Success Story
Biopesticide Demonstration Grant
Program (BDGP)
Established in 2003, the Biopesticide
Demonstration Grant Program (BDGP) is a
pesticide risk reduction partnership program
coordinated by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). The BDGP, an mteragency
agreement between EPA and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA)/Interregional Research Project
#4 (IR-4), funds and administers a competitive
grants program for field demonstrations of registered
biopesticides used within Integrated Pest Management
(IPM) systems. The field demonstrations are designed
to increase awareness of effective options for integrating
biologically-based technologies into existing crop products
systems, as well as promote the use of novel combinations
of biopesticides to enhance product performance. Since
its inception, more than 50 projects—encompassing over
25 different biopesticides and 20 different crops—have
received funding through BDGP.
Three field demonstrations funded by the BDGP
are briefly described below. These projects illustrate
that biopesticides can be ideal tools for both disease
control and resistance management—with little or no
environmental impact.
Managing Dollar Spot in Turfgrass - Bacillus
lichenformis
EcoGuard™ is a liquid biofungicide containing spores of
the bacterium Bacillus lichenformis. Bacillus lichenformis
is a common soil microorganism that contributes
to nutrient cycling and displays antifungal activity.
Researchers at Mississippi State University tested the
efficacy of EcoGuard in the control dollar spot on a
Tif-green bermudagrass putting green. Dollar spot,
which is caused by the fungus Sclerotima homoeocarpa,
is most common from spring through early summer, and
from late summer through early fall. In low-cut turf, the
disease appears as small sunken patches of tan-to-brown
turf. On dewy mornings, white, cobwebby fungal growth
is sometimes visible on the turf.
EcoGuard™ was applied to turf as a stand-alone treatment
and in combination with the traditional fungicide
chlorothaloml. Overall, the researchers found that the
biofungicide reduced chemical input and fungal resistance,
and provided a level of control of dollar spot that was
comparable to traditional fungicides. Based on counts
of infection centers, dollar spot symptoms were reduced
66% to 95% with the use of EcoGuard™.
Managing Leaf Drop Disease in Lettuce
- Con/othyr/um m/n/tans
In a two year study, the researchers at the University of
Arizona tested the efficacy of ContansR in combating leaf
drop on lettuce caused by the fungi Sclerotima minor and
S. sclerotiorum. The incidence of the disease is highest
when cool to mild and moist conditions exist—from
December through early March—in western Arizona
lettuce fields. After lettuce drop occurs, the resting bodies
of Sclerotima remain in soil. These resting bodies, called
sclerotia, can remain viable for several years and germinate
when lettuce is planted again to initiate lettuce drop.
.epa.gov/pestwise
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Contans is a granular biopesticide composed of spores
of the naturally occurring fungus Comothyrmm mmitans,
which feed on the sclerotia.
Field trials with sclerotia of S. minor and S. sclerotormm
were conducted using the Contans R:
• Alone,
• In combination with another biofungicide, Serenade®
(Bacillus sub tills), and
• In combination with the traditional fungicide
Endura (boscalid).
Applications were made to the soil when the lettuce
(cultivar Wiinterhaven) was sown and thinned. The
researchers found that the Contans R, used either alone
or with Serenade® or Endura™, can reduce lettuce drop
caused by S. Sclerotiorum by up to 78%,
Managing Codling Moth in Apples -
Pheromone-Based Mating Disruption and
Granulosis Virus
A team of researchers from Michigan State University,
Gerber Products Company, and Pacific Biocontrol
Corporation conducted a multi-year project involving
area-wide management of codling moth in apples using:
• Hand-held and aerially applied mating disruption
formulations,
• The granulosis viruses Cyd-X and Virosoft CP4, and
• The limited use of reduced-risk and traditional
pesticides.
The codling moth, which was brought to America from
Asia Minor over 200 years ago, causes injury to apples
from the larvae that tunnel their way into the fruit to feed.
At the end of their growth spurt, they exit the fruit and
drop to the ground, seeking shelter for the winter so they
can start the whole process again. Second-generation lar-
vae are responsible for most of the damage to the apples.
In the first year of the study, over 800 acres of contiguous
apple trees were managed, with an additional 1,300
acres added in the second year. Catches from over 300
pheromone traps set up within the area-wide project were
monitored weekly and orchards were visually inspected
for codling moth injured fruit during the first and second
generations and at harvest. The initial two years of the
study proved highly successful, with codling moth injury
to fruit approximately 87% lower in area-wide orchards
at harvest, compared to non-pheromone treated (non-
disrupted) orchards outside of the project. Area-wide
orchards incorporating moth virus sustained 4.2% fruit
injury compared to 77% fruit injury in non-disrupted
orchards outside of the project.
The project results were distributed to growers, industry,
and scientists through a variety of local, state-wide, and
national efforts, including:
• A display at a local farm supply store,
• Updates at weekly breakfast meetings,
• Publication in newsletters, and
• Presentations at key venues.
Due to the high visibility of the demonstration project,
the use of mating disruption in Michigan has increased
four to five-fold from 2003 to 2005.
For more information on the Biopesticide
Demonstration Grant Program, please visit
www.epa.gov/pestwise/biodemo
contact Diana Home of the US. EPA at
diana@epa.gov.
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