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On 11 May 2026, at VNUHCM–University of Science (HCMUS), doctoral researcher Lê Thanh Bình successfully defended a doctoral thesis in Microbiology. The research, entitled “Isolation, Selection, and Genetic Characterisation of Microorganism Strains from the Mekong Delta Capable of Antagonising Ralstonia solanacearum causing Bacterial Wilt in Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus)”, was conducted under the supervision of Associate Professor Phan Thị Phượng Trang and Dr Võ Đình Quang.

The research focuses on selecting microbial strains capable of antagonising the bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum. This pathogen causes bacterial wilt in cucumbers, a disease that significantly impacts yields and cultivation efficiency across numerous vegetable-growing regions in the Mekong Delta.

By isolating and screening soil and disease samples collected throughout the Mekong Delta, the study identified several promising microbial strains. Notably, two strains—Bacillus velezensis DB2.1 and Streptomyces noursei DS30.6—demonstrated outstanding antagonistic efficacy within laboratory, greenhouse, and field settings.

Experimental results indicate that the combination of these two microbial strains substantially reduces the incidence of bacterial wilt in cucumber plants while simultaneously enhancing crop productivity. Furthermore, the study performed an analysis of genetic characteristics and functional genes related to the pathogenicity of the bacteria, alongside the antagonistic mechanisms of the selected microbial strains.

According to the findings, the thesis highlights the potential for utilising indigenous microbial strains to develop biological products for sustainable agriculture. Such advancements contribute to reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides in farming practices.

Throughout the doctoral candidacy, doctoral researcher Lê Thanh Bình published six scientific papers, comprising three articles in domestic journals and three international publications indexed in Scopus.

The Examination Committee concluded that the thesis satisfies all requirements for a doctorate in Microbiology, possessing both scientific merit and practical significance for the field of applied microbiology in agriculture.