Entomopathogenic Fungi for Corn Rootworm Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling corn rootworms are either partially effective, costly, or result in yield penalties, with genetically modified corn showing resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxins and chemical pesticides having limited reach and environmental concerns.

Innovation Solution

Applying Beauveria bassiana strain ARSEF 2579 or Metarhizium pingshaence strain ARSEF 5197 fungi, alone or in combination with Trichoderma afroharzianum and Trichoderma atroviride, to corn seeds or soil to control corn rootworms, promoting an endophytic lifestyle that enhances root protection without yield penalties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If genetically modified corn resistant to Bacillus thuringiensis toxins is used, then corn rootworm control is improved, but CRW resistance to these toxins is developing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorn rootworm control effectivenessVSAvoidCRW resistance development

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of CRW feeding damage into a beneficial outcome by allowing the fungus to infect and kill the larvae. The larvae's feeding activity creates wounds that facilitate fungal entry, transforming the pest's harmful behavior into the mechanism for its own control through entomopathogenic fungal infection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces entomopathogenic fungi as an intermediary agent between the crop and the pest. Instead of direct chemical or genetic confrontation, the fungi serve as a biological mediator that naturally infects and controls CRW populations, providing sustainable pest management without selecting for resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If chemical pesticides are applied to control corn rootworms, then pest damage is reduced, but environmental concerns and limited reach increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepest damage controlVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical pesticide application with a biological control system using entomopathogenic fungi. This substitution eliminates the environmental harm associated with synthetic chemicals while maintaining pest control effectiveness through natural fungal-pathogen interactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The fungal spores applied to seeds or soil self-propagate and self-regulate to control pest populations. The fungi naturally infect CRW larvae through feeding wounds, eliminating the need for repeated chemical applications and reducing environmental burden while providing sustained protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If current corn rootworm control methods are used, then some level of protection is achieved, but crop yields are reduced due to cost and yield penalties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverootworm protectionVSAvoidcrop yield

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies fungal spores to corn seeds before planting or to the soil before crop emergence, establishing protective fungal populations in advance. This preliminary action ensures that fungi are present and active when CRW larvae hatch and begin feeding, providing protection without the yield penalties associated with chemical pesticides or genetically modified varieties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The fungal treatment significantly reduces corn rootworm damage, increases crop yields, and is cost-effective, even in low infestation scenarios, with Beauveria bassiana strain ARSEF 2579 showing synergistic benefits when combined with Trichoderma species, effectively controlling both larvae and adult beetles.

Implementation Method 1

The fungi can infect the corn rootworm through wounds created during feeding and colonize the body cavity causing death of the larval form

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEntomopathogenic fungal infection:

Implementation Method 2

The hyphae then bore through the cuticle using an enzymatic hydrolysis mechanism to penetrate the body cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzymatic hydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

The fungi attach as spores to the external body surface of the insect. Under the proper temperature and humidity conditions these spores then germinate and grow as hyphae

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpore attachment and germination: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS11968982B2Corn rootworm biological control

Publication Date: 2024.04.30 AGRAUXINE CORP

AI summary

Disclosed is a method for controlling corn rootworm damage to corn comprising the step of applying to a corn seed from 103 to 106 colony forming units of one of Beauveria bassiana strain ARSEF 2579 (BF503), Metarhizium pingshaence strain ARSEF 5197 (BF517) or mixtures thereof. Another aspect of the present disclosure comprises further combining either BF503 or BF517 with the fungi Trichoderma afroharzianum strain K2 (ATCC PTA-9708) plus Trichoderma atroviride strain K4 (ATCC PTA 9707) and applying it to corn seeds. Another aspect of the present disclosure comprises applying at least one of the BF503 or BF517 to a field planted with corn, with the fungi applied into the seed zone. In another aspect of the present disclosure the same field is further treated with both Trichoderma afroharzianum strain K2 (ATCC PTA-9708) plus Trichoderma atroviride strain K4 (ATCC PTA 9707) into the seed zone.