Alan K.

Watson
McGill University

Bringing a broad-spectrum
bioherbicide to market

There was great anticipation generated from the early successes of Luboa, COLLEGO and DeVine in the
earlier 1980s. This was followed by extensive, relatively well funded research in many countries.
Hundreds of weeds were targeted with fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Scientists in government and
university laboratories often conducted basic screening and testing of potential biocontrol agent
under laboratory, greenhouse or small plot field trials anticipating that multinational companies would
take active roles in developing like a herbicide biopesticide products. That did not occur. Success has
not been great; only 10 mycoherbicide products have being made available in the marketplace and likely
only one will be available in 2014. Earlier products are no longer produced, some product registrations
are cancelled, and others have delayed or prevented product development due to mass production,
formulation and application technology difficulties. There are two current examples of successful
mycoherbicides in Canada: Chontrol (Chondrostereum purpureum), registered as in 2002 for control of
deciduous shrubs and trees in rights-of-ways, and Sarritor (Sclerotinia minor), registered in 2007 for
control of dandelions and broadleaf weeds in turfgrass. Both of these products were developed by
university spin-off companies, with product user assistance. Sarritor benefited tremendously from the
provincial bans of conventional herbicide that left few effective weed management options to the
commercial and domestic users. Similar increasing public pressure against chemical herbicides left few
alternatives for forest vegetation management. Future success with mycoherbicides will require
overcoming biological, environmental, technological and commercial limitations with molecular and
other technologies to make the mycoherbicide better than the competition. Favourable public opinion
and government action against chemical pesticides will help.
October 30, 3:30 pm HORT 117
Reception at 3:10 pm HORT 217

If you are interested in meeting with Dr. Alan Watson, please contact Jennifer
Deiser at 41301 or jdeiser@purdue.edu