This is definitely an item of interest to organic growers.
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This item is one of the news releases and story leads that ARS Information
distributes on weekdays to fax and e-mail subscribers. You can also get the
latest ARS news on the World Wide Web at
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/thelatest.htm.
* Feedback and questions to ARS News Service via e-mail: isnv@ars-grin.gov.
* ARS Information Staff, 5601 Sunnyside Ave., Room 1-2251, Beltsville MD
20705-5128, (301) 504- 1617, fax 504-1648.
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From: "ARS News Service"
To: "ARS News List"
Subject: New Biofungicide
Date: Thu, Dec 16, 1999, 6:40 AM
STORY LEAD:
New Biofungicide Treats Apples and Oranges Alike
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ARS News Service
Agricultural Research Service, USDA
Judy McBride, (301) 504-1628, jmcbride@asrr.arsusda.gov
December 16, 1999
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Apples and oranges are all the same to biofungicides. First introduced in
the United States four years ago as a result of Agricultural Research
Service patents, these nontoxic biological coatings are replacing synthetic
chemicals for controlling rot- causing fungi on apples, pears and citrus
after harvest.
Now, ARS has signed an agreement with Micro-Flo Company of Memphis, Tenn.,
to finish development of the next generation of biofungicides for fruit
packing houses. Micro-Flo expects to have a product on the market within two
years.
Unlike the earlier biofungicides, the new coating has a kickback effect. It
stops fungi that already had a toehold on the fruit, according to ARS'
Charles Wilson, who also developed one of the earlier products. Micro-Flo
researcher Ahmed El Ghaouth is working with Wilson, who is at ARS'
Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, W.Va.
The new coating combines two bioactive substances with the yeast Candida
saitoana. Innocuous to people, the yeast is a formidable competitor against
the fungi that attack fresh fruits. The bioactive substances are chitosan--a
naturally occurring fiber found in some weight-loss products--and a
synthetic sugar used as a glucose substitute.
Chitosan acts as a natural fungicide and turns on defensive enzymes in the
fruit itself. It also forms a film on the fruit that holds in carbon
dioxide, thus increasing shelf life. The synthetic sugar, on the other hand,
tricks the fungi into perceiving it as food, but they can't use it.
In several years of tests in commercial packing houses in California and
Florida, the new biofungicide proved as effective against rot-causing fungi
as the two leading synthetic fungicides. Under the new agreement, Micro-Flo
and ARS scientists will optimize its formulation and fine tune its
application. ARS is the chief scientific arm of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture.
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Scientific contact: Charles L. Wilson, ARS Appalachian Fruit Research
Station, 45 Wiltshire Rd., Kearneysville, WV 25430, phone (304) 725-3451,
ext. 330; fax (304) 728-2340, CWilson@afrs.ars.usda.gov.
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This item is one of the news releases and story leads that ARS Information
distributes on weekdays to fax and e-mail subscribers. You can also get the
latest ARS news on the World Wide Web at
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/thelatest.htm.
* Feedback and questions to ARS News Service via e-mail: isnv@ars-grin.gov.
* ARS Information Staff, 5601 Sunnyside Ave., Room 1-2251, Beltsville MD
20705-5128, (301) 504- 1617, fax 504-1648.
Another posting you might find useful.
--------
From: Alan Gould
To:
Sent: 18 December 1999 20:15
Subject: [organic-gardening] Re: FW: New Biofungicide
> In message <000201bf4983$98d36f00$337b8cd4@twleckuj>, bill morgan
>
> snip....
> Where do we (aspiring Organic Gardeners) stand with regard to "flowers of
> sulphur" ? And the copper compounds,- Bordeaux mixture as used by all
the
> French wine growers, and the ammonia - copper complex "Cheshunt
Compound"?
