Alleviation of corn rootworm damage with microbial seed treatments

Abstract

Corn rootworms are potentially devastating pests in corn production, especially in the corn belt of the United States. The microbial tools developed provide abilities to endophytically colonize plant roots. These endophytic microbes can be applied as seed treatments or in numerous other ways that allow them to colonize plant roots where they provide systemic beneficial changes in the plant physiology. Treatment with Trichoderma organisms on seeds alleviated damage on roots, even though the number of corn rootworm larvae on roots were not reduced.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 479,074, filed Mar. 30, 2017; U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 479,080, filed Mar. 30, 2017; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 479,084, filed Mar. 30, 2017. The entire contents of these applications is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]This disclosure relates to the control of corn rootworms using microbial seed treatments.BACKGROUND ART[0003]Corn rootworms (“CRW”) (Diabrotica spp.) are potentially devastating pests in corn production, especially in the corn belt of the United States. Damage exceeds $1 billion per year. Eggs of the pest are deposited in soils in the summer and over winter to hatch in late May or early June. They begin to feed on corn roots and go through three larval instars during their feeding on roots. After feeding for several weeks they molt and the adults winged versions emerge into corn fields. The adults (known as c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes research on products called SABREX and GRAPHEX that improve plant performance. SABREX is meant for use with corn, and GRAPHEX is a lubricant for soybeans. The goal is to provide better root development in agriculture. The methods and compositions described in the patent are designed to promote root development and improve plant performance.

Problems solved by technology

Corn rootworms (“CRW”) (Diabrotica spp.) are potentially devastating pests in corn production, especially in the corn belt of the United States.

Damage exceeds $1 billion per year.

The adults (known as cucumber beetles) feed on corn pollen and silks and may damage silks in conditions of heavy infestation and prevent pollination.

They also eat leaves of corn and other crops, and they may carry viruses that infect and damage cucumbers.

The primary and greatest damage by these insects is from feeding on corn roots.

Further, nematode damage to roots can cause a significant increase in root damage and function.

Damage to root function not only reduces yields under ideal conditions, but especially under stressful conditions (e.g. drought or soil compaction) the effects are even more devastating.

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