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Commercial Success of ECLAIR Programme
AGRE-0002: Development of improved strains of insect parasitic nematodes for control of insect pests in horticulture and agriculture |
Science Background
Certain nematodes, which contain symbiotic bacteria, are effective parasites of insect pests. At the start of this project, a number of commercial products based on nematodes were available for control of insect pests in Europe, but their markets were restricted to horticultural applications due to the limited range of environmental conditions in which nematodes are effective. Most commercial products contain nematodes of the genus Steinernema, which are easier to produce than the alternative genus Heterorhabditis. However, the latter has been found to be a much more effective control agent for existing insect populations, but is much less persistent than Steinernema in the absence of insect hosts.
Objectives
AGC was working on the insect parasitic nematode Heterorhabditis megadis prior to this project. The aim was to generate novel strains of H. megadis and their symbiotic bacterium, Xenorhabdus luminescens, with improved activity at low temperatures, resistance to drought conditions and persistence in the absence of insect hosts. These results were to be used to develop technology for mass production of the new strains. The effectiveness of strains and technology would then be evaluated.
Significant changes and results since end of ECLAIR
The project was coordinated by Agricultural Genetics Company Ltd (AGC), UK. In 1995, AGC became a holding company of which MicroBio Limited was a subsidiary. In 1996, following sale of other subsidiaries, AGC changed its name to MicroBio Group. The coordinator went to Axis Genetics (another AGC subsidiary). As a result of this project, improved parasitic nematodes, produced by MicroBio Limited at their Littlehampton site, currently account for over 90% of the global market.
Results
At end of this ECLAIR project
A new product, Nemasys-H, was launched in 1991 containing H. megadis isolate UK211, based on the new fermentation technology and improved bacterial and nematode strains.
Current position
Nemasys-H is distributed in Europe, Canada and USA for control of black vine weevil. Product development continues, particularly in relation to improving shelf life.
Impact
Commercial
Technical barriers to commercialization have been overcome leading directly to a new product. In particular, shelf life has been improved and other problems associated with working with biologicals have been solved, enabling MicroBio to improve yields from fermentation of H. megadis to economic levels. Subsequent research on fat content enabled them to further improve the shelf life of this product. This combined knowledge has been extrapolated to production of other nematodes enabling them to meet quality and cost requirements throughout their product range. They sell via distributors to commercial horticulture and via specialist mail order to the home and garden market, throughout Europe. Until 1998, the American market was served by Biosys, who then ceased trading. As a result MicroBio moved into America, making them the major supplier of insect parasitic nematodes on a global basis. During 1999 they expect sales to increase significantly.
Associated
This project enabled the participants to carry out fundamental research that would not otherwise have been possible. It also enabled AGC to carry on their in-house research and may have encouraged other companies to take part in EC-funded research. This small focussed project was particularly useful in establishing a network of contacts and the original research partners (National University of Ireland Maynooth, IE and Agarische Hoogeschool Friesland, NL) still act as consultants for MicroBio. Cost Action 819: Entomopathogenic Nematodes was initiated in 1990 by participants from Maynooth, Ireland, and continues to act as a focal point and catalyst for other research, as well as a mechanism for exchanging information and researchers. One member of the original Dutch group transferred to MicroBio, under an EC-funded training grant, where they worked on Nematode quality as related to body fat content. Further research has been funded under VALUE CTT-650: Evaluation of the potential of biological control agents for the control of insect pests of horticulture and the cultivated mushroom, exploiting the technology developed under this project. MicroBio are also participants in FAIR5-CT97-3355: Novel technologies for integrated control of slug damage in key horticultural crops, as well as UK funded MAFF / LINK projects. MicroBio have supplied nematodes to 30-40 research projects in the UK. Further work on shelf life is being carried out in conjunction with Ohio State University, USA. The original project coordinator, now at Axis Genetics, coordinated FAIR1-CT95-0720: The plant as a factory for the production of oral vaccines and diagnostics.
Contacts
Author
IACR
MicroBio Ltd
Nematode Business Unit
Nematode Samples
University Maynooth
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