Progress 09/15/23 to 09/14/24
Outputs
Target Audience:During this reporting period, our outreach efforts primarily focused on the farming community, industry professionals, and academic institutions. These target audiences were chosen to facilitate the practical adoption of sustainable crop disease management strategies, particularly focusing on the use of RejuAgro A (RAA) as an antibiotic alternative for managing Huanglongbing (HLB) in citrus. Farming Community Our primary audience includes citrus growers and other industry stakeholders involved in citrus crop production. Reaching out to this group is critical because they are directly affected by the devastating impact of HLB and are in urgent need of effective, sustainable disease management solutions. By targeting growers, we aim to ensure that the benefits of using RAA for HLB control are well understood and implemented in the field. Additionally, our efforts support farmers in transitioning to more environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural practices, enhancing both crop health and long-term viability. Industry Professionals Dr. Yang attended the Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting (ABIM) in Basel, Switzerland, a major event in the global biocontrol industry. At ABIM, discussions with biocontrol companies, regulators, and fellow researchers centered around the commercialization of biopesticides like RejuAgro A, as well as navigating regulatory frameworks. This outreach was crucial in understanding market trends and aligning our product development with regulatory standards and global agricultural demands. Engaging with industry professionals ensures that our research into RAA is ready for market, facilitating its broad adoption in the citrus industry. Dr. Yang also served as an Invited Speaker at the 12th International Congress of Plant Pathology in Lyon, France, which broadened our outreach to a global network of plant pathology professionals. This platform enabled us to present our findings on RejuAgro A and its potential in HLB management, engaging with experts who are crucial for advancing disease management solutions in the agricultural sector. Collaborators in Product Development We have a key collaboration with IR-4, Delta Analytical Corporation, and Dunham Trimmer, LLC, focusing on stakeholders involved in product development, registration, and technology licensing within the crop protection industry. These partnerships play a crucial role in aligning our efforts with current market trends, regulatory requirements, and consumer expectations. IR-4, in particular, has been instrumental in guiding the registration process for RejuAgro A, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards for agricultural biopesticides. Meanwhile, Dunham Trimmer's industry expertise has provided invaluable insights into product development and commercialization strategies, helping us tailor our research to meet the needs of farmers and industry professionals. Together, IR-4, Delta Analytical Corporation, and Dunham Trimmer, LLC, have helped us navigate the complex landscape of biopesticide development, ensuring that RejuAgro A is not only effective in managing HLB but also commercially viable and accessible to growers. By leveraging these collaborations, we are able to bring sustainable, science-based solutions like RejuAgro A to the forefront of citrus crop protection. Academic and Research Institutions Dr. Yang's presentations at several academic institutions, including Academia Sinica, National Chung Hsing University, and the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute, further broadened our outreach to academics and researchers. These presentations focused on transitioning natural metabolites, like RAA, from research to commercial products and explored innovative strategies for crop disease management. Engaging with these institutions allowed us to share cutting-edge research findings and foster collaborations that are essential for advancing the understanding and application of natural metabolites in sustainable agriculture. Through these targeted efforts, we have reached a diverse audience, from farmers and industry professionals to academic researchers, all of whom play a crucial role in the adoption and success of RejuAgro A as a sustainable solution for managing citrus HLB. Our goal is to continue expanding these efforts over the next reporting periods, ensuring broader adoption and awareness of this innovative biopesticide. Changes/Problems:Since the project was funded in September 2023, we have made significant progress, particularly in developing a stable RAA powder formulation for foliar spray applications. The formulation utilizes equipment and inert ingredients that comply with EPA regulations. This RAA powder is currently undergoing testing in both greenhouse and field assays to evaluate its efficacy in managing citrus HLB. However, a challenge has emerged with the proposed use of the formulated RAA powder for trunk injection. The inert carrier ingredients in the powder tend to clog the injection equipment, leading to difficulties in applying the product via this method. As a result, we are revisiting our approach to trunk injection and may need to explore alternative formulations or application methods that avoid clogging issues. This deviation from the original plan has not impacted the ongoing foliar spray applications, but it requires further investigation to identify a suitable solution for trunk injection. No other significant deviations from the research schedule or goals have occurred at this time, and the project remains on track. We continue to monitor these developments and will adjust our protocols as necessary to ensure effective HLB management with RAA. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has provided a range of opportunities for training and professional development, benefiting both the research team and the broader farming community, with a focus on enhancing technical skills and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Hands-on Training and Grassroots Engagement: One of the primary training opportunities was created through direct interactions with local farmers. These grassroots engagements facilitated in-depth discussions about managing Huanglongbing (HLB) with a focus on antibiotic alternatives, such as RejuAgro A (RAA), developed in our research. By working closely with farmers, we were able to customize training and solutions to address the specific challenges they face in the field, ensuring that the recommendations were both practical and easy to implement. Farmers gained valuable knowledge on how to incorporate sustainable, non-antibiotic treatments like RAA into their operations, promoting environmentally friendly HLB management. Mentorship and Skill Development for Researchers: Graduate students and research assistants on the project benefited from one-on-one mentorship with Dr. Yang. This mentorship covered a wide range of skills, including managing field trials, collecting data, performing statistical analysis, and applying biopesticide techniques. The training also focused on developing expertise in sustainable agricultural practices and advanced research methodologies. This hands-on guidance helped the research team enhance their proficiency in fieldwork and strengthened their ability to contribute to sustainable crop management. Professional Development through Conferences and Networking: Dr. Yang's participation in two key conferences-- the Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting (ABIM) in Basel, Switzerland, and the 12th International Congress of Plant Pathology in Lyon, France--offered significant professional development opportunities. At these events, Dr. Yang presented the team's research on RejuAgro A to an international audience, gaining insights into global trends in sustainable agriculture. The conferences also provided valuable networking opportunities, allowing Dr. Yang to engage with industry professionals, researchers, and key stakeholders in the bippesticide industry. This exposure helped broaden the team's understanding of market needs and regulatory trends in agricultural innovation. Collaboration with IR-4, Delta Analytical Corporation, and Dunham Trimmer, LLC: Our collaboration with IR-4, Delta Analytical Corporation, and Dunham Trimmer, LLC, has been vital in targeting stakeholders involved in product development, registration, and technology licensing within the crop protection industry. This partnership enabled the research team to engage with market trends and consumer preferences, aligning the commercialization strategy of RejuAgro A with industry expectations. IR-4, Delta Analytical Corporation, and Dunham Trimmer's expertise provided crucial insights into navigating the complexities of product registration and licensing, enhancing the team's understanding of how to bring agricultural innovations like RAA to market. The collaboration also provided the team with a deeper knowledge of the regulatory and commercial landscape, which is essential for scaling the project's impact in citrus farming communities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Our dissemination strategy during this reporting period targeted key audiences, including local citrus growers, industry professionals in the biocontrol and crop protection sectors, as well as the broader scientific community. Through these efforts, we ensured that the research findings on RejuAgro A (RAA), a natural metabolite for managing HLB, reached the relevant communities most likely to benefit from the outcomes. Dissemination to Industry Professionals: During the Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting (ABIM) in Basel, Switzerland, we shared our findings on RejuAgro A with biocontrol companies, product developers, and regulatory professionals. This event provided a platform for discussing the commercialization of sustainable biopesticides like RAA. Engaging with industry professionals in this setting ensured that the research was directly connected to those responsible for developing and bringing biocontrol products to market, influencing both product development and regulatory compliance strategies. Our collaboration with IR-4, Delta Analytical Corporation, and Dunham Trimmer, LLC also played a significant role in the dissemination of our findings. These partnerships allowed us to share our research with stakeholders involved in product development, registration, and technology licensing within the crop protection industry. Dunham Trimmer's expertise helped align our product development efforts with current market trends and regulatory standards, making it easier to reach farmers and industry leaders with effective, commercially viable solutions for HLB management. Outreach to the Scientific Community: Dr. Yang presented our research on RejuAgro A at the 12th International Congress of Plant Pathology in Lyon, France, which provided an international platform to reach scientists working in sustainable crop disease management. This presentation highlighted the use of natural biopesticides, such as RAA, as an alternative to antibiotics in managing HLB. By disseminating our findings to a global audience of researchers, we fostered potential collaborations and stimulated further advancements in sustainable disease management practices. Engagement with Local Growers: Our outreach efforts extended to local citrus growers, where we engaged in direct interactions to discuss the practical implementation of RejuAgro A in managing HLB. These conversations focused on the benefits of adopting non-antibiotic, sustainable treatments like RAA, providing growers with the knowledge and tools to improve citrus health while reducing their reliance on conventional chemical treatments. These grassroots efforts ensured that the results of our research were accessible to farmers who may not typically be exposed to such scientific findings, enhancing public understanding of sustainable agriculture and increasing interest in adopting innovative biopesticide solutions. Through these targeted dissemination efforts, we ensured that our research findings on HLB management using RejuAgro A reached industry professionals, scientists, and local growers. By focusing on the practical and commercial aspects of sustainable HLB management, we fostered greater awareness of non-antibiotic alternatives, promoting both the application and further research of RejuAgro A as a viable solution for citrus growers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Further Field Trials: Building on the success of this year's results, we will continue monitoring our ongoing field trial to further evaluate the long-term effectiveness of RejuAgro A (RAA) in HLB management, as this is a three-year study. In addition, we plan to explore the impact of RAA on HLB-infected trees through foliar spray applications. This will allow us to assess whether RAA can reduce the severity of HLB in already infected trees and improve overall tree health. Expansion of Outreach Efforts: Our outreach initiatives will be expanded to engage more citrus growers, with the goal of sharing our findings and promoting sustainable practices in HLB management. We also plan to increase our participation in key industry conferences to engage a broader audience of stakeholders, including farmers, researchers, and industry professionals. Furthermore, we will work to disseminate our findings to a wider farming community, providing insights into using RAA as a non-antibiotic solution for HLB management. Commercial Development: We will intensify our efforts to collaborate with industry partners, particularly to facilitate the commercialization of RejuAgro A as a sustainable and non-antibiotic solution for HLB management. Our focus will be on navigating regulatory requirements and aligning our product with market demands to ensure successful commercialization. Addressing any regulatory challenges and aligning the product with industry expectations will be a key priority to bring this innovative solution to market.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Our project seeks to address the management of HLB, a devastating bacterial disease caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), which severely impacts citrus crops. HLB leads to poor fruit quality, stunted growth, and ultimately tree death, causing significant economic losses for citrus growers. Traditional antibiotic treatments like streptomycin face regulatory challenges and concerns regarding sustainability. Therefore, our project aims to develop a non-antibiotic alternative using the natural metabolite RejuAgro A (RAA) as a sustainable solution to control HLB. Audience Impacted The primary audience directly benefiting from this project includes citrus farmers in HLB-affected regions. The results provide a sustainable alternative to antibiotics, allowing them to manage HLB effectively while minimizing environmental impact. Additionally, industry professionals in crop protection have gained insights into the potential of RAA as a viable treatment for HLB management, aligning with efforts to reduce antibiotic dependence in agriculture. Major Activities, Data Collected, and Results During this reporting period, we conducted field trials focused on evaluating the effectiveness of preventive foliar sprays of RejuAgro A (RAA) in controlling HLB. The trial used three concentrations of RAA--10 mg/L, 20 mg/L, and 30 mg/L--alongside a positive control (streptomycin at 1200 mg/L) and an untreated control group. RAA Treatment Strategy Application Frequency: Monthly foliar sprays of RAA were initiated on January 22, 2024. Evaluation Schedule: Disease severity was measured monthly using a 0-100 scale (with 100 indicating the most severe symptoms), averaged across four 2 m² quadrants per tree. Data Collected We collected data on disease severity, as reflected in the "Greening Severity" scores, across multiple time points: May 22, June 21, July 23, and August 22, 2024. Below are the results: Mean Greening Severity Results 5/22/2024: 30 mg/L RAA: 0 b 20 mg/L RAA: 0 b 10 mg/L RAA: 0 b Streptomycin: 0 b Untreated Control: 2.5 a 6/21/2024: 30 mg/L RAA: 0 b 20 mg/L RAA: 0 b 10 mg/L RAA: 0.3 b Streptomycin: 0 b Untreated Control: 1.6 a 7/23/2024: 30 mg/L RAA: 0.1 b 20 mg/L RAA: 0.4 b 10 mg/L RAA: 2.9 a Streptomycin: 0 b Untreated Control: 3.5 a 8/22/2024: 30 mg/L RAA: 0.2 b 20 mg/L RAA: 0.8 b 10 mg/L RAA: 4.5 a Streptomycin: 0 b Untreated Control: 4.9 a In these results, treatments with the same letter indicate that there is no significant difference between them. This was determined using the Fisher's Least Significant Difference (LSD) test, with a significance level set at 0.05. For example, a value followed by "a" is significantly different from a value followed by "b," but those followed by the same letter are not statistically different from each other. Discussion of Results The results clearly demonstrate that RejuAgro A at 20 mg/L and 30 mg/L is effective in reducing HLB severity, providing comparable results to streptomycin. Both the 20 mg/L and 30 mg/L treatments significantly lowered the greening severity score by more than 95% compared to the untreated control. By August 22, 2024, untreated trees exhibited a severity score of 4.9, while trees treated with 30 mg/L RAA had only a 0.2 severity score, similar to streptomycin-treated trees, highlighting the effectiveness of RejuAgro A in preventing HLB progression. The 10 mg/L treatment, while with some effectiveness in early application, demonstrated a lesser degree of control, with severity scores increasing to 4.5 by August 2024. Key Outcomes and Accomplishments Reduction in HLB Severity: The application of RejuAgro A at 20 mg/L and 30 mg/L significantly reduced HLB severity in citrus trees, offering a promising non-antibiotic alternative for disease management. The results are comparable to those achieved with streptomycin, providing a sustainable option for farmers. Improved Tree Health: Trees treated with higher concentrations of RAA (20 mg/L and 30 mg/L) showed improved foliage health, contributing to overall tree vitality and a reduction in disease spread. Sustainable Disease Management: The preventive application of RAA offers an environmentally friendly solution for HLB management, aligning with global trends toward reducing the use of antibiotics in agriculture. This project contributes to more sustainable citrus farming practices by offering an alternative that effectively controls HLB without the negative impacts of conventional antibiotic treatments. Conclusion In the first eight months of this three-year field study, RejuAgro A has shown substantial promise as an effective treatment for HLB. Particularly at concentrations of 20 mg/L and 30 mg/L, RAA demonstrated the ability to reduce HLB severity to levels comparable to streptomycin. These early results highlight the potential of RAA as a sustainable solution for HLB management, providing citrus growers with a viable, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional antibiotic treatments. We will continue evaluating RAA's long-term effectiveness over the remaining duration of the study to further solidify its role in commercial citrus production as a sustainable and effective biopesticide.
Publications
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