Progress 09/01/07 to 08/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: BioProdex, Inc. has developed Tobacco mild green mosaic tobamovirus (TMGMV) as a bioherbicide (named SolviNix) to control the noxious invasive weed tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum; TSA). The primary objectives of this project were to develop proper equipment for commercial application of SolviNix and to test the efficacy of SolviNix formulations in large-scale field trials under an Experimental Use Permit (EUP). Secondary objectives included a determination of the rate (active ingredient per acre) and volume (gallons water per acre [GPA]) for commercial application of SolviNix and refinements to the industrial process to standardize production and set yield goals. These objectives have been met or nearing completion. A commercial formulation, SolviNix LC (liquid concentrate), was chosen for registration and a data package and a label are being developed for submission to the EPA. In September 2007, a EUP was issued to BioProdex and the Florida Division of Pesticide Regulation granted permission to conduct EUP trials in Florida. SolviNix LC was tested at six sites over 36 acres in five Florida counties; the trials were done in two working cattle ranches, a wildlife management area, and two sites with cattle and agricultural production. Depending on the application system, SolviNix LC was used at the rate of 200 to 800 mg active ingredient per acre in 5 to 20 GPA. Five application systems: an all-terrain-vehicle- (ATV) mounted spray-boom (to treat large TSA infestations), an ATV mounted wiper applicator (also for large infestations), a high-pressure spot-sprayer (for scattered plants), a hand-held wiper (Microwipe), and a hand-held wire brush (both for scattered plants) were tested with TSA control ranging from 40 to 90%. The high-pressure spot applications provided the best results with >80% control. Further refinements are necessary for treating large areas. Modifications to the industrial production process resulted in a 2-fold increase in virus yield without additional production costs. A shelf-life study confirmed that SolviNix LC can be stored frozen for at least 3 years without loss of activity. Based on the EUP trials, a revised label is being written for SolviNix LC. A cost analysis of production, product development, registration, and shipping is being done to set a competitive pricing for SolviNix. Our strategy is to market SolviNix LC in a frozen state where the users can store the product in a household freezer. Our primary customers will be livestock, dairy, and natural resource segments that are receptive to a nonchemical, "green" alternative to chemical herbicides. In 2009 when registration of SolviNix appears imminent, we will contact ranchers and natural resource managers throughout the South to promote the benefits of using the highly target-specific SolviNix as an alternative to broad-spectrum chemicals that could adversely affect biodiversity and wildlife habitats and cause shifts in weed populations. We will also contact state agencies to promote the use of SolviNix in state-funded TSA control programs. We are actively seeking Phase III investment funding to assure the commercial viability of BioProdex, Inc. PARTICIPANTS: Ernest Hiebert, Ph.D., Senior Scientist and Project Director, BioProdex, Inc. Raghavan Charudattan, Ph.D., Senior Scientist and CEO, BioProdex, Inc. Mark S. Elliott, Senior Biologist, University of Florida, a subcontractor. Gabriella S. Maia, Lab Technician, University of Florida, a subcontractor. Florida Food Products, Eustis, Florida, a subcontractor. TARGET AUDIENCES: 1) Small and large cattle producers in the South that are facing TSA problems. 2) Land managers and natural resourece managers in the South that are facing TSA problems. 3) Biopesticide researchers, developers, and companies. 4) Biopesticide regulatory agencies. 5) Plant virologists, plant pathologists, and weed scientists. 6) Biological control scientists. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
At the conclusion of Year 2 of this Phase II grant, we have convincing evidence that SolviNix LC is a highly effective, highly specific biological herbicide for the invasive noxious weed TSA. We are on target to bring to market the world's first virus-based bioherbicide. Reduction in chemical herbicide usage in livestock production, alleviation of TSA's encroachment into natural areas and croplands, preservation of biodiversity, and promotion and improvement in the sustainability and profitability of small and mid-size ranches are among the expected impacts of this project.
Publications
- Charudattan, R. and Hiebert, E. 2007. A plant virus as a bioherbicide for tropical soda apple, Solanum viarum. Outlooks on Pest Management 18:167-171.
- Charudattan, R., Hiebert, E., Elliott, M.S., DeValerio, J.T., and Maia, G.S. 2008. SolviNix, a bioherbicide for tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum). 5th International Weed Science Congress, Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 23-27, 2008. Abstract.
- Ferrell, J., Charudattan, R., Elliott, M., and Hiebert, E. 2008. Effects of selected herbicides on the efficacy of tobacco mild green mosaic virus to control tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum). Weed Sci. 56:128-132.
- Hiebert, E., Charudattan, R., Elliott, M.S., Horrell, J., and Maia, G. 2007. Development of Tobacco mild green mosaic virus as a potential bioherbicide.10th Biennial Meet., Florida Phytopathological Soc. May 7-8, 2007, North Florida Res. & Educ. Cent., Quincy, FL. Abstract.
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Progress 09/01/06 to 08/31/07
Outputs
We have shown that a naturally occurring plant virus, Tobacco mild green mosaic tobamovirus (TMGMV), can be developed as a bioherbicide (named SolviNix) to control the noxious, invasive weed tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum; TSA). An industrial-scale production process for TMGMV has been developed and the scientific and technical feasibility of the process has been verified. In 2007, further refinements were made to the process and production steps were standardized. Improvements in the production process enabled us to double the yield of TMGMV over the previous two runs and ~ 4 kg of TMGMV was added to the supply of bioherbicide active ingredient. Efficacy of a liquid concentrate (LC) formulation of SolviNix formulation was confirmed in several small-scale field trials. In June 2007, an Experimental Use Permit was issued by the EPA to field test two SolviNix formulations, LC and a wettable powder (WP) in Florida, and several cooperators (ranchers and land managers)
were enlisted to develop application and shelf-life standards for commercial SolviNix product(s). Active ingredient rate (milligrams of virus per acre), application volume (gallons per acre), application tools (sprayers and wipers), and storage conditions (frozen and refrigerated) are being tested. We have established that TMGMV could be applied at very low rates of 200 to 1000 mg per acre. A marketing strategy as well as a client base is also being developed. Two systems, an all-terrain-vehicle-mounted spray-boom and a high-pressure spot-sprayer have been confirmed to be practical for commercial application of SolviNix. The EUP trials are designed to generate data and final label(s) for full registration of SolviNix as a bioherbicide for TSA. We are conducting a cost analysis of TMGMV production, product development (including packaging and inventory maintenance), registration, and shipping to set a competitive product pricing. We are also actively seeking investment funding for
Phase III to assure the commercial sustainability of BioProdex, Inc. Our strategy will be to market SolviNix to livestock, dairy, and natural resource segments that are receptive to our nonchemical, "green" alternative to chemical herbicides. When SolviNix is fully registered, we will contact managers of natural resources throughout the South and promote the benefits of using the highly target-specific SolviNix rather than broad-spectrum chemicals that could adversely affect biodiversity and wildlife habitats, and weed population shifts. Departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection throughout the South will be contacted to promote the use of SolviNix in state-funded TSA control programs. To facilitate these contacts, BioProdex will hire, in Phase III, an agricultural sales expert familiar with the herbicide market and the TSA problem in the South.
Impacts
At the conclusion of the first year of this Phase II grant, we have met or are set to meet all of the proposed objectives. We are on target to deliver an effective nonchemical control for the invasive noxious weed TSA and bring it to market as the world's first virus-based bioherbicide. Reduction in chemical herbicide usage in livestock production, alleviation of TSA's encroachment into natural areas and croplands, preservation of biodiversity, and promotion and improvement in the sustainability and profitability of small and mid-size ranches are among the expected impacts of this project.
Publications
- Charudattan, R. 2007. The useful side of pathogens: development and application of bioherbicides. Proceedings of the 2007 Southern African Society of Plant Pathology Congress, Pretoria, South Africa. Jan. 2007. Abstract.
- Charudattan, R; Elliott, M; Hiebert, E; and Horrell, J. 2007. A look at host range, host specificity and non-target safety from the perspective of a plant virus as a weed-biocontrol agent. Proceedings of the XII International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds, Montpellier, France, April, 2007. Abstract.
- Elliott, M., Hiebert, E., Charudattan, R., DeValerio, J.T., and Maia, G. 2007. Ultra low volume application of TMGMV for TSA control. Abstracts, Florida Weed Sci. Soc., Feb. 26-27, 2007, Maitland, FL.
- Hiebert, E., Charudattan, R., Elliott, M.S., Horrell, J., and Maia, G. 2007. Development of Tobacco mild green mosaic virus as a potential bioherbicide. 10th Biennial Meet., Florida Phytopathol. Soc. May 7-8, 2007, North Florida Res. & Educ. Cent., Quincy, FL. Abstract.
- Charudattan, R., Hiebert, E., DeValerio, J., Elliott, M., Horrell, J., Maia, G. 2007. Scale-up and commercial production of a plant virus for use as a bioherbicide. Abstracts, International Bioherbicide Group Meeting, Montpellier, France, April 22, 2007.
- Charudattan, R. and Hiebert, E. 2007. A plant virus as a bioherbicide for tropical soda apple, Solanum viarum. Outlooks on Pest Management 18:167-171 (August 2007).
- Ferrell, J., Charudattan, R., Elliott, M., and Hiebert, E. 2007. Effects of selected herbicides on the efficacy of tobacco mild green mosaic virus to control tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum). Weed Technol. In press.
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