Assessing the effects of three potential chemical repellents to prevent bird damage to corn seeds and seedlings

Esther, A., Tilcher, R., Jacob, J

About the use of antagonistic bacteria and fungi

Microorganisms isolated from the phylloplane of vine and cereal plants inhibiting different phytopathogenic fungi were tested as biological control agents against Plasmopara viticola (downy mildew of grapevine). Based on screening in vitro against Phytophthora infestans, P. parasitica, Pythium ultimum, Botrytis cinerea 62 bacterial isolates were selected for tests with Plasmopara viticola.. Antifungal bacterial strains were assayed for antagonistic activity towards the grapevine dieback fungus Eutypa lata in vitro and on grape wood

Entwicklung von Verkapselungsmethoden für Pflanzenextrakte

Organic farming is reliant on alternative active substances like plant extracts for plant protection. Limited stability of plant extracts complicates their use and storage. Consequently, there is a need for the development of novel formulations like encapsulation that stabilize the active substances, control their release and provide an appropriate handling. In the project DevelOPAR (Development of a plant avian repellent) we illustrate how a repellent plant extract is formulated in order to be applied as seed-coating protecting seeds not to be eaten by birds. Testing the methods of ionic gelation and complex coacervation we managed to encapsulate the plant extract and produce homogenous particles that can be applied on corn seeds using a spin coating process