Patent Number: 7001755
Docket Number: 8303
Serial Number: 10391407
Date Patented: 02/21/2006

Technology Description: ARS scientists have discovered four yeasts and one bacterium that suppress the plant disease Fusarium head blight (FHB). Fusarium head blight is a fungal disease that can occur on all small grain crops, and is caused by Fusarium graminearum. Fusarium head blight results when the spore of the fungus germinates and infects developing kernels on the wheat head. Fusarium head blight not only reduces grain yield and quality, but is frequently associated with fungal toxins which are hazardous to the health of animals. The devastating effects of FHB on wheat and barley in humid, temperate production areas worldwide are expected to continue as agricultural practices favorable to disease development and a lack of adequate control measures continues to be the norm. All microbial strains of the invention are naturally occurring strains. Treating wheat heads during early flowering commonly reduces disease severity 40-60 percent. ARS’s invention reduces FHB on its own without additional costs or residues, typically associated with some registered fungicides. This technology provides a critically important tool for the integrated management of FHB. ARS’s invention can be applied by any conventional method to the surface of cereal heads, but is best when applied before flowering and/or the early stages of kernel development. References: Please refer to USPN 7,001,755 (Docket # 0083.03), "Bacillus Species NRRL B-30212  for Reducing Fusarium Head Blight in Cereals," which issued on February 21, 2006, and is a divisional of USPN 6,562,377 (Docket #0157.01), "Yeasts for Reducing Fusarium Head Blight in Cereals and Selection Thereof," which issued on May 13, 2003.  Foreign rights are not available.  Inventors: David A. Schisler   Fermentation Biochemistry Research Peoria, IL 61604 (309) 681-6284 / Fax: (309) 681-6427 schislda@ncaur.usda.gov Michael J. Boehm  Plant Pathology   Ohio State University Columbus, OH 43210 (614) 292-6807 / Fax: (614) 292-4455 Naseem I. Khan (Same as first inventor)