QLK5-1999-01118 Protecting biodiversity through the development of environmentally sustainable locust and grasshopper control

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Website: www.esloco.org
Summary Information



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Integrated Crop Protection & Biological Control : Quality of Life - 5.1.1 Sustainable Agriculture - Plant Systems

Contract No:	QLK5-1999-01118
Source:	Progress Report - January 2001 - Abstract

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Progress Report - January 2001 - Abstract

Objectives

The main aim of the project is to reduce the environmental impact of current chemical-based locust control operations in Europe through the development of a new environmentally sustainable strategy based on the safe and effective use of mycoinsecticides. A mycoinsecticide is a biological pesticide based on a naturally occurring fungal disease (such as Metarhizium) that is specific to the target pest, in this case locusts and grasshoppers. Within this aim, the objectives for the first year of the project were to:

• Demonstrate the performance of the mycoherbicides in a number of small scale field trials against Moroccan locust in Spain, and in preliminary laboratory-based bioassays in Italy
• Begin studies to determine environmental risks and benefits of the mycoherbicides, specifically considering effects on key non-target organisms, including the indigenous microbial community
• Conduct ecological studies and begin development of a model to predict mycoinsecticide performance at different times and places and develop optimum use strategies for the mycoinsecticide
• Conduct microbiological research and provide technical support to a commercial company to produce the mycoinsecticide including design and testing of an industrial size cyclone unit for extraction of fungal conidia from the solid production substrate
• Provide support to the producer and commercial supplier to provide necessary guidance and information on regulatory matters in order to obtain product registration
• Engage key stakeholders (for example plant protection officers and relevant local and national authorities) through workshops and participatory trials to address the current lack of understanding and knowledge of biopesticide properties, benefits and use.
• Improve capacity for utilising microbial control products through participation in an internationa l initiative to define appropriate data and methodologies for the harmonisation of registration requirements for microbial pesticide products in Europe.

Results and Milestones

Three small-scale field trials of the mycoinsecticide were carried out in La Serena in southern Spain. Trials were carried out in collaboration with the local locust protection personnel who received training in formulation and application of the mycoinsecticide as well as in post application methodologies for assessing mortality, spore persistence and the importance of thermal ecology (response to heat).

The field trials indicated that Moroccan locusts represented a good target for the mycoinsecticide. This was confirmed by field laboratory mortality assessments where 100% of all mycoinsecticide treated locusts died within 10 days. When the formulating oil was applied alone it had no significant effect on locust survival. Unfortunately, control mortality was generally high because of the high prevalence of indigenous fungal pathogens. However, locusts treated with the mycoinsecticide died significantly quicker than the control sample in all treatments. In addition, studies on thermal ecology indicated that the naturally occurring pathogens, although apparent under laboratory conditions, are unlikely to have any significant effects under normal field conditions.

The susceptibility of Moroccan locusts was further confirmed in bioassay studies in Italy that showed locusts to succumb to infection following treatment with the mycoinsecticide, even when maintained in hot, sunny conditions. A bioassay against Italian grasshoppers indicated that this species is also susceptible to the mycoherbicide, with again, 10% mortality occurring in 10 days.

Overall the spray methodology commonly used for locust control in Spain was found to be compatible with the oil formulated mycoinsecticide and both key pest species were highly susceptible to the pathogen.

Studies on environmental impact are ongoing, but initial results suggest that impact of the mycopesticides on naturally occurring microbes (which are the only group at any real risk because of potential competitive effects) is likely to be limited.

The remaining ecological studies focussed on understanding the thermal ecology of the target locusts and how temperature influences the speed of kill by the mycoinsecticide. A predictive model was developed to assess the expected rate of decline of a locust population in the field after a spray application of the mycoinsecticide. Using filed environmental data and local meteorological data; the model was run to assess variation in speed of kill both within season and between seasons. Temperature dependent development rates of locusts were also analysed to investigate appropriate timing of applications. These models are now being used as a basis for developing a use strategy for the mycoherbicides. The results of all these efficacy and ecological studies were presented at the annual workshop of the Spanish Locust Working Group.

Progress was made towards the production of a commercial production facility for the pesticide including development and testing of an industrial-scale extractor for separating the spores from the mass production substrate.

A detailed registration dossier for the biopesticide had been prepared for submission to authorities in West Africa and was reviewed with respect to future submission in Spain. It is possible that further toxicology tests will be needed on the final filed formulation to meet the requirements of the Spanish authorities; clarification of requirements is expected at the beginning of year two.

As part of an international initiative to define appropriate data and methodologies for the harmonisation of registration requirements for microbial pesticide products in Europe, a preliminary set of guidelines for quality control procedures for fungal biopesticide products was finalised and published. This publication will act as a discussion document for biocontrol manufacturers and regulatory authorities to work towards the harmonisation of quality control procedures for commercial biopesticide products. The paper has been distributed to key individuals involved in the OECD Working Group on Pesticides and the ECCO team for Evaluation of new and existing substances under Directive 91/414/EEC. This document is under consideration for implementation into the draft documentation for 'Uniform Principles for the preparation of registrations dossiers for biopesticide products'.

Benefits and Beneficiaries

By meeting the scientific, technical and demonstration objectives of the programme and establishing a new biocontrol technology and capacity in Europe, the project will deliver an overall reduction in environmental contamination caused by current locust and grasshopper control operations. Additionally, through the associated advances in evaluation methods, production technologies and regulatory procedures, it will also increase the scope for exploiting microbial diversity in sustainable management of other pests and diseases in Europe.

Future Actions

Field testing of the mycoinsecticide will continue in the se4cond year of the project with a number of larger-scale applications conducted in Spain in April, May and June. Further laboratory and caged field trials will also be conducted in Italy. These studies will be supported by further ecological research examining factors such as sub-lethal effects of the pathogen, probability of establishment of the pathogen and impact on native natural enemies and microbes. Ecological research will also be conducted to continue to elaborate the thermal ecology of the locusts and how this affects the performance of the pathogen at different times and places. The model predicting pathogen performance will then be refined and tested to provide the first guidelines for using the mycoinsecticide in operational control. The results of the trials and the supporting ecological studies will be summarised in a number of scientific publications and presented and discussed at the annual meeting of the Spanish Locust Working Group and other relevant conferences.

The remaining information for the registration dossier will be collated and the process of registering the mycoinsecticide initiated in Spain.

Production capacity of the industrial producer will be scaled up and the equipment for effective harvesting and formulating large quantities of fungal spores will be installed.