Seed rot caused by the fungus pythium ultimum is a major cause of crop loss in northern climates where cool planting seasons are common. Seeds are generally treated with the fungicides metalaxyl and captan (banned in germany) to prevent seed rot. A biotype of the bacteria pseudomonas aureofaciens -- ab 254 -- has performed as well as metalaxyl in preventing seed rot for sweet corn and beets, and, at times, for peas and beans. It appears th ep. Aureofaciens ab 254, perhaps in combination with other bacterial strains, can protect a range of other commercial crops. P. Aureofaciens is a saprophytic species, not known to be pathogenic, and ab 254 is inexpensive to produce. Questions on methods for bio-treatment of some crops and on large scale, commercial seed treatment processes using these bacteria remain. In this project Montana State University will extend ab 254 and related bio-types to equivalent chemical control performance for crops other than sweet corn. Bozeman bio-tech will define, simulate and test cost effective processes for large scale, commercial seed treatment with ab 254 and related bacteria application mechanisms, including consideration of bio-priming and bacterial coating with and without combined polymer/other coating constituents.
