Application of Bacillus subtilis in agriculture and animal husbandry

Application of Bacillus subtilis in agriculture and animal husbandry

      Bacillus subtilis is a Gram positive bacterium widely found in nature. Due to its high temperature resistance, acid and alkali resistance, and strong stress resistance, it is widely used in agriculture and animal husbandry. It has become an important microbial tool for green production through multiple mechanisms such as secreting antibacterial substances, promoting nutrient absorption, and improving the environment.

1、 Applications in the field of agriculture

Biological control of diseases and pests

      Bacillus subtilis directly inhibits or dissolves pathogenic bacteria (such as fungi and bacteria) by secreting bacteriocins (such as Bacillus subtilis and polymyxin), lipopeptide compounds, etc., effectively preventing and controlling various crop diseases. For example:

      Wheat powdery mildew, Fusarium head blight, and sheath blight;

      Cucumber downy mildew, tomato bacterial wilt, gray mold;

      Cotton wilt disease, anthracnose disease, etc.

      It can also compete for oxygen and nutrients in the soil to form a dominant bacterial community, prevent pathogenic bacteria from colonizing, and play a protective role similar to a "vaccine".

Promote plant growth

      This bacterium can induce plants to produce growth hormones such as indole-3-acetic acid, enhance root development, and improve photosynthetic efficiency. At the same time, the cellulase and protease secreted by it decompose organic matter in the soil, release nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium, promote crop absorption, and significantly increase yield (by 10% to 50%).

Improving soil environment

      Bacillus subtilis repairs soil ecology by decomposing residual pesticides, heavy metals, and other pollutants. It can also enhance soil microbial activity, promote organic matter degradation, improve soil particle structure, and reduce continuous cropping obstacles.

2、 Application in the field of animal husbandry

      Aquaculture: Water Purification and Disease Prevention and Control

      Water quality management: Decompose residual feed, feces and other organic matter, reduce ammonia nitrogen and nitrite content, inhibit excessive reproduction of blue-green algae, and maintain water transparency.

      Disease prevention: Secreting antibacterial substances such as chitinase, inhibiting pathogenic microorganisms such as Vibrio and Escherichia coli, and reducing diseases such as shrimp enteritis and fish gill rot.

      Feed efficiency enhancement: added to feed to improve feed utilization through lipase, amylase, etc., promoting the growth of aquatic animals and increasing yield.

      Livestock and poultry farming: intestinal health and improved production performance

      Regulating gut microbiota: consuming free oxygen in the intestine, promoting the proliferation of anaerobic probiotics such as lactic acid bacteria, inhibiting harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli, and improving digestive function.

      Enhance immunity: activate T and B lymphocytes, increase antibody levels, and reduce the occurrence of respiratory diseases and diarrhea in poultry.

      Alternative antibiotics: By secreting antimicrobial peptides and other substances, traditional antibiotics can be replaced to reduce the risk of drug residue and resistance.

3、 Application precautions

      Agricultural use: Avoid mixing with chemical fungicides and apply regularly during the early stages of disease or crop growth.

      Aquatic use: It is necessary to cooperate with oxygenation equipment (such as aerators) to prevent bacterial oxygen consumption from causing oxygen deficiency in the water.

      Feed addition: Add feed in spore form, heat-resistant processing to ensure activity.

summarize

      Bacillus subtilis, with its broad-spectrum antibacterial, growth promoting, and environmental characteristics, has achieved the dual goals of disease prevention and yield increase in agriculture, and optimized water quality management and animal health in aquaculture. Its application not only reduces the dependence on chemical agents, but also provides efficient solutions for green agriculture and sustainable breeding.