Stage 1: Monitor the ability of genetically modified myxobacteria (Kanr Gfp+) to survive and grow in soil. Objective 2: Test the growth and ecology of myxobacteria in soil and the rhizosphere. Lastly, to ultimately test the utility of myxobacteria for agriculture, field plot studies at SAREC, may also be considered. Thus in a similar infection model, myxospores will be directly mixed with seeds and tested for protection. Stage 3: A long term vision is to develop myxospores as a stable product to coat seeds to protect crops from disease.

Plants will be grown and in this semi-quantitative bioassay the ability of myxobacteria to protect seedlings will be assessed. Here, a plant bioassay will be used where myxobacteria are mixed in soil, placed in a rectangle box, planted and fungal plugs inserted at one end. Stage 2: Based on the above results and in conjunction with preliminary data, select plant/pathogen/myxobacteria combinations will be chosen to test in soil.

The ability of a myxobacteria panel to protect will be scored. This assay is rapid and allows the interactions between myxobacteria, pathogen and plant to be transparently observed over 5-10 days. Stage 1: Conduct facile screens on agar plates for the ability of myxobacteria to protect seedlings. Project Methods Objective 1: Test POC that myxobacteria can serve as a biocontrol agent to protect crops from infection.

Biocontrol agents agriculture