Patent Number: 6455036
Docket Number: 4196
Serial Number: 8695249
Date Patented: 09/24/2002

Technology Description: The invention is a granular formulation of biocontrol agents which can be rehydrated toform a sprayable composition or applied in granular form. The primary components include abiocontrol agent, a water absorbing material, a membrane stabilization agent and a granulatingagent. The formulation is clean and easy to handle. The invention has low toxicity and a longershelf life than other formulations. The biocontrol agent can be any natural or synthetic material ororganism which is pathogenic against a target pest. These biological controls include, bacteria,fungi, yeasts, viruses, microsporidians, protozoa, nematodes, plasmids, phages and DNA/RNAconstructs. In the case of B.t., for example, vegetative cells, spores or proteinaceous crystals canbe easily incorporated into the formula. Reference: Please refer to USPN 6,455,036 (Docket #0041.96), which issued on September 24, 2002.  Foreign rights are available. Inventors: Paul C. Quimby Jennifer L. Birdsall USDA, ARS, RW&CR USDA, ARS, RW&CR Montana State University Montana State University Bozeman, MT 59717 Bozeman, MT 59717 (406) 994-4526 (406) 994-4526 William J. Connick Jr. Anthony Caesar USDA, ARS, SRRC USDA, ARS, RW&CR 1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd. Montana State University New Orleans, LA 70179 Bozeman, MT 59717 (504) 286-4511 / Fax: (504) 286-4367 (406) 994-4526