This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I program will evaluate a fungal organism as a mycoherbicide for control of dandelion in the turf. Because of significant growth in the turf grass industry and the subsequent increase in use of chemical herbicides, this technology can have impact to lessen environmental issues surrounding pesticide use, especially in areas of high public contact such as golf courses, athletic venues and home lawn areas. The fungal isolate has proven effective in preliminary testing and this Phase I program would expand on current results in the areas of host range, application timing, scale up technologies and compatibility with current turf management scenarios. A product based on this technology will offer a product to homeowners who are concerned about pesticide applications; to golf course managers who are under strict regulations; and to other turf markets (e.g. parks, athletic areas) where decreased dependence on chemical pesticides are desirable. And, because of the public nature of turf venues, the technology will create much broader impacts for the consuming public through the overall reduction of chemical pesticide applications and by providing for a much needed alternative in weed control strategies. OBJECTIVES: In this USDA SBIR Phase I project, Agricultural Research Initiatives, Inc. (ARI), in cooperation with BioSolutions, Inc. will evaluate the feasibility of using a fungal isolate as a mycoherbicide to control dandelion in turf. The isolate, in preliminary testing, has proven effective under a range of conditions, is easy to work with and is amenable to scale up. This research will lay the groundwork in the area of scale-up production, optimization of environmental conditions, application timing and regulatory compliance for the proposed technology. Success here will enable commercialization to move forward expeditiously in all pertinent areas. The specific objectives to complete this project are to 1) Evaluate host range of the Acremonium isolate on biotypes of dandelion, other broadleaf weeds of interest and non-target broadleaves; 2) Evaluate irrigation and fertilization programs on efficacy of Acremonium isolate; 3) Evaluate synergistic combinations of the Acremonium isolate with minimal concentrations of traditional chemical herbicides; 4) Evaluate scale-up production of the Acremonium isolate using traditional seed and down stream fermentation techniques; 5) Evaluate dried formulations of the Acremonium isolate through application and shelf-life studies; 6) Evaluate economic, marketing and Phase III sponsor potential; and 7) Prepare and submit final report
