Abstract: The present invention describes a composition which includes a binder, a pigment, an insect toxicant, an insect feeding stimulant or a toxicant regeneration enhancer, and an ingredient which is both a filler and a thickener. The composition may be applied to a solid substrate to reproduce an article of manufacture which is both attractive and toxic to insect pests and therefore useful for insect control.

Abstract: Karnal bunt of wheat is caused by Tilletia indica Mitra. Recently, teliospores morphologically resembling T. indica were isolated from bunted ryegrass seeds and wheat seed washes. Previously developed PCR assays failed to differentiate T. indica from the newly discovered ryegrass pathogen, T. walkeri. The nucleotide sequence of a 2.3-kb region of mitochondrial DNA, previously amplified by PCR only from T. indica, was determined for three isolates of T. indica and for three isolates of T. walkeri. There was greater than 99% identity within either the T. indica group or the T. walkeri group of isolates, whereas there was approximately 3% divergence between isolates of these two Tilletia species. Five sets of PCR primers were made specific to T. indica, and three sets were designed specifically for T. walkeri based upon nucleotide differences within the mtDNA region.

Abstract: Biodegradable, agricultural mulches are prepared by coating paper with a cross-linked drying oil or a cross-linked, functionally modified drying oil. These mulches are inexpensive to produce, and are also water-resistant, mechanically stable and highly effective as weed barriers. The reactivities of various drying oils permit the development of a broad spectrum of coating systems and coating properties. In one embodiment of the invention, it is contemplated to complete cross-linking of coated paper in the field through either oxidative or photoinitiated processes.

Abstract: Microbial antagonists that will suppress Fusarium head blight (head scab) in cereals, particularly in wheat and barley have been identified. Two superior antagonists include NRRL B-30210 and NRRL B-30211.

Abstract: Compositions of the invention are produced by blending hydroxy-functional polyesters with proteins at elevated temperatures. These compositions can be shaped into articles by known processes such as extrusion, compression molding, and injection molding. Among articles that can be made from such compositions are those with sufficiently strong tensile strengths as to form disposable utensils. However, the compositions are more environmentally friendly than commodity plastics such as polyethylene or polystyrene.

Abstract: The compound 7,10,12-trihydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic acid (TOD) has been produced by bioconversion of ricinoleic acid by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PR3. TOD and derivatives thereof are useful for controlling biological organisms, such as fungi and insects.

Abstract: A novel antifungal compound, “CAY-1”, was isolated from the dried fruit of Capsicum frutescens (cayenne pepper), purified to homogeneity, and characterized as a novel sterol glycoside (a saponin) with a molecular mass of 1243.35 Da. CAY-1 demonstrates antifungal activity against a large variety of fungal organisms associated with diseases in plants, animals and humans including, but not limited to, Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. parasiticus, A. niger, Pneumocystis carnii and Candida albicans, but has minimal toxic effects on mammalian cells.

Abstract: Formulations containing spores of non-toxigenic strains of fungi are useful biocontrol agents for preventing toxin contamination in agricultural commodities, especially those for human and animal consumption such as peanuts, corn and cotton. These formulations include spores mixed with vegetable oil and applied to dry grain. Diatomaceous earth is added to the spore, oil and grain mixture to form a flowable formulation.

Abstract: The present invention describes a composition which includes a binder, a pigment, an insect toxicant, an insect feeding stimulant or a toxicant regeneration enhancer, and an ingredient which is both a filler and a thickener. The composition may be applied to a solid substrate to reproduce an article of manufacture which is both attractive and toxic to insect pests and therefore useful for insect control.

Abstract: A novel vaccine for immunizing animals against Pasteurella haemolytica infection is disclosed. The vaccine is composed of whole killed cells of P. haemolytica in a dosage effective to immunize an animal against the organism, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The killed cells of P. haemolytica are produced by irradiating viable cells with ultraviolet light for a sufficient period of time to kill the cells.

Abstract: A termite control system kit. A several step process starts with taking a tube with a removal cap at one end, such as a two to four inch PVC tube, and filling the inner chamber with a food source such as rolled cardboard. The tube is then placed with its open end adjacent to a termite population so that live termites can then enter the entrance/exit of the tube to reach the food source. Once termites are inside the tube, the cap is removed from the tube, and a non-edible foraging matrix, such as a disc of loose soil and or sand that is treated with a slow acting and non-repellant toxicant, is placed between the food source in the chamber and the termite entrance/exit of the chamber. Slow acting and non-repellent toxicants can be non-immediate lethal doses of fipronil, chlorfenapyr, imidacloprid, and chlorpyrifos.

Abstract: A method and composition has been discovered for repelling ants by treating objects or areas with effective amounts of compositions that includes at least one C3-C10 dicarboxylic acid diester and a carrier.

Abstract: A variable-rate, digitally controlled fluid metering device having an electronically controlled 3-way valve, a fluid reservoir, a float valve, a check valve and a pressure relief valve that accurately delivers low flow volumes. The flow rate of the device is the product of reservoir volume and pulse rate when the cycle is long enough to fill and empty the reservoir and is a linear combination of cycle time when the cycle is short enough that the reservoir does not fill or empty completely. This device allows the use of large orifice emitters for delivering low flow rates of fluids, which allows the use of lower quality fluids and/or reduces filtration steps and clogging of emitters.

Abstract: This invention provides a vaccine for protecting swine against influenza virus by administration of an attenuated recombinant vaccinia virus containing inserts of the hemagglutinin (HA) and nucleoprotein (NP) genes of influenza virus, which express the hemagglutinin and nucleoprotein proteins.

Abstract: Recombinant bacteria are disclosed which are transformed with heterologous DNA coding for alcohol dehydrogenase (adh) and pyruvate decarboxylase (pdc), and which are effective for use in the production of ethanol, but which do not require the presence of antibiotics in the culture medium to maintain genetic stability and high ethanol productivity. These recombinant bacteria are produced using mutant host strains which are substantially deficient in the ability to fermentatively reduce pyruvate. When grown in an anaerobic environment, the recombinant pyruvate mutants transformed with the adh and pdc genes are genetically stable, maintaining the inserted genes and ethanol productivity even in the absence of antibiotics.

Abstract: Recombinant proteins have been developed for the immunization of animals against cryptosporidiosis. The proteins are effective for the immunization of a variety of animals against Cryptosporidium parvum, particularly for the production of hyperimmune colostrum that may be used to confer passive immunity against the parasite. Isolated DNA sequences which encode these proteins have also been developed. The DNA sequences may be inserted into recombinant DNA molecules such as cloning vectors or expression vectors for the transformation of cells and the production of the proteins.

Abstract: Transgenic fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. are described which have a biosynthetic locus which encodes for the production of the antibiotic phenazine-1-carboxylic acid stably introduced into the genome, have a locus which encodes for the production of the antibiotic 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol, and are effective for control of diseases caused by the soil-borne fungus, Rhizoctonia. Strains are also described which control diseases caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis or Pythium, in addition to Rhizoctonia, or have the ability to control all three diseases.

Abstract: An M. paratuberculosis gene referred to as hspX provides a useful target region for the construction of suitable probes and primers that are species-specific for distinguishing M. paratuberculosis from related mycobacteria in a test sample. M. paratuberculosis is the causative agent of Johne's disease and has been isolated from human patients with Crohn's disease.

Abstract: A hybridoma cell line has been produced for secreting a monoclonal antibody that binds ractopamine and is effective to detect ractopamine levels of about 1 ng/mL or lower. This monoclonal antibody may be used for the detection and quantitative determination of trace amounts of ractopamine in samples, especially in animal tissue, body fluids and feed material.

Abstract: Methods for the biological control of kudzu (Pueraria lobata) using the fungus Myrothecium verrucaria have been developed. In typical applications, conidia of the fungus are applied by means of a liquid surfactant to kudzu in amounts effective to produce plant lesions which kill or suppress the kudzu. A strain of M. verrucaria is on deposit with the Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La., and with the patent collection of the International Mycological Institute in surrey, UK, where it has been assigned deposit number IMI 368023.