IR-4 was created to bring pest management
tools to growers. Sometimes this allows IR-4 to help small companies
with regulatory assistance. If industry, regardless of size, has a
product deemed valuable to specialty crop growers, then academia,
industry and IR-4 work cooperatively in gaining registration for the
product.
A recent illustration of this cooperative effort came to fruition,
when a number of scientists tested KHH BioSci’s Milsana bioprotectant
concentrate, a plant extract from Reynoutria sachalinensis, on a variety
of specialty crops. The scientists, working throughout the country,
were impressed by its control of several diseases in these high value
crops.
These results caught the attention and support from various IR-4 staff
members, including the Southern Region Field Coordinator, Charles
Meister and IR-4’s Biopesticide Manager, Michael Braverman.
Its ability to induce resistance in treated plants was discovered
in another cooperative project between BASF and a German university,
resulting in KHH BioSci, obtaining a EPA registration for the commercial
ornamental use of Milsana primarily on roses in Ecuador.
However, when KHH BioSci sought to obtain a registration on food crops,
they came to a road block. They lacked the know-how in submitting
the available data to EPA. This lack of knowledge halted the project.
That was when IR-4 lent their expertise. Their interest, leadership
and dedication made it possible to obtain EPA approval for the use
of this product on food crops.
This accomplishment is a testimony to the effectiveness of IR-4 in
helping small companies with seemingly small products, provide effective
solutions to growers.
Contact information for IR-4 Regional Field Coordinators and ARS Director.
Southern region Dr. Charles Meister 352.392.2399 cmeister@mail.ifas.ufl.edu
