola  and  Botrytis cinerea . They also disclose the presence of antibiotics produced in the cell-free culture filtrate and their activity at different pH values, but they do not identify these compounds. The compounds from  B. subtilis  lose activity at low pH, while the activity from the  B. pumilus  extracts occurs only at pH values below 5.6. Leifert, et al. (1998) U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,080 disclose that the growth of  Botrytis cinerea  and  Alternaria brassicicola  causing post-harvest disease is inhibited by applying isolates of  Bacillus pumilus  NCIMB 40489 and  Bacillus subtilis  NCIMB 40491 to cabbage at temperatures of about 20.degree C. 
     Bacilli are known to produce antifungal and antibacterial secondary metabolites (Korzybski, et al., 1978 “Section C: Antibiotic isolated from the genus  Bacillus  (Bacilliaceae)” In: Antibiotics—Origin, nature and properties, American Society for Microbiology, Washington D.C. Vol. III, pp. 1519–1661). The chemical nature of antibiotics produced by  Bacillus  spp. are peptide by the action of which they inhibit the growth of fungal plant pathogens in the microenvironment (Katz and Demain 1977 Bacteriological Reviews, 41, 449–474; Singh &amp; Deveral 1984; McKeen et al. 1986; Utkhede et al (1986) Can. J. Microbiol. 32: 963–967; Wilson et al. (1989) Annual Review of Phytopathology. 27, 425–441, Hiraoka et al., (1992) J. Gen. Appl. Microbiol. 38:635–640.). Islam and Nandi (1985) J. Plant Dis. Protect. 92:241–246, disclose a  Bacillus  sp. with antagonism to  Drechslera  oryzae, the causal agent of rice brown spot. The same authors, Islam and Nandi (1985) J. Plant Dis. Protect. 92(3):233–240, also disclose in-vitro antagonism of  Bacillus  sp. against  Drechslera oryzae, Alternaria alternata  and  Fusarium roseum . They discussed three components in the culture filtrate. The most active antibiotic was highly soluble in water and methanol with a UV peak at 255 nm and a shoulder at 260 nm, that proved to be a polyoxin-like lipopeptide. Loeffler et al. (1986) J. Phytopathology 115:204–213, disclose  B. subtilis, B. pumilus, B. licheniformis , and  B. coagulans  strains that produce various antibiotics with antifungal and antibacterial activity.  B. pumilus  produces bacilysin and iturin A. Bacilysin is a very small compound with a molecular weight of 270, that inhibits only yeast. The iturins, which are soluble in polar solvents, have broad antifungal and antibacterial activity. McKeen et al. (1986), have shown that antibiotics similar to the low molecular weight iturin cyclic polypeptides contribute to the fungicidal activity of  B. subtilis . Rossall&#39;s (1991) U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,495 provides a novel antibiotic from  B. subtilis  that is 63,500 Dalton, precipitates at a pH below 5 and has activity against gram positive bacteria and fungi ( Botrytis  and  Erysiphe ). Rossall&#39;s (1994) U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,647 discloses  Bacillus subtilis  strains with broad anti-fungal activity. Stabb et al. (1994), Applied Environ. Microbiol. 60: 4404–4412 have identified different strains of  B. subtilis, B. cereus, B. mycoides, B. thuringiensis  that exhibit antifungal activity. These strains have been shown to produce zwittermicin-A and/or kanosamine (Milner et al. 1996, Applied Environ. Microbiol. 62: 3061–3066), that are effective against damping off disease caused by  Phytophthora medicagenis, P. nicotianae, Pythium aphanidermatum  or  Sclerotinia minor . Zwittermicin-A is a water soluble, acid stable linear aminopolyol molecule (He et al. 1994, Tetrahedron Lett. 35: 2499–2502) with broad spectrum activity against many fungal and bacterial plant pathogens. Kanosaminealso inhibits a broad range of fungal plant pathogens and a few bacterial species (Milner et al. 1996). 
     Germida, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,553 disclosed  Bacillus subtilis  strain AQ743 that produces a metabolite exhibiting pesticidal activity against corn rootworm. Hassanein and El-Goorani (1992) J. Plant Pathol. 133: 239–246 reported that application of  B. subtilis  on wounded caster bean plants 30 min. before or simultaneously with inoculation of  Agrobacterium tumefaciens , resulted in good control of crown gall without any phytotoxic injury or growth retarding side effect. 
     So in the present invention systematic experiments were planned to isolate and select superior strain of  Bacillus  strain for promoting the growth of medicinal and aromatic plants as well as inhibiting the growth of plant pathogenic fungi. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The main object of the present invention relates a novel strain of  Bacillus  species having Acccession No. MTCC 5130. 
     Yet another object of the present invention relates to the novel strain as Bioinoculant for plant growth promotion 
     Still another object of the present invention relates to use of bacterial strain for antifungal activities and capability of reducing fungal infection in medicinal and aromatic plants. 
     Another object of the present invention relates to use of the bacterial strain for the control of fungal diseases selected from root rot and wilt disease. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a novel and potential strain of  Bacillus  spp, designated herein as  Bacillus  spp strain MTCC 5130, which is highly effective in promoting the growth of a plant and inhibiting the growth of a wide range of plant pathogenic fungi. 
     The invention provides a composition of a biologically active  Bacillus  spp strain MTCC 5130 in promoting the growth of treated plant and inhibiting the growth of a wide range of plant pathogenic fungi. The composition is effective to promote the growth of pyrethrum and geranium plant and inhibit infection of  Rhizoctonia solani  causing root rot &amp; wilt disease on pyrethrum and geranium plant. The invention also encompasses a method for protecting pyrethrum and geranium plants from root rot and wilt disease caused by  Rhizoctonia solani  by applying to the plant or its environment (rhizosphere). 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the selection and development of a superior strain of  Bacillus  spp isolated from a soil at Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow, India, where field experiments on geranium ( Pelargonium graveolens ) were conducted. The selected strain improves plant growth and health, particularly geranium and pyrethrum ( Chrysanthemum cinerarifoloum ). Further, the invention is related to inhibition of growth of pathogenic fungi by the newly selected  Bacillus  spp MTCC 5130 strain and has been found to be highly effective in protecting pyrethrum from root rot and wilt disease caused by  Rhizoctonia solani  (PyRh1) and rose-scented geranium from wilt disease caused by  Rhizoctonia solani  (GRh1). The invention also includes methods of treatment for the control of root rot and wilt disease in pyrethrum plants by using bacterial strain as such or in delivery medium. 
     Accordingly, the main embodiment of the present invention relates to a novel  Bacillus  spp bacterial strain having accession No MTCC-5130, deposited at Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India, said bacteria having following characteristics: 
     Morphological Characteristics:
         Cell shape: Spherical colonies   Cell size: 2–3 mm   Cell arrangement: rod arrangement   Gram stain: Positive   Motility: Yes   Pigment: Absent   Capsule: Absent   Spores: Endospore formation       

     Physiological Properties
         Behaviour to oxygen: Aerobic or facultative anaerobic   Conditions for growth:
           pH-5.6–6.5   Temperature −25±2° C.   
               

     Biochemical Properties:
         Solvent tolerance test: Butanol Positive   Indole test: Negative   Cytochrome oxidase Test: Positive       

     Growth Under Culture Conditions:
         Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA): The bacterial isolate was found to have spherical colonies about 2–3 mm. in diameter, flattened and mucoid in texture. These were gram positive rods. When the staining for endospore formation was carried out the isolate was found to be forming endospores in the centre of the cells. This isolate was found to be similar to  Bacillus  on the basis of endospore position.       

     Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB) (liquid Medium): The strain grew profusely and sporulated very extensively. 
     Genotype Characteristics: 
     DNA was isolated and its nucleotide composition was determined from its melting temperature (91.2° C.). The G+C content was calculated by the equation: % G+C=T−69.107/0.41. The G+C content in the DNA of strain NP1010 was 510.24, a value close to that of  Geobacillus thermoleovorans  (55%). 
     Amplification and 16S rRNA Gene Sequence Analysis 
     The partial 16S rRNA gene was amplified, then subjected to cycle sequencing with protocol of MicroSeq 500 Kit procured from Perkin Elmer Applied Bio systems (USA). The amplified product was sequenced using the forward sequencing reaction mix. The DNA sequence was searched for homology using BLAST search engine at NCBI site (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) and FASTA (ebi.ac.uk). Maximum similarity (E value 2e-11, Score 78) was with Gamma proteobacterium AKB16 16S ribosomal RNA gene, partial sequence (Accession no AY083466.). In the FASTA homology search most of the hits were for  Bacillus  spp in addition to Gamma proteobacteria. The partial rDNA sequencing provided a characteristic 16S rDNA not having complete homology with any bacteria of the database but showed similarity towards Gamma proteobacteria and  Bacillus  spp. 
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                 (SEQ ID NO:41) 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 1 
                 TAATGTCGGT GGTGCGTTCA ACATACGTAA GCTAAGTGGA 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 AAAGACGGGA ATGCCGTCTT TCGACGCCAA GTGGTGGATG 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 GGCGAGCAAT ATGCGGGCAA TTCGTTCGCA AGATCGGGAC 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 AATCTTGGGA AATTGGGGTC AACATTGGAC GGCCGCCCGA 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 ATTGTACGGC CTAAGATACA AAAGGCGGTC CTGGTCATTA 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 TCCATAGACG GATTTGTGGT GTACCAGTCA GCCGCCGAGG 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 CAATGGTCTA TTAAGGTAAA GACGTGCAGT TGATTCGAGA 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 GGGCGACTGG TTATATCGGG ATCGAGATAA TGTTTAAATC 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 TTCATGGGAG GTAGTAGCAG GGAACTCCTT TTAACCGATT 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 AAAGCTCCAT TGAGTAATTT TTTTTCAAGC GACCAAGGCC 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 CCTCGCTTTC AAAGTCTTTC CCCCCCAGGG AAAAATAAAC 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 GGTGCCCCAA AACAAGGGGG GGATTTCCGT A 471. 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Another embodiment of the present invention relates to novel  Bacillus  spp bacterial strain having accession No MTCC-5130 capable of enhancing plant growth and inhibiting fungal pathogens infecting the plants. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the strain MTCC 5130 wherein said strain has plant growth promoting activity by inhibiting fungal pathogens for medicinal and aromatic plants. 
     Still another embodiment of the present invention relates to medicinal and aromatic plants wherein the medicinal and aromatic plants are selected from group consisting of  Pelargonium graveolens  and  Chrysanthemum cinerarifolium  and other related aromatic and medicinal plant species. 
     Yet another embodiment of the present invention relates to fungal pathogens wherein fungal pathogens are selected from group consisting of  Rhizoctonia  spp.,  Fusarium  spp.,  Pythium  spp.,  Helminthosporium  spp.,  Curvularia  spp.,  Alternaria  spp.,  Colletotrichum  spp.,  Corynespora  spp, and  Thielavia  spp. 
     Yet another embodiment of the present invention relates to fungal pathogens wherein fungus pathogens are selected from group consisting of  Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium semitectum, Pythium aphanidermatum, Helminthosporium carbonum, Curvularia andropogonis, Alternaria alternata, Colletotrichum acutatum, Colletotrichum capsici, Colletotrichum gloeosporiodes, Corynespora cassiicola , and  Thielavia basicola.    
     Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the inhibition of fungal pathogens by strain wherein strain inhibits  Rhizoctonia solani  inhibited in the range of about by 40–75%, inhibits  Fusarium oxysporum  in the range of about 70 to 80, inhibits  Fusarium semitectum  in the range of about 65 to 75%, inhibits  Pythium aphanidermatum  in the range of about 10–30%, inhibits  Helminthosporium carbonum  in the range of about 50 to 65%, inhibits  Curvularia andropogonis  in the range of about 65 to 80%, inhibits  Alternaria alternata  in the range of about 75 to 90%, inhibits  Colletotrichum acutatum  in the range of about 70–80%, inhibits  Colletotrichum capsici  in the range of about 60–75%, inhibits  Colletotrichum. gloeosporiodes  in the range of about 50–65%, inhibits  Corynespora cassiicola  in the range of about 40–55%, and inhibits  Thielavia basicola  in the range of about 50–65%. 
     Still another embodiment of the present invention relates to the inhibition of the fungal pathogens wherein inhibition of  Rhizoctonia solani  is about 55%, inhibition of  Fusarium oxysporum  is about 73%, inhibition of  Fusarium semitectum  is 68%, inhibition of  Pythium aphanidermatum  is about 20%, inhibition of  Helminthosporium carbonum  is about 55%, inhibition of  Curvularia andropogonis  is about 70%, inhibition of  Alternaria alternata  is about 83%, inhibition of  Colletotrichum acutatum  is about 76%, inhibition of  Colletotrichum capsici  is about 65%, inhibition of  Colletotrichum. gloeosporiodes  is about 58%, inhibition of  Corynespora cassiicola  is about 48%, and inhibition of  Thielavia basicola  is about 58%. 
     Yet another embodiment of the present invention relates to the strain wherein said strain is effective in reducing the spore germination of fungal pathogens is in the range of about 90–100%. 
     One more embodiment of the present invention relates to the spore germination reduction wherein the reduction in spore germination of fungal pathogens is about 95%. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the strain wherein strain MTCC 5130 is effective in increasing the plant yield in the range of about 90–100%. 
     Still another embodiment of the present invention relates to the strain MTCC-5130 wherein said strain is effective in increasing the plant yield by about 95%. 
     Yet another embodiment of the present invention relates to the strain MTCC 5130 wherein said strain is effective in enhancing the yield of plant in the range of about 290 to 370 g/pot herb yield when used alone or in combination with other bioinoculants. 
     One more embodiment of the present invention relates to the strain MTCC 5130 wherein said strain is effective in enhancing the yield of plant to about 298.5 g/pot herb yield when used alone. 
     One more embodiment of the present invention relates to the strain MTCC 5130 wherein said strain is effective in enhancing the yield of plant to about 346 g/pot herb yield when used in combination with other bioinoculants. 
     Yet another embodiment of the present invention relates to the strain MTCC 5130 wherein said strain initiates plant rooting within 20–30 days. 
     Still another embodiment of the present invention relates to strain MTCC 5130 wherein said strain initiates plant rooting within 22–35 days. 
     One more embodiment of the present invention relates to strain MTCC 5130 wherein said strain provides 100% survival of plants. 
     Yet another embodiment of the present invention relates to strain MTCC 5130 wherein said strain lowers the percentage infection on plants is in the range of about 60–90%. 
     One more embodiment of the present relates to a strain MTCC 5130 wherein said reduction of percentage infection on plants in the range of about 50–70%. 
     The following examples are given by way of illustration of the present invention and should not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention. 
     EXAMPLES 
     Example 1 
     Isolation of a Novel Bacterial Strain,  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130 
     Bacteria were isolated from rhizosphere soil and from root tissue of geranium (cv. Bar bourn) growing in the experimental fields of CIMAP at Lucknow (India). 
     Rhizospheric soil and root materials were placed in a test tube. Ten volumes of phosphate saline buffer (PSB, pH 7.3; Wollum, 1982) were added and the tube was vortexed for 1 minute. A dilution series (10 −1  to 10 −8 ) was made using PSB. One hundred □1 of each dilution was plated onto petri dishes containing PDA. Plates were incubated at 25° C. in a growth chamber. 
     I. Isolation of MTCC-5130 Strain of the Present Invention from Soil. 
     The bacterial strain of the present invention was isolated from rhizospheric soil of a geranium plant. The samples were collected randomly from the geranium experimental fields at CIMAP, Lucknow to a depth of 0–2-cm, mixed thoroughly and stored at 5° C. in polythene bags. The representative samples were suspended in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution, serially diluted and streaked onto agar medium, with a wire loop. A number of different common agar media were used to culture the bacteria, such as nutrient glucose agar (NDA; Difco, Detroit, Mich.), nutrient-broth yeast extract agar (NBY), and potato dextrose agar (PDA), the recipes for which are provided in Schaad (Schaad, 1988, page 3). Colonies appeared on the medium in about 1–5 days at 25±1° C. in dark. The colonies appearing to be  Bacillus  were sub-cultured on fresh PDA plants. The cultures were later purified by a single spore isolation technique and maintained onto PDA slants at 25° C. 
     Bacterial Growth Media 
     All bacterial growth media were prepared using distilled water and sterilized by autoclaving prior to use. All bacterial samples were handled using standard aseptic laboratory techniques to maintain purity. 
     PDA (Potato-Dextrose-Agar): Potato infusion (200 g/l), dextrose (20 g/l and agar 18 g/l. This medium is available commercially from Hi-Media Laboratory, Difco Co. Potato Dextrose Broth(PDB) was made in the same manner except that agar was omitted. 
     NA (Nutrient Agar) medium: 3 g/l beef extract, 5 g/l peptic digest of animal tissue and 1.5 g/l agar (HI-Media Laboratory Bombay. India) in distilled water. (pH 6.8). 
     Delivery medium: The delivery medium comprising vermicompost/sawdust was moistened with water and was sterilized by steam sterilization prior to use. Sterilization was typically performed by autoclaving twice, each time for 60 minutes. 
     Harvesting of Bacterial Growth 
     Aliquot of 1.5 L Potato-Dextrose Broth (PDB) dispensed 200 ml each in 500 ml Erlenmeyer flasks was inoculated with 100 ml of stock culture and incubated on shaker with a speed 200 rpm at 25 degree C. for three days. Spores were harvested by centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes. Supernatant then decanted off and the concentrated spores suspension was washed and used directly to inoculate delivery medium in the ratio of 1:100. Spores of strain MTCC-5130 were also produced by growing culture for 7–10 days on solid medium (for example on PDA) The spores were harvested from culture in petridishes by scrapping the surface of the agar into distilled water. The suspension of spores in water was mixed directly into the delivery medium. 
     Fungal Pathogens 
     The cultures of fungal pathogens were obtained from the infected tissues of various medicinal and aromatic plants. They were maintained onto Potato-Dextrose-Agar or Corn meal-Agar slants under mineral oil at 20.degree. C. in the culture collection of Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, CIMAP, Lucknow, India. Pathogenicity of each of the cultures was established on host the under glasshouse conditions. 
     Example 2 
     Isolate Characterization and Identification 
     The strain was characterized morphologically by Gram staining; biochemically by indol test, solvent tolerance test and oxidase test; genetically by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis and 16S rDNA sequencing. All the test together proved that the isolate is a new strain of endospore forming  Bacillus  with close proximity to Gamma proteobacteria. 
     The isolate identified above as having antifungal activity against wide range of plant pathogenic fungi was further characterized using conventional methods. 
     The  Bacillus  MTCC-5130 strain of present invention is a Gram positive, spore-forming, aerobic, flagellate bacterium, which exhibits potent antifungal properties against a wide range of plant pathogenic fungi. This strain shows the characteristics of  Bacillus  spp nearer to the species  Bacillus subtilis.    
     Morphological Analysis 
     Different morphological parameters such as size, shape and colony characteristics were studied. The bacterial isolate was found to have spherical colonies about 2–3 mm. in diameter, flattened and mucoid in texture. These were gram positive rods. When the staining for endospore formation was carried out the isolate was found to be forming endospores in the centre of the cells. This isolate was found to be similar to  Bacillus  on the basis of endospore position. 
     Biochemical Analysis: 
     Solvent Tolerance Test 
     The isolate MTCC-5130 showed sensitivity towards chloroform and acetone and insensitivity towards butanol, a characteristic observed in gram positive  Bacillus subtilis  taken as control (Table 1). 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Solvent tolerance test for MTCC-5130 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 
                   E. coli 
                 
                 
                   Bacillus subtilis 
                 
                 New isolate 
               
               
                   
                 Solvents 
                 CA8000) 
                 (MTCC-121) 
                 MTCC-5130 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Acetone 
                 + 
                 − 
                 − 
               
               
                   
                 Butanol 
                 + 
                 + 
                 + 
               
               
                   
                 Chloroform 
                 − 
                 − 
                 − 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Indole Test: 
     The new isolate was tested for indole production along with  E. coli  as a positive control and was negative for indole production. 
     Oxidase Test Assay: 
     The new isolate was analyzed and showed the presence of the enzyme cytochrome oxidase like  Bacillus subtilis  as positive control. 
     Example 3 
     16S rDNA Sequence and RAPD Analysis 
     Isolation of Bacterial Genomic DNA (Mini Prep Method): 
     Bacterial cells were grown in NB (5 ml) at 28° C., overnight. Culture (1.5 ml.) was centrifuged in microfuge tube at 10,000 rpm for 3 minutes. Pellet was resuspended in 567 □l TE buffer by repeated pipetting. Thirty □l 10% SDS and 3 □1 of 20 mg/ml Proteinase K, were added, mixed and incubated for 45–60 min. at 37° C. Hundred □l of 5M NaCl was added and mixed thoroughly. Then 80 □l of CTAB/NaCl solution (CTAB 10% NaCl 0.7 M) was added, mixed and incubated for 10 min. at 65° C. Equal volume of chloroform:Isoamyl alcohol (24:1) was added, mixed and centrifuged to 10,000 rpm for 5 min. The supernatant was transferred to a fresh tube. Equal volume of Phenol:Chloroform:Isoamyl alcohol (25:24:1 saturated with TE pH 8.0) was added, mixed and centrifuged for 5 min. The supernatant was transferred to a fresh tube. Isopropanol (0.6 volume) was added and mixed gently until DNA precipitated. The precipitate was then washed with 1 ml of 70% ethanol. After centrifugation for 5 min. at 10,000 rpm supernatant was discarded and the pellet was dried briefly in a lyophilizer. The pellet was resuspended in 20 μl of autoclaved double distilled water and 2 μl was checked on 0.8% agarose gel for yield and purity. 
     Partial Sequencing of 16S rDNA 
     About 25 ng of genomic DNA was amplified following the protocol of MicroSeq 500 Kit procured from Perkin Elmer Applied Bio systems (USA). The amplified product was sequenced using the forward sequencing reaction mix. The DNA sequence was searched for homology using BLAST search engine at NCBI site (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) and FASTA (ebi.ac.uk). Maximum similarity (E value 2e-11, Score 78) was with Gamma proteobacterium AKB16 16S ribosomal RNA gene, partial sequence (Accession no AY083466.). In the FASTA homology search most of the hits were for  Bacillus  spp in addition to Gamma proteobacteria. The partial rDNA sequencing provided a characteristic 16S rDNA not having complete homology with any bacteria of the database but showed similarity towards Gamma proteobacteria and  Bacillus  spp. 
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                 (SEQ ID NO:41) 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 1 
                 TAATGTCGGT GGTGCGTTCA ACATACGTAA GCTAAGTGGA 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 AAAGACGGGA ATGCCGTCTT TCGACGCCAA GTGGTGGATG 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 GGCGAGCAAT ATGCGGGCAA TTCGTTCGCA AGATCGGGAC 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 AATCTTGGGA AATTGGGGTC AACATTGGAC GGCCGCCCGA 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 ATTGTACGGC CTAAGATACA AAAGGCGGTC CTGGTCATTA 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 TCCATAGACG GATTTGTGGT GTACCAGTCA GCCGCCGAGG 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 CAATGGTCTA TTAAGGTAAA GACGTGCAGT TGATTCGAGA 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 GGGCGACTGG TTATATCGGG ATCGAGATAA TGTTTAAATC 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 TTCATGGGAG GTAGTAGCAG GGAACTCCTT TTAACCGATT 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 AAAGCTCCAT TGAGTAATTT TTTTTCAAGC GACCAAGGCC 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 CCTCGCTTTC AAAGTCTTTC CCCCCCAGGG AAAAATAAAC 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 GGTGCCCCAA AACAAGGGGG GGATTTCCGT A 471. 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Randomly Amplified Polymorphic (RAPD) DNA Analysis 
     The strain of  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130 showing morphological characteristics nearer to  Bacillus subtilis  was compared through RAPD with a strain of  Bacillus subtilis  (MTCC 121). Polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) were carried out in 25 □l volume. A reaction tube contained 25 ng of DNA, 0.2 unit of Taq DNA polymerase, 100 □l each of dNTPs, 1.5 mM MgCl 2  and 5 p mol of decanucleotide primers. The amplifications were carried out using a thermal cycler (MJ Research, USA). The amplified products were loaded in 1.2% agarose gel containing 0.5 □g ml −1  of ethidium bromide and photographed by Polaroid system. The primers used have been listed in Table 2 and Table 3. 
     Following primers were used in the study: 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 MAP primers (Synthesized in the laboratory) 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Primer 
                   
                   
               
               
                 S. No. 
                 (5 pmole/reaction) 
                 Sequence 
                 SEQ ID NO: 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 1  
                 MAP 01 
                 5′ GTCCAATGAG 3′ 
                 1 
               
               
                 2. 
                 MAP 02 
                 5′ AGGATACGTG 3′ 
                 2 
               
               
                 3. 
                 MAP 03 
                 5′ AAATCGGAGC 3′ 
                 3 
               
               
                 4. 
                 MAP 04 
                 5′ AAGATAGCGG 3′ 
                 4 
               
               
                 5. 
                 MAP 05 
                 5′ GGATCTGAAC 3′ 
                 5 
               
               
                 6. 
                 MAP 06 
                 5′ TTGTCTCAGG 3′ 
                 6 
               
               
                 7. 
                 MAP 07 
                 5′ GTCCTACTCG 3′ 
                 7 
               
               
                 8. 
                 MAP 08 
                 5′ GTCCTTAGCG 3′ 
                 8 
               
               
                 9. 
                 MAP 09 
                 5′ TGCGCGATCG 3′ 
                 9 
               
               
                 10. 
                 MAP 10 
                 5′ AACGTACGCG 3′ 
                 10 
               
               
                 11. 
                 MAP 11 
                 5′ GCACGCCGGA 3′ 
                 11 
               
               
                 12. 
                 MAP 12 
                 5′ CACCCTGCGC 3′ 
                 12 
               
               
                 13. 
                 MAP 13 
                 5′ CATCCCGAAC 3′ 
                 13 
               
               
                 14. 
                 MAP 14 
                 5′ GGACTCCACG 3′ 
                 14 
               
               
                 15. 
                 MAP 15 
                 5′ AGCCTGACGC 3′ 
                 15 
               
               
                 16. 
                 MAP 16 
                 5′ CTATCGCCGC 3′ 
                 16 
               
               
                 17. 
                 MAP 17 
                 5′ CGGGATCCGG 3′ 
                 17 
               
               
                 18. 
                 MAP 18 
                 5′ GCCAATTCCG 3′ 
                 18 
               
               
                 19. 
                 MAP 19 
                 5′ CCCTGCAGGC 3′ 
                 19 
               
               
                 20 
                 MAP 20 
                 5′ CCAAGCTTGC 3′ 
                 20 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Primer set - OPO (Procured from Operon Technologies, USA) 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Primer  
                   
                   
               
               
                 S. No. 
                 (5 pmole/reaction) 
                 Sequence 
                 SEQ ID NO: 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 1  
                 OPO 1  
                 5′ GGCACGTAAG 3′ 
                 21 
               
               
                 2. 
                 OPO 2  
                 5′ ACGTAGCGTC 3′ 
                 22 
               
               
                 3. 
                 OPO 3  
                 5′ CTGTTGCTAC 3′ 
                 23 
               
               
                 4. 
                 OPO 4  
                 5′ AAGTCCGCTC 3′ 
                 24 
               
               
                 5. 
                 OPO 5  
                 5′ CCCAGTCACT 3′ 
                 25 
               
               
                 6. 
                 OPO 6  
                 5′ CCACGGGAAG 3′ 
                 26 
               
               
                 7. 
                 OPO 7  
                 5′ GACCACTGAC 3′ 
                 27 
               
               
                 8. 
                 OPO 8  
                 5′ CCTCCAGTGT 3′ 
                 28 
               
               
                 9. 
                 OPO 9  
                 5′ TCCCACGCAA 3′ 
                 29 
               
               
                 10. 
                 OPO 10 
                 5′ TCAGAGCGCC 3′ 
                 30 
               
               
                 11. 
                 OPO 11 
                 5′ GAGAGGAGGT 3′ 
                 31 
               
               
                 12. 
                 OPO 12 
                 5′ CAGTGCTGTG 3′ 
                 32 
               
               
                 13. 
                 OPO 13 
                 5′ GTCAGAGTCC 3′ 
                 33 
               
               
                 14. 
                 OPO 14 
                 5′ AGCAGAGCTC 3′ 
                 34 
               
               
                 15. 
                 OPO 15 
                 5′ TGGCGTCCTT 3′ 
                 35 
               
               
                 16. 
                 OPO 16 
                 5′ TCGGCGGTTC 3′ 
                 36 
               
               
                 17. 
                 OPO 17 
                 5′ GGGTTATGCC 3′ 
                 37 
               
               
                 18. 
                 OPO 18 
                 5′ CTCGCTATCC 3′ 
                 38 
               
               
                 19. 
                 OPO 19 
                 5′ GGTGCACGTT 3′ 
                 39 
               
               
                 20. 
                 OPO 20 
                 5′ ACACACGCTG 3′ 
                 40 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Analysis with these primers could show 11.1% similarity with the tested  Bacillus subtilis  indicating the possibility of the strain as a different species of  Bacillus  and a new species not having any representation in the public database. 
     So the strain was resolved to a species of  Bacillus  and named as  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130 and referred all over the specification in this name. 
     Example 4 
     Treatment with  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130 to Initiate Early Rooting in Geranium Cuttings: 
     Geranium cuttings treated with  Bacillus  strain MTCC-5130, initiated rooting after 22–25 days of treatment, which was 5–7 days earlier than untreated control cuttings. The results were further compared with IBA treatment and it was confirmed that  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130 treatment gave better results than IBA. Hundred percent survival was observed when the plants developed from MTCC-5130 treated cuttings were transplanted, while plants of untreated cuttings showed 5–20% mortality depending on the time or period of cutting preparation (Table 4). 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Effect of  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130 treatment on root initiation and 
               
               
                 survivality of geranium cuttings 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 Treatments 
                 Root initiation 
                 % survivality 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 &amp; date 
                 (days after) 
                 Normal 
                 Two node 
                 Apical 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Nov. 20, 2001 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 B1 
                 25 
                 100 
                 70.0 
                 100.0 
               
               
                 IBA 
                 27 
                 100 
                 69.2 
                 95.8 
               
               
                 Control 
                 32 
                 87.5 
                 60.0 
                 83.3 
               
               
                 Dec. 5, 2001 
               
               
                 B1 
                 26 
                 100 
                 100 
                 100.0 
               
               
                 IBA 
                 28 
                 100 
                 100 
                 100.0 
               
               
                 Control 
                 35 
                 90 
                 90.0 
                 95.8 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 B1 =  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130, IBA = Indole butyric acid 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Example 5 
     Effect of  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130 on the Growth and Productivity of Geranium Under Glasshouse Conditions. 
     Effect of  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130 was tested alone and in different combinations to test their effectiveness on the plant growth and productivity of geranium. It produced 298.5 g/pot herb yield when treated alone. The increase was recorded to be 95% over untreated control (153.1 g/plant). The double combinations, the treatment of present strain of invention with  G. aggregatum  also performed best (310 g/pot) and increased herb yield by 102.9%. In combinations of three bio-inoculants,  G. aggregatum+Bacillus  spp.+ Streptomyces  sp. produced 346 g/pot herb yield which was recorded to be 126.2% more than untreated control. Thus, treatment of  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130 performed effectively with other bio-inoculants in the improvement of the productivity of geranium over untreated control. 
     Example 6 
     Antifungal Activity Bioassay: 
     Screening of Various Strains of  Bacillus/Pseudomonas  to Determine Potential of a their Antagonistic Activity Against Plant Pathogens: 
     The colonies of bacteria were assayed for antifungal activity. One such assay, referred to herein as a streak test, was conducted by first streaking single colonies of bacterial isolates on PDA. The sample was incubated for about 2–5 days, followed by addition of a plug of fungal pathogen to the previously incubated culture, at a specified distance from the bacterial streaks. The resulting culture was examined for areas in which growth of pathogen was inhibited.  Rhizoctonia solani  was used as representative fungal pathogen for screening antifungal activity of different isolates of B. spp. Few more fungal pathogens, such as  Fusarium, Curvularia, Alternaria , and  Colletotrichum  against which antifungal activity of different bacterial isolates were assessed further. 
     During screening as described above resulted in the initial identification of four isolates of  Bacillus  which are capable of promoting plant growth and inhibiting mycelial growth of  Rhizoctonia solani . The tests were performed on two different media, potato dextrose agar (PDA) and nutrient agar(NA). One isolate designated herein as MTCC-5130 inhibited mycelial growth of  R. solani  by at least 50% in comparison to growth of  R. solani  under control conditions. In additional screening experiments the antagonistic effect of bacterial isolates inhibiting the growth of other plant pathogenic fungi belonging to group of  Fusarium, Helminthosporium, Curvularia, Alternaria , and  Colletotrichum  evaluated. 
       Bacillus/Pseudomonas  strains of different origin were screened for potential antagonistic activity in vitro by following common dual culture technique on PDA, where inocula of test organisms have shown inhibition zone in between colonies of antagonist and pathogen 6-day after inoculation and percent growth inhibition was determined. Based on our results  Bacillus  spp CIMAP B1 was selected as the most potential strain among the tested antagonists. It has also been observed that the bacterial strains produced lytic effect on the mycelia of test plant pathogens (Table 5). 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Screening of different strains of  Bacillus  sp. and  Pseudomonas   
               
               
                 sp. showing inhibition zone against plant pathogenic fungi. 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Inhibition zone (in mm) against the growth of 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 
                   Rhizoctonia 
                 
               
               
                 Antagonist 
                 
                   Colletotrichum 
                 
                 
                   Fusarium 
                 
                 
                   Curvularia 
                 
                 
                   Alternaria 
                 
                 
                   solani 
                 
               
               
                 Strain 
                 
                   acutatum 
                 
                 
                   oxysporum 
                 
                 
                   andropogonis 
                 
                 
                   alternata 
                 
                 (Pyre.) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   Bacillus  spp 
                 25 
                 20 
                 32 
                 15 
                 25 
               
               
                 CIMAP.B1 
               
               
                   Bacillus  spp 
                 32 
                 20 
                 — 
                 20 
                 07 
               
               
                 CIMAP.B2 
               
               
                   Bacillus  spp 
                 20 
                 20 
                 30 
                 15 
                 — 
               
               
                 CIMAP.B3 
               
               
                   Bacillus  spp 
                 12 
                 15 
                 05 
                 15 
                 10 
               
               
                 CIMAP.B4 
               
               
                   Bacillus  spp 
                 05 
                 07 
                 — 
                 11 
                 10 
               
               
                 CIMAP.B5 
               
               
                 
                   Pseudomonas 
                 
                 30 
                 15 
                 12 
                 15 
                 10 
               
               
                 sp. Psf 1   
               
               
                   
               
               
                   Bacillus  spp. CIMAP B1 = MTCC 5130 [ Bacillus  spp. CIMAP B1 was deposited at the International depository, Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh, India and was given Accession No. MTCC-5130] 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Example 8 
     Characterization of MTCC-5130 Strain 
     In Vitro Testing of Antagonistic Activity of Strain MTCC-5130 
     The antagonistic activity of strain  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130 was tested in vitro by following common dual cultures technique on PDA (Morton D T and N. H. Stroube 1955, Phytopathology 45: 419–420) where inhibition zones in between the colonies of antagonist and pathogen was measured 6 days after inoculation and percent growth inhibition was determined. The newly isolated strain of  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130 was able to inhibit growth of  Rhizoctonia solani  by 50–55%,  Fusarium oxysporum  by 73%,  Fusarium semitectum  by 68%,  Pythium aphanidermatum  by 20%,  Helminthosporium carbonum  by 55%,  Curvularia andropogonis  by 70%,  Alternaria alternata  by 83%,  Colletotrichum acutatum  by 76%,  Colletotrichum capsici  by 65%,  Colletotrichum. gloeosporiodes  by 58.00%,  Corynespora cassiicola  by 48%, and  Thielavia basicola  by 58% in vitro (Table 6). 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 In vitro growth inhibition of fungal phytopathogens of some important 
               
               
                 medicinal &amp; aromatic plants by the new strain  Bacillus  spp CIMAP-B1 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 S. 
                 Inhibi- 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 No 
                 tion (%) 
                 Pathogens 
                 Disease 
                 Host 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 1. 
                 55.00 
                   Rhizoctonia solani (PyRh1) 
                 Root rot &amp; 
                 Pyrethrum 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 wilt 
               
               
                 2. 
                 52.00 
                   Rhizoctonia solani (GRh1) 
                 Wilt 
                 Geranium 
               
               
                 3. 
                 76.00 
                 
                   Colletotrichum acutatum 
                 
                 Anthracnose 
                 ″ 
               
               
                 4. 
                 65.00 
                 
                   Colletotrichum capsici 
                 
                 Leaf blight 
                 Indian basil 
               
               
                 5. 
                 58.00 
                 
                   Colletotrichum 
                 
                 Leaf spot 
                 Aloe 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gloeosporiodes 
               
               
                 6. 
                 50.00 
                   Rhizoctonia solani (OPRh1) 
                 Collar rot 
                 Opium poppy 
               
               
                 7. 
                 20.00 
                 
                   Pythium aphanidermatum 
                 
                 Yellowing 
                 Java 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 citronella 
               
               
                 8. 
                 70.00 
                 
                   Curvularia andropogonis 
                 
                 Leaf blight 
                 Java 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 citronella 
               
               
                 9. 
                 83.00 
                 
                   Alternaria allernata 
                 
                 Leaf spot 
                 Menthol mint 
               
               
                 10. 
                 48.00 
                 
                   Corynespora cassiicola 
                 
                 Leaf blight 
                 ″ 
               
               
                   
                 73.00 
                 
                   Fusarium oxysporum 
                 
                 Wilt 
                 ″ 
               
               
                 11. 
                 68.00 
                 
                   Fusarium semitectum 
                 
                 ″ 
                 ″ 
               
               
                 12. 
                 55.00 
                 
                   Helminthosporium 
                 
                 Leaf blight 
                 ″ 
               
               
                   
                   
                 carbonum 
               
               
                 13. 
                 58.00 
                 
                   Thielavia basicola 
                 
                 Stolon &amp; 
                 ″ 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 root rot 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Example 9 
     Inhibition of Spore Germination of Fungal Plant Pathogens by Culture Filtrate of  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130 
     The 4-day-old-culture filtrate of  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130 was evaluated against spore germination inhibition of fungal plant pathogens such as  Alternaria. alternata, Colletotrichum acutatum  and  Colletotrichum capsici . The results indicated that more than 95% spore germination inhibition was recorded at 80% dilution of culture filtrate. Thus, culture filtrate can be used for the management of diseases caused by these fungi in future (Table 7). 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 7 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Effect of  Bacillus  spp CIMAP B1 culture filtrate on the spore 
               
               
                 germination of plant pathogenic fungi 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Spore germination (%) 
                 Inhibition over control 
               
               
                   
                 after 6 h. 
                 (%) 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 CF Conc. 
                 
                   Alternaria 
                 
                 
                   Colletotrichum 
                 
                 
                   Alternaria 
                 
                 
                   Colletotrichum 
                 
               
               
                 (%) 
                 
                   alternata 
                 
                 
                   capsici 
                 
                 
                   alternata 
                 
                 capsici 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 0 
                 (control) 
                 100 
                 100 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 10 
                   
                 69 
                 68 
                 31 
                 32 
               
               
                 20 
                   
                 59 
                 56 
                 41 
                 44 
               
               
                 80 
                   
                 06 
                 08 
                 94 
                 97 
               
               
                 80 
                   
                 09 
                 05 
                 91 
                 95 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Example 10 
     In Vivo Testing of the  Bacillus  spp CIMAP B1 on  Rhizoctonia solani  Causing Root Rot and Wilt Disease of Pyrethrum. 
     The pyrethrum seedlings were treated with the strain of  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130 of the present invention and exposed to the fungal pathogen,  Rhizoctonia solani  causing root rot and wilt disease. Initially they were observed to show growth characteristic similar to the untreated unexposed control plants. Later, seedlings treated with  Bacillus  spp CIMAP-B1 and exposed to the inoculum of fungal pathogen,  Rhizoctonia solani  failed to produce typical symptoms of the disease and also produced plants showing growth characteristics superior to the untreated, unexposed plants. The untreated plant inoculated with  R. solani  produced typical symptoms of the disease (Table 8). 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 8 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Influence of  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130 strain on the root rot &amp; wilt 
               
               
                 disease of pyrethrum caused by  Rhizoctonia solani : 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 S. 
                   
                 Plants 
                   
                 Rating of 
               
               
                 NO. 
                 Treatments 
                 Infected (%) 
                 DSI* 
                 Effectiveness 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 1 
                 Untreated control 
                 0.0 
                 0 
                 — 
               
               
                 2 
                 Treated control ( R. solani ) 
                 100 
                 4 
                 — 
               
               
                 3 
                 B1 +  R. solani   
               
               
                   
                 21-day-prior 
                 100 
                 4.0 
                 Non-effective 
               
               
                   
                 Simultaneous 
                 50 
                 1.6 
                 Effective 
               
               
                   
                 5-day-post 
                 50 
                 2.0 
                 Less Effective 
               
               
                 4 
                 Ridomil-mancozeb ♦ + 
               
               
                   
                 
                   R. solani 
                 
               
               
                   
                   ♦ 21-day-prior 
                 100 
                 4.0 
                 Non-effective 
               
               
                   
                   ♦ Simultaneous 
                 50 
                 1.5 
                 Effective 
               
               
                   
                   ♦ 5-day-post 
                 70 
                 2.8 
                 Less Effective 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 B1 =  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130 strain 
               
               
                 *Disease severity index was calculated on 0–4 scales disease rating for scoring root rot and wilt symptoms under epiphytotic conditions in the glashouse wherein 0 = no visible reaction; 1 = infection restricted up to 1 cm length on the collar region; 2 = 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The spray of cell free culture filtrate of  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130 on the foliage of geranium in the commercial fields significantly reduced by fungal infection caused by  Colletotrichum acutatum . The strain  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130 of the present invention produce vegetative cells or spores for incorporation into a delivery medium. The composition comprising the vegetative cells and spores of  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130 and the delivery medium has a long shelf life and is suitable for delivering the antagonist to plants for effective control of fungal phytopathogens. 
     ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
       Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130 strain is capable of promoting the growth of geranium and pyrethrum and inhibiting the growth of wide range of plant pathogenic fungi including  Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, Pythium, Helminthosporium, Curvularia, Alternaria, Colletotrichum, Corynespora  and  Thielavia  which have been causing different kinds of diseases on agricultural, horticultural and medicinal and aromatic crops. A thorough perusal of review of literature reveals that no such strain of  Bacillus  spp has been obtained. The  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130 strain has moreover novelty in showing growth promotion activity on plant as exemplified in geranium and pyrethrum and growth inhibition of dark spore pathogenic fungi, which are cosmopolitan in distribution. Therefore, it can be utilized as plant growth promoter as well as biocontrol agent against several plant pathogenic fungi of many important crops. This new strain multiplies on simple delivery medium and is cost effective and can be exploited commercially. It is non hazardous and ecofriendly in nature. 
     So the present invention pertains to the isolation of a number of rhizobacteria from the soil and identification of a new  Bacillus  spp strain referred to as  Bacillus  spp MTCC-5130. This strain is shown to exhibit strong antagonism towards a wide range of fungal pathogens that cause various kinds of plant diseases such as damping-off, root rot, stem rot, collar rot, twig blight, leaf blight and anthracnose as shown in. As such, this B. spp strain is suitable as biocontrol agent that can be used to protect plants against infection by these fungal pathogens. Thus, B. spp CIMAP B sub.1 strain is useful in methods for reducing the susceptibility of plant to fungi infection. The biologically pure culture of B. spp MTCC-5130 strain is capable of promoting the growth of plant and inhibiting the growth of a wide range of plant pathogenic fungi. This new stain of B. spp., called MTCC-5130 was isolated from the soil of geranium ( Pelargonium graveolens ) planted in the experimental fields of CIMAP, Lucknow, UP, India and is capable of promoting the growth of plant and inhibiting the growth of a wide range of plant pathogenic fungi. The invention also provides information on the characterization of the strain B. spp MTCC-5130 exhibiting unique 16S rDNA sequence. The novel strain of B. spp, B. spp MTCC-5130 has been found to promote the growth of geranium and pyrethrum over untreated control. The novel strain of B. spp, B. spp MTCC-5130, has been found to inhibit growth of  Rhizoctonia solani  by at least 50–55%,  Fusarium oxysporum  by at least 93%,  Fusarium semitectum  by at least 88%,  Pythium aphanidermatum  by at least 20%,  Helminthosporium carbonum  by at least 55%,  Curvularia andropogonis  by at least 70%,  Alternaria alternata  by at least 83%,  Colletotrichum acutatum  by at least 76%,  Colletotrichum capsici  by at least 65%,  Colletotrichum gloeosporiodes  by at least 58.00%,  Corynespora cassiicola  by at least 48%, and  Thielavia basicola  by at least 58% in vitro. The present invention also provides a method for evaluating antifungal activity of B. spp MTCC-5130, in vitro against wide range of fungal pathogens of medicinal and aromatic plants. 
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