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Collaborative project: Development of a granule and liquid formulation based on the entomopathogenic fungus Metrahizium brunneum to control wireworms in integrated and organic potato production. Subproject 1 (Agri-Met)

Project


Project code: 2814906415
Contract period: 01.09.2017 - 31.12.2020
Budget: 641,195 Euro
Purpose of research: Experimental development
Keywords: crop production, crop protection, plant health, potato, organic farming, vegetable production, animal pathogens, biological plant protection, maize

In Europe, larvae (wireworms) of the click beetle are an increasing problem, especially in the cultivation of potato and corn. The five species Agriotes lineatus (L.), A. obscurus (L.), A. sputator (L.), A. sordidus (Illiger) und A. ustulatus Schäller are the most important species in Europe. Especially because of the lack of chemical pesticides to control of wireworms, the application of entomopathogenic fungi of the genus Metarhizium can be an alternative strategy to control wireworms in organic and integrated cropping systems. Virulent Metarhizium-strains with efficacy against wireworms were identified in different research groups. E.g. at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) the Metarhizium brunneum-strain LRC112 and at Agroscope (CH) the strain 2825 are promising candidates for the development of a Biocontrol Agents (BCA). The virulence of strains of the JKI-strain collection will be compared with the reference strains and the most promising candidates will be selected for further product development. Here, a granulation process, developed by the JKI, Institute for Biological Control, will be tested and further optimized. A scale up and an economic feasibility of this granulation technology will be proofed by the company ABITEP GmbH and will be compared with alternative formulation methods. To expand the application range of entomopathogenic fungi also sprayable liquid formulations will be developed. The applicability of the granules and liquid formulations will be optimized in cooperation with the JKI, Institute for Application Techniques in Plant Protection and the fertilizer distributer developing and marketing company LEHNER Agrar GmbH. Based on the entomological expertise the JKI, Institute for Plant Protection in Field Crops and Grassland will focus especially on the development and integration of strategies to control wireworms in the field.

The aim of the activities during the reporting period (four months) was to obtain first results as decision support for the planed field trials in 2018. Under laboratory conditions one entomopathogenic fungus was identified with good efficacy against the most important wireworm species. But this fungal strain was not effecting all three tested Agriotes-species. First experiments for the production and formulation of the fungus were promising, as well the experiments of the Heubachtest. Fieldtrials were planed for 2018.

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Subjects

  • Crop Production
  • Crop Protection
  • Agricultural Engineering Plant Production
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