Articles
THE POTENTIAL FOR USING INSECT VIRUSES FOR PEST CONTROL IN DUTCH FRUIT PRODUCTION
This paper reviews the commercial potential of these virus products and describes the efficacy tests necessary for registration and market research regarding their potential acceptance by growers.
In 1990 and 1991 field efficacy trials were carried out with both viruses.
From these trials it was concluded that the codling moth virus had the same effect as diflubenzuron, which was used in the trials as a control.
In both years the occurence of summer fruit tortrix was minimal and the trials using the virus against this pest were, as a consequence, inconclusive.
To estimate the commercial possibilities of both virus products Koppert has conducted market research.
A questionaire was sent to 600 fruitgrowers with the help of the Dutch Fruitgrowers Organisation (NFO). The results showed that fruit growers regard the new developments positively.
Whether they will use the virus products will largely depend upon their price and this will certainly be higher than that of the chemical products now used.
The usefulness, however, of a specific virus against summer fruit tortrix is doubtful.
In integrated plant protection programmes the damage by summer fruit tortrix seems to decrease, whereas other leafroller species cause more and more problems.
The codling moth remains a difficult pest to control with damage varying each season.
From the results of these efficacy trials and the data obtained from market research it would appear that only registration of the codling moth virus seems feasible.
However, as no viruses are yet registered for this purpose in the Netherlands, it is expected to be a costly and time-consuming procedure.
Currently, other applications, for the registration of baculoviruses, are being processed.
We hope that this will stimulate the registration of more biological products in the future.