STTR Phase I: Development of a novel BioNematicide to control soybean cyst nematode

本小型企业技术转让（STTR）一期项目拟开发一种新型生物杀线虫剂来防治大豆中的大豆囊线虫（SCN）。在广泛的初步研究中，这种生物杀线虫剂控制了几个阶段的线虫，包括高达90%的囊肿（SCN感染的主要接种源）。该分离物还能在广泛的土壤温度范围内控制SCN和SCN小种（生物型），这表明SCN对分离物的抗性将是最小的后果。该项目的总体目标是：1)演示并确定该技术应用的现场参数；2)评估最终商业生产的规模化生产方案。该项目的优势是通过一个强大的公共和私人联盟的合作努力，利用非常多样化的专业知识。该联盟为设计和实施现场和实验室测试以及营销（及相关）策略提供了一个极好的框架，以使项目成功。结果将为快速商业化提供数据和结构。该项目的广泛影响/商业潜力在于，SCN是世界上最重要的大豆病虫害之一。大多数化学杀线虫剂已被去除或很少使用，抗性品种继续分解为SCN生物型，由于适用作物的经济和环境限制，在大多数地区轮作是不可行的。基于这些因素，该技术一旦商业化，将对市场产生重大影响。仅在美国，就有5000万英亩的大豆（而且还在增长）感染了SCN，每年给农民造成的损失估计为15亿美元。而且，由于该产品的环保（或“绿色”）和可持续性，该技术将通过全面减少化学农药的使用，并为大豆囊肿管理提供急需的选择，为消费大众创造更广泛的影响。这一主要害虫急需有效、可持续的防治方法，从而创造巨大的市场机会和社会效益。

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project proposes to develop a novel bionematicide to control soybean cyst nematode (SCN) in soybeans. In wide-ranging preliminary research, this bionematicide controlled several nematode stages, including up to 90% of cysts (the primary inoculum source for SCN infestations). The isolate also controls SCN over a broad range of soil temperatures and SCN races (biotypes), indicating that resistance to the isolate by SCN will be of minimal consequence. The overall objectives of this project are to 1) demonstrate and determine field parameters for application of the technology and 2) evaluate scale-up production protocol(s) for eventual commercial production. The advantage of the project is supported through the collaborative efforts of a strong public and private alliance utilizing very diverse professional expertise. This alliance provides an excellent framework to design and implement field and laboratory testing as well as marketing (and related) strategies to make the project successful. Results will provide data and structure for an expeditious commercialization track.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is that SCN is one of the most economically important disease pest of soybeans in the world. Most chemical nematicides have been removed or are little used, resistant cultivars continue to break down to SCN biotypes, and crop rotation is not feasible in most areas due to economic and environmental constraints of applicable crops. Based on these factors the technology, once commercialized, will have a significant impact in the market. In the U.S. alone, there are 50,000,000 soybean acres (and growing) infested with SCN, costing farmers an estimated $1.5 billion annually. And, because of the environmentally (or "green") sound and sustainable nature of the product, 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 option in soybean cyst management. Effective, sustainable control methods such as outlined in this proposal are badly needed for this major pest creating a significant market opportunity as well as societal benefits.