Streptomyces-based biocontrol formulations for fusarium disease management in crops
Multi-strain Streptomyces consortia and their secondary metabolites offer a sustainable biocontrol solution for Fusarium wilt and other soil-borne diseases. Validated in chickpea under greenhouse and field conditions, the technology combines disease suppression with plant growth promotion and nutrient uptake benefits.
Overview
Fusarium diseases, particularly soil-borne wilt pathogens, cause major crop losses worldwide. This solution leverages five characterized Streptomyces strains (CAI-24, CAI-121, CAI-127, KAI-32, and KAI-90) isolated from herbal vermicompost to deliver an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. Two consortia have been developed: Consortium-1 combining all five strains, and Consortium-2 featuring the two most promising strains (CAI-127 and KAI-32). The approach offers dual benefits of Fusarium disease suppression and plant growth promotion (PGP), including enhanced nutrient uptake. Built on preliminary research at ICRISAT, the technology targets sustainable agriculture by reducing dependence on expensive and environmentally harmful chemical treatments.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Five Streptomyces strains with demonstrated antagonistic activity against Fusarium wilt in chickpea
- Two ready-to-evaluate consortia: a five-strain blend and a streamlined two-strain formulation
- Dual-action mechanism combining biocontrol of Fusarium pathogens with plant growth promotion and nutrient uptake enhancement
- Secondary metabolites under characterization for development as targeted bio-pesticide active ingredients
- Compatibility-tested strain combinations suitable for formulation as commercial bio-products
- Applicable across multiple crops affected by Fusarium soil-borne diseases
Technology readiness level
The technology has been validated under both greenhouse and field conditions for chickpea wilt, demonstrating efficacy of individual strains and consortium formulations. Future work includes extending evaluation to additional crops, characterizing the active secondary metabolites responsible for biocontrol and PGP effects, developing commercial formulations, and generating efficacy datasets required for product registration. The solution is at an advanced validation stage, ready for expanded field trials and commercial formulation development.
About International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
ICRISAT is a nonprofit international agricultural research center in the CGIAR system, headquartered in Hyderabad, India, with regional hubs and research stations across sub‑Saharan Africa and a global genebank. It engages companies through seed‑industry consortia for hybrid parents and structured public–private breeding partnerships, supported by multi‑location trials. An Agribusiness & Innovation Platform, with a technology business incubator and food‑processing pilot facilities, helps de‑risk scale‑up and product development. Research is backed by CGIAR funding and international donors including USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and multilateral banks. An in‑house IP facilitation cell and partnership office streamline licensing and collaboration.
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