Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:During this reporting period, our outreach efforts primarily targeted the farming community, specifically growers and industry professionals engaged in crop production. This focus is vital as it aligns with our objective to facilitate the practical adoption of research findings related to sustainable crop disease management, particularly the use of antibiotic alternatives. 1. Farmers and Growers We engaged directly with local farmers, such as Deirdre Birmingham of The Cider Farm and Rami Aburomia of Atoms to Apples. These interactions fostered in-depth discussions about fire blight management, emphasizing the efficacy of antibiotic alternatives developed from our research. This grassroots engagement allows us to tailor our findings to the specific needs of the farming community, ensuring that the solutions we propose are practical and implementable. 2. Industry Professionals Our participation in the Wisconsin Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Conference allowed us to engage a diverse audience of growers, agricultural consultants, and industry professionals committed to advancing sustainable practices in crop protection. Dr. Yang's presentation on innovative, non-antibiotic strategies for managing apple fire blight, particularly focusing on Pseudomonas soli T307, strongly resonated with attendees. With fire blight posing a persistent challenge in apple production and increasing concerns about the sustainability of antibiotic use in agriculture, the audience showed great interest in biocontrol solutions. The session highlighted the need for sustainable alternatives that align with both regulatory trends and consumer demand for reduced chemical inputs in agriculture. This conference provided an excellent platform for knowledge exchange and networking, leading to discussions on integrating our research into existing crop disease management programs. These conversations opened doors for potential collaboration on field trials and product development, particularly regarding P. soli T307's commercial potential. Many attendees expressed a keen interest in how biocontrol agents could help reduce reliance on antibiotics while maintaining crop yield and quality. Additionally, Dr. Yang attended the Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting (ABIM) Conference in Basel, Switzerland. ABIM is a premier global event for professionals in the biocontrol industry, where Dr. Yang connected with biocontrol companies, regulators, and fellow researchers. At ABIM, discussions centered on the commercialization of biocontrol solutions like P. soli T307, focusing on navigating regulatory frameworks and market trends in the global agricultural sector. This engagement provided valuable insights into ensuring our biocontrol agents meet both regulatory standards and market expectations. Dr. Yang also served as an Invited Speaker at the 12th International Congress of Plant Pathology in Lyon, France, presenting "T3SS inhibitors as antibiotic alternatives in fire blight management." This invitation further expanded our outreach to a global audience of plant pathology experts, showcasing our research on innovative approaches to sustainable crop disease management. 3. Collaborators in Product Development Our collaboration with Dunham Trimmer, LLC, has been instrumental in targeting stakeholders involved in product development, registration, and technology licensing within the crop protection industry. This partnership facilitates our engagement with market trends and consumer preferences, crucial for aligning our strategies with industry standards and expectations. Their expertise provides valuable insights into the commercialization process of our natural metabolite RAA, enhancing our ability to reach farmers effectively. 4. Academic and Research Institutions Dr. Yang's presentations at Academia Sinica and various universities, including National Chung Hsing University, the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute, and the Agricultural Chemical Research Institute, targeted academics and researchers in the field of agriculture. These seminars focused on the transition of natural metabolites from research to commercial products and explored innovative strategies in crop disease management. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project provided multiple opportunities for training and professional development for both the research team and the farming community, fostering advanced technical skills and knowledge dissemination. Hands-on Training and Grassroots Engagement: A key aspect of our training efforts involved direct interaction with local farmers, such as Deirdre Birmingham of The Cider Farm and Rami Aburomia of Atoms to Apples. These interactions allowed us to have in-depth discussions about fire blight management, particularly focusing on the antibiotic alternatives developed in our research. Through these grassroots engagements, we were able to tailor our training and solutions to the specific needs of the farming community, ensuring that our recommendations are practical and easily implementable. Farmers gained knowledge on how to adopt sustainable, non-antibiotic treatments, such as Pseudomonas soli T307, into their operations. Mentorship and Skill Development for Researchers: Members of the research team, particularly graduate students, benefited from one-on-one mentorship provided by Dr. Yang. This included practical training in field trial management, data collection, and statistical analysis, along with guidance in biocontrol application techniques. These training activities enabled the team to develop a strong skill set in sustainable agriculture practices and advanced research methodologies. Professional Development through Conferences and Networking: Dr. Yang participated in two key conferences that provided opportunities for professional development and networking. Dr. Yang attended the Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting (ABIM) in Basel, Switzerland, where the latest research in biocontrol, including our findings, was discussed with industry professionals. Additionally, Dr. Yang served as an Invited Speaker at the 12th International Congress of Plant Pathology in Lyon, France, where he shared our research with a global audience. These events allowed Dr. Yang to gain valuable insights into global trends in biocontrol and sustainable agriculture, build professional networks, and engage with key stakeholders in the field. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Our dissemination strategy during this reporting period focused on key target audiences such as local growers, biocontrol industry professionals, and the international scientific community, ensuring that our research findings were shared with those most likely to benefit. Engagement with Local Farmers: We engaged directly with local farmers like Deirdre Birmingham of The Cider Farm and Rami Aburomia of Atoms to Apples. These grassroots interactions fostered in-depth discussions about fire blight management, with a particular emphasis on the efficacy of the antibiotic alternatives we developed, such as Pseudomonas soli T307. This personalized outreach enabled us to tailor our findings to the specific needs of the farming community, making sure that the solutions we propose are not only effective but also practical and easily adoptable by farmers. Dissemination to Industry Professionals: Results were shared with industry stakeholders during the Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting (ABIM) in Basel, Switzerland. This event allowed us to reach biocontrol companies, regulatory professionals, and product developers, facilitating discussions on the commercialization of Pseudomonas soli T307. By engaging directly with industry professionals, we ensured that our findings could influence the development of sustainable, market-ready biocontrol products. Additionally, our collaboration with Dunham Trimmer, LLC has played a critical role in disseminating our research to stakeholders involved in product development, registration, and technology licensing within the crop protection industry. Dunham Trimmer's expertise in aligning product development with market trends and regulatory standards has enhanced our ability to target a broader audience, including those responsible for bringing biocontrol products like Pseudomonas soli T307 to market. Their support has also helped ensure that our research findings are aligned with industry expectations, making it easier to reach farmers with effective, commercially viable solutions. Outreach to the Scientific Community: Dr. Yang's presentation at the 12th International Congress of Plant Pathology in Lyon, France, provided an additional platform to share our research with a global network of scientists and researchers. By focusing on antibiotic alternatives in fire blight management, we disseminated our findings to those working in sustainable crop disease management, fostering further advancements and collaborations in this field. Through these targeted efforts, we ensured that the research outcomes were communicated effectively to those who can directly benefit from or contribute to further developments in sustainable fire blight management and biocontrol technologies. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Further Field Trials: Building on this year's results, we plan to conduct additional field trials to confirm the efficacy of P. soli T307 with L-methionine and L-glutathione on a larger scale. We will explore different apple cultivars and environmental conditions to ensure the robustness of the treatment. Refinement of Treatment Combinations: We will test additional concentrations of L-methionine and L-glutathione to fine-tune the treatment for optimal fire blight suppression. Expansion of Outreach Efforts: We plan to broaden our outreach efforts to include more apple growers and expand our participation in industry conferences. Additionally, we aim to disseminate knowledge to a broader farming community. Commercial Development: Further collaboration with industry partners will be prioritized to facilitate the commercialization of P. soli T307 as a sustainable, non-antibiotic alternative for fire blight management. We will focus on addressing regulatory requirements and market demands to bring the product to market.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The primary issue our project seeks to address is the control of fire blight, a devastating bacterial disease caused by Erwinia amylovora, particularly in apple orchards. Fire blight poses a significant threat to commercial fruit production, resulting in substantial economic losses. The use of antibiotic-based treatments, such as streptomycin, is increasingly scrutinized due to concerns about antibiotic resistance and sustainability. Therefore, this project aims to develop effective, sustainable, and non-antibiotic alternatives for managing fire blight, utilizing the biocontrol strain Pseudomonas soli T307 with amino acid enhancers. Audience Impacted: The audience most immediately helped by this work includes apple farmers and growers, particularly those in regions prone to fire blight outbreaks. Additionally, industry professionals in crop protection and agricultural researchers have benefited from the knowledge dissemination. The results of this project provide these stakeholders with viable alternatives to antibiotic treatments, promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Major Activities, Data Collected, and Results: During this reporting period, we focused on field trials conducted on 8-year-old 'Pink Lady' apple trees at the Lockwood Farm of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. The trials evaluated the efficacy of Pseudomonas soli T307, both with and without the addition of L-methionine and L-glutathione, in controlling blossom blight caused by Erwinia amylovora. The treatments were arranged in a randomized, complete block design with three replicates. Streptomycin (FireWall 17) served as the antibiotic standard, and a water-treated control was used as the negative control. Seven different treatments were tested, each spray-inoculated at 80% and 90% bloom. All trees were inoculated with Erwinia amylovora on May 3rd, 2024. Disease severity was assessed by calculating the percentage of infected flower clusters on May 28th, 2024. Statistical analysis revealed that P. soli T307 alone reduced blossom blight infection from 92% (control) to 65%. The addition of L-methionine (0.12%) and L-glutathione (0.06%) further reduced infection rates to 25%, indicating that this combination has the most significant impact on disease suppression. However, higher concentrations of L-methionine (0.24%) and L-glutathione (0.06%) did not yield further improvements. Key Outcomes and Accomplishments: The key outcome of this reporting period is the identification of an optimal combination of P. soli T307 with L-methionine (0.12%) and L-glutathione (0.06%), which significantly reduced fire blight infection in apple orchards. This finding presents a promising alternative to traditional antibiotic treatments, offering farmers a more sustainable option for disease management. The project's broader impact lies in its contribution to the ongoing efforts to reduce antibiotic use in agriculture, addressing both environmental and health-related concerns. This solution supports sustainable farming practices while safeguarding apple yields, ultimately benefiting farmers and consumers.

Publications