Source: TDA RESEARCH, INC. submitted to
NEW NON-TOXIC, ORGANIC, BIOPESTICIDE TO PROTECT FOOD CROPS FROM BACTERIAL PATHOGENS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1028467
Grant No.
2022-33530-37060
Cumulative Award Amt.
$175,000.00
Proposal No.
2022-01157
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
May 15, 2022
Project End Date
Jul 14, 2025
Grant Year
2022
Program Code
[8.2]- Plant Production and Protection-Biology
Project Director
France, B.
Recipient Organization
TDA RESEARCH, INC.
12345 WEST 52ND AVENUE
WHEAT RIDGE,CO 80033
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Bacterial plant pathogens present a formidable challenge to growers because there are few pesticide products available to deal with them. Current bacterial disease management methods routinely use copper-containing bactericides, which are one of the oldest pesticides available. Plants have different sensitivities to copper phytotoxicity and bacterial pathogens are becoming resistant to copper. Growers have requested and required new bactericidal tools to mitigate economically significant damaging bacterial pests.The objective of this proposed project is to develop a novel, effective and safe bactericidal product for agricultural crop protection. TDA Research (TDA) has recently identified a chemistry that can provide equivalent bactericidal efficacy to copper-based pesticides, while having no detrimental impact on the plant, for the same cost. The formulation is an elegant solution in which all of the components are organic (OMRI listed) and on the FDA Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list. The product will be registered as a, much needed, new active biopesticide. This is significant because no other pesticide consists entirely of GRAS compounds. This ensures that this product will be broadly accepted by conventional and organic growers and consumers.This proposed formulation has demonstrated significant promise to address numerous agricultural bacterial crop pathogens. However, additional work is required before this product can be used by growers. Previous evaluations have demonstrated efficacy against Xanthomonas, Pseudomonas and powdery mildew tests on ornamental plants. Extensive crop safety evaluations have also been performed in multiple evaluations.In this effort TDA will develop our bactericidal formulation for agricultural field use. Tank mixed adjuvants to enhance the performance of the spray solution can improve application characteristics for growers. Effects such as spreading, droplets size, sticking and persistence can be customized. Development of adjuvant formulations with proper performance, efficacy and compatibility will be conducted. Multiple field trials will be supported and performed on economically important crops against damaging bacterial pests.Anticipated results of this effort include the development of an effective bactericidal formulation that growers can use customized spray applications to address their bacterial challenges. Previous data shows the basic formulation has great promise to address these bacterial diseases. Data generated during this effort will validate performance, establish grower application methods and provide support for commercialization of this needed product.Copper is the primary treatment of all bacterial diseases, and many bacterial pests are developing resistance and environmental accumulation is becoming a problem. Our product will provide a much-needed optional treatment tool. The global copper fungicides market is estimated to be valued at USD $1,089 million by 2024, with a healthy compound annual growth rate of 4.8%. Thus, there is a significant market opportunity for a new, safe, effective bactericide for crop protection.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
25%
Applied
50%
Developmental
25%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2040910110050%
2041429110050%
Goals / Objectives
The long-term objective of TDA Research (TDA) this proposed project is to develop a novel, effective and safe bactericidal product for agricultural crop protection. TDAhas recently identified a chemistry that can provide equivalent bactericidal efficacy to copper-based pesticides, while having no detrimental impact on the plant, for the same cost. The formulation is an elegant solution in which all of the components are organic (OMRI listed) and on the FDA Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list. The product will be registered as a, much needed, new active biopesticide. This is significant because no other pesticide consists entirely of GRAS compounds. This ensures that this product will be broadly accepted by conventional and organic growers and consumers.The specific goals for this project are to test in tank additives (adjuvants) that can provide rain persistence. Conduct a small-scale production run for the mixture for the crop evaluation materials. To conduct field trials on crops that are economically significant and where growers face challenging bacterial diseases.
Project Methods
In this project, formulations will be evaluated in the laboratory for the addition of grower applied tank additives (adjuvants) that can provide rain persistence. Conduct a small-scale production run for the test materials for the crop evaluation materials. Field trial evaluations on crops that are economically significant and where growers face challenging bacterial diseases will be performed.

Progress 05/15/22 to 05/14/23

Outputs
Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems:TDA was awarded this SBIR Phase I project during the mid-summer of 2022. One of the primary objectives is the completion of field trials on agricultural crops. Unfortunately, this could not be initiated until Spring of 2023. TDA requested and received a no cost extension for this project to provide enough time to complete the field trials. The no cost extension was granted, and the project will be completed as originally proposed. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Data acquisition and testing are ongoing. Testing is not complete, and no results have been disseminated at this time. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, TDA intents to complete the third and final objective of this project which is completion of the field trials, to include data analysis.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? During this reporting period, both objective one and two have been completed. The third and final objective, field trials, have been initiated. The growing season for 2023 has only just begun and results are not yet available. TDA has requested and received a no cost extension to complete the field trials.

Publications