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Alternative pest control methods with insect pathogenic nematodes to keep corn rootworm populations under the injury threshold (Diabrotica virgifera)
Project
Project code: A/09/01, 4572
Contract period: 15.03.2013
- 31.01.2016
Purpose of research: Applied research
Overall objectives
Comparing nematode-based biological control options as alternatives to synthetic pesticides in the management of established Diabrotica maize pest populations
Specific objectives
1. Investigating the efficacy alternative control measures, i.e. nematode-based biological control products applied into soil during sowing, in their efficacy at keeping larvae of established D. v. virgifera populations below threshold levels
2. Investigating the efficacy alternative control measures, i.e. nematode-based biological control products applied into soil during sowing, in their efficacy at keeping root damage by established D. v. virgifera populations below threshold levels
3. Comparing the efficacy of alternative control measures, i.e. nematode-based biological control products nematodes with that of standard insecticides
Experimental design and research activities
Setup
o Study to be conducted in southern Hungary, which is a region already long invaded by D. v. virgifera and with strong local expertise necessary to conduct such trails.
o 2 maize field sites
o Ca. 6 different treatments including 3 to 4 nematode doses of the species Heterorhabditis bacteriophora EURUS and an untreated control as well as a Tefluthrin-soil-insecticide treated and/or a Clothianidin-seed-coated control and/or other novel pesticides comparisons.
o 4 plots per treatment and field according to EPPO guidelines (total = 4 x 6 = 24 plots). Each plot would consist of at least 4 rows x 20 m length.
o All treatments will be conducted into the row at ca. 8 to 10 cm depth together with sowing of maize likely end April or early May, i.e. 3 to 4 weeks prior D. v. virgifera egg hatching.
o Study plots will be artificially infested with D. v. virgifera eggs to simulate established populations of this invasive alien pest species, at a population level near thresholds. The suggested economic threshold level in conventional grain maize is above 3 according to the Iowa scale (Journey and Ostlie 2000) and at 0.25 according to the node injury scale for the corn belt of the USA (Oleson et al., 2005). The latter is suggested to be 0.75 for irrigated conventional maize growing in northern Italy (R. Edwards, 2011, pers. comm.).
o Ca. 12 plants of each 24 plots to be infested, i.e. 300 and/or 500 eggs x 12 x 24 = 86,400 eggs x 2 fields = 172,800 eggs (egg production in CABI labs on-going, if 500 egg infestation for root damage x 6 plants x 24 x 2 fields = 144,000 extra eggs).
o 1 D. v. virgifera emergence cage covering 6 plants will be placed over each plot (1 cage x 4 plots x 6 treatments = 24 cages x 2 fields = 48 cages on 288 plants)
o Root damage and yield will be assessed from 6 infested plants per each of the plots of each treatment (6 plants x 4 plots x 6 treatments = 168 plants x 2 = 288 plants)
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Protection
