Microalgae protect rice from bacterial blight

2024-03-01 14:24:12

Microalgae protect rice from bacterial blight

HIS*

Indian scientists have found that the microalgae strain Chlorella thermophila (CT) possesses antimicrobial activity against pathogens causing rice bacterial blight. Microalgae can also contribute to wastewater treatment.

Rice is a staple food for more than 65% of the world’s population, and therefore there is a need for a large supply in different countries. However, its production is affected by various threats, including bacterial leaf blight (BLB). This disease can negatively affect straw quality and reduce grain yield by up to 80%.

To address this problem, researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati and Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences conducted a study to help eliminate Pantoea agglomerans and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Oryzae, which are bacterial pathogens that can cause BLB. They grew Chlorella thermophila in nutrient-rich dairy wastewater to produce a biomass extract that inhibits the growth of both pathogenic bacteria, which will help protect crops against bacterial blight of rice. The results demonstrate that microalgae can serve as an alternative to harmful pesticides without affecting crop yield.

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* Source : Microalgae Protects Rice From Bacterial Blight- Crop Biotech Update (January 10, 2024) | Crop Biotech Update – ISAAA.org

My note: Here is the summary (cut out) of “Valorization of Chlorella thermophila biomass cultivated in dairy wastewater for biopesticide production against bacterial rice blight: a circular biorefinery approach” of biopesticides against rice bacterial blight: a circular biorefinery approach) by Satya Sundar Mohanty and Kaustubha Mohanty

“Biopesticides offer a sustainable and effective alternative to synthetic pesticides, providing a safer and more environmentally friendly solution to pest control.

The present work proposes an innovative approach that integrates crop protection and wastewater treatment using the thermophilic microalgae strain Chlorella thermophila (CT) grown in nutrient-rich dairy wastewater as a growth medium.

The microalgae was grown mixotrophically and was able to effectively reduce the organic carbon and nutrient loading of dairy wastewater. The integrated circular biorefining approach combines biomass cultivation, extraction of biopesticide compounds and conversion to biocrude.

The antimicrobial activity of the biopesticide extracts against Xanthomonas oryzae and Pantoea agglomerans, the causative agents of bacterial blight of rice, is evaluated by in vitro studies.

The obtained biomass extract is able to successfully inhibit the growth of the two aforementioned plant pathogens. Mass spectroscopy analysis indicates the presence of neophytadiene which has previously been reported for the inhibition of several pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

Several other value-added products, such as linoleic acid and nervonic acids, have also been detected in microalgal biomass and exhibit extremely high nutraceutical and medicinal values.

Additionally, the study examines the potential for co-production of biocrude from the biorefinery process via hydrothermal liquefaction. Overall, the results of this work represent an innovative and sustainable approach that combines wastewater treatment and crop protection using micro-algal biomass. »

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#Microalgae #protect #rice #bacterial #blight