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Ca

This is really neat! Innovative Indian farmers use Bee's to spread bacteria that fights various pathogens:

Hive insert
Honey bees and bumble bees serve as a vector for the dispersal of
biocontrol agents for the control of diseases of flowering and fruit crops
(Sandhu and Waraich, 1985, Kevan et al., 2003). An innovative method of
application of bio-control agent right in the infection court at the exact time
of susceptibility was developed by Thomson et al. (1992). A dispenser is
attached to the hive and loaded with powder formulation of the PGPR or
with other desired biocontrol agent. The foragers when exit the hive, the
antagonist get dusted on to bee and delivered to the desired crop, while
attempting for sucking the nectar. Erwinia amylovora causing fire blight of
apple infects through flower and develops extensively on stigma.
Colonisation by antagonist at the critical juncture is necessary to prevent
flower infection. Since flowers do not open simultaneously the bio-control
agent P. fluorescens has to be applied to flowers repeatedly to protect the
stigma. Nectar seeking insects like Aphis mellifera can be used to deliver
P. fluorescens to stigma. Bees deposit the bacteria on the flowers soon after
opening due to their foraging habits. Honey bees have also been used for the
management of gray mold of strawberry and raspberry (Peng et al., 1992;
Sutton, 1995; Kovach et al., 2000).

8/28/2009 1:42:53 PM

sevierville, Tn

Totally cool, Great idea !

8/28/2009 2:46:38 PM

Long Island,New York

unionize!! farmers are taking advantage of the workers !!!

8/28/2009 4:04:21 PM