Presentation Summary

Gary E. Harman, Professor, Cornell University, Geneva, NY 14456, and Vice President for Technology Development, BioWorks, Inc., Geneva, NY USA email: gary_harman@cornell.edu

Biocontrol has been demonstrated to be effective in controlling plant pests for at least the last 70 years as judged by publication in research journals. Yet it has not become a substantial part of commercial pest control practices in commercial agriculture in spite of obvious and perceived advantages in safety and lack of environmental impact. Reasons for this lack of use will be the topic of this presentation.

This presentation will deal primarily with commercial products for biocontrol, with an emphasis on microbial-based biocontrol. Different paradigms and concepts are necessary for biocontrol measures that are not sold, such as single-release predators and development of cultural practices leading to increasing levels of beneficial microbes. Two principal reasons for the lack of use of biocontrol are rooted in paradigms and mind sets that are inimical to success in the commercialization of biocontrol products. These are listed below:

1. Chemical vs. biological paradigms of use

2. Academic vs. commercial mindsets – the "valley of death."

The first paradigm problem has been discussed and cursed in numerous papers and talks, but the second requires some explanation. Unlike many or most other technologies currently employed in agriculture, biocontrol in most aspects has been developed in academe. Academic scientists have very little concept (even though we don't realize this in many cases) of what makes sense commercially, i.e., how to conduct research with a view to development of a product that can be successful in the marketplace. As a consequence, there is a tremendous gulf or "valley of death" (wording from the OTA report Biologically Based Technologies for Pest Control). Products and technologies that are used in commercial agriculture must bridge this valley. In the author's view, this is more difficult than development of biocontrol technology that works for a specific use.

As an aside, in academe we do a poor job of preparing students for success in an increasingly commercial world. We should provide at least an overview of business and legal concepts critical for them to function in either academic or corporate settings.

The presentation will provide concepts and examples for bridging the gulf between publication-quality research and commercial usefulness. It will consider where the action is commercially (mostly small to medium sized newer companies), requirements for commercial biocontrol technologies and regulatory requirements and impediments to adoption of biocontrol.

However, most of the focus of the presentation will be on product concepts that make sense for biocontrol. Included in this discussion will be considerations of market forces, including cost efficiency, production requirements, user requirements, and marketing and educational efforts necessary for successful introduction of biocontrol products. Further, biologicals make sense in some cases but not in others. Examples of product concepts from the author's experience that work, and others that failed, will be presented. For example, it is reasonable to attempt to commercialize biocontrol, if they are cost- and biologically-effective, (a) where they can replace chemicals lost to regulatory actions or pest resistance, (b) in pesticide-sensitive applications such as in the home and garden or on golf courses or other public areas, (c) where biologicals accomplish tasks not possible for chemical pesticides such as long-term control of root diseases, and (d) organic applications. However, it is likely to be fruitless to attempt to commercialize biocontrol in applications where effective conventional pesticides are cheaper and more effective than biocontrol, and where environmental or public health advantages of biologicals are not primary considerations for the purchasers of alternative products.

Finally, it is apparent that the genome of biocontrol microbes is a treasure-trove that only now is beginning to be utilized. The genes and gene products produced by beneficial microbes have evolved to provide highly effective natural products that can be increasingly exploited. Chemical pesticides based on microbial and plant metabolites already are being used commercially and marketed by large agribusiness concerns. The genes likely will be used in a variety of applications, including production of transgenic plants with high levels of resistance. The use of Bt genes in new transgenic plants already is highly successful and other genes will be used soon.

Biocontrol, in its various forms, almost surely will become an important component of agricultural pest control technology in the near future.

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