Insecticidal Effects of Different Application Techniques for Silica Dusts in Plant Protection on Phaedon cochleariae Fab. and Pieris brassicae L.

Since the 1900s, diatomaceous earth (DE) has been used as an alternative to chemical insecticides in stored product protection. New silica and DE formulations offer expanded possibilities for use in horticultural crops. However, many crop pests are found on the leaf underside and this is especially challenging when using silica because the substance must have direct contact with the insect to be effective. We tested three application techniques with three formulations of silica to evaluate their efficacy against different developmental stages of mustard leaf beetle (Phaedon cochleariae Fab.) and the cabbage worm of the large white butterfly (Pieris brassicae L.) on the host plant species pak choi (Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis L.). Formulations were applied manually with a powder blower, with an electrostatic spray gun, and in a closed chamber also working with electrostatic forces. The silica formulations used in the biotests were Fossil Shield 90.0s®, AE R974®, and a formulation developed at Humboldt University Berlin called AL-06-109. All formulations contained at least 60% silicon dioxide. Significant differences in efficacy were detected with different application methods and/or silica formulations. AL-06-109 electrostatic cabin-applied was the most effective combination. All formulations, if applied electrostatically, resulted in good coverage and in high plant protection against insect pests. Dusts applied manually were unevenly distributed and easily removed by wind from leaf surfaces. Electrostatic application with a spray gun resulted in even particle distribution on plants, but overspray was high. To accomplish even coverage without wasting so much active material, an enclosed mobile chamber with an electrostatic spray system and an attached exhaust system was developed.

Download Full-text

Comparing Spray Gun and Spray Boom Applications in Two Ivy Crops with Different Crop Densities

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.47.1.51 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 51-57 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Dieter Foqué ◽

Jan G. Pieters ◽

David Nuyttens

Keyword(s):

Plant Protection ◽

Spray Deposition ◽

Crop Protection ◽

Spray Application ◽

Adaxial Side ◽

Crop Density ◽

Application Techniques ◽

Spray Distribution ◽

Greenhouse Growers ◽

Spray Gun

Flemish greenhouse growers predominantly use handheld spray guns and lances for their crop protection purposes despite the heavy workload and high risk for operator exposure associated with these techniques. These spray application techniques have also shown to be less effective than spray boom equipment under many conditions. Handheld spraying techniques are less expensive, however, and they are more flexible in practical use. Many growers also erroneously believe that high spray volumes and pressures are needed to assure good plant protection. The aim of this work was to evaluate the spray deposition, penetration, and uniformity between a manually pulled horizontal spray boom as compared with a spray gun under controlled laboratory conditions. In this study, we evaluated six spray application techniques, i.e., three spray boom and three spray gun techniques. In general, the deposition results were comparable between the spray boom and the spray gun applications. The spray boom applications, however, resulted in a more uniform spray distribution. At the plant level, the spray distribution was not uniform for any of the techniques used; the highest deposits were observed on the upper (or adaxial) side of the top leaves. Using spray guns at a higher spray pressure did not improve spray penetration in the canopy or deposition on the bottom (or abaxial) side of the leaves. Of the different nozzle types tested on the spray boom, the extended range flat fan XR 8003 gave the best results. Crop density clearly affected crop penetration and deposition on the bottom side of the leaves.

Download Full-text

Development and Prospect of UAV-Based Aerial Electrostatic Spray Technology in China

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11094071 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 4071

Author(s):

Yali Zhang ◽

Xinrong Huang ◽

Yubin Lan ◽

Linlin Wang ◽

Xiaoyang Lu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Protection ◽

Structure Design ◽

Research Progress ◽

Theoretical Simulation ◽

Spray System ◽

Charged Droplets ◽

Agricultural Use ◽

Field Efficiency ◽

The Impact ◽

Electrostatic Spray

Aerial electrostatic spray technology for agriculture is the integration of precision agricultural aviation and electrostatic spray technology. It is one of the research topics that have been paid close attention to by scholars in the field of agricultural aviation. This study summarizes the development of airborne electrostatic spray technology for agricultural use in China, including the early research and exploration of Chinese institutions and researchers in the aspects of nozzle structure design optimization and theoretical simulation. The research progress of UAV-based aerial electrostatic spray technology for agricultural use in China was expounded from the aspects of nozzle modification, technical feasibility study, influencing mechanism of various factors, and field efficiency tests. According to the current development of agricultural UAVs and the characteristics of the farmland environment in China, the UAV-based aerial electrostatic spray technology, which carries the airborne electrostatic spray system on the plant protection UAVs, has a wide potential in the future. At present, the application of UAV-based aerial electrostatic spray technology has yet to be further improved due to several factors, such as the optimization of the test technology for charged droplets, the impact of UAV rotor wind field, comparison study on charging modes, and the lack of technical accumulation in the research of aerial electrostatic spray technology. With the continuous improvement of the research system of agricultural aviation electrostatic spray technology, UAV-based electrostatic spray technology will give play to the advantages in increasing the droplets deposition on the target and reducing environmental pollution from the application of pesticides. This study is capable of providing a reference for the development of the UAV-based agricultural electrostatic spray technology and the spray equipment.

Download Full-text

Electrostatic spray gun

Metal Finishing ◽

10.1016/0026-0576(95)90289-9 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 93 (5) ◽

pp. 65-66

Keyword(s):

Electrostatic Spray ◽

Spray Gun

Download Full-text

The effects of a synthetic insecticide and a mineral oil on alfalfa insect pests

Pesticidi i fitomedicina ◽

10.2298/pif1804221n ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 33 (3-4) ◽

pp. 221-231 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ivelina Nikolova ◽

Natalia Georgieva

Keyword(s):

Acyrthosiphon Pisum ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Plant Protection ◽

Good Control ◽

Plant Protection Products ◽

Mineral Oil ◽

Synthetic Insecticide ◽

Combined Application ◽

Negative Environmental Impact ◽

Integrated Pest Control

The effects of the synthetic insecticide Eforia 043 ZK (thiamethoxam+lambdacyhalothrin), applied alone and at 1/5 and 2/5 reduced doses in a mix with the mineral oil Akarzin, on Tychius flavus Beck. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Adelphocoris lineolatus Goeze (Hemiptera: Miridae), Acyrthosiphon pisum Harr. (Hemiptera: Aphididae), harmful thrips (Thysanoptera) and cicadas (Hemiptera: suborder Auchenorrhyncha) were studied. The efficacy of Eforia (applied alone and in reduced doses) was significantly higher against A. pisum, followed by A. lineolatus and harmful thrips, compared to cicadas. The insecticidal action of Akarzin had a better protective effect against A. pisum, followed by A. lineolatus, in comparison with thrips and cicadas. Combined application of the broad-spectrum insecticide Eforia provided good control against insect pests. The mix of Eforia?s reduced 1/5 dose with the mineral oil showed the highest toxicity throughout the reporting period. Eforia applied at the reduced dose of 2/5 with Akarzin followed in efficacy. A synergistic effect was observed in combinations and was defined as subadditive synergism. Reduced dosage of Eforia and decrease in negative environmental impact of the plant protection products is a friendly approach to integrated pest control. It is important to apply innovative formulations of plant protection products that are safer both for plants and the environment.

Download Full-text

Effect of mini-sprinkler irrigation system on Heterorhabditis baujardi LPP7 (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae) infective juvenile

Scientia Agricola ◽

10.1590/s0103-90162008000400017 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 65 (4) ◽

pp. 433-437 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Juan Carlos Lara ◽

Cláudia Dolinski ◽

Elias Fernandes de Sousa ◽

Rogério Figueiredo Daher

Keyword(s):

Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽

Galleria Mellonella ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Irrigation System ◽

Larval Mortality ◽

Sprinkler Irrigation ◽

Infective Juvenile ◽

Application Techniques ◽

Temperature And Pressure ◽

Search Capability

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are currently being used as successful biological control agents of soil-dwelling insect pests. Previous field and greenhouse studies demonstrated that application techniques and non-biotic factors (temperature and pressure) have a significant effect on EPNs efficacy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of an irrigation spray application system on the viability, infectivity and host search capability of Heterorhabditis baujardi LPP7 (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae) infective juveniles (IJ). Two assays were proposed. Their viability was evaluated under the microscope after the IJ passed through the irrigation system. Infectivity on Galleria mellonella larvae, and host search capability, as evidenced by larval mortality, were evaluated in containers (Experiment 1). In the field (Experiment 2), mortality of G. mellonella larvae was evaluated under different nematode concentrations (0, 100,000, 300,000 and 500,000 IJ per tree). No differences were recorded on the viability, infectivity and host search capability of the IJ in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, differences were recorded among the different concentrations used (p < 0.05), and a higher mortality was observed at the highest nematode concentration (28.3% and 37% in each one of the two experiment repetitions). This irrigation system did not affected adversely the viability, infectivity and host search capability of H. baujardi LPP7.

Download Full-text

Large White Butterfly. The Biology, Biochemistry and Physiology of Pieris Brassicae (Linnaeus).John Feltwell

The Quarterly Review of Biology ◽

10.1086/413127 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 58 (1) ◽

pp. 99-100

Author(s):

Frances S. Chew

Keyword(s):

Pieris Brassicae ◽

Large White

Download Full-text

Entomopathogenic nematodes: can we use the current knowledge on belowground multitrophic interactions in future plant protection programmes? – Review

Plant Protection Science ◽

10.17221/24/2019-pps ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 55 (No. 4) ◽

pp. 242-253 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Anamarija Jagodič ◽

Stanislav Trdan ◽

Žiga Laznik

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Plant Protection ◽

Multitrophic Interactions ◽

Herbivore Attack ◽

Below Ground ◽

Chemical Stimuli

Plants under herbivore attack emit mixtures of volatiles that can attract the natural enemies of the herbivores. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are organisms that can be used in the biological control of insect pests. Recent studies have shown that the movement of EPNs is associated with the detection of chemical stimuli from the environment. To date, several compounds that are responsible for the mediation in below ground multitrophic interactions have been identified. In the review, we discuss the use of EPNs in agriculture, the role of belowground volatiles and their use in plant protection programmes.

Download Full-text