Abstract
Alternatives and replacements for synthetic chemical-based plant protectants are required. In this study biopolymeric microspheres containing arthropod-derived apitoxin are explored as a possible novel environmentally friendly formulation for plant protection. Here we document the optimization process for microencapsulation of apitoxin into a stable formulation, for ready use in agricultural applications. Efficacy trials were carried out on three different beetle species at various developmental stages (Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say, 1824.), Tenebrio molitor (Linnaeus, 1758.), Sitophilus granarius (Linnaeus, 1758.)). The encapsulated apitoxin has a steady initial and long residual effect, due to the slow release of apitoxin which is one of its main advantages over other conventional control methods. Microspheres loaded with apitoxin have a detrimental effect on insects, of which it is significantly better gastric compared to contact action (due to pH). The results showed that the highest and fastest mortality was obtained when the highest concentrations (0.6%) were applied, chosen to be economically acceptable. These important findings contribute to knowledge on the application and development of encapsulated apitoxin formulations, and their effectiveness, as an alternative eco-friendly control method in agricultural production.
Highlights
The biggest problem associated with the long-term application of pesticides for plant protection is the eventual development of genetic/metabolic resistance in many pests of economic importance [1]
These results indicate the compatibility of water/microspheres formulations deionized water was characterized by a very slow release whereafter as with the apitoxin application during the plant treatment with a significant initial delayAofnearly much as an hour the cumulative release was 11.22% and 6.6%, respectively
Novel tests were conducted on the effectiveness of the application of encapsulated apitoxin to harmful agricultural insect pests, common in Croatia
Summary
The biggest problem associated with the long-term application of pesticides for plant protection is the eventual development of genetic/metabolic resistance in many pests of economic importance [1]. The occurrence of insect resistance is known almost everywhere in the world. The first evidence of resistance—that of the common housefly to DDT—was reported in 1947. The latest research shows over 1000 different insect species that have developed resistance to one or more insecticides [2,3,4]. In the 1940s, U.S farmers lost 7% of their crops due to resistant insects, while that percentage had increased to 13% by. Due to the developed resistance, pests are a great threat to human health, which is confirmed by the fact that malaria-causing mosquitoes are resistant to almost all insecticides used to control them
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