Berberine for antimicrobial applications in horticulture

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The proposed research at Carleton University will examine the potential applications for berberine as an antimicrobial for use in horticulture and greenhouse industries. As briefly described under "Research Project" below, the research has 3 primary goals: 1) to determine the antimicrobial efficacy of berberine against selected plant pathogens with comparisons to and in combination with commercial antimicrobials, 2) to evaluate the diversity of plant pathogenic species that are susceptible to berberine, and 3) to quantify the effect of berberine on the growth and development of diverse plant species. The primary commercial objectives of the study are to assess the potential value of berberine to: 1) prevent or remediate microbial contamination in tissue culture media and hydroponics, 2) act as an 'organic' seed dressing to protect against seed storage losses and damping-off disease in germinated seedlings, and 3) inhibit foliar and root-associated pathogens.