Ecoscience Corporation

University of Massachusetts

Ecoscience Laboratories, Inc.

Ecoorganics, Inc.

Haim B Gunner

Fernando Agudelo-Silva

David W Miller

William A Torello

Ming-Jung Coler

Carol Ann Johnson

Meir Broza

Vanessa F LeFevre

A composition comprising bacteria and an inert carrier is disclosed. The carrier can be porous, ceramic particles. The composition can also include a growth medium. Bacteria in such a composition can comprise a novel strain designated APM-1. APM-1 is a Gram-positive, aerobic, motile rod, and appears to be most closely related tospp. Also disclosed are methods for controlling mammalian fungal diseases and of using the disclosed compositions for controlling plant fungal diseases or for bioremediation.

Antifungal methods

A composition comprising bacteria and an inert carrier is disclosed. The carrier can be porous, ceramic particles. The composition can also include a growth medium. Bacteria in such a composition can comprise a novel strain designated APM-1. APM-1 is a Gram-positive, aerobic, motile rod, and appears to be most closely related tospp. Also disclosed are methods of using the disclosed compositions for controlling plant fungal diseases, for controlling mammalian fungal diseases, or for bioremediation.

Antifungal bacterium ATCC PTA-4838

The invention is a sprayable organic fertilizer for application to a plant or plant soil that includes denatured soybean particles having a total protein content of at least fifty and up to ninety percent by weight, wherein the denatured soybean particles have a particle size of no greater than 250 microns, and wherein the denatured soybean particles are dispersed in an adequate amount of a liquid carrier so that the particles may be evenly sprayed onto the plant or plant soil through a liquid applicator. The denatured soybean particles may be mixed with a yeast extract that stimulates microbial growth. The sprayable organic fertilizer cannot be leached from the soil; cannot burn target plants; enhances the ecosystem of the root zone of the target plants; and, provides a high nitrogen analysis.

Sprayable organic fertilizer

A infection chamber for control and extermination of insects, including roaches, flying insects such as the housefly, and other insects such as the adult form of the corn rootworm by infection of the insects with a fungus that can be pathogenic when administered to the insects in a sufficiently high concentration. The chamber maintains the spores of a fungus pathogenic to the insects in a viable form, protecting the fungi from the environment (including rain, ultraviolet light and the wind), serves as an attractant for the insects, and serves to inoculate the insects with high numbers of spores. Although the primary means of infection is by external contact, the insects may also be infected by contact with each other and by ingestion of the spores. The two most preferred entomopathogenic fungi are Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana, although other fungi can be used which are pathogenic when the insect is inoculated via the infection chamber. Examples demonstrate control of Blattella germanica (the German cockroach), Periplaneta americana (the American cockroach, Fannia canicularis (little housefly), Musca domestica (housefly), and Diabrotica undecempunctata using chambers containing Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana.

Device containing fungus for the biological control of insects

A convenient, economical, non-toxic and effective apparatus for the control of roaches by administration of entomopathogenic fungi to the cockroaches. The roaches are exposed to the fungi in a contamination chamber having openings through which the cockroaches enter and come in contact with a living culture of a fungus which is pathogenic to cockroaches. The fungal spores attach to the roach, germinate and penetrate into the body of the cockroach, resulting in the death of the infected roach. Death takes approximately two to three weeks after contact with the culture. During this time, the infected roach disseminates spores of the pathogenic fungus throughout the infested areas which may subsequently infect other roaches. Given the proper environmental conditions, the fungus sporulates on the cadaver of the roach and the conidia can be transmitted to other cockroaches, resulting in a further spread of the disease.

Device for the biological control of cockroaches

A method for control and extermination of flying insects, especially the housefly, by infection of the insects with an entomopathogenic fungus, preferably soil-dwelling fungi, by means of an infection chamber. The chamber maintains the spores of a fungus pathogenic to the insects in a viable form, serves as an attractant for the insects, and serves to inoculate the insects with high numbers of spores. The spores attach to the insects and originate germ tubes that penetrate into the insect, resulting in death within three to four days. The chamber design, i.e., shape and color, can be the sole attractants for the insects. Alternatively, food or scents can be used to further enhance the attraction of the insects for the chamber. Although the primary means of infection is by external contact with the fungal growth, the insects may also be infected by contact with each other and by ingestion of the spores.

Method and device for the biological control of flying insects

A convenient, economical, non-toxic and effective method and means for the control of roaches by administration of entomopathogenic fungi to the cockroaches. In the preferred embodiment, the roaches are exposed to the fungi by means of a contamination chamber having openings through which the cockroaches enter and come in contact with a living culture of a fungus which is pathogenic to cockroaches. The fungal spores attach to the roach, germinate and penetrate into the body of the cockroach, resulting in the death of the infected roach. Death takes approximately two to three weeks after contact with the culture. During this time, the infected roach disseminates spores of the pathogenic fungus throughout the infested areas which may subsequently infect other roaches. Given the proper environmental conditions, the fungus sporulates on the cadaver of the roach and the conidia can be transmitted to other cockroaches, resulting in a further spread of the disease.

Method and device for the biological control of cockroaches

A method for control and extermination of insects, including roaches, flying insects such as the housefly, and other insects such as the adult form of the corn rootworm by infection of the insects with a fungus that can be pathogenic when administered to the insects in a sufficiently high concentration, by means of an infection chamber. The chamber maintains the spores of a fungus pathogenic to the insects in a viable form, protecting the fungi from the environment (including rain, ultraviolet light and the wind), serves as an attractant for the insects, and serves to inoculate the insects with high numbers of spores. Although the primary means of infection is by external contact, the insects may also be infected by contact with each other and by ingestion of the spores. The two most preferred entomopathogenic fungi are Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana, although other fungi can be used which are pathogenic when the insect is inoculated via the infection chamber. Examples demonstrate control of Blattella germanica (the German cockroach), Periplaneta americana (the American cockroach, Fannia canicularis (little housefly), Musca domestica (housefly), and Diabrotica undecempunctata using chambers containing Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana.

Growing community of inventors

Amherst, MA, United States of America

Haim B Gunner