High-Throughput Screening of Plant Extracts for Targeted Control of Burkholderia glumae, Causing Rice Sheath and Panicle Blight.

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa), a staple crop worldwide, is severely threatened by bacterial panicle blight caused by Burkholderia glumae, leading to substantial yield losses. The lack of effective chemical treatments and resistant rice cultivars highlights the urgent need for alternative solutions. In this study, 1,134 plant extracts were screened for antibacterial activity against B. glumae using agar disc diffusion and liquid broth assays. Thirty-three extracts exhibited significant growth inhibition on agar plates. These 33 extracts were further tested in Luria- Bertani broth, where five showed notable activity, and two extracts-Trapa japonica (FBCC-EP312) and Rumex crispus (FBCC-EP487)-were selected for detailed analysis. Both extracts significantly reduced bacterial motility and disease severity in rice, while having no effect on non-target bacteria such as Escherichia coli. These findings highlight the potential of these plant-derived compounds as effective biocontrol agents, offering an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides and promising applications in sustainable agriculture.