Objective: USDA-ARS is currently looking for an industrial partner to help commercialize an innovative method to isolate and use bacteria to biologically control dry rot and sprouting in stored potatoes.

Overview: The annual U.S. potato crop is worth about $2 billion, and more than 70 percent of the crop is stored. Both fungal diseases and sprouting cause significant deterioration of stored potatoes. Crop losses attributed to Fusarium dry rot have been estimated to average 6 percent and to reach 25 percent, representing U.S. losses in the $100-400 million range. In addition to destroying potato tissues, this disease may also result in the accumulation of harmful toxins in infected tubers. Resistance to thiabendazole (TBZ), the only fungicide registered for postharvest use on tubers for human consumption, is now widespread among strains of Gibberella pulicaris (Fusarium sambucinum)-- the primary cause of dry rot in potato storages. Chemical sprout inhibitors are applied to more than 50 percent of potatoes to extend storage time. In the U.S., CIPC (1-methylethyl-3-chlorophenylcarbamate) is the only synthetic chemical registered for postharvest sprout control of stored potatoes, and it is the most widely used sprout inhibitor worldwide. Due to environmental and health safety concerns, the use of CIPC has become more restricted, and alternative sprout control methods are sought.

Related Technology: Researchers at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR), Peoria, Illinois, have developed and patented (USPN 5,783,411; USPN 5,552,315; and USPN 6,107,247) methods to isolate and use bacteria to control dry rot and sprouting in stored potatoes. These biocontrol agents are considered to be economically-feasible alternatives to chemical agents currently in use for this purpose.

Industry Type: The ideal partner would have expertise in the production and marketing of microbial agents for biological control of agricultural pests, the ability to contribute both intellectually and financially to the project, and be interested in licensing and marketing this new technology for the biological control of Fusarium dry rot and sprouting in potato storages.

Where: Mid West Area, USDA-ARS, NCAUR Crop Bioprotection Research Unit in Peoria, IL.

Laboratory Mission: The overall mission of the Crop Bioprotection Research Unit is to identify fundamental bioactivities naturally contributed by microbes, insects, and plants that facilitate or achieve bioprotection and to then design new biological methods, processes, and products that foster crop health.

If your company is interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact our regional technology transfer coordinator:

Dr. Renee Wagner
USDA-ARS-OTT
1815 N. University Street
Peoria, IL  61604
WagnerRM@ncaur.usda.gov