United States             Office of Pesticides
        Environmental Protection      and Toxic Substances

        A9enCy	(H7501Q          540/FS-89-057
        Pesticide
        Fact Sheet
        Name Of Chemical: Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma polysporum
        Reason for Issuance:  Registration of New Biological Pesticide
        Date Issued:  July 1989
        Fact Sheet Number:  203
     Generic  Names:              Tr_ichoderma har_zianum (ATTC 20476) a
                                                       (ATTC 20475)
    Trade Name:                 Binab™  T

    EPA Shaughnessy  Codes:       128903 and  128902,  respectively

    Year of Initial
     Registration:              1989

    Pesticide Type:             Biofungicide

    U.S. and Foreign
     Producers:"                Binab™  USA, Inc.
                                c/o E.R. Butts International, Inc
                                555 Clinton Avenue
                               ..P.O. Box 3337
                                Bridgeport, CT  06605-U337
2 •   y.§.§_P§t ter_ns_and_Forniu la turns

    Application sites:  Mixtures of Trichoderma harzianum and
     £•  EolyjLRoium are proposed for use in the control of
     internal decay of wood utility poles, playground structures,
     and fence posts and for use in the control of decay of
     pruning wounds of ornamental, shade, and forest trees.

    Types of formulations:   28% pelleted end-use product (14% each
     active ingredient) and 33.2% wettable powder end-use'product
     (16.6% each active ingredient).

    Types and methods of application:   Pellets are placed in holes
     drilled into  wooden members followed by sealing of the holes
     with a vented plastic  plug.  Wettable powder formulation is
     mixed with water (1:2  v/v) and applied to pruning  wounds of
     trees with a  paint brush,  followed by application  of a wound
     sealant.

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    Application rates:   For pellets:   Three pellets/hole.   Holes
     are 3/8" diameter,  4 1/2" deep,  spaced 4"  apart  and placed
     2-4" above ground  level.   Product contains approximately
     1,400 pellets/pound.  For wettable powder:  Apply  1:2  mixture
     of product with water (v/v)  to cover  pruning wound.


3.   Science Findings

    Summary Science Statement:

    The toxicological data which  were submitted for  these  active
    ingredients included reports  of acute  oral  and hypersensitivity
    studies and a request for  waiver  of all other toxicological
    data requirements was made based  on the contention  that
    Triohoderma species  are widespread in  the environment  and
    are innocuous.   The  acute  oral toxicity/infectivity study and
    hypersensitivity study were classified as Core-minimum  and as
    such support registration  of  the  active ingredients.

    The species Trichoderma does  not  grow  at temperatures  above
    28°C and is not capable of growth in warm blooded animals or
    birds.  The proposed use patterns for  the products  would  not
    expose aquatic  wildlife to the fungi.   The  fungi  are not
    pathogenic to plants or insects.   Trichoderma species  are
    naturally occurring  in soils  throughout the world.   The
    proposed application sites and application  rates  would  not
    cause a detectable  increase over  naturally  occurring background
    levels.  There  would be no increased exposure to  any non-target
    wildlife of ecological concern.  The proposed uses  do  not pose
    a "may effect"  situation to any endangered  or threatened  animal
    or plant species.

    Data for environmental fate are not triggered under current
    requirements for the proposed products since the  organisms are
    naturally occurring  species and the results of initial  (Tier I)
    tests did not trigger the  need for additional testing.

    Chemical Characteristics:

         Color:           greyish beige
         Physical State:  powdered solid or pellet
         Odor:            moldy flour
         Density:         171  grams/liter  (WP);
                          650  grams/liter  (Pellets)
         pH:              5.4

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    Toxicological Characteristics;

         Acute effects:

         Acute oral toxicity  (mice):
              The acute oral  LDso toxicity of TUF (an extract from
              the Trichoderma strains) was greater than 4,000 mg/kg
              after 1 and 14  days.  The acute oral and subcutaneous
              LD5Q toxicities of trichodermin (antibiotic) in mice
             - were greater  than 1,000 mg/kg and 500-1,000 mg/kg
              respectively.

         Hypersensitivity study (Guinea pig):
              No sensitization occurred when Guinea pigs were
              dermally exposed to Trichoderma spores.

         Other Toxicity Testing:
              Additional toxicity testing was waived based upon
              submission of data or information:
                1.  which indicated that the fungi do not grow at
                    or near the body temperatures of mammals or birds
                2.  which demonstrated that no toxins or antibiotics
                    were produced in simulated use situations.
                3.  which showed that exposure to Trichoderma
                    strains has occurred in personnel working with
                    the fungi for times of up to 18 years with no
                    adverse toxicological effects.
                4.  which provides the criteria used to determine
                    the extent to which formulated preparations are
                    free from contaminating microorganisms.
                5.  which confirmed the exempt status of certain
                    inert ingredients.

    Ecological Characteristics

         Data on the ecological characteristics of the products
         were waived based upon the fact that the fungi will not
         grow at or near body temperatures of mammals or birds,
         that the fungi are ubiquitous in nature and that the use
         patterns are unlikely to result in additional exposure
         of aquatic organisms or other non-target wildlife of
         ecological concern.

4.  Benefits

    The use of Binab" T pellets will control internal decay of
    wood in utility poles, playground structures, and fence posts
    and may replace chemical  treatments for these uses to some
    extent.    The use of Binab1" T Wettable Powder will control
    decay of pruning wounds of ornamental, shade, and forest trees
    aiding in the maintenance of plant health and esthetic value
    of trees.

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5.  Tolerance Assessment

    The products will not be used in situations where tolerances
    are required.  Trees to be treated are limited to those which
    will not be used for food or feed production.

6.  Summary of Major Data Gaps

    No major data gaps exist for these active ingredients.
            •»
    Contact Person at EPA

    Susan T. Lewis
    Acting Product Manager (21)
    Fungicide-Herbicide Branch
    Registration Division (H-7505C)
    Environmental Protection Agency
    401 M St., SW.,
    Washington, D.C.  20460

DISCLAIMER:  The information presented in this Pesticide Fact Sheet
is for informational purposes only and may not be  used to fulfill
data requirements for pesticide registration and reregistration.

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&EFA
     United States
     Environmental Protection Agency
     Office of Pesticide Program (H7S04C)
     PMSD. Information Services Branch
     401 M Street. SW
     Washington. DC 20460 •
First-Class
Postage and Fees Paid
EPA
Permit No G-35
     Official Business
     Penalty for Private Use S300

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