This week’s seminar featured Dr Jie Zang from the Institute of Plant Protection (IPP), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, discussing comprehensively on Research and application of Biopesticides to control Fall Armyworms in China.
More than a million acres of crops were affected by insects pest coming from South East Asia that arrived in China in 2019, and its impact grew the following year. Five emerging technologies are being developed to overcome this issue: (1) understand the spread and movement (accurately predicting the migration route) through monitoring and building an early warning technology platform; (2) screen efficient prevention and control pesticides; (3) undertake targeted research ; (4) management and governance; and (5) manage the FAW population's sustainability.
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains G033A and KN11 were the primary targets of the biocontrol technology. Two of the strains have shown 85% field efficacy against Fall Armyworm, indicating promising future use. The Bt was also tested with other Biopesticides, such as Metarhizum metarhizium, and conventional chemical pesticides, to get a better result. Studies showed that these mixed formulations have a strong synergistic effect as well as a unique insecticidal mechanism. When the dosage is cut in half, the control effect can still reach more than 90%. The biocontrol product can significantly improve insecticidal toxicity and extend the efficacy period and delay the emergence of pest-resistant, showing a broad-market prospect.
