Progress 09/01/19 to 04/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences reached include almond growers, almond huller/shellers, and almond processors/packagers. We are also in active discussions with the Almond Board of CA, which is the spokesgroup for all parties in the almond value chain. Changes/Problems:The vaiability we have discovered in trials using SAS to kill insects is still not well understood - we have results that show extreme efficacy with moths and not beetles; we also have studies that show extreme efficacy with beetles not moths. In working with entomologists at both Fresno State University and at a private lab, Sierra Research, we are now of the view that the instar (age) of the insect is the most significant determinant of efficacy. The prevailing hypothesis is that different particle sizesof SiO2 may besuited to different instars, which fact may also be complicated by different receptivity to the material (irrespective of particle size) by differentinsects. Our approach to solving this dilemma is to keep repeating trials that use different particle sizes of SiOs, and also different instarts of insects. The second challenge we have faced is the variability amongst processors whose plant designs would not necessarily accomodate a retrofitted standard piece of equipment to dispense the SAS. Additionally, the behavior of the SAS, being a lightweight powder, is difficult to control in a plant environment. In discussion with the industry participants, we have learned that it would be otptimal to prevent insect damage as early as possible - at the huller sheller - and then when the almonds go into storage bins to await eventual sales throughout the nine months following harvest. Accordingly, this has raised entirely different issues regarding distribution of theSAS material, and we are working with food packing companies to identify an approach that would facilitate distribution of the biopestsicide. The resultant diminution of phosphene usage would be substantial. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The students at UC Merced engineering department were involved in design of the mechanical dispenser and the design of the AI sdystem to measure particle distribution. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We are in constant contact with all cohorts of the industry - we have meetings every month with either growers, hullers, or processors. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Our goals are to finalize insect trials at Fresno State Univ. and Sierra Research to elucidate the reasons for differences in efficacy. A second goal is to continue to solve the packaging problem in working with Transpackers of NJ.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1. We have not completed the commercialscale trials because of inconsistent results in the smaller-scale lab trials. Instead, we have repeated, at three different labs, the efficacy trials of the material (SAS) in an effort to separate the variables that we believe account for differing results in mortality. Those variables include life stage (instar) of the insect, temperature, humidity, and material presentation (i.e., deagglomeration.) 2. We have achieved efficacy of 100% at smaller and larger rates (100 g.- 500g., ) and do not believe that quantity, per se, is a dispositive variable in the ability of SAS to kill insects in almonds. 3. We have designed a comprehensive in-plant dispensing system, but discovered that in-plant dispensing may require more customization than is necessary. We will continue to pursue this possibility, but have discovered that the industry might be more receptive to distribution at earlier points in the value chain - namely, when the almonds are stored awaiting hulling and shelling after being brought from the orchards and secondly, in the storage bins which are used consistently throughout the industry to protect the almonds that remain in warehouses throughout the year. 4. Dr. Sun, of UC Merced, as a subcontractor in this grant, has designed the optical device that would be required to meaure SAS flow in application of the material in an almond processing plant. 5. The cost benefit analysis is now being completed from the view point of social beefit as well as economic benefit. Phosphene - the toxic fumigant now used - is extremely inexpensive - so is SAS, the material that we propose to substitute. The benefit is not in the material cost savings but rather in the industry's consumer facing reputation, which is predicated on a clean, green foundation. Secondly, the cost savings is in the absence of insect damage, which every year costs the almond industry millions of dollars.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/18 to 04/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience is the almond industry and to a lesser degree, the tree nut industry in CA. The specific sectors of the almond industry we wish to, and have succeeded in reaching are (i) the growers (largely represented by the Almond Board of CA "ABC") (ii) the huller/shellers, to whom nuts are brought post-harvest from the field, and (iii) the processors or handlers, who size and segregate for quality, the final product. We have reached out to several entities in each caegory, but now have narrowed down our preferred collaborators in each category - i.e., those with whome we will work in Phase II. We have selected entities that we find are more "progressive" intheir thinking and receptive to ideas that are based more on scientific data than on tradition. Changes/Problems:There have not been major changes in our approach, other than the realization that we need to treat the insect pest problem as early in the value-chain as possible This requires a different distribution (application) technology than that designed for in-processing-plant treatment. We continue to work with packaging and equipment companies to create a low-cost, efficient method for applying the SAS at the huller/sheller. Because the material is so light, it is not easily applied with a conventional duster.Accodingly, we are assessing the possibility of using a particular type of diatamaceous earth ("DE") from a particular company, in conjunction with SAS, because early experiments show this combination could be easier to work with than SAS alone. The combined particles may also address a mositure problem that is extremely significant to the industry. DE is the identical chemical,(SiO2,) but the particle sizes are considerably larger. In lab trials evaluating the efficacy of DE vs. SAS, we have found that some DE products - already approved as biopesticides, are almost equally effective as SAS, but takeconsiderably longer to kill almond pests. Speed, however, is critically important to the almond industry, given that nuts damaged from insects are far less valuable than those in perfect condition, and insects can do extensive damage in a matter of one day, if not hours. Lastly, we have found that while particle size matters insofar as mortality rates and speed of insect kill are concerned, the distribution of particle sizes in SAS supplied by the manufacturers is not reliably consistent. Extensive SEM imaging reveals a much broader distribution of particle sizes than we had originally contemplated. The relevance of this fact is that an inconsistentparticle size may be unhelpful in developing asecure patent position, butneither is IP the determinant of commercial success in this endeavor. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have been in contact with industry participants throughout the course of the Phase I. We intend to present out findings to the indsutry in a more concentrated way at the ABC's annual conference in December, which is attended by virtually all industryparticipants. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1. Due to discrepancies in the results of efficacy at the different labs, and subsequent time delays, we have not completed as many scale trials as was intended. The combined trial results, however, provide assurancewith almonds in containers that duplicateevery characteristic of almonds at commercial scale (2,000 lb bins) with success in kililing both beetles and moths. The one pest that SAS has not killed is the Naval Orange Worm, whose damage originates in the tree before harvest. We are still in the process of evaluating how SAS might be applied - perhaps in a slurry to spray on trees - that could possibly disrupt the NOW's growth cycle. It may also be that SAS is ineffective in treating all storage pests in the almond industry, but not in addressing the NOW problem. 2. We have done dosage testing with beetles and moths, and discovered that the actual quantity of material is less relevant than its distribution throughout the content of the container. We are operating on the premise, based on lab tests, that 500 grams/metric ton is sufficient for mortality. 3. Dr. Sun's Engineering team at University of CA have completed a throughly professional design for dissemination of this very-difficult-to handle material insofar as its application is concerned within the packing plant. It incorporates a measurement system and optical scanning as well. It may be, however, that it is equally important to deploy SAS as an insecticide earlier in the value addition process - perhaps even as early as when the nuts are drying on the orchard floor, and then again, as the nuts sit for many months at the huller/sheller awaiting the availability of the equipment. Allowing insects, brought from the field, to lay eggs in the pile is where insect infestation begins. While phosphine treatment there may kill live insects, its short half-life means that eggs remain, to later hatch and do damage to the crop. 4 See #3 above 5. The almond industry perceives that its chemically-based tools are being withdrawn from use, whether justifiably or not, and recognizes as one huller/sheller said, "we need all the tools we can get - regardless of cost." In the words of a processor, "I have a warehouse with $140 million of almond inventory under my control - I am more than willing to spend more money to protect it - even if I have to raise the cost of the product by a few pennies." There is great risk to the industry if phosphine usage cannot be reduced, given the increasing resistance amongst insectsto phosphine. The costs of SAS at the rate of 500g/tn is in fact, just pennies.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/18 to 03/25/20
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience is the almond industry and to a lesser degree, the tree nut industry in CA. The specific sectors of the almond industry we wish to, and have succeeded in reaching are (i) the growers (largely represented by the Almond Board of CA "ABC") (ii) the huller/shellers, to whom nuts are brought post-harvest from the field, and (iii) the processors or handlers, who size and segregate for quality, the final product. We have reached out to several entities in each caegory, but now have narrowed down our preferred collaborators in each category - i.e., those with whome we will work in Phase II. We have selected entities that we find are more "progressive" intheir thinking and receptive to ideas that are based more on scientific data than on tradition. Changes/Problems:There have not been major changes in our approach, other than the realization that we need to treat the insect pest problem as early in the value-chain as possible This requires a different distribution (application) technology than that designed for in-processing-plant treatment. We continue to work with packaging and equipment companies to create a low-cost, efficient method for applying the SAS at the huller/sheller. Because the material is so light, it is not easily applied with a conventional duster.Accodingly, we are assessing the possibility of using a particular type of diatamaceous earth ("DE") from a particular company, in conjunction with SAS, because early experiments show this combination could be easier to work with than SAS alone. The combined particles may also address a mositure problem that is extremely significant to the industry. DE is the identical chemical,(SiO2,) but the particle sizes are considerably larger. In lab trials evaluating the efficacy of DE vs. SAS, we have found that some DE products - already approved as biopesticides, are almost equally effective as SAS, but takeconsiderably longer to kill almond pests. Speed, however, is critically important to the almond industry, given that nuts damaged from insects are far less valuable than those in perfect condition, and insects can do extensive damage in a matter of one day, if not hours. Lastly, we have found that while particle size matters insofar as mortality rates and speed of insect kill are concerned, the distribution of particle sizes in SAS supplied by the manufacturers is not reliably consistent. Extensive SEM imaging reveals a much broader distribution of particle sizes than we had originally contemplated. The relevance of this fact is that an inconsistentparticle size may be unhelpful in developing asecure patent position, butneither is IP the determinant of commercial success in this endeavor. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have been in contact with industry participants throughout the course of the Phase I. We intend to present out findings to the indsutry in a more concentrated way at the ABC's annual conference in December, which is attended by virtually all industryparticipants. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1. Due to discrepancies in the results of efficacy at the different labs, and subsequent time delays, we have not completed as many scale trials as was intended. The combined trial results, however, provide assurancewith almonds in containers that duplicateevery characteristic of almonds at commercial scale (2,000 lb bins) with success in kililing both beetles and moths. The one pest that SAS has not killed is the Naval Orange Worm, whose damage originates in the tree before harvest. We are still in the process of evaluating how SAS might be applied - perhaps in a slurry to spray on trees - that could possibly disrupt the NOW's growth cycle. It may also be that SAS is ineffective in treating all storage pests in the almond industry, but not in addressing the NOW problem. 2. We have done dosage testing with beetles and moths, and discovered that the actual quantity of material is less relevant than its distribution throughout the content of the container. We are operating on the premise, based on lab tests, that 500 grams/metric ton is sufficient for mortality. 3. Dr. Sun's Engineering team at University of CA have completed a throughly professional design for dissemination of this very-difficult-to handle material insofar as its application is concerned within the packing plant. It incorporates a measurement system and optical scanning as well. It may be, however, that it is equally important to deploy SAS as an insecticide earlier in the value addition process - perhaps even as early as when the nuts are drying on the orchard floor, and then again, as the nuts sit for many months at the huller/sheller awaiting the availability of the equipment. Allowing insects, brought from the field, to lay eggs in the pile is where insect infestation begins. While phosphine treatment there may kill live insects, its short half-life means that eggs remain, to later hatch and do damage to the crop. 4 See #3 above 5. The almond industry perceives that its chemically-based tools are being withdrawn from use, whether justifiably or not, and recognizes as one huller/sheller said, "we need all the tools we can get - regardless of cost." In the words of a processor, "I have a warehouse with $140 million of almond inventory under my control - I am more than willing to spend more money to protect it - even if I have to raise the cost of the product by a few pennies." There is great risk to the industry if phosphine usage cannot be reduced, given the increasing resistance amongst insectsto phosphine. The costs of SAS at the rate of 500g/tn is in fact, just pennies.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience to be reached are almond nut processors whom we have contacted directly and/or through the industry association, Almond Board of CA. We have also been in touch with entomologists at Frsno State University and a private lab doing entomology trials for us. Changes/Problems:The inconsistency of mortality in insect trials has persuaded us the SAS is not a substitute for phosphine, but rather a useful addition to the toolkit of IPM approaches in agriculture. To the degree that the use of phosphine can be diminished, it willl slow the resistance that insects are building to this toxic treatment. This has also encouraged us to evaluate the introduction of SAS treatments as soon as the nuts are brought from the field, where they sit piled outside awaiting hulling and shelling. During this interval, they are treated with phosphine, but a system to treat them with SAS would be longer lasting and deal with eggs that have not yet hatched, which phosphine cannot do. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The Engineering Department at UC Merced has involved one Masters and two undergraduate students to work on the engineering designs and they have been involved in visits to almond processing plants in the Central Valley. We believe they have a full understanding of the commercial goals of the undertaking, and the importance of the engineered systems needed to accomplish those goals. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Further insect trials will be completed to evaluate the proprietary procedures associated with pre-ttreatment of the SAS. A prototype of the dispensing apparatus is being assembled to test its functionality The cost/benefit analysis will be completed this quarter.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1, Lab results have been repeated several times to reconcile differences in outcomes. All results show insecticidal activity, but it is inconsistent across types of insects and ages of insects. We continue to repeat trials to isolate variables.. 2. The optimal rate of application has been determined to be a function of particle size; accordingly, we are working on standardizing the optimal particle size which will drive dosage. This requires an engineered solution and control of other variables including heat.. 3. The apparatus has been successfully designed by UC Merced'e Engineering Department and a prototype is being assembled. 4. This goal has been achieved, and the methodology to measure flow with AI identified in principle. 5. The cost/benefit analysis is still a work in process.
Publications
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