C2019-14

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Technology # 19-14 Antimicrobials derived from Pseudomonas fluorescens and Burkholderia cenocepacia that inhibit the growth of the rice pathogen Burkholderia glumae. These antimicrobials represent a solution to control a disease affecting an economically important crop that is a staple for a large human population. Bacterial Panicle blight of rice is an emergent disease in the United States that has been problematic in Asia and Latin America. The disease is caused by the bacterial pathogen Burkholderia glumae and currently, there are not effective treatments against this pathogen. Two bacterial strains isolated from fields in Arkansas were discovered that inhibit the growth of the rice pathogen Burkholderia glumae on Petri plates and eliminate symptoms of the disease in rice. Cell-free preparations also reduced the growth of Burkholderia glumae suggesting that they contain molecules with antimicrobial activities. Identification and purification of such molecules will provide new, sustainable and robust protection to rice plants. Application(s), Service(s), and/or Product(s): * Purified compounds with activity could be used as seed treatments before planting * Compounds could be used to spray plants before flowering, the developmental stage when plants are more susceptible to Burkholderia glumae.