Bio-Pesticide – Reduce the transmission of plant disease due to Whitefly infestations in your crops.
The ability of whiteflies to carry and spread disease is the widest impact they have had on global food production. In the tropics and subtropics, whiteflies have become one of the most serious crop protection problems. Economic losses are estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
A major problem is the fact that whiteflies and the viruses they carry can infect many host plants, including agricultural crops, palms, and weeds.
Bio-Pesticide – Suppress Spider Mite infestations in your crops.
The accelerated reproductive rate of spider mites allows spider mite populations to adapt quickly to resist pesticides, so chemical control methods can become somewhat ineffectual when the same pesticide is used over a prolonged period.
Mode of Action
This biological control product is a unique ‘dry oil’ formulation of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, which infects and kills whitefly, spider mite and various other agricultural insect pests.
When Beauveria spores come into contact with the insect, they attach to and penetrate through the ‘skin’ or cuticle. This is achieved by the physical growth of the fungal mycelium aided by enzymes such as chitinase. Once inside the insect, the fungus grows and multiplies. Death is caused by internal tissue destruction and may be aided by toxins produced by the fungus.
Eco-Bb (Bb-Protec) is suitable for field and tunnel use, providing oil coated, UV protected spores effective against various stages of the pest life cycle.
The formulation prevents the fungal spores from drying out and becoming deactivated under field conditions that are less than favourable. It also enhances penetration and infection of the insect or mite pest.
Registration
The product is registered for the control of whitefly and suppression of red spider mite on beans, tomatoes, cucumbers and brinjals. Anecdotal evidence indicates efficacy against weevils, wireworm, thrips, termites, ants and many more. The particular strain of B. bassiana utilized in this product was isolated from soil in Clanwilliam in South Africa and so is adapted to hot, dry conditions
Simple Application
The product can be applied as a full cover spray or drench into soil. It is mixed at a rate of 1 g/litre water and applied every 7 to 14 days at a rate of 300–900 g/ha, depending on spray volume, crop, growth stage and pest severity. Wetters or other adjuvants should not be used and the use of broad spectrum fungicides should be avoided for at least three days before and after Eco-Bb applications.
Product Use Registrations
While ongoing trials and experiments are being undertaken on various plant and pest combinations, product application registrations will vary from country to country. Please consult with your local specialist or government department for compliance with applicable laws regarding specific use.
Registration Number: L8469
- Control of red spider mites – Beans (Eco-Bb)
- Control of red spider mites – tomatoes (Eco-Bb)
- Control of red spider mites – cucumbers (Eco-Bb)
- Control of red spider mites – brinjals (Eco-Bb)
- Control of white fly – brinjals (Eco-Bb)
- Control of white fly – cucumbers (Eco-Bb)
- Control of white fly – tomatoes (Eco-Bb)
- Suppression of red spider mites – Beans (Eco-Bb)
- Control of white fly – Beans (Eco-Bb)