Results from our studies also showed fruit weight increases of between 25 to 35 percent. More seeds develop when a flower is pollinated by a bee than when strawberries are pollinated by wind or gravity. A strawberry increases in size to hold the greater number of seeds. T. harzianum is a Cornell-patented fungal biological control agent that has proven efficacy against a wide range of plant pathogenic fungi. T22 has received approval by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Toxicity testing on vertebrate species indicates no pathogenic or toxic effect.
However, EPA approval is needed to get the fungus registered for food use on both the strawberries, and in beehives that may also be producing honey for human consumption. He expects to continue his research to harness honey bees and bumble bees into delivering any number of biocontrol agents to various fruits and vegetables. He expects commercial beekeepers to provide a ready market for the new T22 'footbaths' once the regulatory challenges are met and the patent granted. He says the demand by strawberry growers for bee pollination services has already increased. New York ranks seventh in the nation in the production of strawberries, with 2,200 acres producing nearly 10 million lbs.