The Potential of Antimicrobial Peptides as Biocides

Antimicrobial peptides constitute a diverse class of naturally occurring antimicrobial molecules which have activity against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms. Antimicrobial peptides are exciting leads in the development of novel biocidal agents at a time when classical antibiotics are under intense pressure from emerging resistance, and the global industry in antibiotic research and development stagnates. This review will examine the potential of antimicrobial peptides, both natural and synthetic, as novel biocidal agents in the battle against multi-drug resistant pathogen infections

Metalized Polyethylene Mulch to Reduce Incidence of Huanglongbing and Improve Growth of New Citrus Plantings

Polyethylene mulch was evaluated for deterring colonization by Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) Diaphorina citri, reducing incidence of huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening disease and accelerating growth of young citrus.  UV reflective low density polyethylene mulch metalized with aluminum, low density whitefaced polyethylene mulch and bare ground all using drip irrigation in a randomized complete block design were tested and compared to the current grower standard using micro-sprinkler irrigation with four replications located at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee, FL.  Populations of ACP and other arthropods were monitored on new flush while ACP movement was monitored using yellow sticky cards.  Incidence of HLB was evaluated twice during the 20 month study period using qPCR.  Trunk cross sectional area, soil moisture, and surrounding weed biomass were also monitored.  Metalized mulch reduced pest populations and HLB incidence compared to all tested alternatives.  In addition, metalized mulch increased tree growth and soil moisture while reducing weed pressure.  Results of this study present a good case for the use of metalized plastic mulch for young citrus plantings

The Identification of Antibiotics by Means of Resistant Strains of Bacteria

In the search for new antibiotic substances, a general method that would permit the prompt recognition of new types of antibiotics (i.e., antibiotics with different mechanisms of action) and at the same time reduce the risk of under-taking costly investigation of an unidentified substance which may not be new would clearly be advantageous. A means for achieving this purpose was sug-gested some time ago (Stansly, 1946). It was proposed that strains of bacteria specifically resistant to the various known antibiotics should be prepared from one or more designated parent strains, and the resistant strains then filed with an agency, such as the American Type Culture Collection, in order that they might be readily accessible and available upon request. Strains of bacteria specifically resistant to the known antibiotics would enable investigators to determine in a systematic fashion very early in an investigation whether an unidentified antibiotic was different from or similar to any one of the known substances. This will be elaborated upon further and examples illustrating the method described

Metalized Polyethylene Mulch to Reduce Incidence of Huanglongbing and Improve Growth of New Citrus Plantings

Polyethylene mulch was evaluated for deterring colonization by Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) Diaphorina citri, reducing incidence of huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening disease and accelerating growth of young citrus.  UV reflective low density polyethylene mulch metalized with aluminum, low density whitefaced polyethylene mulch and bare ground all using drip irrigation in a randomized complete block design were tested and compared to the current grower standard using micro-sprinkler irrigation with four replications located at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee, FL.  Populations of ACP and other arthropods were monitored on new flush while ACP movement was monitored using yellow sticky cards.  Incidence of HLB was evaluated twice during the 20 month study period using qPCR.  Trunk cross sectional area, soil moisture, and surrounding weed biomass were also monitored.  Metalized mulch reduced pest populations and HLB incidence compared to all tested alternatives.  In addition, metalized mulch increased tree growth and soil moisture while reducing weed pressure.  Results of this study present a good case for the use of metalized plastic mulch for young citrus plantings