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Old January 7, 2017   #4
PhilaGardener
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Near Philadelphia, PA
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The basic idea was to develop a surface treatment that suppressed the formation of frost/ice crystals.

By altering bacterial communities that grow normally on plant surfaces, it is possible to provide modest freezing protection. Some varieties of bacteria promote ice crystal formation and others suppress it. However, public controversy about GMO varieties (IceMinus) as well as natural strains (Frostban) of Pseudomonas syringae resulted in the abandonment of this approach.

Given agricultural losses that happen in snap freezes (think orchards) even modest protection could save farms and food.

We are just beginning to appreciate the diversity and functions of microbes in and on our own bodies apart from causing disease. Evidence is emerging that they affect our development, our health, and our psychological state. Similarly, a better understanding of the microbial communities in and on plants (both above ground as well as in the soil) has great potential. Many of the most stringent organic gardeners use BT (Bacillus thuringensis) bacteria to protect their crops and inoculate their legumes with nitrogen fixing bacteria, so one might be optimistic that advances in this area can be effective, safe and acceptable.
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