Author
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Schisler, David |
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Jackson, Mark |
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Slininger, Patricia - Pat |
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Submitted to: American Chemical Society National Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 4/11/2002 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: The phrase "biological control" commonly refers to the use of microorganisms to reduce the deleterious effects of plant pests. Research on biologically controlling agricultural pests has a lengthy history but few researchers have considered, from project onset, the ultimate goal of bringing beneficial microorganisms discovered in the field to a stage of development where they can be broadly applied by the agricultural community. In most cases, the mass production of beneficial microorganisms requires employing large-scale industrial fermentors charged with liquid media. Studies that integrate this fact into the process of discovering, developing, and deploying biological control agents will logically have an increased likelihood of arriving at biological control products that are efficacious, economical, and practical to produce. Examples from our research on developing strategies and microorganisms for biologically controlling the weed Sesbania exaltata, fungal plant pathogens Gibberella pulicaris and G. zeae, and white fly Bemisia tabaci, will be used to illustrate the importance of the liquid culture growth medium in all aspects of biocontrol product genesis and maturation. |
