Plant Disease Management
Biocontrol Beyond the Bench: Large-Scale, Successful Biocontrol

Lockdown: Collego bioherbicide gets a second act
K. CARTWRIGHT (1), D. Boyette (2), M. Roberts (3)
(1) ARI, Inc., Fayetteville, AR, U.S.A.; (2) Southern Weed Science Research Unit, Stoneville, MS, U.S.A.; (3) Natural Industries, Houston, TX, U.S.A.
Phytopathology 100:S162

Collego™, originally registered with the EPA in 1982, was one of the first two commercially available mycoherbicides. The product was used successfully to control Northern jointvetch (Aeschynomene virginica) in mid-south rice for some 20 years. About 10 years ago, however, the mycoherbicide was discontinued per the close of the marketing company and, as a result, the product lost EPA registration status. In 2005–2006, Agricultural Research Initiatives (ARI, Inc.-Fayetteville, Arkansas) pursued successful EPA registration and has been awarded three section 3 (C) registrations for the active ingredient (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp. aeschynomene) under the trade name LockDown™ with three formulations applicable (retro, XL and Liquid). Working with USDA and University scientists, extension personnel, consultants and farmers, successful field and greenhouse trials were completed in 2006 and 2007. Subsequently, manufacturing was scaled up and optimized in 2008 with product launch during the summer, 2008. In 2009, Natural Industries (Houston, TX) began producing and marketing the LockDown product. This year (2010) represents the third full year of market. To date, production, quality control and overall efficacy for the product has been excellent. In the future, we anticipate sales growth through more aggressive marketing strategies and penetration into additional timing and management slots for use of the product in rice.