Biological Control of Tea Anthracnose Using an Antagonistic Bacterium of Bacillus subtilis Isolated from Tea Leaves

An antagonistic bacterium of Bacillus subtilis BD0310 against Colletotrichum theae-sinensis was isolated from the phylloplane of tea trees at a tea plantation in Korea. SC (suspension concentrate)-type biofungicide was formulated with the antagonist. Cell viability and antifungal activity of B. subtilis were maintained in the formulation more than 12 months at room temperature. The antagonist was sensitive only to copper sulfate among the chemical pesticides currently registered for tea trees in Korea. Greenhouse application demonstrated that the biofungicide controlled more effectively the disease in a protective mode than in a curative mode. Field trial showed that alternate applications of the biofungicide and chemical fungicide were more effective in controlling tea anthracnose than single application of the biofungicide or chemical fungicide with less use of chemicals. This study suggests that the biofungicide of B. subtilis BD0310 is an effective method for biological control of anthracnose in tea plantations.