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IALR Scientists Showcase Biologicals Research at National Congress

IALR Scientists Showcase Biologicals Research at National Congress

Two scientists from the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) presented research at the 11th Plant Genomics & Gene Editing Congress and the 8th Partnerships in Biocontrol, Biostimulants & Microbiome Congress held in Raleigh, N.C. Dr. Chuansheng Mei and Dr. Sajeewa Amaradasa showcased posters highlighting the results of their research into the effects of biostimulants and biocontrol agents on hydroponic lettuce and cucumber production, respectively.

Dr. Amaradasa’s poster was selected as a winner in the poster competition, and he was then invited to present it during the congress.

Dr. Amaradasa showcased his work on “Biological Control of Pythium in Cucumber and Hydroponic Lettuce by Endophytic Pseudomonas Strain IALR1619.” Pythium is a persistent pathogen affecting cucumber and lettuce in indoor agriculture. Dr. Amaradasa’s study, published in PLOS ONE, found that treating these crops with a naturally occurring biocontrol agent improved plant survival rates and increased overall yield.

“Biocontrol agents offer a powerful alternative to chemical fungicides,” said Dr. Amaradasa. “Our work demonstrates that we can maintain effective disease control while minimizing ecological impact, which is essential for sustainable agriculture.”

Dr. Mei presented his research titled “Effects of Beneficial Bacterial Endophytes on Growth of Lettuce Plants, Transcriptome and Root Microbiome in Hydroponic Systems.” His findings, developed through a three-year collaboration with Virginia Tech and Appalachian State University, demonstrate how introducing a naturally occurring biostimulant can boost lettuce yield by 15-20% and significantly enhance root development.

“Our research is focused on providing growers with natural, effective tools to boost plant productivity,” said Dr. Mei. “The results show real promise for expanding sustainable food production in hydroponic systems, which is crucial as we look for ways to feed a growing population.”

The Plant Genomics & Gene Editing Congress focused on advancements in plant genomics and gene editing, with case studies on enhancing disease resistance and stress tolerance in critical crops. The congress also covered computational phenotyping, bioinformatics integration and the potential of artificial intelligence in plant research.

The 8th Partnerships in Biocontrol, Biostimulants & Microbiome Congress examined the development of agricultural biopesticides and biostimulants, focusing on plant microbiomes and their role in improving crop yield and stress tolerance. The event featured discussions on symbiotic plant-microbe relationships and regulatory updates for biological products.

The event provided a platform for IALR’s Applied Research team to share their cutting-edge work at the intersection of technology and agriculture, demonstrating how endophytes and other beneficial microorganisms can enhance productivity and sustainability.

“Our mission at IALR is to drive economic transformation, and our research team does that by meeting the needs of industry and producers,” said Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research. “We are committed to providing unique services and sustainable solutions in biotechnology, controlled environment agriculture and analytical chemistry.”

Enhancing Spinach Yields with Beneficial Bacteria

Enhancing Spinach Yields with Beneficial Bacteria

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is proud to announce a new study that explores the use of plant growth-promoting bacteria to significantly boost spinach yields in controlled environment agriculture (CEA). The article was published in Technology in Horticulture on July 2, 2024.

This research is another example of how bacterial endophytes – naturally occurring biostimulants found in plants – can enhance plant growth, improve nutrient uptake and increase stress tolerance, particularly in CEA.

The Study

IALR’s Plant Endophyte Research Center has a library of more than 2,000 characterized bacterial endophytes. The researchers in this study tested two of those strains – officially known as Pseudomonas psychrotolerans IALR632 and Enterobacter asburiae IALR1379 – on two spinach cultivars, ‘Red Snapper’ and ‘Seaside.’

These experiments were conducted in indoor vertical nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic systems in the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center, a partnership of IALR and Virginia Tech.

The study revealed that inoculations of these bacteria significantly increased the shoot fresh weight, root growth and leaf greenness of the spinach plants.

Read the Full Study

Key Findings

  • Increased Yields: Inoculations of IALR632 and IALR1379 significantly increased the shoot fresh weight of ‘Red Snapper’ by 19.3% and 13.3%, and ‘Seaside’ by 17.8% and 14.1%, respectively, compared to control treatments.
  • Enhanced Root Growth: Both bacterial inoculations improved root growth in ‘Red Snapper’, although ‘Seaside’ did not show similar results.
  • Improved Leaf Greenness: IALR632 significantly increased leaf greenness in both spinach cultivars while IALR1379 did not.
  • Effective Colonization: Both bacterial strains successfully colonized the roots and shoots of the spinach plants, confirming their endophytic property.

Overall, IALR632 proved more effective in enhancing spinach yields, root growth and leaf greenness compared to IALR1379 in indoor vertical hydroponic systems.

Significance

The Plant Endophyte Research Center and the CEA Innovation Center are focused on optimizing crop production while minimizing environmental impact. And this is not the first research publication from IALR showing the efficacy of bacterial endophytes in improving plant growth and yields.

The research team has consistently shown that endophytes – which function as natural biostimulants and biocontrol agents – can dramatically and positively affect plants in indoor hydroponic environments.

Other recent findings include:

The Research Team

This research was conducted by a joint team from IALR’s Plant Endophyte Research Center and the CEA Innovation Center:

  • Dr. Chuansheng Mei, Chief Scientist, IALR
  • Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President, Applied Research, IALR
  • Dr. Michael Evans, Professor at the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Virginia Tech and Co-Director of the CEA Innovation Center
  • Robert Chretien, Laboratory Research Associate, IALR
  • Dr. Dongfang Zhou, a former Research Associate with Virginia Tech at the CEA Innovation Center
  • Dr. Kaylee South, Virginia Tech Assistant Professor of Controlled Environment Agriculture
Harnessing Endophytes for Disease Management in Agriculture

Harnessing Endophytes for Disease Management in Agriculture

Using fungicides in agriculture has long been a double-edged sword, providing effective disease management but also leading to environmental concerns such as resistance development, pollution and unintended harm to non-target organisms. As growers face limited options with the withdrawal of legacy chemistry from the market, there is a pressing need for sustainable alternatives to conventional agroprotectants.

One promising solution: biocontrol agents.

Biocontrol agents, which are naturally occurring beneficial microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, offer environmentally friendly alternatives for disease management. The Plant Endophyte Research Center at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) maintains a library of more than 2,000 characterized bacterial endophytes. These endophytes reside in the internal plat tissues and function as biostimulants and biocontrol agents.

Fighting Pythium with Biocontrol Agents

In a recently published study, a team of researchers led by IALR Senior Scientist Dr. Sajeewa Amaradasa investigated the efficacy of a bacterial endophyte as a biocontrol agent against Pythium ultimum for cucumber and lettuce production.

Featured in the scientific journal POLS ONE, the recently published study investigates the use of a bacterial endophyte called IALR1619 (Pseudomonas sp.) to combat a common plant pathogen, Pythium ultimum. This pathogen causes issues in hydroponic lettuce and cucumber farming by stunting growth and even killing young plants. Pythium is a difficult-to-control disease in indoor and greenhouse farming systems, and there are only a few chemical treatments.

The study found that treating cucumber seedlings with IALR1619 improved their survival rates both when the plant was exposed to Pythium ultimum within one day of inoculation and several days later. Additionally, lettuce plants treated with IALR1619 showed better growth and higher yield than untreated ones, indicating the potential of this approach in different farming systems with a controlled environment.

Implications for Controlled Environment Agriculture Production

The findings of this study have significant implications for sustainable agriculture. By harnessing the natural protective mechanisms of biocontrol agents, growers can mitigate the environmental impact of conventional fungicides while maintaining effective disease control. Using biocontrol agents offers a promising avenue for integrated disease management strategies, providing growers with sustainable alternatives to chemical treatments.

The Research Team

Dr. Sajeewa Amaradasa, Senior Scientist, IALR

Dr. Chuansheng Mei, Chief Scientist, IALR

Yimeng “Jack” He, Senior Analytical Chemist, IALR

Robert Chretien, Laboratory Research Associate, IALR

Mitchell Doss, Virginia Tech Research Specialist

Dr. Tim Durham, Associate Professor of Crop Science at Ferrum College

Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research, IALR

Beneficial Bacterial Research Shows Potential for Summer Lettuce Growth

Beneficial Bacterial Research Shows Potential for Summer Lettuce Growth

Researchers from the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) and Virginia Tech are exploring ways to improve summer lettuce production. Their recently published study in the international peer-reviewed journal Scientia Horticulturae, which IALR Chief Scientist Dr. Chuansheng Mei led, explores the role of certain bacteria in boosting lettuce growth during hot weather.

This research leverages the expertise and resources of the Plant Endophyte Research Center and the Virginia Tech-IALR Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center, both located at IALR. The team combined their plant science, microbiology, biostimulants and agronomy expertise to investigate natural solutions for enhancing lettuce yields.

Key Findings

The title: ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) deaminase-producing endophytic bacteria improve hydroponically grown lettuce in the greenhouse during the summer season.

View the Article 

The study focused on examining the effects of bacterial endophytes on lettuce growth in a hydroponic system during the summer. Specifically, the researchers looked at how these beneficial bacteria influenced the growth of two lettuce cultivars, ‘Buttercrunch’ and ‘Rex.’ By introducing selected strains of bacteria with high ACC deaminase activity, which lowers a key plant stress hormone, the team observed significant improvements in lettuce shoot growth and chlorophyll content.

Effective Bacteria

Among the four endophytes tested, Burkholderia contaminans IALR1819 was particularly effective in enhancing lettuce production. With its high ACC deaminase activity, this bacterial endophyte played a crucial role in helping lettuce plants cope with heat stress and thrive in challenging conditions.

Implications for Agriculture

The findings of this research have important implications for agriculture, especially in regions where high temperatures pose challenges to crop production. Producers may have a valuable tool for improving crop resilience and productivity by harnessing the natural capabilities of beneficial bacteria.

As the global population grows, sustainable agricultural solutions are increasingly important. The Plant Endophyte Research Center and the CEA Innovation Center are focused on optimizing crop production while minimizing environmental impact.

The Research Team

SMART Platforms: Automation and Accuracy in Plant Imaging

SMART Platforms: Automation and Accuracy in Plant Imaging

Some of the world’s most unique and innovative plant imaging technology has been developed here at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR).

The Spatially and Mechanically Accurate Robotic Table (SMART) Platform, allows researchers to automatically take thousands of photographs over a plant’s life cycle, collecting data from beginning to end. With a mix of computer and human analysis of these photos, researchers can examine plant growth at every stage of development, allowing for a better understanding of the impact of different variables on plants.

What is a SMART Platform?

The SMART Platforms consist of an aluminum frame with a tray holding up to 86 individually potted plants. A color-sensitive webcam mounted to a mechanical arm, called a gantry, then takes a picture of each plant, providing a measurement of plant canopy size as well as other morphological traits of the plant, including leaf shape, discoloration and more. These functions are all controlled using Python code, which tells the gantry and camera when to move across the table and take photos. 

IALR Vice President of Applied Research Scott Lowman (left) and Virginia Tech Research Specialist Mitchell Doss (right) look at the potted plants inside the SMART Platform.

“It’s like having a fixed camera above every plant on the table.” – Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research, IALR

In most cases, the gantry and camera are programmed to photograph each plant every 15-30 minutes. By capturing images of plants during their life cycle, researchers can visually fill in the blanks that traditional measurement techniques leave behind.

Initially conceptualized by Jerzy Nowak and Alfred Wicks of Virginia Tech, and based on off-the-shelf equipment used in traditional manufacturing, the SMART Platform concept was later picked up by IALR’s Vice President of Applied Research, Dr. Scott Lowman, during his post-doctoral research in imaging. Dr. Lowman revitalized the idea, custom designing and building new functional tables, control systems and software that are now fully operational. Five SMART Platforms are currently in use, four hosted on IALR’s campus and another at Hargrave Military Academy.

Accuracy and Analysis

These tables are accurate to within a thousandth of an inch. This means that wherever the camera is programmed to go, it will return to that exact spot every single time. This accuracy allows researchers to capture timelapse photography of plant life, visualizing plant growth and death as if a stationary camera had been placed above each plant.

Researchers can utilize this technology to analyze the growth curves of plants during an experiment. Using the fully automatic system to take measurements every 15 minutes, they can see the impact of different variables over time.

“I can start an experiment, and as long as I can take care of the plants, it can run continuously until it’s completed or the plants die.” – Mitchell Doss, Virginia Tech Research Specialist 

A color-sensitive webcam mounted to a mechanical arm, called a gantry, takes a picture of each plant, providing a measurement of plant canopy size as well as other morphological traits of the plant, including leaf shape, discoloration and more. These functions are all controlled using Python code, which tells the gantry and camera when to move across the table and take photos.

These tables are unique because they turn each plant into its own experimental unit. In traditional plant research, scientists take the fresh and dry weight of the harvested plant as a data point. However, this method leaves a gap within the plant’s early development and growth stages. Researchers can gain hyper-detailed data on plant growth by taking measurements of a plant throughout its life cycle.

Analyzing the data gathered from the SMART Platform is a complicated process. After conducting an experiment, researchers have folders on the computer containing thousands of images of each plant. From here, complex lines of code conduct image analysis that detects the amount of greenness (which equals the size of the plant) within an image. By calculating the difference between the number of green pixels from one image to another, researchers gain data on how much and how quickly a plant has grown.

Continued Improvement

Summer interns Kendall Moore (left) and Hunter Pruitt (right) both spent time improving niche aspects of the SMART Platform. Moore designed a hydroponics system to implement into the tables while Pruitt developed a program that automates the tables’ coordinate-finding system.

To continue the development of the SMART Platform, the Applied Research division utilizes IALR’s Summer Internship program to provide young researchers with the opportunity to work with – and improve – this technology. This summer, the team of interns helped build two brand-new SMART Platforms.

“We need people with diverse skills and backgrounds to move these tables forward.” – Dr. Scott Lowman

The interns also carry out individual projects to improve niche aspects of the SMART Platforms. Hunter Pruitt, a rising senior at North Carolina State University, spent his summer working to automate the tables’ coordinate-finding system. Eliminating the need to manually input the coordinates for a plant on the table makes the technology more efficient and easier to use.

Another intern this summer, Kendall Moore, a rising senior at the University of Virginia, designed a hydroponics system to implement into the tables. This will allow for new research on hydroponic growth techniques in addition to potted plants.

The current coding system and graphic user interface used to run the tables was developed by Samuel Hedrick, an intern during the summer of 2021. This allows the table to be user-friendly to those who don’t have a specific background in computer science.

Mitchell Doss, a Virginia Tech Research Specialist currently earning a master’s degree in horticulture, has worked with the SMART Platforms since 2014, when he was a part of the original team of interns who helped with image analysis. Now, the roles have reversed, as Doss has taken on supervising the Coding and Robotics interns.

“IALR is the place for opportunities.” – Mitchell Doss

A jack of all trades in terms of research, Doss has been a part of IALR’s Applied Research Division since 2021. He has conducted various experiments via the SMART Platforms and is carrying out research for his master’s program on potassium levels in fertilizers.

Lowman, Doss and Virginia Tech faculty member Dr. Kaylee South are drafting a research paper introducing the SMART Platform into the present literature. Once this is published, it will allow future research done via the tables to reference it, as opposed to including tedious details within the methods and materials sections of the paper.

What’s next?

Plants shake as they grow. That fact is common knowledge in the scientific community, but it is unclear why they shake or what that movement says about a plant’s overall health. The meaning of plant movement is one area IALR researchers are beginning to explore using the SMART Platform’s complete imaging capabilities.

“We’ll be practically the only people in the world that can look at plant movement as an indicator of plant health scientifically.” – Dr. Scott Lowman

One inconvenience in developing code to detect plant movement is determining the difference between movement and growth. As it stands, plant growth is categorized as the total amount of green pixels in an image, whereas plant movement is the amount of change in green pixels found in an image. In short, if green pixels are found where there were none before, or there are no green pixels where there were before, that is considered plant movement.

Recently, IALR obtained a 3D-scanning device that allows the user to create a three-dimensional model of any object. Implementing this technology within the SMART Platform could allow for further exploration into plant growth and movement.

The capability to accurately measure plant movement could offer a new dependent variable for experiments. This possibility can also be paired with IALR’s extensive endophyte library to provide early detections of bacterial impact.

“It’s not what you expect to find; it’s what you don’t expect to find that makes it interesting.” – Dr. Scott Lowman

Moving forward, the objective is to integrate new types of cameras onto the table, such as multispectral, hyperspectral and lidar cameras that could detect changes in wavelength reflection that human vision cannot detect. Different aspects of plant movement could also be studied, such as leaf tip curling and other changes in the structure of plants.

Another development is the use of a hydroponics system to further automate the process of experimentation via the SMART Platform. In the future, this technology could be merged with the Controlled Environment Agriculture Center at IALR.

The eventual goal is to share the SMART Platform technology and research capabilities with companies and institutions commercially. After many alterations and tweaks throughout the years, an efficient and user-friendly product is nearly ready for market.

IALR Scientist Participates in Gates Foundation Workshop

IALR Scientist Participates in Gates Foundation Workshop

Dr. Chuansheng Mei, Chief Scientist at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), presented in a workshop regarding the potential of endophytic microbes (or helpful bacteria) in sub-Saharan African farming systems at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, Washington, from May 16-17, 2023. Dr. Mei, who leads much of the research at the Endophyte Research Center at IALR, was one of 20 presenters from eight countries.  

At the two-day workshop, pioneers in endophyte research from around the world discussed challenges and opportunities from academic and industry perspectives and began the process of developing a roadmap and vision for future investment opportunities and research questions.  

“It was a great honor to participate in this workshop at the Gates Foundation,” Dr. Mei said. “It was a unique opportunity to collaborate with global leaders in this field and discuss the potential and application of endophytes to enhance food production.”  

Throughout the two-day workshop, the participants explored medium- and long-term opportunities to develop these bio-inputs to deliver major nutrients to crops with specific use cases relevant to small-scale producers (maize, sorghum, tropical legumes and root crops).  

With public-private partnerships and funding, talented scientists and exclusive equipment, the Plant Endophyte Research Center has established IALR as a national leader in the exploration of endophyte potential.  

Dr. Chuansheng Mei, Chief Scientist at IALR (second from right), was one of 20 presenters at a workshop at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation regarding the application of endophytic microbes in sub-Saharan African farming systems.

VDACS Grant Aids Endophyte Use in Indoor Ag

VDACS Grant Aids Endophyte Use in Indoor Ag

(L to R) Mitchell Doss, Dr. Sajeewa Amaradasa, Dr. Scott Lowman,
Dr. Chuansheng Mei, and Robert Chretien will work on the VDACS grant project.

IALR received a grant from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to continue research on beneficial bacteria endophytes and how they can be used to improve yield in hydroponic vegetable production systems. The project, which is titled “Utilizing Beneficial Endophytes to Promote Hydroponic Vegetable Growth and Increase Profitability,” will be provided by the USDA’s COVID-19 Relief Funding via VDACS.

Yields and diseases are two major challenges in hydroponic industries, and IALR scientists have discovered that some endophytes significantly promote plant growth, increase stress tolerance and fight against diseases, all factors that can lead to increased yield and higher profits. During this two-year project, researchers will pragmatically test endophytes from IALR’s collection in a hydroponic system on vegetable crops, such as lettuce and spinach, in IALR’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center, a partnership with Virginia Tech. The best combination of growth-promoting bacteria and biocontrol bacteria will be tested using the randomized block design. The overall outcome for the project is to increase hydroponic vegetable yield by 10-20%. If achieved, it will contribute to making year-round hydroponic production more profitable for growers.

LiveGrow Bio and IALR’s Plant Endophyte Research Center Partner on Microbial Biological Solutions for Growers and Agribusiness

LiveGrow Bio and IALR’s Plant Endophyte Research Center Partner on Microbial Biological Solutions for Growers and Agribusiness

LiveGrow Bio’s manufacturing, formulation, and delivery system, IALR’s endophytes may present natural alternative to chemical treatments

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) and LiveGrow Bio are pleased to announce a partnership to develop microbial biostimulant and biocontrol solutions for growers and the agriculture industry. Pending successful testing, the potential new products could enter commercial production on an accelerated timeline, offering growers natural, healthy alternatives to chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

“The agricultural biologicals market is growing rapidly as farmers are seeking synthetic, chemical-free solutions,” said Mark Gignac, Executive Director of IALR. “This collaboration represents the next step in taking our endophytes to market. Our applied research experience and expertise in endophytes will be combined with LiveGrow Bio’s patented formulation and delivery system in a mutually beneficial partnership that will ultimately benefit farmers across the region and beyond.”

Dr. Chuansheng Mei, Chief Scientist of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), works with endophytes, or beneficial plant bacteria, which serve as biostimulants by naturally stimulating plant growth and health and contributing to natural pest control.

“Our partnership with IALR is an important piece of our product development pipeline over the next two years. By leveraging their extensive work with endophytes, our team can accelerate the identification of the most effective microbes for various crop segments that we are currently targeting. Combined with our patented microbial manufacturing and formulation technology this will allow us to quickly test commercial formulations of these microbes in the field, significantly reducing our timeline for launch of new products,” said Andrey Pinchuk, President and CEO of LiveGrow Bio.

As part of the agreement, IALR will provide LiveGrow Bio some of IALR’s most promising plant endophytes, or beneficial bacteria that were once living inside plants. These extracted microorganisms are from the library of more than 2,000 endophytes collected, characterized and researched by IALR’s Plant Endophyte Research Center, the first of its kind in the U.S. The plant endophytes serve as biostimulants by naturally stimulating plant growth and health, reducing the need for chemical fertilizer use and offering sustainable agricultural solutions. They also serve as biocontrol agents by contributing to natural pest control, providing a healthier alternative to chemical pesticides and improving the environment and soil quality. Collectively, biostimulants and biocontrol agents are known as biologicals.

“Establishing high-value and mutually beneficial partnerships such as this represents an important next step in bringing our natural biological solutions to the market,” said Dr. Scott Lowman, Director of Applied Research at IALR.

LiveGrow Bio will provide a unique, low-cost microbial manufacturing and formulation platform designed to maintain and administer the benefits of the endophytes while meeting the needs of the end user. Of particular advantage is the innovative platform’s ability to accommodate hard-to-formulate and -store biologicals based on Gram-negative bacteria. Most commonly, today’s biologicals integrate Gram-positive bacteria and fungi that produce spores, which allows them to be stored and have a shelf life. The often more efficient Gram-negative bacteria do not produce spores, making them poor candidates for the market in spite of their known high efficacy in the field. However, LiveGrow Bio’s platform provides an effective production, formulation, and delivery solution, which allows them to utilize any Gram-negative as a commercial product and expands opportunities for more diverse and highly effective product development options. In addition, LiveGrow™ Platform produces non-dormant products, which allows for a lower application rate while making their response in the field order of magnitude faster and more effective than the dormant spore-based products.

Soybean Field with Drying Plant in Background – Some of IALR’s most promising endophytes will be combined with LiveGrow Bio’s microbial production and formulation platform to develop microbial biostimulant and biocontrol solutions for growers and the agriculture industry. Major crops, including soybeans, will be targeted as well as others, such as strawberries, tobacco and turf grass.

As published authors and international experts on Gram-negative beneficial bacteria, IALR scientists will partner with LiveGrow Bio on the research and development of the microbial biological solutions. The two teams will combine IALR’s most promising endophytic bacteria with LiveGrow Bio’s platform and test the resulting pilot products on both the east and west coasts to ensure efficacy across diverse climates, environments and soil types. Once successful combinations are found, commercialization will be explored, leading to availability to growers.

LiveGrow Bio is a biotechnology company that has developed a platform allowing for cost-effective and field-effective manufacturing and formulation of any microbial organism. This LiveGrow™ Platform enables successful commercialization of a vast array of effective microbial organisms. LiveGrow Bio is focused on leading the next wave of agricultural innovation via highly concentrated metabolically active formulation of biopesticides and biostimulants to overcome growing pest resistance and ineffective, high-cost microbial products that currently exist in the marketplace. For more information, visit livegrowbio.com.