Progress 07/01/23 to 02/29/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Last November Mycologics has participated in the annual sugar beet stakeholder meeting at Kimberly, Idaho, where Dr. Chanda was able to conduct 15 customer discovery interviews including sugar beet growers (target audience) and members from Beet Sugar Development Board and Amalgamated Sugar Industry personnel (influencers). This interaction has provided additional evidence of the root rot problem and information on the current solutions that the farmers are using to address the problem. Most importantly, the influencers have indicated their willingness to connect Mycologics with other growers to conduct additional customer discovery interviews. Changes/Problems:The greatest challenge in approach stems from conflicting data from customers related to what product they think would benefit the most- whether an in-furrow or soil-drench mode of application that was originally envisioned in the proposal or a seed treatment product or a product that is ideal for both applications. Farmers from different geographical regions experience the problem at different stages of crop growth. However, given the data received thus far, a product compatible with both applications seems to be a good fit. However, that also means a modification to product composition, which will warrant an additional field trial. We will, therefore, apply for a 12-month no-extension for this project. During this period, we also aim to conduct additional customer discovery interviews that can help us finalize a compelling business model for commercialization and identify the farmers who will participate in the large-scale field trials during the commercialization period. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two scientists who are currently technicians at NWISRL have received the opportunity to be trained on this project at NWISRL. Mycologics aims to onboard one of them as a Research Associate (FT) during the phase II period. Additionally, an MBA graduate student from Duke University, aspiring to move into the Ag Industry, received the opportunity to participate in a project related to market research to analyze the sugar beat crop production market, identify customer needs, and assess competition. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Some initial (non-technical finidings) have been shared with the target audience during the Sugar beet stakeholder meeting at Kimberly,ID, in Nov 2023 What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1) Related to objective 1, we aim to conduct a more comprehensive characterization of our product and the bacteria being used to product it; the knowledge is critical for EPA registration. 2) Related to objective 2, we aim to obtain more data related to the product that we will commercialize. We aim to gather more evidence on the most effective mode of application to address the RCRR- whether to apply asa seed treatment product or to apply in furrow or soil-drench; the answer will be guided through - technical data (to be generated this year) and most importantly the customer discovery data (to understand the stage of growth where the growers experience the most pain.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The problem that this project addresses and the target audience: The project is addressingthe ongoing Rhizoctonia Crown and Root Rot (RCCR) problem in the sugar beet industry, which leads to the waste of millions of dollars worth of crops as well as energy and water associated with growing these crops.Sugar beet growers facing these issues, especially in the states of Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Oregon, will benefit most from this project. Goal of Phase I: The specific goal of this phase I project is to establish the technical feasibility of an antimicrobialformulation to combat RCCR in the sugar beet crop that can lead tothe commercialization of the product and the proposed approach.Two specific objectives were proposed for this project and the major activities completed under each specific aim is described below for this reporting period: Major activities completed under objective 1 (which proposed to identify a formulation and a dose that can lead to >95% growth inhibition ofpure cultures ofR. solaniandL. mesenteroides):We have optimized the process of making the formulation and identified the dose that leads to>95% growth inhibition ofpure cultures ofR. solaniandL. mesenteroides.We are currently in the process of analyzing the formulation that will be critical for EPA registration. Major activities completed under objective 2 ( which proposed to find thedose of the formulation that best preventsR. solaniandL. mesenteroidesinfections in artificially infected sugar beets and sugar beet extracts)- we have already initiated those field experiments. The beets show significant improvement in biomass and visible analysis were clearly indicative of decreased rot. We should have quantitative data available within the current year reporting period. We also realized the need for additional experiments to understand the best mode of application- whether as a seed treatment or as in-furrow or soil drench applications for which we will apply for a no-cost extension. Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized- We have obtained significant evidence in favor of our technology in addressing the RCCR problem and are on-track to commercialize the approach as envisioned in the phase I proposal. The field experiments performed during the past year have also presented us with some "mode of application" related questions that will guide our commercialization plan.

Publications