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Evaluation of the effectiveness ofBacillus thuringiensis var.entomocidus as a pest control agent to replace chemical pesticides in alfalfa fields in Israel

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Abstract

The Egyptian cotton leafworm,Spodoptera littoralis Boisd., is the main important pest of alfalfa in Israel. Population levels of other pests usually do not reach the economic threshold. Nine chemical insecticide applications (7 spray applications and 2 granular fluorosilicate baits) were required to controlS. littoralis during the season of 1984 (in which infestation level was high) whereas only 5 applications of aBacillus thuringiensis var.entomocidus (Bte) preparation (3 sprays and 2 baits) produced the same effect. During 1983 and 1985 pest populations were moderate and only 6 chemical pesticide applications were required. A bait ofBte on wheat bran, Coax®, developed in the present study was effective in the control of large larvae (instars 4–6). Hay yields of fields treated withBte were similar to the yields of a conventionally treated field. The best control of large larvae was obtained by applying the bait preparation under the wind row during the alfalfa cutting.

Zusammenfassung

Die Baumwolleule,Spodoptera littoralis Boisd., ist der wichtigste Alfalfa-Schädling in Israel. Neun Anwendungen chemischer Insektizide (7 flüssig und 2 als Granulatköder) während der Saison 1984 (in welcher die Dichte des Schädlings sehr hoch war) zeigten dieselbe Wirkung wie nur 5 Anwendungen vonBac. thuringiensis var.entomocidus (3 flüssig und 2 Köder). In den Jahren 1983 und 1985 wechselte die Schädlingsdichte, und es waren nur 6 Anwendungen chemischer Präparate notwendig. EinBacillus-Köder auf Kleie-Basis, Coax®, der hierfür entwickelt wurde, erwies sich als wirksames Bekämpfungsmittel gegen ältere Raupen (L4–L6). Die Heu-Ernte von mitBacillus behandelten Feldern entsprach jener von konventionell behandelten. Der beste Bekämpfungseffekt gegen große Raupen ergab sich bei Anwendung derBacillus-Köder in der Lee-(unter dem Wind-) Reihe während des Alfalfa-Schnitts.

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Broza, M., Sneh, B. & Levi, M. Evaluation of the effectiveness ofBacillus thuringiensis var.entomocidus as a pest control agent to replace chemical pesticides in alfalfa fields in Israel. Anz. Schadlingskde., Pflanzenschutz, Umweltschutz 59, 152–156 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01905852

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