September 22, 1997
by Linda McCandless
Geneva, NY - Gary E. Harman, a professor at the New York State
Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY, was one of two plant pathologists
from Cornell University to be named a Fellow of the American Phytopathological
Society (APS) at their annual meeting in 
Rochester,
NY, in early August.
The distinction was conferred in recognition of his outstanding contributions in research as relates to the science of plant pathology, to the profession, and to the Society. Election as a Fellow is a reflection of the high esteem in which a member is held by his or her colleagues. " Dr. Harman has achieved international recognition for his research on the use of Trichoderma species of fungi as biological control agents," said Helene Dillard, chair of the plant pathology department. "What has truly set him apart from the others has been his leadership in the development of a marketable biocontrol product. Few biological control agents for use against pathogens have been developed beyond experimental greenhouse and laboratory use."
Harman, who holds a joint appointment in the departments of plant pathology and horticultural sciences, strongly believes that biological control should not end with research, but instead should provide useful tools for plant disease management in commercial agriculture. In 1993, he and two colleagues formed a company, TGT, Inc. (now BioWorks, Inc.) to commercialize biocontrol technologies. The company obtained a license from the Cornell Research Foundation to use patents from Harman's group that deal with genes, enzymes, and the strains of Trichoderma. BioWorks now holds five federal registrations and over 200 state registrations.
Harman now serves as acting CEO of the company and therefore is on a part-time appointment with Cornell University. BioWorks is conducting a national search for permanent CEO and President.
The company recently completed a new production facility in Geneva that is capable of producing over 1 million pounds of product annually, and markets its products nationally and internationally. BioWorks is becoming a leader in a new industry. Harman hopes that BioWorks will serve as a model for the commercialization of academic research. Harman has probably made his most important findings in the area of biological control of seed and seedling diseases. Cooperating with entomologists at Geneva, he found that seed- and root-attacking flies locate subterranean food sources by the volatile substances produced by bacteria and yeasts that colonize seeds or roots. He discovered strains of Trichoderma and Gliocladium, and the bacteria Enterobacter for biocontrol of plant pathogens.
Harman's group has developed fermentation techniques to produce effective seed treatments used in-furrow, broadcast over the soil, or for foliar and fruit applications. In addition, he and his colleagues have discovered genes and proteins produced by Trichoderma that are natural products that control plant diseases. He is working to develop the proteins as a new class of control products for pathogenic and nuisance fungi. Also, the genes are being inserted into various crop plants, which result in the plants becoming resistant.
Harman received his B.S. degree in botany from Colorado State University in 1966, and a Ph.D. degree from Oregon State University in 1969. In 1970, he was appointed assistant professor at Cornell in the Department of Seed Investigation at the Geneva Experiment Station, where he now holds the rank of professor.
Harman has received the Award of Merit from the Northeastern Division of APS, and has served as chair of the Seed Pathology Committee. He joins newly elected fellow Thomas Burr, as well as formerly elected fellows, George Abawi, Herb Aldwinckle, Dennis Gonsalves, and Rosario Provvidenti from the department of plant pathology at the Geneva Station.
For information about Dr. Harman's association with BioWorks, Inc., contact Robyn Shaffer at 315-781-1703.
Click on photographs to view 300 dpi version.
Contact: Linda McCandless, Communications Services
Telephone: (315) 787-2417
e-mail: llm3@cornell.edu
Return to News Page