METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR BIOPROTECTION OF TOMATOES FROM CLAVIBACTER MICHIGANENSIS SUBSP. MICHIGANENSIS
The present invention relates to compositions having antimicrobial activity against Clavibacter michiganensis subsp michiganensis “(Cmm”). Further provided herein are methods of making and using the antimicrobial compositions to protect and treat tomatoes from Cmm infections.
1 . A method of controlling, suppressing and/or preventing an infection from Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm) in tomatoes, comprising:
providing an antimicrobial composition comprising at least one of Bacillus pumilus strain, a culture medium inoculated with Bacillus pumilus , a cell-free extract of Bacillus pumilus or at least one metabolite of Bacillus pumilus , and
applying an effective amount of said antimicrobial composition to at least one of a tomato plant, a tomato root, a tomato leaf, a tomato fruit and a tomato stem.
2 - 6 . (canceled)
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial composition comprises Micrococcin P1.
8 . (canceled)
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the Micrococcin P1 is produced by the Bacillus pumilus.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial composition further comprises a filtered fraction and/or a cell free supernatant of a microorganism mixture comprising Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactococcus lactis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Aspergillus oryzae, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida utilis , and Rhodopseudomonas palustris , or a mixture thereof.
11 - 39 . (canceled)
40 . A composition for the bioprotection of tomatoes from Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm), comprising:
an effective amount of Micrococcin P1; and
an agriculturally acceptable carrier,
wherein said composition is formulated for application to at least one of a tomato plant, a tomato root, a tomato leaf, a tomato seed and a tomato stem; and
wherein said Micrococcin P1 is effective in controlling, suppressing and/or preventing infection from Cmm.
41 . (canceled)
42 . The composition of claim 40 , wherein the Micrococcin P1 is produced by Bacillus pumilus.
43 - 48 . (canceled)
49 . The composition of claim 40 , further comprising a cell-free supernatant and/or a filtered fraction of a microbial culture inoculated with one or more of Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactococcus lactis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Aspergillus oryzae, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida utilis , and Rhodopseudomonas palustris.
50 - 54 . (canceled)
55 . A method of protecting tomatoes from Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm), comprising the step of:
applying an effective amount of the composition of claim 40 to a tomato plant, a tomato root, a tomato leaf, a tomato seed and/or a tomato stem,
wherein the effective amount is sufficient for bioprotection of the tomato plant from Cmm.
56 . The method of claim 1 ,
wherein said method provides for bioprotection against Cmm;
wherein said bioprotection comprises at least one of enhancing resistance against Cmm, reducing damage caused by Cmm, enhancing plant antimicrobial response against Cmm, increasing plant antinematocidal activity, reducing pathological symptoms or lesions resulting from actions of Cmm, and increasing tomatoes yield; and
wherein said bioprotection is determined by comparing damages of tomatoes contacted or not with said antimicrobial composition.
57 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said Bacillus pumilus strain comprises a 16S rRNA having at least 95% identity with SEQ ID NO: 4.
58 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one Bacillus pumilus strain comprises ATCC® Patent Designation No. PTA-125304 and/or NES-CAP-1 (GenBank Accession No. MF079281.1).
59 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said antimicrobial composition further comprises at least one strain of Bacillus subtilis , a culture medium inoculated with Bacillus subtilis , a cell-free extract of Bacillus subtilis or at least one metabolite of Bacillus subtilis.
60 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said antimicrobial composition further comprises at least one of an herbicide, an insecticide, a fungicide and a nutrient.
61 . The composition of claim 40 , further comprising at least one strain of Bacillus subtilis , a culture medium inoculated with Bacillus subtilis , a cell-free extract of Bacillus subtilis or at least one metabolite of Bacillus subtilis.
62 . The composition of claim 42 , wherein said Bacillus pumilus comprises a 16S rRNA having at least 95% identity with SEQ ID NO: 4.
63 . The composition of claim 42 , wherein said Bacillus pumilus comprises ATCC® Patent Designation No. PTA-125304 and/or NES-CAP-1 (GenBank Accession No. MF079281.1).