Development of Microbial Formulation and Biological Properties Using Bacillus velezensis GH1-13

Biological control of plant diseases including bacterial and fungal pathogens has been deliberated as a viable alternative method to harmful and expensive chemical control. Bacillus velezensis GH1-13 strain was reported as a multifunctional biological agent which inhibits the plant pathogens and utilized in sustainable agriculture for improving growth of the crops. The objective of this study is to evaluate the biological potential of Bacillus velezensis GH1-13 for effective use in agriculture and industrialization. The microbial formulations of GH1-13 strain were performed into liquid, powder, granule and pellet types. Total viable cells of four microbial formulations were verified more than 107 cfu/mL(g) during 8 weeks at 40℃, and the storage stability was considered under severe condition. Plant growth promoting of four formulation types were examined to pepper and tomato plants. The powder type showed the best effect such as stem length 25.6±0.72 cm, 10 petiole and stem length 35.3±0.46 cm, 11 petiole of pepper and tomato plant, respectively. Biocontrol effect of liquid and powder types was also tested against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causing pepper anthracnose. The resulting, 100 fold diluted liquid type exhibited control effect of 65%, and side effect on pepper and tomato plants were not detected. From the results, we suggest that microbial formulations have significant effects as biological agents such as plant growth promoting and controlling the phytopathogenic fungi. In addition, we expect that microbial agent may be useful in agriculture, although further study is needed.