Agency:

Agricultural Research Service

August 8, 1996

The invention is a granular formulation of biocontrol agents which can be rehydrated to form a sprayable composition or applied in granular form. The primary components include a biocontrol agent, a water absorbing material, a membrane stabilization agent and a granulating agent. The formulation is clean and easy to handle. The invention has low toxicity and a longer shelf life than other formulations. The biocontrol agent can be any natural or synthetic material or organism which is pathogenic against a target pest. These biological controls include, bacteria, fungi, yeasts, viruses, microsporidians, protozoa, nematodes, plasmids, phages and DNA/RNA constructs. In the case of B.t., for example, vegetative cells, spores or proteinaceous crystals can be easily incorporated into the formula.

Paul C. Quimby	Jennifer L. Birdsall
USDA, ARS, RW&CR;	USDA, ARS, RW&CR;
Montana State University	Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717	Bozeman, MT 59717
(406) 994-4526	(406) 994-4526
(406) 994-4526 -- fax	(406) 994-4526 -- fax
William J. Connick Jr.	Anthony Caesar
USDA, ARS, SRRC	USDA, ARS, RW&CR;
1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd.	Montana State University
New Orleans, LA 70179	Bozeman, MT 59717
(504) 286-4511	(406) 994-4526
(504) 286-4367 -- fax	(406) 994-4526 -- fax

Industry Keywords:

environment, biocontrol, pesticide, biotechnology, formulation, starch graft, Super Slurper, gel, sucrose, disaccharides, trehalose, siliceous, diatomaceous earth, corn cob Super Slurper, gel, sucrose, disaccharides, trehalose, siliceous, diatomaceous earth, corn cob grits, granulated starch grits, granulated starch