Bacterial Control of Fusarium Dry Rot of Potatoes

Technology Description:

The invention relates to the discovery of 18 naturally-occurring bacterial isolates that demonstrate efficacy in controlling Fusarium dry rot in stored potatoes. More recently, it has been discovered that certain pairings of these organisms are particularly effective. Fusarium dry rot can cause more than $250 million dollars damage annually to potatoes in storage, with the level of infected tubers in storage reaching 60% in some cases. The causative agent of this disease, Fusarium sambucinum, has recently been found to have high levels of resistance to thiabendazole (TBZ), the only chemical registered for postharvest treatment. The technology is applicable to companies engaged in potato storage or in supplying the potato industry with potato preservative agents.

Reference:

Please refer to Patent Number 5,783,411, "Bacterial Control of Fusarium Dry Rot of Potatoes," which issued on July 21, 1998, and is a division of Patent Number 5,552,315, which issued on September 3, 1996.

Inventor:

Rodney J. Bothast Fermentation Biochemistry Research USDA-ARS-NCAUR Peoria, IL  61604 (309) 681-6566	David Schisler Fermentation Biochemistry USDA-ARS-NCAUR Peoria, IL 61604 (309) 681-6284 / Fax: (309) 681-6686
Patricia J. Slininger Crop Bioprotection Research USDA-ARS-NCAUR Peoria, IL  61604 (309) 681-6596 / Fax: (309) 681-6693 slininpj@ncaur.usda.gov