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Evaluation of repellent and insecticidal properties of a novel granite dust product in crop protection

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Abstract

Inert rock dusts, such as diatomaceous earth, represent effective products for insect pest management. We investigated the properties of a novel granite dust product in different formulations as a repellent and insecticidal agent against two important horticultural crop pests (Plutella xylostella and Trichoplusia ni). Foliar application of granite dust (dry and in aqueous solution) reduced larval feeding damage of P. xylostella and T. ni on cabbage leaves. In the case of P. xylostella, aqueous formulation of granite dust with surfactant had a significant insecticidal effect on larvae. In oviposition bioassays, adult P. xylostella female insects oviposited significantly fewer eggs on cabbage leaves treated with granite dust than on control leaves. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, the potential use of granite dust as a pest management treatment providing repellent and insecticidal activities exceeding other mineral and dust-based pest management products.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Heritage Memorials Ltd. (Windsor, NS, Canada) for providing the granite dust material and the two anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and support. This research project was funded by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC; CRDPJ-500477-16 to NKH).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biology Department, Acadia University, 33 Westwood Ave, Wolfville, NS, B4P 2R6, Canada

    Nicoletta Faraone, Samantha MacPherson & N. Kirk Hillier

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  1. Nicoletta Faraone
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  2. Samantha MacPherson
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  3. N. Kirk Hillier
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Correspondence to Nicoletta Faraone.

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All the authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

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The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals (vertebrates) performed by any of the authors.

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Communicated by J. Gross.

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Faraone, N., MacPherson, S. & Hillier, N. Evaluation of repellent and insecticidal properties of a novel granite dust product in crop protection. J Pest Sci 91, 1345–1352 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-018-0986-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-018-0986-9

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