Throw Out Tradition

TAKE A GIANT LEAP CONTROLLING FUNGUS

A new approach to control of potato fungus pathogens is being developed by Aeroponics International an agri-biotechnology company located in Berthoud Colorado. It involves a delivery system to supply elicitors that activate the natural disease mechanism in plants. The technology does not involve pesticides or depend upon genetic engineering methods. This approach does not utilize "friendly" microorganisms to achieve bio-control in the traditional sense of the potato pathogens. Furthermore, it may be one of the most environmentally safe ways to control soil-borne fungus pathogens that is currently being considered by plant scientists. The technology is also adaptable to current potato growing methods and it is unlikely that any special equipment would be needed.

The plant science principles upon which this idea is based started to appear in research journals such as Plant Molecular Biology and Plant Physiology in the last 15 years. Although the possibilities of practical application was theorized, it was not until fairly recently that W.S. Pierpoin[1] in 1990 and C.S Anuratha[2] in 1996 among others published papers which demonstrated the potential value use of enzyme stimulation for disease control.

How it works

There is a natural defense mechanism in potatoes utilizing several enzymes including ase and ß-1,3-glucanase which are activated when the plant is exposed to elicitors. Aeroponics International personnel developed the concept of encapsulating seed tubers as a means to deliver the elicitor ingredients to the seedling potato plant (patented). Aeroponics International's encapsulant material contains a mixture of proprietary ingredients which include one or more elicitors plus other selected materials. Aeroponics International calls this unique bio-control product EcoSeed.

EcoSeed encapsulation differs radically from seed coatings and tuber treatments. Coatings are a thin layer of material on the surface of the tuber. Aeroponics International's process encapsulates the mini tuber inside a rigid elicitor matrix material. After planting, the EcoSeed absorbs soil moisture and the tuber then sprouts from the encapsulant spreading its root system throughout the matrix. As the plant grows the roots remain in constant contact with elicitors in the matrix thus providing a continuing source of stimulation for the plant's enzyme system. The invading fungus pathogen is inhibited or repelled when it attempts to infect the plant. Dr. Jim Linden, microbiologist, Colorado State University, received a Colorado Institute for Research in Biotechnology (CIRB) grant to study Aeroponics International's encapsulation technology as an elicitor delivery system. Linden's greenhouse study found that the EcoSeed matrix had no phytotoxic effect on tuber emergence and tuber set. Dr. Linden's laboratory is currently conducting assays to evaluate the influence of encapsulated elicitors on plant enzyme levels. Aeroponics International and Dr. Linden have applied for additional research grants to conduct further greenhouse studies involving controlled pathogen experiments on potatoes.

Research by Aeroponics International

During 1995 Aeroponics International tested the Ranger Russet EcoSeed in the field to study the effect of encapsulation on Rhizoctonia Stem Cankering. The plot was located at the Colorado State University Horticultural Farm located near Ft. Collins. Data indicates a statistically significant reduction in the percentage of stem area cankered for the encapsulated seedpiece treatments versus non-encapsulated mini tubers. Important additional research and development efforts are being directed at determining optimum concentration of elicitors in the encapsulant material and studies to further improve the shelf life of encapsulated mini tubers. The selected data included herein point to substantial agreement between Aeroponics International's preliminary results and published research mentioned earlier.

Third Party Field Verification

A field plot located in Southern Idaho was sponsored by Aeroponics International in 1995. Mini tubers were encapsulated with elicitors and compared against non-encapsulated mini tubers. Dr. Gary Beaver, Southern Idaho Agricultural Researchers & Consultants, found a statistically significant reduction of Rhizoctonia Stem Cankering. Dr. Gary D. Franc of University of Wyoming collected data from a similar field study using encapsulated R. Norkotah mini tubers versus nonencapsulated mini tubers in 1996. The data collected by Dr. Franc further indicates statistically significant reduction in Rhizoctonia Stem Cankering Dr. Cecil Stushnoff, Director of Biotechnology, Colorado State University who is familiar with the company's efforts, said that EcoSeed is revolutionary and has the potential to change the way plants are grown. Dr. Monty Harrison, Professor Emeritus, CSU, a member of Aeroponics International's science advisory board, has reviewed the data and concurs that EcoSeed technology has great potential value for the potato industry.

Rapid Propagation BioTechnology (RPB)

Aeroponics International also holds patent rights for an Aeroponic method and apparatus developed by Richard Stoner for greenhouse crop production. It utilizes an enclosed pulsed application of a hydro-atomized nutrient mist for rapid propagation of plants from cuttings. The technology was originally marketed by Genisis Technology, of Boulder, CO. There are over 1,500 installations of the Genisis Aeroponic technology worldwide. Stoner left Genisis in 1986 and acquired the patent rights in 1988. The original Genisis Aeroponic system has been significantly improved and redesigned for mini tuber production by Stoner since 1989. The improvements virtually replace in vitro and greenhouse Manitoba production. Micro propagation specialists and other plant scientists who have observed this "new generation" of Aeroponics, called RPB by Aeroponics International, concur that it represents a novel and totally new approach to Manitoba production. RPB is expected to be 600% to 1400% more productive per sq. ft. compared to current greenhouse micro propagation. The company plans to patent RPB and sell mini tubers to the potato industry. The company's strategic business plan anticipates offering encapsulated RPB mini tubers as EcoSeeds at prices competitive with traditional mini tubers.

Future Plans

There are no products currently on the market that are designed to stimulate molecular level defense mechanisms in plants to control fungus pathogens. It is Aeroponics International's goal to offer this same disease control strategy to other major crops such as sugar beets, barley, beans, and other large seeded vegetables. There is a broad potential application for EcoSeed technology in commercial agriculture and also among the millions of home gardeners.  Aeroponics International plans to explore the feasibility of licensing its technologies to other seed production companies and other agribusiness firms.

[1] The presence of a thaumatin-like protein, a ase and a glucanase among the pathogenesis related proteins of potato (Solanum tuberosum). Physiol. and Mol. Plant Pathol. 36:325-338

[2] Induction of ases and b- 1,3-glucanases in Rhizoctonia solani-infected rice plants: Isolation of an infection-related ase DNA clone. Physiol. Plant 97: 39-46

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