A particle film crop protectant provides a bio-rational approach for control of psylla and other important insect pests

摘要

A crop protectant based on particle film technology has been co-developed by the USD A and Engelhard Corporation, USA and is already used for protection against economically important physiological and environmental stresses; particularly the damagingmanifestations of heat stress and sunburn. This formulated kaolin particle film (FKPF) containing 95% active kaolin, has been commercialised in wettable powder form in the USA and several other countries and is used against a number of insects. Field trials conducted in Europe over the last four years have shown that FKPF resulted in equal or superior performance, compared with pyrethroid or organo-phosphate (OP) standard insecticides, against pear psylla, vine leafhoppers and the olive fruit fly. Application dose rates ranged from 25 to 50 kg/ha and spray frequencies ranged from one to four per season. In all trials, no crop phototoxicity was observed. In vines, no adverse effects were found from FKPF applications on fermentation processes, wine properties or taste. Ongoing trials in Europe and elsewhere are now providing encouraging results against other key insect pests. This novel technology therefore offers a reduced risk alternative for insect control and resistance management in addition to its current uses on crops for environmental stress protection.