Source: ISCA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. submitted to
SPLAT PBW: LONG LASTING SPRAYABLE PHEROMONE FORMULATION TO ERADICATE PECTINOPHORA GOSSYPIELLA
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
SMALL BUSINESS GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0219224
Grant No.
2009-33610-20292
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
2009-01155
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2009
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2011
Grant Year
2009
Program Code
[8.2]- Plant Production and Protection-Biology
Recipient Organization
ISCA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
2060 Chicago Ave. Suite C2
RIVERSIDE,CA 92507
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The focus of ISCA Technologies is the development of a sprayable easily deployed pheromone-based technology for the eradication of pink bollworm (PBW). The new mating disruption technology will be very useful to prevent re-invasion of the eradicated areas by the pink bollworm. The new technology will directly contribute to lowering eradication costs, and will also contribute in protecting the colossal investment that was made to eradicate the pink bollworm.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2111719113050%
2113110113050%
Knowledge Area
211 - Insects, Mites, and Other Arthropods Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
1719 - Cotton, other; 3110 - Insects;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology;
Goals / Objectives
In Phase I research, ISCA Technologies optimized droplet size, composition (and delivery systems for a SPLAT PBW product to be used in Mating Disruption and Attract& Kill. In Phase II, ISCA Technologies proposes to continue refining the formulation, particularly the A&K formulation and the aerial deposition, because in a previous trial, the longevity of high performance of SPLAT PBW formulations applied aerially lasted for 75 days under intense desert sun (application occurred at 6 leaf stage of cotton plants in fields in the Yuma, AZ region). Although the longevity was extremelly good for aerial applicatins under these conditions (6 leaf stage of cotton, high heat and solar incidence), ISCA Technologies would like to increase it to season long.
Project Methods
The focus of ISCA Technologies is the development of a sprayable easily deployed pheromone-based technology for the eradication of pink bollworm (PBW). The new mating disruption technology will be very useful to prevent re-invasion of the eradicated areas by the pink bollworm. The new technology will directly contribute to lowering eradication costs, and will also contribute in protecting the colossal investment that was made to eradicate the pink bollworm. With SPLAT technology ISCA is expanding on an already successful model for deployment of long-lasting pheromone residues in crop environments. As a consequence the project team is well aware of the challenges they face and with the expert help of USDA-APHIS and AZ-PBWEP personnel they can appropriate adjust the technology the biology and environment of this pest. There are concerns about the temperature lability of the formulated product and the exceptionally harsh conditions (high temperature in excess of 40C and high solar radiation). The investigators have considered this in Phase I and have made some initial attempts to develop stability of the formulated product. Further improvements will be made in Phase II. There are also two concerns about aerial application of this product. First, aerial deposition while cotton is very small (< 6-leaf stage) means the majority of the SPLAT product is actually deposited on soil and other non-target surfaces. This will naturally decrease the efficiency of the system and potentially increase the costs of delivering this product for its intended purpose. The second concern has to with dollop size when delivered from aerial systems. With a much smaller dollop, the diffusion characteristics will be changed and naturally shorten the longevity of the product. Both concerns have been identified by project personnel and will be addressed in Phase II.

Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The results of this research program have led to the development of SPLAT PBW and SPLAT PBW A&K formulations that can be applied using conventional spray equipment, that have a long-lasting field life (four months or longer when applied by ground; 60 days or more if applied by plane), and are biodegradable and safer for the environment and the consumer. These formulations are innovative and provide the USDA and cotton growers with efficiency, ease of use, and substantial savings. PARTICIPANTS: Agenor Mafra-Neto, ISCA Technologies, Inc. Diego Zeni, , ISCA Technologies, Inc. Lyndsie Stoltman, , ISCA Technologies, Inc. Annlok Yap, , ISCA Technologies, Inc. Lisiani Silva, ISCA Technologies, Inc. Carmem Bernardi, , ISCA Technologies, Inc. Kim Li Spencer, , ISCA Technologies, Inc. Rafael Borges, , ISCA Tecnologias, LTDA. TARGET AUDIENCES: The results of this research program have led to the development of SPLAT PBW and SPLAT PBW A&K formulations that can be applied using conventional spray equipment, that have a long-lasting field life (four months or longer when applied by ground; 60 days or more if applied by plane), and are biodegradable and safer for the environment and the consumer. These formulations are innovative and provide the USDA and cotton growers with efficiency, ease of use, and substantial savings. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
The goal of this SBIR project was to develop long lasting semiochemical based formulations that target management of pink bollworm at the adult stage through mating disruption and attract and kill techniques. Using ISCA Technologies' patented SPLAT matrix as a dispenser for releasing active ingredients in the field, growers will benefit from mechanical application, flexibility in dosing and point source density, and long-lasting control. To achieve the desired formulation characteristics, specific research objectives focused on determining the optimal ratio and dosage of active ingredients in SPLAT, point source size and density, rain-fastness of each formulation, killing efficacy, field longevity, ease of application and level of control achieved. In doing so, this project contributed to USDA's section "8.2 Plant Production and Protection - Biology," which looks to "examine means of enhancing crop production by applying biological approaches to reducing the impact of harmful agents." The problem we proposed to solve has been judged "significant" and of "high importance," and the research and development leading to the final SPLAT PBW MD and A&K formulations "significantly aides in current eradication programs" led by USDA APHIS.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period