In the heart of Brazil, researchers have unearthed a promising new ally in the battle against one of agriculture’s most notorious pests. Cinara Ramos Sales, a researcher at the Biochemistry of Microorganisms and Plants Laboratory, part of the Agricultural, Livestock and Environmental Biotechnology Department at São Paulo State University (UNESP) in Jaboticabal, has identified a bacterium with significant potential to control the fall armyworm, a scourge that causes substantial crop damage worldwide.
The fall armyworm, scientifically known as Spodoptera frugiperda, is a voracious pest that feeds on over 80 plant species, including major crops like corn, rice, and sorghum. Traditional chemical pesticides, while effective, pose environmental and health risks and can lead to pest resistance over time. This has sparked a global search for sustainable, biological alternatives.
Sales and her team turned to nature itself, employing an insect-trapping method to isolate bacteria from dead fall armyworm larvae. Among the 70 isolates obtained, ten showed promising insecticidal activity. Through genetic sequencing, they identified these isolates, with one standout: Enterococcus mundtii, specifically the JBC60 isolate.
“The potential of E. mundtii (JBC60) as a biological control agent is significant,” Sales explained. “It not only exhibits high insecticidal activity but also poses no known risks to human health, making it an ideal candidate for sustainable pest management.”
The study, published in the journal Biological Control, details how E. mundtii (JBC60) demonstrated a growth inhibition rate of over 90% against the fall armyworm. The bacterium’s growth curve showed optimal conditions for cultivation, with maximum growth achieved within 12 hours. This rapid growth rate is crucial for commercial applications, as it allows for efficient mass production.
The implications for the agricultural sector are profound. A biological control agent like E. mundtii (JBC60) could revolutionize pest management, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and promoting more sustainable farming practices. This shift could lead to healthier crops, reduced environmental impact, and potentially higher yields, all of which are beneficial for the energy sector, which often relies on agricultural byproducts for biofuels and other energy sources.
Moreover, the success of E. mundtii (JBC60) opens the door for further bioprospecting efforts. The method used by Sales and her team can be applied to identify other bacterial isolates with similar potential, expanding the arsenal of biological control agents available to farmers.
As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and food security, innovations like E. mundtii (JBC60) offer a beacon of hope. They represent a step towards a future where agriculture is not just about feeding the world but doing so sustainably and responsibly. The research conducted by Sales and her team at UNESP is a testament to the power of scientific inquiry and its potential to shape a greener, more sustainable future.