ISHS Acta Horticulturae 336: II International Symposium on In Vitro Culture and Horticultural Breeding
ONE BIOTECH COMPANY'S SOLUTIONS TO TRADITIONAL AGRICHEMICAL PROBLEMS |
| Authors: | J.W. Fahey, J.L. Kelly, S.J. Kostka, D.L. Warkentin |
| Abstract:
Research at Crop Genetics International (CGI) is focused on the creation of biological crop protection products that are effective, cost competitive and compatible with the environment. The company's InStar™ division is developing manufacturing processes for viral insecticides. Naturally occurring insect viruses exhibit specificity against the intended pests and pose no human or environmental hazards. Initial efforts are concentrated on in vivo production systems for viruses targeting lepidopterous pests of various row and orchard crops. Field tests in 1991 demonstrated that the company's beet armyworm virus, Spod-X™, performs as well as or better than Bt-based insecticides, and has a field half-life of 7 to 11 days. The company's InCide• technology is designed to use genetically engineered plant inoculants to protect corn, rice and other major row crops from insects and fungi. The InCide• delivery systems that are being developed are proprietary plant "vaccine" systems in which seeds are inoculated with genetically engineered microorganisms. These microorganisms, which live and multiply within the growing plant's vascular system, are engineered to produce biopesticidal compounds that protect the plant against targeted insects or fungal diseases. Functioning within the plant, the InCide• delivery system is not degraded or dispersed by rain, sunlight, wind and other forces that limit the effectiveness of externally applied insecticides and fungicides. CGI's X-tend™ group is focused on developing weed control systems that combine biological and synthetic herbicidal agents. The broad spectrum systems being developed combine chemical herbicides, in amounts substantially lower than are currently applied, with selected naturally occurring bacterial plant pathogens. Applied as a mixture, the low doses of chemical herbicides stress the weeds, allowing the bacterial pathogens to kill the stressed weeds. The company's Kleentek• division has developed "disease-free" sugarcane seed products using advanced cell culture technologies. Traditionally, sugarcane growers used their own seedcane to replant their crops. However, these stalks or seedcane pass viral, fungal and bacterial diseases directly to the next season's crop. The use of certified Kleentek• seedcane for planting stock has permitted dramatic yield enhancements. | |
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