Hi William,
Tuesday, March 28, 2000, 5:10:02 PM, you forwarded a pertinent,
interesting and timely development on the part of the USDA ARS.
This just goes to show you the kind of progress that can occur when
the proper legislation is enacted. These things don't happen until
they *have to* happen. They are made to happen.
This means that a little (but firm) decision making process can go
along way.
The rest of what's needed will happen to, if and when those who know and
care can get their act together and take the steps necessary to put
things in the right perspective.
Douglas
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WE> STORY LEAD:
WE> Adding Microbes to Transplant Mix Helps Increase Crop Yields
WE> -----------
WE> ARS News Service
WE> Agricultural Research Service, USDA
WE> Jesus Garcia, (301) 504-1627, jgarcia@ars-grin.gov
WE> March 28, 2000
WE> -----------
WE> Tomato and pepper farmers can now add microbes along with their
WE> transplant mix to the arsenal of production practices used to
WE> reduce yield losses caused by soilborne pathogens--including
WE> root-knot nematodes.
WE> The microbe-amended transplant mix is being developed by
WE> Agricultural Research Service scientists at the U.S. Horticultural
WE> Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce, Fla., led by Nancy K. Burelle,
WE> in cooperation with Gustafson LLC of Plano, Texas. The transplant
WE> mix, called BioYield 213, is amended with two naturally occurring
WE> soil microorganisms--Paenobacillus macerans and Bacillus
WE> amyloliquefacien.
WE> The mix provides the microorganisms with the environment they need
WE> to grow on the root surface of seedlings. Once this occurs, the
WE> microbes then stimulate vigorous growth and improve the health of
WE> the transplanted seedling by triggering the plant's resistance
WE> mechanisms. This research is part of an ongoing ARS effort to
WE> provide farmers with alternatives to the use of methyl bromide, an
WE> ozone-depleting soil fumigant being phased out by 2005.
WE> Benefits continue to be observed in seedlings out in the field.
WE> Greenhouse producers can expect to grow seedlings in a shorter
WE> time period and farmers can anticipate 5 to 20 percent yield
WE> increases in tomatoes, bell peppers and even strawberries. The mix
WE> will be made commercially available to transplant producers in the
WE> fall after grower trials are concluded.
WE> This research is helping scientists gauge the effectiveness of
WE> other alternatives to methyl bromide. For example, when this
WE> technology is combined with alternative soil treatments such as
WE> Telone II and PLANTPRO 45, levels of crop productivity approach
WE> those achieved with methyl bromide. But results also indicate that
WE> combining the new formulations with the commonly used practice of
WE> solarization--a process that creates an inhospitable environment
WE> for detrimental microbes by covering the soil with plastic to heat
WE> it, for 6 to 8 weeks in the summer--does not enhance control of
WE> root-knot nematodes.
WE> As the phasing out of methyl bromide proceeds, this technology
WE> will provide growers with an effective, economical and sustainable
WE> alternative component that they can use with existing methods.
WE> ARS is the chief research agency of the U.S. Department of
WE> Agriculture.
WE> ----------
WE> Scientific contact: Nancy K. Burelle, ARS U.S. Horticultural
WE> Research Laboratory, Fort Pierce, Fla.,
WE> phone (561) 462-5861, fax (561) 462-5986,
WE> nburelle@saa.ars.usda.gov. ----------
WE> This item is one of the news releases and story leads that ARS
WE> Information distributes on weekdays to fax and e-mail subscribers.
WE> You can also get the latest ARS news on the World Wide Web at
WE> http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/thelatest.htm.
WE> * Feedback and questions to ARS News Service via e-mail:
WE> isnv@ars-grin.gov.
WE> * ARS Information Staff, 5601 Sunnyside Ave., Room 1-2251,
WE> Beltsville MD 20705-5128, (301) 504- 1617, fax 504-1648.
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