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Bacterial ghost technology for pesticide delivery
Tamás Hatfaludi1, Martina Liska, Daniela Zellinger
1Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, Section Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Vienna, UZAII 2B522 Althanstrasse 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. tamas.hatfaludi@univie.ac.at
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
|September 18, 2004
Summary
Bacterial ghosts, empty bacterial envelopes, effectively adhere to plants and deliver pesticides. This novel carrier system shows comparable efficacy to commercial formulations against plant pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Bacterial ghosts are empty bacterial cell envelopes derived from Gram-negative bacteria via E-mediated lysis.
- These envelopes retain their native structure, making them suitable for various applications.
- Pectobacterium cypripedii ghosts were investigated for their potential as plant-adherent carriers for pesticide delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the adherence of Pectobacterium cypripedii bacterial ghosts to plant surfaces.
- To assess the efficacy of bacterial ghosts loaded with tebuconazole as a pesticide delivery system.
- To compare the performance of bacterial ghost pesticide formulations against commercial products.
Main Methods:
- Fluorescence-labeled bacterial ghosts were applied to rice and soya plants to determine retention rates after simulated heavy rainfall.
- The lipophilic fungicide tebuconazole was loaded into the bacterial ghosts.
- Greenhouse experiments were conducted to test the efficacy of tebuconazole-loaded bacterial ghosts against various plant pathogens on barley, wheat, and cucumber, comparing them with commercial formulations.
Main Results:
- Bacterial ghosts demonstrated significant adherence to plant leaves, with retention rates of 55% on rice and 10% on soya after simulated heavy rain.
- Tebuconazole-loaded bacterial ghosts exhibited comparable or superior efficacy against Erysiphe graminis, Leptosphaeria nodorum, Pyrenophora teres, and Sphaerotheca fuliginea compared to a commercial wettable powder formulation.
- In comparison to a cereal-specific emulsion, bacterial ghosts showed equal to lower efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Pectobacterium cypripedii bacterial ghosts show promise as effective carriers for pesticide delivery, demonstrating good adherence to plants and efficacy against key pathogens.
- The bacterial ghost platform technology presents a viable alternative to conventional pesticide formulations, offering potential for improved delivery and performance.
- Further research and development could optimize this technology for broader agricultural applications.