There are fungi and nematode worms that seriously damage vegetables that are very common in agricultural fields. Recent research has now found a way to combat them that doesn’t cause the contamination problems and other side effects caused by other chemicals that can kill these fungi and worms.
The result is the work of a scientific team from the Institute of Tropical and Mediterranean Horticulture “La Mayora”, a joint center of the Higher Council of Scientific Research (CSIC) and the University of Malaga, both Spanish institutions.
These scientists have identified a metabolite secreted by the bacterium Bacillus velezensis that attacks and eliminates these fungi and nematodes.
In their study they verified that, by applying this metabolite of Bacillus velezensis, the survival of agricultural crops is guaranteed and greater growth and production are encouraged.
The team led by Diego Romero observed these results in soybean and melon plantations, although these results can be extrapolated to other crops.
“The metabolite, called Cyclo(Pro-Tyr), is composed of a cyclized proline and a tyrosine dipeptide, a characteristic that makes it very chemically stable”, explains David Vela-Corcia, researcher at the IHSM “La Mayora”, “so this compounds do not degrade easily in the rhizosphere, the area of the soil close to the roots, and can reach the pathogenic organisms present there,” he adds.
“Furthermore, we confirmed that this bacterial strain attacks in waves, initially weakening the cellular barrier of fungi and the intestinal cells of nematodes, leaving both without the ability to synthesize ATP, which allows other metabolites to kill them,” he explained. indicates the researcher. Vela-Corcia highlights the dual effect of the antimicrobial metabolite Cyclo (Pro-Tyr) in fighting pathogens and promoting the growth of plant roots by activating their defense mechanism.
The strain of Bacillus velezensis with which they carried out this work was isolated for the first time in 1990. The Vela-Corcia research group has been studying it for about twenty years to understand its effects and how it can bring benefits to agricultural crops, thus favoring a more environmentally friendly.
Microscopic view of the culture treated with Cyclo(Pro-Tyr). (Image: IHSM “La Mayora”)
The results of this work are being put into practice as the first tests are currently underway to develop a product with this metabolite to be applied in vegetables of agricultural interest.
Jesús Hierrezuelo, Alicia Pérez-Lorente, Antonio de Vicente, Alejandro Pérez García and Diego Romero, from IHSM La Mayora, as well as scientists from Germany, France, the United States and China also participated in the work.
Vela-Corcia and his colleagues present the technical details of this metabolite and its effects in the academic journal Communications Biology, under the title “Cyclo(Pro-Tyr) elicits conserved cell damage in fungi by targeting the [H+]Pma1 ATPase in plasma membrane domains”. (Source: IHSM “The Most” / CSIC)
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– How does the metabolite Cyclo(Pro-Tyr) compare to traditional chemical treatments for agricultural pests?
Interview Transcript: Time.news Editor with David Vela-Corcia, Researcher at IHSM “La Mayora”
Editor: Welcome, David! It’s a pleasure to have you here. Your team’s recent research on combating agricultural pests using a metabolite from the bacterium Bacillus velezensis is groundbreaking. Can you discuss how you first stumbled upon this metabolite and what sparked the research?
David Vela-Corcia: Thank you for having me! Our journey began with the pressing need in agriculture to find alternative methods to combat fungi and nematode worms, which are common and damaging to crops like soybeans and melons. We aimed to explore natural solutions, and while investigating various bacterial strains, Bacillus velezensis stood out due to its beneficial properties.
Editor: That makes sense! For our readers who may not be familiar, can you elaborate on the challenges posed by these fungi and nematodes in agricultural settings?
David Vela-Corcia: Absolutely! These organisms can severely compromise crop yield and health. Fungi tend to invade plant roots and stems, while nematodes attack at the cellular level. Traditional chemical treatments can be effective but often lead to soil contamination and harmful side effects on both the environment and human health.
Editor: And that’s where your discovery comes into play. You identified a metabolite called Cyclo(Pro-Tyr). What makes this metabolite particularly effective against these pests?
David Vela-Corcia: Cyclo(Pro-Tyr) is a cyclized dipeptide made up of proline and tyrosine, which gives it notable chemical stability. This stability is crucial because it allows the metabolite to persist in the rhizosphere—the soil area right around plant roots—where it can actively engage with the pathogenic organisms.
Editor: Interesting! You mentioned that this metabolite attacks in waves. Could you explain how that process works in more detail?
David Vela-Corcia: Certainly! Initially, Cyclo(Pro-Tyr) disrupts the cellular barriers of the fungi and targets the intestinal cells of nematodes. By weakening these barriers, it inhibits their ability to synthesize ATP, which is essential for their survival. Once they are compromised, additional metabolites can target and kill them effectively. This dual-action approach maximizes our control over these pests.
Editor: That’s a fascinating mechanism! You’ve seen successful results in soybean and melon plantations, but can this be extended to other crops as well?
David Vela-Corcia: Yes, we believe that the principles behind Cyclo(Pro-Tyr) can be applied to a variety of crops. While our initial research focused on soybeans and melons, the chemical properties of the metabolite suggest it has the potential to combat other similar agricultural threats across different plant species.
Editor: That opens up a world of possibilities for sustainable agriculture! As interest in eco-friendly practices increases, what do you envision as the next steps for your research team?
David Vela-Corcia: Our immediate goal is to conduct further field trials to evaluate the effectiveness of Cyclo(Pro-Tyr) in diverse agricultural settings. We also want to collaborate with farmers to understand the practical implications of using our metabolite in real-world farming scenarios. Ultimately, our aim is to contribute to a more sustainable approach to pest management.
Editor: Exciting times ahead! Thank you for sharing these insights with us, David. It’s encouraging to see scientific advancements paving the way for more environmentally friendly agricultural practices. We look forward to following your research!
David Vela-Corcia: Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to share our work, and I hope it inspires more sustainable innovations in agriculture.