harpin protein

[martha]

is anyone using harpin protein on food crops? i have read epa files, proprietary info on Messenger, and testimonials. it all sounds too good to be true, especially the part about protection from fusarium wilt on tomatoes. maybe i'm being too skeptical? please advise!

[drobinson]

What is harpin protein???

[drobinson]

Well, now I know what harpin protein is supposed to do for the gardener, and how it works, but I still don't know what it is for sure or where to get some, - how to apply it, etc. More info would be appreciated.

[shannanm]

I used harpin protein about halfway through this past growing season. The results were probative enough that I'll be using it again next year from the start of the season. The most dramatic effect was on my string beans. The vines went unpicked for two weeks while I was out of town and production had nearly halted. They had also suffered some Japanese beetle damage and white fly infestation. I applied the product three times at the recommended interval. The beans started flowering again and by the end of the summer we had brought in 15 additional pounds of string beans. The vines also grew to 16 feet.

[johno]

I had never heard of this, so I just searched it.

Harpin protein is found in several bacterial pathogens. It was discovered that introducing this particular protein to plants elicited a defensive response. It seems to me to work like a broad-spectrum vaccine, causing the exposed plants to prepare their immune system for many diseases - even viral and fungal diseases. What surprised me the most was that it also causes the plants to turn on other genes that speed up metabolism, basically making them grow better and faster. How much better and faster, I don't know, but it sounds promising...

[onmyknees]

I looked it up too and it sounds like the best thing since sliced bread however it is a bit pricey and has to be used quickly after opening. Is this stuff ok for certified organic gardening?