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1 Crop Productivity Partnering Forum | AUTM Partnering Forum
AUTM Partnering Forum
Crop Productivity Partnering Forum
Technologies represented: Updated on 9/12/18
High Value Seeds
Technology Title Organization Organization Contact
High Oleic, Disease Resistant Peanut Variety Auburn University Brian Wright
Potato tuber yield enhancement Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Gene controlling spontaneous haploid genome doubling in maize
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Haploid Inducing genotype for field and specialty Corn
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
QTL regulating ear productivity traits in maize Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Disease resistant rice
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Non-GMO soybean varieties (traits include disease resistance, high yielding, high protein tofu varieties)
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Corn germplasm - Includes parent seed; genetic stocks and breeding populations
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Popcorn germplasm - Include Inbredlines and populations Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
High RebD/RebM Stevia varieties Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
MariaTM Linda Sweet Cherry Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Redstart' Day-Neutral Strawberry Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Wasatch' Day-Neutral Strawberry Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Osorno Norther Highbush Blueberry Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Mutant Cotton Seed Increases Production and Fiber Quality Texas Tech University David McClure
New Guar Gum for Increased Oil Production Texas Tech University David McClure
Soybean as a protein biofactory platform to produce epidermal growth factor (EGF)
University of Arizona Tod McCauley
Enhancing the Sugar, Starch and Cellulose Content in Plants University of Arizona Tod McCauley
Increasing the Content of Long Chain Fatty Acids in Seed Oil University of Missouri, St. Louis Tamara Wilgers
2 Crop Productivity Partnering Forum | AUTM Partnering Forum
Innovative Chemical Pest Management Solution
Technology Title Organization Organization Contact
Insecticidal Extracts from Hops and Other Plants Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Anti-mycotoxin compounds Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Medicinal Plant Compound Reduces Mycotoxins and Sporulation Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Lignin-Derived Aldehydes as Antifungal Agents Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
Emily Bauer
Improved, Robust Rootstock Technology for Pest Management (see pgs. 9 -10) University of Connecticut Ana Fidantsef
Using PDE Inhibitors to Combat Nematode Infestation University of New Hampshire Maria Emanuel
Innovative Biological Pest Management Solution Technology Title Organization Organization Contact
Bacterial strains as probiotic inoculants in agriculture (nematicidal) Auburn University Brian Wright
Use of the XA1 rice gene to confer broad Xanthomonas resistance in plants
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Insect toxin delivery mediated by a densovirus coat protein
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Identification of Bt toxins to target Asian Citrus Psyllid for HLB treatment in citrus
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Foxtail mosaic virus transient gene silencing vector for maize & other monocots
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
miRNA396 as a tool to control cyst nematodes
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Arabidopsis nonhost resistance genes(s) for engineering soybeans resistant to Sudden Death Syndrome
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Soybean genes for enhanced Sudden Death Syndrome resistance
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Modification of the nodulating, nitrogen-fixing soybean symbiont Bradyrhizobium japonicum to increase plant disease resistance
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Identification and application Arabidopsis nonhost resistance gene(s) in creating disease resistant soybean cultivars
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Cry3Bb1-resistant strains of western corn rootworm - Hopkinton strain
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Method and Plants for Improved Production of Terpenoids Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Soybean resistant to cyst nematodes Southern Illinois University Robert Patino
gdhA Gene Expression to Increase Infection Resistance in Plants
Southern Illinois University Robert Patino
3 Crop Productivity Partnering Forum | AUTM Partnering Forum
Aflatoxin Free Crops
University of Arizona Tod McCauley
Transgenic Resistance To Cotton Leaf Curl Disease In Cotton
University of Arizona Tod McCauley
Secreted antimicrobial compounds from naturally occurring bacteria inhibit the growth of the of the rice pathogen Burkholderia glumae
University of Arkansas, Div. of Ag. Bryan Renk
Control of Rice pathogenic Fungi with Endophyte Fungi of Genus Trichoderma
University of Arkansas, Div. of Ag. Bryan Renk
Root Extracts with Anti-Fungal Activities University of Arkansas, Div. of Ag. Bryan Renk
Method to mitigate salicylic acid inhibition of crop growth without compromising disease resistance
University of Georgia Research Foundation
Shelley Fincher
Root-knot nematode-resistant plants (copy & paste link in browser: https://flintbox.com/public/project/49430/)
University of Georgia Research Foundation
Shelley Fincher
Method for Enhancing FattyAcid Amide Hydrolase Activity
University of Missouri – Kansas City Tamara Wilgers
Increasing Resistance to Soybean Cyst Nematode Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
Emily Bauer
Modulation of NADPH oxidases to confer biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in soybean
Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
Emily Bauer
Stress Tolerance Solution Technology Title Organization Organization Contact
Photosynthetic and Heat Stress Trait Improvement (Mendel)
Auburn University Brian Wright
Bacterial strains as probiotic inoculants in agriculture (drought tolerance)
Auburn University Brian Wright
"Xerico" drought tolerance gene Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Drought tolerance promoters
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
“Relief of Repression” Strategy to Improve Plant Pest Resistance and Maintain Growth Rate
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Use of Arginase or Threonine Deaminase in Plant Protection Against Insects
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
High-throughput phenotyping platform for screening abiotic stress tolerant crops
Missouri University of Science & Technology
Tamara Wilgers
AtRAVs Make Longer Cotton Fibers Under Drought
Texas Tech University David McClure
4 Crop Productivity Partnering Forum | AUTM Partnering Forum
Drought Adaptive genes (copy & paste link in browser: https://nutech.flintbox.com/public/project/28630/)
NUtech Ventures Jeewan Jyot
Increasing Salt Tolerance In Plants
University of Arizona Tod McCauley
Method of improving tolerance of plants to herbicides using seed insecticide treatments
University of Arkansas, Div. of Ag. Bryan Renk
Increased Yield and Abiotic Stress Resistance in Plants By Overexpressing Vacuolar Proton Pyrophosphates (see pg. 11)
University of Connecticut Ana Fidantsef
Salt/Drought Tolerance Enhancement in Plants by Overexpressing Vacuolar Proton Pyrophosphatases (see pg. 12)
University of Connecticut Ana Fidantsef
Crop Resistance to Nematodes University of Missouri - Columbia Tamara Wilgers
SAUR gene for improvements of Root System Architecture, Waterlogging, Drought Resistance, and Yield in Soybean
University of Missouri - Columbia Tamara Wilgers
Genes and markers associated with root system architecture, drought tolerance, and yield performance and methods of use
University of Missouri - Columbia Tamara Wilgers
Targeted Modification of Maize Roots to Enhance Abiotic Stress Tolerance Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
Emily Bauer
Plant Growth Regulators and Biostimulants Technology Title Organization Organization Contact
Bacterial strains as probiotic inoculants in agriculture (biostimulants) Auburn University Brian Wright
Inexpensive additive and method for increasing plant growth Auburn University Brian Wright
Plant protein and biochar fertilizer Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Genes controlling plant growth Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Enhanced plant growth through mobile RNA signals Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Natural Biostimulant/Adjuvant Compositions for Increased Plant Growth/Biomass, Improved Fungicide and Fertilizer Efficacy, Dew Suppression, and Dormancy-Breaking in Cultivated Turfgrasses
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Method of Manipulating Grape Berry Ripening by Small RNAs Texas Tech University David McClure
Use of fungal laccases to facilitate biodethatching University of Georgia Research
Foundation Shelley Fincher
Enzyme compositions and applications to reduce soil water repellency University of Georgia Research Foundation
Shelley Fincher
Soybean root-tissue type and and nodule-tissue type specific promoters
University of Missouri - Columbia Tamara Wilgers
5 Crop Productivity Partnering Forum | AUTM Partnering Forum
Smarter Phytochrome Engineering for Smaller, Denser Crops Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
Emily Bauer
Extending Juvenile Stage of Plants for Biofuels and Feedstock Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
Emily Bauer
Precision Agriculture Technology Title Organization Organization Contact
Electrophoretic soil nutrient sensor for agriculture Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Soil nitrate system for precision management of nitrogen fertilizer applications
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Sensor for in-situ, wireless soil sensing Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Device to determine susceptibility to root lodging Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Rapid, on-site Characterization of Soil Chemical and Physical Properties Texas Tech University David McClure
Variable-Flow Solar Powered Tail-water Recovery Pump System
University of Arkansas, Div. of Ag. Bryan Renk
Fixed Angle Nozzle Body Adaptor
University of Arkansas, Div. of Ag. Bryan Renk
Onion Quality Assessment Using X-Ray Tomography (copy & paste link in browser: https://flintbox.com/public/project/30609/)
University of Georgia Research Foundation
Shelley Fincher
Berry Impact Recording Device (BIRD II) ( copy & paste link in browser: https://flintbox.com/public/project/51326/)
University of Georgia Research Foundation
Shelley Fincher
Software Management Tool for Variable Source Fertilizer Application University of Missouri - Columbia Tamara Wilgers
New imaging software algorithm for fast measurement of yield and quality of corn and other commercially valuable crops
Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
Emily Bauer
Hyperspectral reflectance-based models for early disease detection in potato
Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
Emily Bauer
Food and Feed Processing Technology Technology Title Organization Organization Contact
A novel vegetable oil-based material as substitute for carnauba wax
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Lignocellulosic Biomass Pretreatment Using Gaseous Ammonia (AFEX)
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Ammonia-based biomass processing (AFEX) to produce highly digestible biomass
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
6 Crop Productivity Partnering Forum | AUTM Partnering Forum
AFEX pellets for feed and biofuels
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Probiotic Feed Additive for Livestock (copy & paste link in browser:
https://nutech.flintbox.com/public/project/48022/)
NUtech Ventures Jeewan Jyot
Novel probiotic strains having the ability to inhibit growth of Fusobacterium necrophorum and Streptococcus bovis (copy and paste link in browser:
https://nutech.flintbox.com/public/project/31137/ )
NUtech Ventures Jeewan Jyot
Improved Methods for Producing Low-Cost Protein-Polysaccharide Conjugates for Use in Foods and Beverages
Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
Emily Bauer
Modification of lignin in plants ( copy & paste link in browser: https://flintbox.com/project/detail/49424/)
University of Georgia Research Foundation
Shelley Fincher
Modification of pectin in plants ( copy & paste link in browser: https://flintbox.com/project/detail/49428/)
University of Georgia Research Foundation
Shelley Fincher
Multiplex assay for detection of bacterial food contaminants University of Missouri - Columbia Tamara Wilgers
Avian beta-defensin analogues as therapeutics and food preservative agents
University of Missouri - Columbia Tamara Wilgers
Other Enabling Technology Technology Title Organization Organization Contact
Method of Protection of Bacterial Inoculants
Auburn University Brian Wright
Transparent soil made by gel beads
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
SSM sequence models
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Soybean Mosaic Virus as a transient expression vector for soybeans
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Foxtail Mosaic Virus Transient Gene Silencing Vector for maize & other monocots
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
An efficient DNA-Based Viral Gene Silencing Vector system for soybean functional genomics
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Metacaspase II for engineering soybean for disease resistance
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Soybean transformation and regeneration using half-seed explants
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
7 Crop Productivity Partnering Forum | AUTM Partnering Forum
Midwest adapted haploid inducer for maize
Iowa State University Dianah Ngonyama
Plants over-producing mixed-linkage glucans for forage and biomass feedstock applications
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Self-compatible diploid potato lines
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Method and Plants for Improved Production of Terpenoids
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Diterpene syntesis platform for flavoring and insect repellents
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
FMT Enzyme Enabling Simplified Plant Processing
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Identification of A Grass-Specific Enzyme That Acylates Monolignols with P-Coumarate (PMT)
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Enhanced Stability Wrinkled1 For High Oil Production
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Wrinkled 1 (wri1) Seed-Oil-Increasing Transcription Factor
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Use of Plants with Increased Level of Highly Methylesterified Homogalacturonan for Increased Yield or Improving Digestibility of Plant Biomasses
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Control of Cellulose Biosynthesis
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
A Source and Production Method for Acetyl-Triacylglycerols (ac-TAG synthase gene)
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Improved Alkaline Hydrogen Peroxide Pretreatment of Biomass
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Dynamic Environmental Photosynthetic Imaging Apparatus and Methods
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
OLIVER: A Platform for Visualization and Mining of High-Resolution and High-Throughput Data
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Method for Creating High Yield Plants Using the K-Domain of a MIKC Type MADS-Box Gene
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
8 Crop Productivity Partnering Forum | AUTM Partnering Forum
Subsurface Water Retention Barrier Installation Device (BID) for Installing Contoured Engineered Polyethylene Membranes (CEPEM) in Excessively Drained Soils
Michigan State University Thomas Herlache
Assemblies for use in Evaluating Subsurface Contamination, and Related Methods
Missouri University of Science & Technology
Tamara Wilgers
Technology Platform for Microbial Genome Modification via Transient Gene Inactivation (copy and paste link in browser:
https://nutech.flintbox.com/public/project/28790/)
NUtech Ventures Jeewan Jyot
Development of multiple ALS-resistance sorghum germplasms (copy and paste
link in browser: https://nutech.flintbox.com/public/project/31358/)
NUtech Ventures Jeewan Jyot
Specialized Acyltransferases for Production of Seed Oils With Enhanced Short-/Medium-Chain Fatty Acid Content (copy and paste link in browser:
https://nutech.flintbox.com/public/project/29057/)
NUtech Ventures Jeewan Jyot
Method for Production of Soybean Oil with High Saturated and Low Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acid Profile (copy and paste link in browser:
https://nutech.flintbox.com/public/project/28632/)
NUtech Ventures Jeewan Jyot
Multi-band Photodiode sensor (plant canopy temperature and multi-spectral measurements)
Southern Illinois University Robert Patino
A Method for Stacking Genes into a Single Genomic Site Through Iterative Genetic Transformation of Plants
University of Arkansas, Div. of Ag. Bryan Renk
Cornstalk Nitrate Cutter
University of Arkansas, Div. of Ag. Bryan Renk
Microbial Carriers for Soil Remediation and Agriculture (see pgs. 13-14) University of Connecticut Ana Fidantsef
Soil Micromodel for Studying Soil Properties (see pgs. 15-16) University of Connecticut Ana Fidantsef
Increased Seed Production by Overexpressing Vacuolar Pyrophosphatases in the Pollen (see pg. 17)
University of Connecticut Ana Fidantsef
Use of transposable elements ( copy & paste link in browser: https://flintbox.com/public/project/49427/)
University of Georgia Research Foundation
Shelley Fincher
Increasing phenotypic variability for plant breeding copy & paste link in browser: https://flintbox.com/project/detail/49543/)
University of Georgia Research Foundation
Shelley Fincher
Gene for induction of parthenogenesis, a component of apomictic reproduction
University of Georgia Research Foundation
Shelley Fincher
IMPROVED, ROBUST ROOTSTOCK TECHNOLOGY FOR PEST MANAGEMENT
innovation.uconn.edu
Background: Plant grafting is an important technique for horticultural and silvicultural production. Rootstocks that are more resistant to soil borne pathogens and/or abiotic stresses are routinely used for grafting with scions (stem portion) of commercial interest. In the grafting process, many rootstock plants suffer from undesirable lateral bud outgrowth, low grafting success rates or poor rooting, making the process quite expensive. Despite the costs, over 70 woody perennial crop species propagated for their edible fruits are grown on rootstocks. Furthermore, 20 of the 25 most-produced fruit and nut crops are grafted. Vegetable grafting is also becoming increasingly popular in the US.
The Technology: Elevated auxin and reduced cytokinin contents in rootstocks improve their performance and grafting UConn researchers have developed a technology that uses root selective expression of tryptophan-2-monooxygenase gene (iaaM) and CKX (a cytokinin degradation gene) to increase auxin levels and decrease cytokinins. These rootstocks displayed inhibited lateral bud outgrowth, improved root initiation and elongation, and biomass and did not disrupt normal growth and developmental patterns in wild-type scions. These rootstock plants did not present common characteristics present in rootstocks: undesirable lateral bud outgrowth, low grafting success rates, or poor rooting. On the contrary, these plants present enhanced grafting success rate, and since they are more robust, they might be more tolerant/resistant against diseases that attack the roots. Technology is particularly of interest against citrus greening, since the disease can attack the root system of the plants before symptoms are visible. Since rootstocks containing this technology are healthier and more robust, they might provide an enhanced barrier to this devastating disease. Commercial Applications:
• Applicable for economically important orchard woody plants, including apples, pears, grapes, coffee, and walnuts, vegetables and nurseries (roses and others)
• Technology might improve resistance against citrus greening disease
Advantages:
• More robust, healthier rootstock • Improved grafting success rate • Eliminates labor, time, and cost of chemical or manual removal of lateral buds • Combines nontransgenic scions with transgenic rootstock; therefore fruits, seeds and pollen grains produced
from scion shoots are nontransgenic
Stage of Development:
• Technology has been demonstrated in tobacco in the greenhouse • Technology in the process of being tested in citrus for tolerance/resistance against citrus greening disease
Intellectual Property Information:
• Filed non-provisional patent application 5/21/2018
Related Publication: Li, W., et al., Elevated auxin and reduced cytokinin contents in rootstocks improve their performance and grafting success of use, 2017, Plant Biotechnology Journal, pp. 1–10.
IMPROVED, ROBUST ROOTSTOCK TECHNOLOGY FOR PEST MANAGEMENT
innovation.uconn.edu
Inventor: Yi Li, Ph.D.
Contacts: Ana Lena Fidantsef, Ph.D., MBA Technology Licensing Associate [email protected] Vaibhav Saini, Ph.D. Licensing Director (860) 679-7894 [email protected]
INCREASED YIELD AND ABIOTIC STRESS RESISTANCE IN PLANTS BY OVEREXPRESSING VACUOLAR PROTON PYROPHOSPHATASES
innovation.uconn.edu
Background: The prospects for feeding humanity are formidable. There is a constant need to obtain plants with higher yields and abiotic/biotic stress resistance.
The Technology: Plant cells and plants overexpressing vacuolar proton pyrophosphatases UConn researchers have engineered tobacco and petunia transgenic plants to overexpress Arabidopsis thaliana vacuolar pyrophosphatases AVP-1. These plants showed increased meristematic activity resulting in larger leaves, stem, flower, fruit, root structures, increased salt tolerance, enhanced drought and freeze tolerance. Commercial Applications:
• Technology can be used in crop plants, ornamental plants, grasses, turf grass, and shrubs
Advantages:
• Increased yield and salt tolerance, enhanced drought and freeze tolerance, and larger plant size • Cheaper production cost due to higher yield
Stage of Development:
• Demonstrated in tobacco and petunia
Intellectual Property Information:
• Issued Patent No.: US 8,003,852; issued on 08-23-2011 • Application No.: US7534933B2
Contacts: Ana Lena Fidantsef, Ph.D., MBA Technology Licensing Associate [email protected] Vaibhav Saini, Ph.D. Licensing Director [email protected]
INCREASED SEED PRODUCTION BY OVEREXPRESSING VACUOLAR PYROPHOSPHATASES IN THE POLLEN
innovation.uconn.edu
Background: The prospects for feeding humanity are formidable. There is a constant need to obtain plants with higher yields, including mass or seed yield, and abiotic/biotic stress resistance. Seed yield might be increased with application of growth factors. However, this is costly and time consuming, and does not necessarily substantially increase the yield of seeds from the plants. There is a constant need for developing an effective method for increasing the yield of seeds from plants.
The Technology: Transgenic pollen expressing exogenous plant vacuolar pyrophosphatase UConn researchers have engineered tobacco transgenic plants to constitutively overexpress Arabidopsis thaliana vacuolar pyrophosphatases AVP-1. These plants showed increased resistance to stresses such as drought, extended exposure to subfreezing temperatures, and high salinity. Furthermore, seed yield produced by these plants was dramatically higher than the control plants in both number of seeds and seed pod mass. Commercial Applications:
• Crop plants produced for seed consumption such as rice, canola, wheat, corn and sunflower
Advantages:
• Dramatically increased seed yield, increased salt and drought tolerance, increased freeze tolerance • Cheaper production cost due to higher yield
Stage of Development:
• Demonstrated in tobacco
Intellectual Property Information:
• Issued Patent No.: US 8,168,864; issued on 05-01-2012
Contacts: Ana Lena Fidantsef, Ph.D., MBA Technology Licensing Associate [email protected] Vaibhav Saini, Ph.D. Licensing Director (860) 679-7894 [email protected]
SALT/DROUGHT TOLERANCE ENHANCEMENT IN PLANTS BY
OVEREXPRESSING VACUOLAR PROTON PYROPHOSPHATASES
innovation.uconn.edu
Background: Artificial irrigation is widely used in crop production since dry areas usually offer optimal photoperiod and temperature conditions for the growth of most crops. Irrigation has solved the problem in the short term in these areas since water supplies always contain some dissolved salt, which upon evaporation gradually accumulates on the soils. Therefore, in the long term, these soils become unusable for agriculture. There is also a problem of runoff of chemicals due to aggressive fertilization in soils with limited nutrients to the plants, especially phosphates (Pi). Thus, there is a growing and unmet need for crops to have increased tolerance to salts and Pi.
The Technology: Plant cells and plants overexpressing vacuolar proton pyrophosphatases UConn researchers have demonstrated that by transforming Arabidopsis, tomato and rice with a plant vacuolar pyrophosphatase, there was increased tolerance to one or more salts, increased yield, larger plant size and increased Pi uptake under Pi-sufficient and Pi-deficient growth conditions in the transgenic plant. For example, data with rice showed that by transforming rice with the rice homologue vacuolar pyrophosphatase, the transgenic line exhibited sustained shoot growth under Pi-deficient (10 µM) conditions, whereas the controls grew poorly; the transgenic line tested developed more robust root systems than controls in both Pi-sufficient (1mM) and Pi-deficient (10 µM) conditions; and the dry plant biomass data confirmed that the transgenic line grown under limiting Pi conditions developed larger roots (90%,P<0.01) and shoots (50%, P=0.01) than controls. Commercial Applications:
• Technology can be used in crop plants, ornamental plants, grasses, turf grass, and shrubs in elevated salt and Pi-sufficient and Pi-deficient conditions
Advantages:
• Increased yield, larger plant size and increased Pi uptake under Pi-sufficient and Pi-deficient growth conditions
• Cheaper production cost due to higher yield
Stage of Development:
• Demonstrated in Arabidopsis, tomato, and rice
Intellectual Property Information:
• Issued Patent No.: 8,058,515; issued on 11-15-2011 • Issued Patent No.: US 8,697.950 B2; issued on 04-15-2014
Contacts: Ana Lena Fidantsef, Ph.D., MBA Technology Licensing Associate [email protected] Vaibhav Saini, Ph.D. Licensing Director [email protected]
MICROBIAL CARRIERS FOR SOIL REMEDIATION AND AGRICULTURE
innovation.uconn.edu
Background: The rhizosphere is the zone of soil surrounding plant roots that is under the influence of the root. Rhizosphere associated bacteria can promote plant growth through a variety of mechanisms, for example, by increasing nutrient acquisition (N2 fixation). The primary weakness of conventional technologies that deliver bacteria to roots is the failure to deliver enough functional bacteria to the critical locations within the rhizosphere. Beneficial bacteria added in seed coatings often fail to survive and proliferate and/or fail to colonize growing roots. Furthermore, even if biocontrol bacteria do attach to an emerging root, seedling roots grow very quickly from the leading edge, such that beneficial bacteria cannot reproduce fast enough and become dilute at the growing root tip. Thus, there is an unmet need to more efficiently deliver beneficial bacteria to roots in actively-growing plants.
The Technology: Use of protists to assist movement of rhizobacteria closer to the roots UConn researchers have developed a suitable carrier protist-facilitated transport of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria as well as bacteria-sized particles in the soil. Protist-facilitated transport in soil may enhance important ecosystem services provided by bacteria, which encompass both remediation and agriculture. Results show higher nodulation in roots, indirectly increasing shoot weight. Furthermore, the technology allows the bacteria to proliferate and move towards rapid growing roots for colonization. Dramatic yield increase has been obtained using the technology in wheat and bean plants. Commercial Applications:
• Any plants where bacteria is used as a fertilizer • Technology can be used in seeds, seed coats, granular carriers, liquid slurry carriers, and liquid suspension
carriers • Technology can be delivered in the soil where the seed will be sown or plant will be planted • Sustainable agricultural productivity via targeted delivery of biocontrol bacteria or encapsulated
agrochemicals • In situ bioremediation: non-invasive means of delivery of key bacterial strains to the soil
Advantages:
• Technology delivers functional bacteria to the critical locations surrounding the roots • Technology allows increase in nodulation, which fixes N2 • Technology reduces need of fertilizers • Increase in shoot mass, improvement in agriculture
Stage of Development:
• Demonstrated in bean and wheat
Intellectual Property Information:
• Patent No.: US9603368B2
Inventors: Daniel Gage, Ph.D. Leslie Shor, Ph.D.
MICROBIAL CARRIERS FOR SOIL REMEDIATION AND AGRICULTURE
innovation.uconn.edu
Contacts: Ana Lena Fidantsef, Ph.D., MBA Technology Licensing Associate [email protected] Vaibhav Saini, Ph.D. Licensing Director (860) 679-7894 [email protected]
SOIL MICROMODEL FOR STUDYING SOIL PROPERTIES
innovation.uconn.edu
Background: Global climate change is predicted to increase the occurrence of extreme events such as powerful storms and prolonged droughts. Such extreme events can lead to widespread reduction in soil moisture. Water supplies are also becoming scarcer which have direct implications for sustainable food, feed, and fiber production. The nitrogen-fixing bacteria Sinorhizobium meliloti is commonly found in soils and naturally produces extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). EPS bacteria may allow plants to remain hydrated even with longer rain return intervals, which is very desirable when water in soils is becoming scarcer. There is a constant need for optimization of water usage, which can ultimately enable growers to obtain higher yields and better quality crops.
The Technology: Soil-emulating device which consists of soil, a control chamber, and a microscope UConn researchers have developed a soil-emulating device and a system for evaluation of soil-related properties. The soil-emulating apparatus includes soil micromodel(s) which consists of soil particles with a particle size distribution and a soil structure of a desired soil type. The soil micromodel is cast in a way that provides visualization of air infiltration into pores of the micromodel. The soil micromodel is located within an environmental control chamber to control humidity and can be saturated with a bacterial strain. A microscope can be included to the device. This device allows studies on the interaction of different strains of EPS bacteria and water retention in different kinds of soil. Commercial Applications:
• Tool for studying soil properties and soil ecology for Agriculture improvement and soil bioremediation
Advantages:
• Technology allows that images are captured of the soil micromodel over time • Any soil can be simulated using the device • Convenient way to do study the interactions between physical soil structure and biological processes • Device ultimately allows the optimization of water usage improving Agriculture
Stage of Development:
• Demonstrated in the laboratory
Intellectual Property Information:
• Patent No.: US20160153954A1
Inventors: Daniel Gage, Ph.D. Leslie Shor, Ph.D. Contacts: Ana Lena Fidantsef, Ph.D., MBA Technology Licensing Associate [email protected]
SOIL MICROMODEL FOR STUDYING SOIL PROPERTIES
innovation.uconn.edu
Vaibhav Saini, Ph.D. Licensing Director (860) 679-7894 [email protected]
