It may rank among the “Least Wanted” plants in North America (the state of Washington describes it as noxious for its ability to crowd out all other vegetation), but the Japanese knotweed may be good for something after all.

Dr. Pam Marrone, founder of Marrone Organic Innovations announced at a recent meeting of the American Chemical Society the development of a new biopesticide made from knotweed extract, one that will be appropriate for use by organic farmers who shun conventional pesticides.

According to a news release from the ACS, the new product “has active compounds that alert plant defenses to combat a range of diseases, including powdery mildew, gray mold and bacterial blight that affect fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals.” MOI already has multiple biopesticides — products derived from plant and other natural materials instead of synthetics — on the market, including one made for home use. The company estimates biopesticide sales could hit $1 billion by 2010, inching up their share of an overall pesticide market that currently stands at $30 million a year.

The new substance is already ready for use by conventional farmers (it goes on sale in October) and should be available in an organic formulation next year.

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