Assessment of microbial biocontrol agent (BCA) viability to mechanical and thermal stress by simulating spray application conditions

Background

In order to improve the biological control agent (BCA) efficacy, stress factors threatening the viability of microorganisms during spray application need to be determined. The effect of spray mixture temperature and exposure time on Trichoderma harzianum T 22 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST713 viability were tested. Concurrently the combined effect of mechanical and thermal stress effect on BCA viability were tested at two initial spray mixture temperatures (14 and 25 °C) by simulating a spray application using airblast sprayers featured by different tank capacity and a spray liquid circuit (without and with hydraulic agitation system). To assess the BCA microorganism viability, spray mixture samples were collected at time intervals along trials and plated to count the colony forming units (CFU).

Results

The critical temperature threshold that inhibited BCA viability was 35 °C with 30 min of exposure. The sprayer type, the initial temperature of the spray mixture and the temperature increment during the trials significantly decreased the number of CFU recovered. When simulating a spray application, the spray mixture temperature increase rate was determined mainly by the residual amount of spray mixture in the tank. Even if the tank capacity does not substantially affect the final temperature reached by the spray mixture, the higher residual spray mixture in bigger tanks can expose the BCAs for a longer time to critical temperatures.

Conclusions

Experimental trials allowed us to identify the effect of factors affecting the viability of tested BCAs, providing information about the actual chance to guarantee the biological efficacy of BCA treatments. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Challenges and opportunities of unmanned aerial vehicles as a new tool for crop pest control

The application of pesticides is not simply delivering chemicals to the target area. It also involves considering the negative aspects and developing strategies to deal with them during the application process, to ensure the maximization of pesticides use efficiency and the maintenance of the ecosystem. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sprayers demonstrate unique advantages compared to traditional ground sprayers, particularly in terms of maneuverability and labor intensity reduction, showed great potential for chemical application in pest control. It is undeniable that there exist challenges in the practice of UAV spraying, such as higher potential risks of pesticide drift or pathogen transmission, uncertainty canopy deposition for different crops, and unexpected leaf breakage induced by downwash flow. Maximizing the utilization of downwash flow while avoiding lateral air movement outside the intended target crop area is a major issue for chemical application with UAV sprayers, particularly in light of the increasingly apparent consensus on the need for enhanced environmental protection during the chemical application process. It must be considered that the operation strategy in different scenarios and for different crop targets is not the same, unique requirements should be given on nozzle atomization, flight parameters, adjuvants and aircraft types in specific working situations. In future, the implementation of spray drift prediction, technical procedures development, and other solutions aimed at reducing pesticide drift and improving deposition quality, is expected to promote the adoption of UAV sprayers by more farmers. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.     

Being exposed to low concentrations of pirimiphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr has detrimental effects on the mobility of Trogoderma granarium

BACKGROUND

Sublethal effects of insecticides may negatively affect several biological and behavioral traits of insects. The lethal effects of pirimiphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr have been previously showed on Trogoderma granarium, but little knowledge is available about their sublethal effects at low concentrations on both sexes. Herein, the sublethal effects of pirimiphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr on the mobility of T. granarium males and females were investigated.

RESULTS

Lethal concentration (LC) values of pirimiphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr were lower for T. granarium females than males. LC values on males were LC₁₀ = 0.000788 and 0.00139 mg active ingredient (a.i.) cm⁻², LC₃₀ = 0.00350 and 0.00535 mg a.i. cm⁻², and LC₅₀ = 0.00986 and 0.0136 mg a.i. cm⁻² for pirimiphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr respectively. LC on females were LC₁₀ = 0.000704 and 0.00110 mg a.i. cm⁻², LC₃₀ = 0.00323 and 0.00428 mg a.i. cm⁻², and LC₅₀ = 0.00925 and 0.0110 mg a.i. cm⁻² for pirimiphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr respectively. The walking duration of beetles exposed to LC₃₀ of pirimiphos-methyl was significantly lower than the individuals exposed to LC₁₀ and LC₃₀ of both insecticides and control ones. Pirimiphos-methyl LC₃₀-exposed males remained more time on their back (101.7 s) than females (46.9 s), while the latter stayed immobile longer than males (381.7 s versus 371.9 s). The highest speed was recorded for control beetles (14.17 mm s⁻¹ females vs. 12.44 mm s⁻¹ males), while the lowest speed was observed in pirimiphos-methyl LC₃₀-treated males (8.36 mm s⁻¹) and females (9.66 mm s⁻¹).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, males and females exposed to low concentrations of pirimiphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr showed reduced motility. This knowledge can be exploited further to unlock behavioral effects of insecticides for effective pest management programs in warehouses. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.     

基于生态管理的山东苹果无袋栽培“依历按需用药”病虫害综合防控方案

山东产区苹果实施无袋栽培首先要选择苹果轮纹病、苹果炭疽病、桃小食心虫、梨小食心虫等果实病虫发生基数较低的果园。实施无袋栽培前,治理果园内外环境,压低病虫基数,防止果园病虫大量繁殖蔓延。在此基础上,依据本地主要病虫害种类及其防治关键时期,设计周年监测与防治预案,即防治历:以10 d为1个周期,监测和预测病虫害的发生动态;当病虫需要用药防治时,选择相应药剂及时防治。苹果无袋栽培的病虫害防控可划分为休眠期、幼果期、雨季和果实采收前4个时期,各个时期的重点防控对象和目标各不相同。休眠期主要铲除在树体和周边环境中越冬的各种病虫,减轻生长期的防治压力;幼果期以防治苹果霉心病、苹果锈病、红蜘蛛、蚜虫、绿盲蝽等为主,兼治其他病虫;雨季以防治苹果轮纹病、苹果炭疽病、桃小食心虫、梨小食心虫为主,兼治其他病虫;采收前,病害以防止弱寄生菌在果面定殖为主,虫害主要防治各种危害果实的害虫。3年来在多个园片试验示范,绝大部分果园病虫果率控制在10%以下。     

十字花科蔬菜害虫种类及综合治理技术

针对近年来江门市蔬菜种植过程中害虫种类繁多、化学农药使用量增加,且抗药性不断增强,防治工作困难的现状,进行了多年实践,在分析江门市十字花科蔬菜害虫发生种类及发生特点的基础上,提出通过采用清除残株落叶、合理轮作等农业防治措施,设置杀虫灯、黄板、性诱剂等物理防治措施,释放寄生蜂、捕食性天敌等生物防治措施,辅之以合理使用高效、低毒、低残留化学农药的综合治理技术,实现了害虫防控总体防效达到90%、化学农药使用量减少30%以上、产量增加5%以上的良好效果,值得大面积推广。     

果树病虫害防治过程中生物农药的应用

生物农药是果树病虫害防治的主要农药之一,特别适宜于绿色、无公害果实的病虫害防治中使用。本文首先介绍了生物农药的优势,然后简介了生物农药的品种、种类,最后着重阐述了生物农药在果实病虫害防治过程中的应用。