Microorganism Team

Symptom of potato scab

1. Control of potato scab disease: The efficacies of fertilizer application method improvements (e.g. application of Ammonium sulfate) and low input of phosphoric acid have already been clarified. Therefore, developed methods are subjected to on-farm experiments in Hokkaido. Moreover, these methods are field-tested in Java, Indonesia and Vietnam to evaluate and promote their application as a new technology. As AS amendment results show low soil acidity, the investigation on behavior of potato scab pathogens which are active in low acidity soil is necessary.

2. Control of tomato mosaic disease: Experimental fields are set up in some places in Bali and Java islands of Indonesia to carry out disease control tests using the attenuate viral strain. Through the experiments, disease control efficacy is proved and the stable control system and technique are being developed under the severe occurring environment. It is necessary to hold technical training course for inoculation of attenuate virus, detection of viruses, etc. to spread the control method using the attenuate virus and to find the Indonesian attenuate strains for practical use.

3. Control of pepper Phytophthora blight: Field experiments for biological control will be carried out using above mentioned candidate isolates to develop a practical method. It is also planned to establish the new integrated disease management system including cultural techniques (high ridge, maintenance of irrigation canal, planting density etc.)

4. Control of tomato bacterial wilt: Recognition of the efficacy of above mentioned bio-control materials and development of integrated disease management system by use of these materials are the main research themes for establishing and spreading the bio-control methods. The detection of new bioactive microorganisms and mixed cropping plant producing antibiotic substances is being conducted. To enhance the bio-control efficacy, integrated disease management methods including a lot of cultural means must be established.

5. Disease control of many crops: It is necessary to develop new techniques further in Phase II, especially in the investigation of soil-borne diseases caused by Fusarium spp. to solve the relationships between disease occurrence and phosphate accumulation, and in the establishment of integrated disease management method through improving the fertilization by soil diagnosis, soil disinfection and utilization of antagonistic microorganisms for restoration of the position of main production area. Recycled bio-fertilizer which contains antagonistic microorganisms including Trichoderma spp. and Bacillus subtilis cultured with media consisting of waste food materials such as raw trash, bran and bean-curd refuse is also being developed. Regarding post-harvest diseases, the control system was investigated and clarified in Phase I and is currently being introduced and applied in connection to the main research objectives concerning environmental improvement and biological control techniques. Kasetsart University (Thailand) has already investigated the bio-control of fungal and bacterial diseases of vegetables and is developing such techniques as a new farming system. These new techniques are expected to be widely used in Southeast Asian countries including Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand.

6. Control of weeds: Detection of the main weed pathogens, feasibility of bio-herbicide agents, development of effective mass production, inoculating methods and materialization is further being investigated from the basic level to reconstruct research because clear indications on the development of weed control techniques could not be obtained in Phase I.