Strawberries bred with elite Bacillus subtilis by plant disease experts: large, bright red, fewer pests and diseases, less pesticide
Visiting farmer Wu Sheng-bao's strawberry field in Dahu, Miaoli, China, beneath the lush dark green leaves hang one enormous, glistening bright red fruit after another, and the whole field is so thriving it amazes everyone. It turns out that halving pesticide use is not a dream; even the most delicate and difficult strawberry can achieve it, and the plants are even more productive and healthy!
Behind the smiling farmer is a master guiding him. The teacher who guided Wu Sheng-bao to halve his pesticide use and make good use of beneficial microorganisms is Zeng De-ci, a retired professor from the Department of Plant Pathology at Chung Hsing University. Zeng De-ci has long advocated a plant doctor system and developed microbial formulations, and this time, in cooperation with the Agricultural Technology Research Institute, he mentored farmers growing various crops in trials, with remarkable results.
"I have grown strawberries for over twenty years, and this is the most time- and labor-saving year." The farmer said that pesticide shops used to mix many pesticides, but now with the teacher's guidance, most of the chemicals are saved, "so I very much agree with the plant doctor approach: whatever disease there is, prescribe whatever medicine, treat the disease specifically!"
The proportion of large fruit reaches 75%, with no gibberellin used at all
The whole of Dahu is strawberry fields, yet Wu Sheng-bao's field stands out. Most strawberry fields have missing plants, some at rates as high as 50 to 60%, looking sparse at a glance. Otherwise the leaves yellow, are thin and droopy, and are repeatedly attacked by anthracnose and Fusarium; among pests, the two-spotted spider mite, commonly called "red spider," is also rampant.
Yet in Wu Sheng-bao's strawberry field, the green leaves are especially deep and rich, there are no missing plants, and the number of leaves is very high, each one quite thick and firm. Looking closely at the strawberry fruit, the proportion of large fruit reaches 75%, better than in previous years, with no gibberellin used at all, and the texture is firm and not hollow. Not only did overall yield rise by 20 to 30%, the flavor is also better, making the couple delightedly pick away.
Disease- and pest-resistant with no missing plants, the plants are strong and highly productive
Wu Sheng-bao was already a farmer who used pesticides precisely, with low chemical pesticide use, and now he has reduced it by more than 50%. He explained in detail that in the two months after planting, disease prevention is needed; previously he sprayed about once every 10 days, and now it is extended to 20 days. Then comes the harvest period, when spraying frequency is even lower; he used to control red spider about once a month, and now the interval is also longer, with only three sprays from planting until now, more than four months later.
Zeng De-ci pointed at the strawberry leaves with satisfaction and said, "Healthy leaves, red spider does not like to eat." This great enemy of strawberries is almost nowhere to be seen in Wu Sheng-bao's field. "Thick leaves mean resistance to stress; healthy plants mean fruit that is large, firm, and has natural flavor." Anthracnose and Fusarium are also almost extinct.
Disease- and pest-resistant with no missing plants, the plants are stronger and more productive; how exactly is this done?
It turns out that the secret weapon Zeng De-ci mentored farmers to use is the "Bacillus subtilis functional nutrient formula." Wu Sheng-bao said there are two methods, foliar spraying and applying with irrigation water to the soil, working together, "spray the top once every 3-4 days, and the bottom once every 7-10 days." In this way, not only is pesticide use reduced by more than 50%, even fertilizer is saved by 40 to 50%.
Elite strains from a guava orchard in Wufeng
"Bacillus subtilis is originally widely distributed in nature," said Zeng De-ci, an authority on plant disease. In the past, when isolating pathogens, he found that wherever Bacillus subtilis was present, pathogens could not grow, and so he began researching Bacillus subtilis.
He isolated and screened from the rhizosphere and cultivation media of various crops in various places; for example, this strain named "WG6-14," where W stands for coming from Wufeng and G stands for coming from guava (Guava), meaning it is a Bacillus subtilis strain screened from a guava orchard in Wufeng.
A common problem with microbial formulations is that after spraying the effect is poor, or they are hard to preserve, with a short shelf life, dying at the slightest temperature change. However, Zeng De-ci screened out the strongest strains, which not only have obvious effects but can also be stored for one year at a low temperature below 10°C.
How do you cultivate the strongest soldiers? Zeng De-ci explained that the first screening criterion is the ability to form "endospores." "First boil in 100°C hot water for five minutes; whatever survives is spores." When Bacillus subtilis is in the endospore state, its stress resistance is especially strong; "spores can sleep and get through harsh environments."
After the test of high heat, of course it must also be able to resist pathogens, "meaning wherever it grows, pathogens do not dare come over." In addition, it is best if it can also promote plant root growth, which depends on the metabolites of Bacillus subtilis.
Use the best nutrient pack to raise the best soldiers
Raising soldiers requires provisions, so the nutrients and environmental conditions for culturing the strains are extremely important. The nutrient formula, suitable temperature, and whether the air supply is sufficient all affect the quality of Bacillus subtilis. The strains must also be pure enough, with no contaminating microbes. The Bacillus subtilis screened by Zeng De-ci reaches a concentration of 100 billion per 1 c.c.; when taken to a petri dish to multiply, contaminating microbes are almost invisible.
Besides exerting an antagonistic effect against harmful bacteria, these beneficial microorganisms can also "bring a lunchbox" for crops to eat. Zeng De-ci explained that culturing beneficial bacteria involves giving different nutrients, such as fish meal, soybean powder, and brown sugar; after the beneficial bacteria decompose and transform them, crops can absorb them more easily. The metabolites produced by the beneficial bacteria have the effect of resisting pathogens and promoting plant growth.
"Use the best nutrient pack to raise the best soldiers." Zeng De-ci explained that this nutrient can be adjusted according to the nutrients a crop particularly needs at different stages; when more nitrogen fertilizer is needed, use nutrients with high nitrogen content to culture the bacteria, at flowering stage use more phosphorus-containing components, and when the fruit is about to ripen use more potassium-containing components.
In Wu Sheng-bao's work shed there is a large fermentation barrel specially designed for culturing strains; after putting in the nutrients and strains, it is heated to the optimal temperature and continuously stirred at constant temperature for seven days, letting the strains fully decompose and transform the nutrients; this is "generous culturing." Zeng De-ci explained, "When spores meet heat, with water and nutrients, they wake up and begin decomposing nutrients; after decomposition the plants absorb them better. The strains also secrete metabolites, such as phenolic acids, which are very good for the root system."
Farmer: Climate causes endless new problems, and pesticides are not enough to cope
Another cooperative farmer in Dahu, Zhang Mei-dan, grows elevated strawberries, "I have always been moving in a non-toxic direction; at a height like elevated strawberries, when spraying pesticide you are breathing it yourself."
Zhang Mei-dan began using Bacillus subtilis nutrient solution last year, and after harvesting began in December she stopped using chemical pesticides, spraying Bacillus subtilis once every five days. "This year not only are there fewer diseases, the best effect is on the two-spotted spider mite. Previously I had to spray once a month, and each time it cost three to four thousand yuan for pesticide, but this year from beginning to end I sprayed only once."
Zhang Mei-dan and Wu Sheng-bao also mentioned that strawberry farmers are often troubled by buying diseased seedlings, yet they may not have the ability or time to raise seedlings themselves; at this point Bacillus subtilis nutrient solution can also help. Whether raising seedlings yourself or buying seedlings, before planting, soak the root system in Bacillus subtilis nutrient solution to bring beneficial bacteria into the soil, and in the future they will grow strong and sturdy.
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