Abstract: The present invention is drawn to isolates of Candida oleophila which are effective for the control of postharvest diseases in fruit and to biocontrol compositions which include such isolates. A method of utilizing the isolates to inhibit pathogens which cause postharvest diseases is also described. The organisms were isolated from the surface of tomato fruit and are useful for the control of a variety of fruit-rot pathogens in a variety of fruits.

Abstract: Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri is a quarantine organism under United States and International law because of the serious disease of citrus, citrus bacterial canker disease, which is caused by the organism. We have cloned, in vector pUC9, a 4.2-kb BamHI fragment of plasmid DNA from a typical strain of this pathogen and demonstrated that this DNA fragment specifically identifies the pathogen. The procedure involves isolation and cultivation of the bacterium, chemical isolation of its DNA, digestion of the DNA by restriction endonucleases and analysis by Southern or dot blotting using the cloned DNA fragment as biotin-labeled hybridization probe. A subclone has been made from the original 4.2-kb BamHI fragment which has sensitivity and specificity equal or greater than the original clone and which is approximately 572 bp in length. All tested strains of the most virulent form of the pathogen, type A, have a BamHI fragment of 4.2-kb which hybridizes with either probe.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to biological control of plant pathogens (e.g. either preharvest or postharvest diseases) on agricultural commodities (such as fruits, vegetables, cereals, grains, nuts, seeds and silage) by use of at least one microorganism which is an antagonist against plant pathogens.

Abstract: A polypeptide having the property of rendering a female Helicoverpa zea moth non-receptive to mating was isolated from the reproductive tract of the male moth. The peptide is transferred from the male to the female during mating and causes a depletion of the female sex pheromone thereby resulting in a decline in sexual attractiveness for at least 24 hours.The peptide is referred to as pheromonostatic peptide, or PSP. It is a basic peptide having 57 amino acid residues, a molecular weight of 6617 daltons and contains one pair of cysteine residues in a disulfide linkage.

Abstract: A novel dispenser for the release of insect attractants has been invented for baiting insect traps. The dispenser is comprised of a flexible support coated with a polyvinylchloride (PVC)-insect attractant mixture. A PVC/twine dispenser has been found to be particularly effective for the release of the gypsy moth pheromone, (+)-disparlure.

Abstract: Specific sucrose esters have been found to act as effective, environmentally-safe pesticides against soft-bodied arthropod plant pests. These compounds have acyl substituents having up to 10 carbon atoms and are easily extractable from Nicotiana plants. The compounds are used as a mixture, as extracted from the plants, and are spray-applied as an emulsion in water.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an apparatus and process for applying material, such that it is dispersed in a pulsed manner, in micronized form, to agricultural commodities, while preventing drift of the micronized material to nontargeted areas. The instant invention employs a canopy which is passed over the agricultural commodity wherein a micronizing means is used to apply material, such as a pesticide, to an agricultural commodity within the canopy. The micronized material is preferably electrostatically charged when applied to the commodity.

Abstract: The instant invention pertains to ascertaining the condition (i.e. texture, maturity and extent of damage (if any)) of an agricultural commodity by: (a) inputting band-limited vibrations (i.e. limited to a specific frequency band); (b) sensing vibrational characteristics (e.g. energy, resonance, absorption frequency characteristics) resulting from the input vibrations, and; (c) analyzing the vibrational characteristics.

Abstract: This invention relates to a preenrichment broth medium that allows for the simultaneous sampling for Salmonella and Listeria spp. The medium allows for the recovery of sublethally injured bacteria that would otherwise be overlooked by conventional techniques. The medium has utility in the food industry where the isolation and identification of these human enteropathogens is sought.

Abstract: A new and innovative technique of producing Lilium elegans Asiatic hybrid lily is disclosed. Very small bulbils from leaf axils of L. elegans receives sequential low-high-low temperature treatment before planting in the soil medium. After planting, scale leaves emerge and bulb weight increases. After about 13 scale leaves have emerged from the bulbs, the temperature is lowered to favor shoot emergence, preferably under long day photoperiod to accelerate shoot emergence and to induce flower bud formation. A desirable plant producing up to three flowers on a long stem is produced in about 270-300 days after harvesting bulbils, thus bypassing the field production phase of the bulb that lasts more than a year in the field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods of their use for the management or biocontrol on insect pests. The compositions comprise an entomopathogen and a chitin synthetase inhibitor alone or in combination with a UV protectant. Alternatively, compositions are disclosed comprising an entomopathogen and a fluorescent brightener of the stilbene type which may have chitin synthetase inhibitory properties. Specifically, entomopathogens such as Nuclear polyhedrosis viruses (NPV), Cytoplasmic polyhedrosis viruses (CPV), Entomopox viruses (EPV) and Granulosis viruses (GV) and iridescent virus (IV) are protected from UV radiation and their biological activity enhanced using fluorescent brighteners analogs, particularly, 4, 4'-diamino-2, 2'-stilbene disulfonic acid.