P-395 - Rooting for Sustainability: Utilization of Beneficial Soil Microbes for Enhanced Disease Suppression in Peanut Production Systems

In agriculture, pesticides and fertilizers are often utilized to suppress pathogens and enhance plant growth. While these applications are notably beneficial to plants, the misuse of these chemicals can lead to environmental damages and the resistance development in plant pathogens. Sustainable agriculture seeks to maintain productivity while minimizing ecological impacts by incorporating management strategies, such as biological alternatives. Recent studies suggest that utilizing beneficial soil microbes, specifically plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), can reduce the quantity of chemicals required to maximize yield and protect plants. The objective of this study was to create specialized PGPR products that increase plant health in peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) by means of enhanced nutrient uptake and controlling Rhizoctonia solani. In this 3-year study, 110 PGPR strains were analyzed in vitro for mechanisms of nutrient acquisition and antagonism against R. solani. These trials were utilized to focus strain selection to those exhibiting outstanding antagonistic behavior (22 strains) and greatest potential for enhancing plant nutrient uptake (60 strains). Additional greenhouse studies evaluated strains for direct growth promotion of peanut plants. Three specialized PGPR blends were created and applied to peanuts in a 2-year field evaluation. Treatments were compared to industry standard fungicides in terms of stand counts, disease ratings, and final yields. Results indicate PGPR treatments could effectively suppress disease symptoms of R. solani in field settings.