AgNet, 3 March 2004

March 3, 2004; From a press release

OTTAWA - A collaborative research project on the use of naturally occurring fungi in the development of biological weed-control products was announced today by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Scotts Canada Ltd.

The joint project, known as the Natural Broadleaf Weed Control Project, will help increase the availability of reduced-risk pest-control products. This new biological approach could be a successful alternative to chemical herbicides, which are increasingly subject to restrictions in urban areas, and could be effective against such weeds as Canada thistle, dandelion and chickweed.

"The partnership between AAFC and Scotts Canada is certainly exciting," said Dr. Gordon A. Neish, AAFC's Director General for the National Science Program of Bioproducts and Bioprocesses. "It could lead to the first naturally occurring herbicidal organism in the world to be commercialized for effective broadleaf weed control in the lawn and turf industry. Scotts' R&D team, working closely with our experienced scientists at AAFC, hope to transform the new technology into a safe, natural weed control product for the environmentally-aware public."

"The potential here is extraordinary," said Barry Maynard, Vice President and General Manager, Scotts Canada Ltd. "Development of a living organism into a natural weed control product will be of great interest to Canadian farmers, the golf industry, the professional lawn care industry and millions of homeowners nationwide, who care for their lawns and gardens. We are very pleased to have been selected as the partner by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and to work on a project in keeping with our own mandate to research and develop effective environmentally friendly approaches to protect our home environment." 

The Scotts Company has committed full access to its expertise in formulation and field development, fermentation, process development and its marketing and retail distribution network. Scotts will have the opportunity to license and manage distribution of any successfully developed product. 

The three-year applied-science project will be conducted at the AAFC Saskatoon Research Centre and at other locations in Canada, at Scotts' U.S. R&D facility in Marysville, Ohio. Throughout the R&D phase, the fungal strains will be subjected to efficacy trials conducted under greenhouse and a broad range of field conditions.

This research is consistent with environmental elements of the Agricultural Policy Framework. The Government of Canada is committed to identifying and assessing emerging, innovative technologies as well as systems for environmentally responsible production.