SBIR PHASE II: Regulation of Moisture and Thermal Microenvironments to Improve Mycoherbicides

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*** 9801183 Bryant This SBIR Phase II project will continue the Phase I effort that investigated the use of microencapsulated water and phase change materials (PCM) microcapsules to improve biological herbicides (mycoherbicides) and offer a safe, host-specific, affordable alternative to chemical herbicides. The Phase I project successfully addressed the potential of regulating both the temperature and moisture (extending dew period) on a plant leaf surface (phyllosphere), both vital to the effectiveness of mycoherbicides. The topics to be studied in Phase II include, but are not limited to: (a) optimization of the microPCM type and concentration, (b) optimization of the application and concentration of the water microcapsules, (c) investigation of the optimum types of application systems, including spraying equipment and surfactants, (d) measurement of leaf surface temperature and moisture in response to microencapsulated materials and the relation of this to effectiveness, (e) performing field test(s) with the microencapsulated materials and the target mycoherbicide, and (f) expanding the technology to additional candidate mycoherbicides. At the end of the proposed Phase II effort, it is anticipated that the microencapsulated materials will be characterized to the point where commercial applicability in the agricultural arena can be confidently undertaken for rapid development with our Phase III sponsors. Many promising mycoherbicides have not been developed because of critical environmental conditions in the field. Successful development of the microencapsulated materials would significantly improve existing mycoherbicides, renew the development of previously abandoned mycoherbicides, and create broad applications in agriculture and environmental systems in the herbicide industry, which currently has annual sales over of 7 billion dollars. ***