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Collaborative project: Development of novel formulations for behavior manipulating strategies for biological control of Cacopsylla picta, vector of apple proliferation. Subproject 2 (PICTA-KILL)

Project


Project code: 2814900515, JKI-OW-08-1206
Contract period: 15.01.2017 - 14.03.2021
Budget: 201,184 Euro
Purpose of research: Experimental development
Keywords: plant diseases (virusus, bacteria, fungi, phytoplasma), fruit production, crop protection, plant health, pome, biological plant protection, organic farming

Being the vector of Candidatus Phytoplasma mali, the infectious agent of apple proliferation, Cacopsylla picta is responsible for an annual economic loss of a three-digit-million range in Europe. Because there are no direct measures to combat apple proliferation, the vector itself has to be controlled in order to protect the plants. In Germany, there are no authorized plant protection products available, neither for organic farming nor for conventional farming. New insights into the scent preferences of C. picta offer innovative options for its control. Hence, the aim of this project is to develop formulations, which can be applied for attract-and-kill-strategies against C. picta. Furthermore, it is to examine if a combination with repellent agents supports the effect ('push-pull-kill”-strategy).
The project attempts to introduce a method employing a low level of plant protection measures. The formulations work target specifically, preventively and biologically reducing health risks of humans and animals as well as impact on nature. In laboratory and field trials new repellent, attractive and arresting substances, entomopathogenic microorganisms and other insecticides effective against C. picta as well as formulation materials and methods for these active ingredients will be screened. For the entomopathogenic microorganisms cost efficient mass production processes will be developed by making use of the fully automated BioLector Pro. Appropriate formulations will be developed and tested in laboratory and field trials.

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