ISHS Acta Horticulturae 347: II International Symposium on Integrated Fruit Production
THE POTENTIAL FOR USING INSECT VIRUSES FOR PEST CONTROL IN DUTCH FRUIT PRODUCTION |
| Authors: | M. Malais, W.J. Ravensberg |
| Abstract:
In the Netherlands, the possibilities for marketing viruses against codling moth (Cydia pomonella) and summer fruit tortrix moth (Adoxophyes orana) have been studied since 1990. Both virus products are produced by the Swiss company Andermatt and are marketed in Switzerland using the trade name MADEX for the codling moth virus (CpGV) and CAPEX for the summer fruit tortrix virus (AoGV). As these virus products are extremely host specific, harmless to beneficials and environmentally safe, they seem ideally suited for use in integrated or biological plant protection programmes. This paper reviews the commercial potential of these virus products and describes the efficacy tests necessary for registration and market research regarding their potential acceptance by growers. In 1990 and 1991 field efficacy trials were carried out with both viruses. From these trials it was concluded that the codling moth virus had the same effect as diflubenzuron, which was used in the trials as a control. In both years the occurence of summer fruit tortrix was minimal and the trials using the virus against this pest were, as a consequence, inconclusive. To estimate the commercial possibilities of both virus products Koppert has conducted market research. A questionaire was sent to 600 fruitgrowers with the help of the Dutch Fruitgrowers Organisation (NFO). The results showed that fruit growers regard the new developments positively. Whether they will use the virus products will largely depend upon their price and this will certainly be higher than that of the chemical products now used. The usefulness, however, of a specific virus against summer fruit tortrix is doubtful. In integrated plant protection programmes the damage by summer fruit tortrix seems to decrease, whereas other leafroller species cause more and more problems. The codling moth remains a difficult pest to control with damage varying each season. From the results of these efficacy trials and the data obtained from market research it would appear that only registration of the codling moth virus seems feasible. However, as no viruses are yet registered for this purpose in the Netherlands, it is expected to be a costly and time-consuming procedure. Currently, other applications, for the registration of baculoviruses, are being processed. We hope that this will stimulate the registration of more biological products in the future. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
