Transgenic Strains for Biocontrol of Plant Root Diseases

Technology Description:

The invention involves the biological control of plant root diseases caused by the fungi, Rhizoctonia, Pythium, and Gaeumannomyces. A fluorescent Pseudomonas strain was genetically modified to produce an antibiotic that is effective against plant diseases caused by Rhizoctonia. However, the invention allows the altered Pseudomonas strain to retain the parent strain’s ability to produce a second antibiotic that is effective against diseases caused by the fungi Phythium and Gaeumannomyces. The genetically-altered Pseudomonas bacterium can be grown in fermentation and used as a seed coating, or applied directly to soil as a liquid spray. The invention specifically addresses root diseases that have a significant impact on worldwide production of small grain crops such as wheat, barley, triticale and rye.

Reference:

Please refer to Patent Number 6,277,625, "Transgenic Strains of Pseudomonas for Biocontrol of Plant Root Diseases," which issued August 21, 2001.

Inventors:

Linda S. Thomashow Root Disease/Biological Control Research Pullman, WA  99164 (509) 335-0930 / Fax: (509) 335-7674 thomasho@mail.wsu.edu	David M. Weller (Same as first inventor) (509) 335-6210 / Fax: (509) 335-7674 wellerd@mail.wsu.edu
Dmitri V. Mavrodi (Same as first inventor)	R. James Cook (Same as first inventor)
Zhengyu Huang Carmel, Indiana	Jos M. Raaijmakers Bennekom