Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Growers and Consumers. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We had 4 undergraduates in training ont these projects and a graduate student. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Through publications. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue glycemic index testing of the new crops.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Low glycemic potatoes (one is high lysine). High lysine tomatoes. Proatina as a rice substitute. We have crossed a high lysine wheat with a rust resistant wheat for better nutrition.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
A Moukahel, S Assad, B Debbes, CE Morris, DC Sands. 2015. Characterization of wheat genotypes as sources of ice nucleation active bacteria for bioprecipitation aerosols. Int.J. Phytopathol. 04(2) 63-72
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Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Growers and consumers. The message is that new more nutritious foods are in the pipeline. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Still in research stage. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Continue with glycemic index testing of the new crops.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Low glycemic potatoes (one is high lysine). High lysine tomatoes. Proatina as a rice substitute.
Publications
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Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Our target audiences are: 1) Gluten sensitive and Gluten intolerant (celiac) consumers; Consumers concerned with certain health problems related to diet (diabetes, obesity, and heart conditions); and Consumers with inflammation and neurological problems related to low omega-3/high omega-6 intakes. Also 12% of the adults in China are diabetic, and we target this audience. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Four students worked on the potatoes in 2013. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Our Proatina was presented to an international group of 300 in Savannah, Georgia and was a finalist for a Gulfstream award. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? More product development of Camelina and Solanum, including human testing for glycemic index.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Our most productive research has been in screening germplasm in potatoes and oats for better nutritional traits. Several low glycemic lines are in advanced stages of testing for nutritional and agronomic tests.
Publications
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
DC Sands, A Pilgeram, and CE Morris.2013. Development and marketing of perennial grains with benefits for human health and nutrition. Proceedings of/fao-expert-workshop-on-perennial-crops-for-food-security. UN FAO, Rome
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Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Outputs relative to increasing value of Montana agriculture production involve diversifying the marketable products from each crop, often involving a high margin niche market related to enhance nutritional value. The crops include Camelina sativa as a high nutrition crop as compared to its commonly perceived use as a biofuel crop; potatoes as a low glycemic crop; and high protein naked oats as a gluten free crop. The consumer interest is increasing for each of these nutritional rich products. PARTICIPANTS: Montana State Collaborators: Alice Pilgeram, Mike Giroux, Norm Weeden, Barry Jacobsen, Nina Zidack, Ed Dratz, Cindy Morris and Jesse Peach. USDA Collaborators: Susan Raatz and Gerry Coombs (Human Nutrition Research Laboratory, Grand Forks, ND) and Rick Barrows and Wendy Sealey. USDA Fisheries Lab Bozeman, MT: Rich Novis, USDA Aberdeen, ID. Univ. Of Arizona: Kevin Fitzsimmons, Executive Director, Mary Schluckelbier, Celiac Sprue Association. TARGET AUDIENCES: Celiac Sprue Association PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Each of the above mentioned crops has the genetic flexibility necessary to generate varieties designed around nutrition with the yield component being important but primary. The attempt to generate gluten-free, high protein oats has been successful and production and processing and marketing among cooperating farmers is expanding. Camelina is now being looked at as a multipurpose crop with selections for high oil content and high omega 3 oil in particular leading the way. Low glucosinolate lines are useful for micro green production and the delivery system for clean micro greens is being developed. The micro green market will probably replace the sprout market because of food safety considerations relative to coliform contamination of sprouts. The omega-3 oil of camelina sativa will be an important new feed ingredient for farmed fish as well as poultry, equine (for performance) and beef.
Publications
- Montana State University Bulletin "Mountains and Minds" article on "Grains they can stomach" Fall 2012 pages 40-45.
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The outputs in this project are several advanced lines of Avena nuda that are gluten free and selected for both agronomic potential and for high protein. These have the portent to being higher in nutritional value than current oats for human use (bread, and breakfast cereal and as a feedstock for gluten free malt). The oats now are on sale to the public and to bakeries (Proatina) by collaborating farmers in Montana. Similarly, we have selected using high throughput methods several advanced lines of Camelina sativa that are much higher in the 18 carbon omega-3 fatty acid ALA. These have multiple uses. We are releasing to CIMMYT wheat program three high lysine varieties of spring wheat for use in improving the nutrition of wheat products. These will be crossed with high yielding cultivars. A simple bioassay of lysine will be provided to the breeders. PARTICIPANTS: The key individuals involved in this project are Rick Barrows (USDA, fish nutritionist), Alice Pilgeram (MSU Plant Pathologist), Ed Dratz (MSU chemist), Choafu Lu (MSU camelina geneticist), Cindy Morris (MSU Research Associate, and INRA France), and Li Huang (MSU wheat pathologist). The MSU Introduction to Biotechnology Laboratory class (7 students) is deeply immersed in using the technology involving nutritional assays for their class projects. A graduate student at MSU, Duke Pauli invented the methods to produce malt from one of these new crops. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences for gluten free crops consist of the 1.5 million Americans who are gluten intolerant (celiac sufferers). An additional 6-12 million Americans are gluten sensitive. Our highly nutritious grains Proatina and Timtana are picking up market share because of their unusually high protein content. The target audiences for increased omega-3 camelina meal are the beef, poultry (meat and eggs) and tilapia industries and of course the consumer of such products. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The impacts of our Proatina and Timtana products have been considerable in the health food market because these products are gluten free and part of a 2.5 billion dollar annual market. Acreage of production has risen each year. The laboratory and analytical chemistry resources devoted to this project are a key reason why these products are on the market and contributing to the general health of the gluten intolerant and gluten sensitive population, now comprising about 6% of the total.
Publications
- Morris, C. E., Sands, D. C., Bardin, M., Jaenicke, R., Vogel, B., Leyronas, C., Ariya, P. A., and Psenner, R. 2011: Microbiology and atmospheric processes: research challenges concerning the impact of airborne micro-organisms on the atmosphere and climate. Biogeosciences, 8, 17-25. The microbes described in this paper are plant associated and they play a role in agronomic performance of these two new crops.
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Outputs completed include acquisition of a line of low glycemic potatoes to be run through a virus free certification program, development of high omega3 lines of camelina, and the release of a high-protein gluten-free line of oats. Collaboration was done with producers and consumers including the celiac community at a national level. PARTICIPANTS: The project has produced a number of new crops and new more nutritious varieties of conventional crops. The principal collaborating organizations are: The Amazing Grains Corporation, Ronan, Montana; The Montana Gluten Free Processors, Belgrade Montana; and the Celiac Sprue Association, a national organization based in Omaha Nebraska with chapters in every state. Individuals who have worked on this project include Dr. Norm Weedem, pea breeder; Dr Alice Pilgeram, camelina specialist; Dr. Edward Dratz, nutritional biochemist; and a number of undergraduate students undergoing laboratory and field method training. TARGET AUDIENCES: Targeted are general food consumers interested in low glycemic grains, specifically those suffering from diabetes or obesity. Also targeted are the general food consumers interested in better balancing their ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 lipid consumption to reduce inflammation and to enhance mental performance. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
New cultivars of higher nutritionally value added peas and oats have been released and have been accepted by producers and purchased in large amounts by consumers, especially those with specific targeted health interests. The results were due to efforts to screen varieties based on nutritional biochemical tests.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities involve development of new crops specifically targeted toward consumers who have a special health problem. The celiac disease has only one treatment. Sufferers must not eat wheat, barley, spelt, or rye. as they contain wheat. We developed four new gluten free grains and they are now being produced by growers and processed by farmers. We are coming out with new grains every year. Events: The get this research all the way through production to consumers, we held a lot of feedback sessions. This was done by developing contacts through seminars, workshops and meeting with celiacs, and stitching the whole thing together as best we could. It is holding. Services: The phone has been ringing off the hook, requiring non-fee consulting, dealing with intellectual property people, and FDA and EPA. We provide the basic knowledge concerning the agronomy, genetics and nutrition of these new crops. Products: These four new grains are grown and processed under gluten free standards, and are marketed as such by the farmers that we organized to do so. PARTICIPANTS: Participants: Chaofu Lu, Alice Pilgeram, William Hoch, Brekke Peterson, Willis Haagenson, Ed Dratz, Cindy Morris, Rick Barrows, Kevin Fitsimmons, and Deanna Nash. Organizations include FDA, EPA, Celiac Sprue Association (local and national), Montana Gluten Free Processors, Amazing Grains Cooperative, Great Northern Growers, Wheat Montana, and Technology Transfer Office of Montana State University. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences were new crop growers, processors, regulators, state department of agriculture officials, and the principal consumer group was the Celiac Association of America (5,000 members). In addition there are 2 million celiac sufferers in the US and they have alwys been the ultimate target. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Change in knowledge: The four new grains are new to the consumer. This change in knowledge involves an improvemt in consumer choice of gluten free grains, recipes, and market access. These are life changing events involving the day to day diets of celiacs. Their improved health is their driver. Change in actions: involve the celiac being to bake breads for the whle family that are tasty and actually more nutritious than wheat, barley and rye based products. Farmers also have a change. They can grow and sell these products with a higher margin than commodity grains. Change in conditions: there are now several tens of thousands of acres devoted to these four new grains. The grains are slowly gaining acceptance and market share and acreage. The farmers are aware of and are avoiding overproduction. Their processing facilities are being expanded only as the market develops, which is growing at about 50% per year.
Publications
- Sands,D.C., Morris,C.E., Dratz,E.A., Pilgeram,A.L. 2009. Elevating optimal human nutrition to a central goal of plant breeding and production of plant-based foods, Plant Science 177:377 389.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Outputs: We have developed three new crops specifically designed for people with gluten intolerance. They are Montina, Timtana, and PrOatina. They have been released to cooperatives that deal with production, processing and marketing of gluten-free products. Timtana and PrOatina are selected for their unusually high protein as well as their gluten-free status. Amazing Grains Cooperative (Ronan, Montana) and Great Northern Growers (Sunburst Montana), and Gluten Free Grains (Belgrade Montana), are all cooperatives exclusively dealing with these gluten free products. A fourth crop, Camelina sativa is being produced and processed as a multiuse crop with omega-3 oil and high protein meal that are equal to or better than soy products. Camelina is also gluten-free. The Celiac Sprue Association invites Dr. Sands to every annual meeting to explain the research and product development of these foods. The CSA members are informed by email of recipes and locations for availability. PARTICIPANTS: Amazing Grains Cooperative, Great Northern Growers Cooperative and Gluten Free Products Cooperative are all involved. Locations in above report. Collaborators Dr. Alice Pilgeram and a graduate student Brekke Petersen. TARGET AUDIENCES: Celiac Sprue Association and Gluten Intolerance Group. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Outcome: These four products are successful and have reached the public. To quote the Seattle Times "Gluten-free product has twice the protein of regular oats, plant's ... Seattle Times - United States Montana is earning a reputation for creating gluten-free flours sought by people with disorders like celiac disease, which is associated with intolerance to ..."
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities: Development of four new value-added crops designed to alleviate consumer health problems including gluten intolerance (celiac disease), obesity, neurological and behavioral problems, protein deficiency and diabetes. Specifically the crops were Montina, Camelina sativa, Proatina, and Timtana. Breeding, selection, eliza testing, mutagenesis and chemical analysis were performed ont these new crops. Development of new fuels, foods, feeds and lubricants was conducted sucessfully. Our group involved in this research did considerable event oriented technology transfer to growers, processors, cooperatives and consumer groups. Work with five students, patent and technology transfer personnel, consumer group representatives, and growers involved extensive facilitating, teaching, mentoring consulting, counseling, tutoring and grinding of teeth.
PARTICIPANTS: Scientific personnel: Dr. Alice Pilgeram, Dr. Chaofu Lu, Dr. William Hock, Dr. Edwin Dratz, contributed to the success of the project in the areas of agronomy/biochemistry, molecular genetics, plant breeding, biochemistry/mass spectroscopy respectively. Mary Stein and Bettie Stanislao worked on the nutritional analysis and technology transfer, and five undergraduate students, Brekke Peterson, Austin Timm, Matthew Kirkpatrick,Leslie Kirkpatrick, and Brian Thompson were involved in animal feeding, plant studies, chemical analysis, and microbiological aspects of new crops. Partnerships were with Amazing Grains Cooperative, Great Northern Growers, Sustainable Systems, and the Celiac Sprue Association of America.
TARGET AUDIENCES: The Camelina sativa increase in acreage in the past four years (from 1 pound of seed to 43,000 acres) in Montana is partially due to the vertical nature of project design. The changes in scientific knowledge base and then the efforts made to introduce a new value added production and marketing program required a large effort by many scientists and organizations. The greatest effort was made by a grower cooperative that took over the traditional role of university based extension programs. This is a radical change from traditional research and technology transfer models. A considerable commitment in time and resources by Dr Pilgeram was redirected from laboratory research to grant writing for cooperatives, subcontractors and individual university scientists, in a consortium (The MSU Biobased Institute) funded by the USDA.
PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The main change has been the ending of the USDA funding of the Biobased Institute, and the effort to acquire funding from grower/cooperatives, plant breeding companies, and processing companies in the biofuel business.
Impacts
Products outputs include: several new varieties of Camelina sativa; new uses for camelina oil and meal; two new selections/cultivars of high protein oats; new oil products for fuel, food, feed, enzymes and lubricants; numerous presentations at state meetings and several at national and international meetings. New fundamental and applied knowledge involved the performance of high omega-3 Camelina sativa under freezing and cold temperatures, transformation of Camelina sativa and expression of genes involving production of hydroxy oils to replace castor bean (toxic plant) oils. Audio or video products include Celiac Sprue Association audio discs and a video "Snow" product to show the possible involvement of ice nucleating bacteria in rain and snow initiation. A biotechnology lab course was designed and is now taught for engineering students interested in biotechnology. Patent application and license was filed and resulted in the patenting of Timtana as a new gluten-free
food. A Camelina sativa germplasm collection with a phenotype database is ongoing. We found ice nucleating bacteria in snowfall, and that they may have an important role in agriculture relative to precipitation.
Publications
- 1. Christner,B. et. al. 2007.(abstract), Evidence for biological ice nucleating particles in snowfall. IUGG XXIV General Assembly July 2-13, 2007 Perugia, Italy 2. Lu, C and Kang, J. (2007) Generation of transgenic plants of a potential oilseed crop Camelina sativa by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Plant Cell Rep, in press
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Progress report: Our research has involved development of a new crop, Camelina sativa, an omega-3 oil crop for the northern great plains. We have selected several cultivars for their agronomic fitness and their oil properties. We have initiated selection of cultivars for higher omega-3 content. We have developed cold refining techniques to raise the omega 3 content even higher. Beef cattle, poultry, and goats have all been fed the omega-3 meal (13% oil) and have retained the omega-3 in their subsequent products. A high protein oat and a Pleum sp. have also been brought to commercialization as gluten free cereal grains.
Impacts
Camelina acreage has increased from 1 acre to 100,000 acres in Montana because of its value as a omega-3 crop. A proatina (high protein, gluten free oat) processing plant has been established in Belgrade Montana to meet market demand for these oats.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Progress Report: We have made considerable progress on development of new crops for Montana and the Northwest US. 1. Montina (Indian Ricegrass) is increasing in acreage in Montana with a grower cooperative of 53 members (the Amazing Grains Cooperative) in Ronan Montana. Considerable cooperation between myself and the cooperative and the CSA (Celiac Sprue Association) has led to use of this cereal grain by gluten-intolerant sufferers. It is a value-added product bringing the grower over $2.00 per pound as compared to wheat at $0.08 / pound. 2. We have a high protein and gluten free oat (Proatina) entering the consumer market. 3. We have a timothy (Timtana) flour entering the market. All three cereal grains are developed with help from CSA. Work is proceeding on a low-cost dipstick for gluten detection for the CSA.
Impacts
Impact: We have increasing acreages in four new crops for Montana. We have initiated two grower cooperatives and they are thriving. The consumers are happy with these products. The French government has listed Montina as a health subsidy prescription food. Voila!
Publications
- M.Vurro, A. Boari, A.L.Pilgeram, and D.C. Sands.2006. Exogenous amino acids inhihit seed germination and tubercle formation by Orobanche ramose (broomrape): Potential application for management of parasitic weeds. Biological Control 36: 258-265. Available online Nov 2, 2005.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
1. We have collected highly virulent isolates of rust with potential to control Russian knapweed and Rush Skeletonweed. The field efficacy of these isolates will be evaluated in Winter 2003, Spring 2004 and Summer 2004. 2. Determination that simple amino acids are inhibitory to Rush skeletonweed and can actually be used to kill the weed in the greenhouse. The field efficacy of simple amino acids will be evaluated simultaneous with field evaluation of our rust isolates. 3. Isolation of other pathogens of Russian knapweed (Fusarium sp. and A. alternata) and Rush skeletonweed (A. alternata). . Unlike rust pathogens, these pathogens can be easily propagated in the laboratory. Lysine-excreting variants of each of these pathogens will be isolated and screened to determine potential for biocontrol of the target weed.
Impacts
We are developing techniques to enhance the virulence of plant pathogen fungi and bacteria for control of noxious weeds. This technology can be applied to any biocontrol weed. Enhanced pathogens show greater control of their target weed than the wild type. This technology will enable us to rely less on chemical control of noxious weeds.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Our approach to biocontrol agents has been tempered by the fact that biocontrol agents such as fungi, bacteria, and insects are seldom as lethal as they need to be in order to obtain a commercially acceptable level of control. We have found a way around this with bacteria and fungi. In the past year we have developed several fungi (Colletotrichum sp. and Fusarium oxysporum) that have been selected for excretion of those amino acids that naturally are target plant inhibitors. In the case of a bacterium, this same approach has led to a field effective strain of Pseudomonas syringae for control of houndstongue. The relationship of thousands of species of hosts and parasites may be partially controlled by a small number of Boolean switches in biosynthetic pathways.
Impacts
This approach: selection of amino acid excreting strains of biocontrol agents can have a big impact on the field of biocontrol.
Publications
- USP 6,403,530. Carrier methodology for aerial dispersal and soil penetration of bioactive agents. Sands, D.C., Tiourebaev, K.S., Pilgeram, A.L., and Anderson, T.W. June 11, 2002.
- Sands, D.C., Pilgeram, A.L., Zidack, N.K. and B.J. Jacobsen.. Enhancing the efficacy of bioherbicides. 6th International Conference on Pseudomonas syringae and related pathogens. September 15-19, 2002 Acquafredda de Maratea (PZ) Italy. Reviewed and published in: Pseudomonas syringae and related pathogens. Pages 431-441.Kluver Academic Publishers
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
The stated long-term objective of this research was and is to develop virulent weed pathogens that can be safely and effectively used against noxious weeds in Montana. Our findings to date substantiate the value of this approach even beyond state boundaries. We have been successful in developing a selection protochol that can be used to enhance the virulence of most mycoherbicides. The selection is based on the following premises and experimental findings: 1) most plant pathogens exist in an equilibrium with their host and they only damage the host to a small degree; 2) these attenuated pathogens have the capability of causing much more host destruction, but enhanced virulence variants would be selected against; 3) most if not all plants are inhibited by one or more amino acids; 4) simple and straight-forward selection protochols can be used to select for amino acid excreting pathogens; 5) when these variants are inoculated into their host they kill more rapidly and
they kill a higher percentage of plants; 6) the host range of the pathogen does not change in experiments done on several different pathogens. These protochols are used to develop several more effective mycoherbicides and bactiherbicides, in our laboratory and elsewhere..
Impacts
We developed a protocol for enhancement of the virulence of almost any mycoherbicide and bactiherbicide. This is widely used in many biocontrol laboratories.
Publications
- Sands, D.C., A.L. Pilgeram, N.K. Zidack, and B.J. Jacobsen. 2002. Enhancing the Efficacy of Bioherbicides. Sixth International Conference of Pseudomonas syringae pathovars and related pathogens. September 15-19, 2002. Maratea, Potenza, Italy. In Press.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
We have collected ca. 100 samples of diseased Canada thistle, field bindweed, and spotted knapweed from the Ukraine. These samples are being processed in the containment facility using standard laboratory isolation procedures. A large number of putative pathogens have been isolated from these samples, and these are being identified and tested for pathogenicity. A novel isolation box method is being developed so that multiple isolates can be tested, each in separate containment. We hope to find more virulent isolates for control of these weeds using these foreign isolates.
Impacts
We expect to obtain better, more effective biocontrol agents of these weeds. The current biocontrols are inadequate, lacking "knockdown".
Publications
- Carsten, L.D., B. Maxwell, M.R. Johnston, and D.C. Sands. 2001. Impact of crown rust (Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae) on competitive interactions between wild oats (Avena fatua) and Stipa (Nassella pulchra). Biological Control 22 (3):207-218.
- Daigle, D.J., R.M. Johnson, D. Sands, and W.J. Connick, Jr. 2001. Surface charge properties and soil mobilities of mycoherbicidal spores. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 67:617-624.
- Tiourebaev, K.S., G.V. Semenchenko, M. Dolgovskaya, M.K. McCarthy, T.W. Anderson, L.D. Carsten, A.L. Pilgeram and D.C. Sands. 2001. Biological control of infestations of ditchweed (Cannabis sativa) with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cannabis in Kazakhstan. Biocontrol Science and Technology 11:535-540.
- Sands, D.C., K.S. Tiourebaev, and A.L. Pilgeram. 2001. Enhancing the efficacy of biocontrol agents against weeds. In: M.Vurro, J. Gressel, T. Butts, G. Harman, A. Pilgeram, R.St.-Leger and Don Nuss (eds.) Enhancing Biocontrol Agents and Handling Risks, Proceedings of a NATO Advanced Research Workshop, June 9-15, 2001, Hotel Villa Pitiana, Donnini, Florence, Italy. Pp.3-13.
- Sands, D.C., K.S. Tiourebaev, and A.L. Pilgeram. 2001. Enhancing the efficacy of biocontrol agents against weeds. In: Enhancing Biocontrol Agents and Handling Risks. Edited by M.Vurro, J. Gressel, T. Butt, G. Harman, A. Pilgeram, R.J. St. Leger and D.L. Nuss. IOS Press, Amsterdam, pp. 3-13.
- Pilgeram, A.L., L.D. Carsten, and D.C. Sands. 2001. Genetic Improvement of Bioherbicides. In: The Mycota, vol X: Industrial Applicaitons.. Edited by H. D. Osiewacz. Spring-Verlag, New York. Pp.367-374.
- E.M. Megeed and D.C. Sands. 2001. Methods and compositions for making fermented cereal products. (US patent 09/078,428).
- D.C. Sands, Tiourebaev, K. S., Pilgeram, A.L. and Anderson, T.W. 2001. A carrier methodology for aerial dispersal and soil penetration of bioactive agents. (US Provisional Patent 60,172,772).
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
We are currently selected bioherbicides with enhanced virulence for control of field bindweed, Canada thistle, and leafy spurge. Our containment facility has been certified by USDA APHIS and should be available in the spring of 2001. Pathology tests with the enhanced virulence strains and foreign pathogens will start as soon as the facility is turned over.
Impacts
Our protocol for enhancing the virulence of bioherbicides has shown great promise. We have selected for amino acid excretion in four different plant/pathogen systems. The effectiveness of the bioherbicide has been improved in each of these systems.
Publications
- Carsten, L.D., M. R. Johnston, L. I. Douglas, and D. C. Sands. 2000. A field trail of crown rust (Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae) as a biocontrol agent of wild oats on San Clemente Island. Biological Control. 19:175-181.
- Johnston, M. R., L. D. Carsten, L.I. Douglas, and D. C. Sands. 2000. Epidemic development and virulence in 1995-1998 of Puccinia coronata, a potential biocontrol agent of wild oats on San Clemente Island. Biological Control 17: 250-257.
- Braun-Kiewnick, A. and Sands, D.C. 2001. Pseudomonas. In: Laboratory Guide for Identification of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria. Edited by N.W. Schaad, J.B. Jones, and W. Chun. APS Press, St. Paul. pp 84-120.
- Braun-Kiewnick, Andrea, Barry J. Jacobsen, and David C. Sands. 2000. Biological Control of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, the Causal Agent of Basal Kernel Blight of Barley, by Antagonistic Pantoea agglomerans. Phytopathology 90:368-375.
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
In theory, bioherbicides could replace and/or augment the use of chemical herbicides for weed control. In practice, however, bioherbicides have yet to achieve the necessary levels of efficacy to reduce a weed population below economic levels. The challenge of biological control has been to find naturally occurring plant pathogens capable of controlling a weed population. Unfortunately, effective pathogens are few and far between. Therefore, in order to produce effective bioherbicides, we need to develop the knowledge base and methodology to routinely enhance the efficacy of promising pathogens. Several research groups are studying ways to genetically alter the virulence and host-specificity of pathogens. Our approach is modeled after a naturally occurring disease in tobacco, "frenching" disease discovered by Steinberg (1946). He discovered that saprophytic bacteria growing on the roots of symptomatic plants were overproducing a single amino acid, isoleucine. As we now
know from chemical herbicide studies, isoleucine feedback inhibits plant acetolactate synthase. The amino acid valine feedback inhibits this same enzyme. Given this knowledge, we inoculated host plants with a valine-overproducing mutant of a plant pathogenic fungus and observed enhanced virulence and rate of mortality. The host range of the valine-producing strain was unaffected. This selection method where certain amino acids are over-produced is widely applicable to many host-specific biocontrol agents. A second limiting factor, besides low virulence involves problems with dissemination where the biocontrol agent does not penetrate down into the root zone. We solved this problem with a live seed method where the fungus grows as a saphrophyte down the root system of a non-target seedling, greatly improving the soil penetration and efficiency of inoculum. Both methods have been disclosed as process patents.
Impacts
Safe and effective control of noxious weeds would be advantageous to both individual ranchers and farmers, but also to public agencies. The two methods presented above, may greatly enhance the use of biocontrol agents for safe and economical weed control.
Publications
- Sands, D.C., K.T. Tiourebaev, A.L.Pilgeram, S.T. Nelson, T.A. Anderson. 2000. US Patent Application 60/172,771, "Virulence Enhancement of Bioherbicides."
- Sands, D.C., K.T. Tiourebaev, A.L.Pilgeram, S.T. Nelson, T.A. Anderson. 2000. US Patent Application 60/172,772, "A Carrier Methodology For Aerial Dispersal and Soil Penetration of Bioherbicides"
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Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98
Outputs
Most biocontrol agents do not provide adequate control of a target weed or impose substantial risk to beneficial vegetation. In response, Dr. Sands has developed environmentally delimited mutants of a lethal broad host range pathogen, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. These mutants (or auxotrophs) are incapable of surviving in the environment in the absence of an exogenous nutrient. These auxotrophs were used to control Canada thistle, Spotted knapweed, and Yellow toadflax in West Yellowstone, along the Blackfoot River, and several locations near the Gallatin River. These auxotrophs were also evaluated for control of turf weeds in collaboration with Natural Gardens & Lawns (Philadelphia, PA). They demonstrated promising control of a variety of broad leaf weeds. Non-target effects were not observed. In addition, auxotrophs of another broad host pathogen, Sclerotium rolfsii, are being screened for control of kudzu in South Carolina. Other biocontrol systems require the use of
host specific pathogens such as Fusarium oxysporum. These pathogens do not pose any risk to non-target plant species, but may not be virulent enough to eradicate the target plant. Dr. Sands has evaluated the effect of overproduction of biosynethic intermediates or end products on the virulence of these pathogens. Overproduction of certain amino acids greatly enhances the virulence of F. oxysporum. Studies are underway to further quantify this enhancement and to economically formulate selected pathogens.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Karston, L.D., M.R. Johnston, B.D. Maxwell, and D.C. Sands. 1998. Competitive interactions between Avena fatua and Nassella pulchra with and without crown rust infection. Joint Annual Meeting American Phytopathological Society and Entomological Society of America, November 8-12, Las Vegas, NV.
- Anderson, T.W., A.L. Pilgeram, M.K. McCarthy, K.S. Tiourebaev, G.T. Kalieva, L. Carsten, R.J. Hohne, and D.C. Sands. 1998. Control of spotted knapweed, Centarurea maculosa, with the biological control agent Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Joint Annual Meeting American Phytopathological Society and Entomological Society of America, November 8-12, Las Vegas, NV.
- Tiourebaev, K.S., A.L. Pilgeram, T.W. Anderson, M.K. Baizhanov, and D.C. Sands. 1998. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cannabina as promising candidate for biocontrol of Cannabis sp. Joint Annual Meeting American Phytopathological Society and Entomological Society of America, November 8-12, Las Vegas, NV.
- Sands, D.C., A.L. Pilgeram, T.W. Anderson, K. Tiourebaev. 1998. Genetically Improving Biocontrol Agents.
- I.C. Harvey, G.D. Bourdor, D.J. Saville and D.C. Sands. 1998. A comparison of auxotrophic and wild strains of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum used as a mycoherbicide against Californian thistle (Cirsium arvense). Biocontrol Science and Technology 8: 73-81.
- A.L. Pilgeram and D.C. Sands. Mycoherbicides. 1998. In: Biopesticides: Use and Delivery (F.R. Hall and J.J. Menn, eds.) Human Press, Totowa, New Jersey, pp. 359-370.
- Braun-Kiewnick, A., S. Kiewnick, B.J. Jacobsen and D.C. Sands. 1998. Induction of systemic resistance in barley by the plant activator benzothiadiazole and Pantoea agglomerans strains Eh 239 and Eh 460. Joint Annual Meeting American Phytopathological Society and Entomological Society of America, November 8-12, Las Vegas, NV.
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Progress 01/01/97 to 12/31/97
Outputs
Fungal pathogens have potential uses in biocontrol of noxious weeks and targeted drug crops. Our work on the latter involves development of biocontrol agents against Papaver somniferum and leafy spurge. The best field formulations for Fusarium oxysporum involve coating live seed of a non-host, and as the seed germinates and the roots penetrate the soil, the pathogen is carried into the root zone of the target weed. Thirty four fungal pathogens of leafy spurge were collected in Kazakstan and sent to USDA Ft. Deitrich for testing for possible introduction of biocontrol of leafy spurge.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- SANDS, D.C., FORD, E.J., MILLER, R.V., SALLY, B.K., MCCARTHY, M.K., ANDERSON, T.W., WEAVER, M.B., MORGAN, C.T., PILGERAM, A.L. and DARLINGTON, L.C. 1997. Characterization of a vascular wilt of Erythroxylum coca caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. erythroxyli
- KIM, H.K., and SANDS, D.C. 1997. Development of a selective medium for Xanthomonas campestris pv. translucens. Korean J. Plant Path. 12:
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Progress 01/01/96 to 12/30/96
Outputs
Fungal pathogens have potential uses in biocontrol of noxious weeds and targeteddrug crops. Our work on the latter involves development of biocontrol agents against Papaver somniferum. To date, the best agent is a Fusarium oxysporum, with efficacy as high as 60% kill. Our most effective formulation strategy involves coating live seed of non-alkaloid producing cultivars.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Sands, D.C., E.J. Ford, R.V. Miller, etal. 1997. Characterization of a vascular wilt of Erythroxylum coca caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. erythroxyli forma specialis nova. Plant Disease (In press).
- Pilgeram, A. L. and D.C. Sands. 1996. Molecular Biology of the Biological Control of Plant Bacterial Diseases. PP 39-56. Molec Biol of Biological Control of Pests and Diseases of Plants. CRC Press, Boca Raton.
- Pilgeram, A.L., C.T. Morgan, M.B. Weaver, and D.C. Sands. 1996. Virulence of heterokaryons of Fusarium oxysporum. Phytopathology: (In press).
- Sands, D.C., C.T. Morgan, M.B. Weaver, M.K. McCarthy, M.T. Schultz, and A.L. Pilgeram. 1996. Strategies for the improvement of pathosystems. Phytopathology: (In press).
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Progress 01/01/95 to 12/30/95
Outputs
A binary (2 microbe) system for biological control was developed for use againstweeds. A phytopathogenic fungus (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) was mutagenized and an auxotrophic strain requiring arginine was obtained that was only virulent in the presence of exogenous arginine. This fungus exhibited a broad host range in the presence of arginine. A second microbe specific to Canada Thistle was obtained and mutants were obtained for excretion of arginine. When both microbes were added simultaneously infection proceeded. This use of binary systems has many advantages in the field of biocontrol where lethality and specificity are desired.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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