Abstract
A purified granulosis virus isolated fromPieris brassicae (L.) was tested in the field against an introduced population ofPieris rapae (L.) larvae on cabbage (cv January King) in small experimental plots at Littlehampton, Sussex. Experiments were designed to compare the relative efficacy of single and multiple applications of virus (2.1×1012 and 3.7×1012 or 2.1×1014 and 3.7×1014 virus capsules/ha) in reducing numbers ofP. rapae larvae. An experiment was carried out in June 1978 and repeated in August to coincide approximately with the 2 natural generations ofP. rapae in southern England. Larval populations were monitored by regularin situ assessment of plants and by destructive sampling. Within 10 days of spraying virus there was a significant reduction in the mean larval population on all virus-treated plots compared with untreated controls. Sprays of 2.1×1014 and 3.7×1014 capsules/ha reduced larval numbers more quickly than 2.1×1012 and 3.7×1012/ha treatments. In the 1st experiment, three sprays of virus at either 2.1×1012 or 2.1×1014 capsules/ha gave no increase over the final level of control achieved by a single spray. However, in the 2nd experiment, a single spray of 3.7×1012 capsules/ha did not significantly reduce the numbers of larvae. It is likely that this failure could be accounted for by a combination of the larger “natural” population ofP. rapae recorded midway through the 2nd experiment and the rapid inactivation of virus deposits which left little infectious virus to infect these larvae. Virus inactivation was so rapid that only 7–33 % of the initial virus deposits remained 1 day after application. These results suggest that further understanding of virus formulation, persistence and dosage rates are needed before such a virus can be used in a rational manner.
Résumé
Un virus des granuloses purifié, isolé dePieris brassicae (L.), a été testé au champ contre une population de larves dePieris rapae (L.) apportées sur choux (cv January King), en petites parcelles expérimentales à Littlehampton, Sussex. Les essais avaient pour but de comparer l'efficacité relative d'une application unique ou répétée de virus (2.1×1012 et 3.7×1012 ou 2.1×1014 et 3.7×1014 capsules virales/ha) en vue de réduire le nombre de larves deP. rapae. Un essai fut mené en Juin 1978 et répété en Août pour coïncider approximativement avec les 2 générations naturelles deP. rapae dans le sud de l'Angleterre. Les populations de larves furent estimées par des comptages réguliers sur les plantesin situ ou rapportées au laboratoire. Dix jours après la pulvérisation de virus, la moyenne des populations larvaires avait décru significativement dans toutes les parcelles traitées, par rapport aux parcelles non traitées. Le nombre de larves diminua plus rapidement avec les traitements à 2.1×1014 et 3.7×1014 capsules/ha qu'avec ceux à 2.1×1012 et 3.7×1012 capsules/ha. Dans le ler essai, 3 pulvérisations de virus à soit 2.1×1012 soit 2.1×1014 capsules/ha ne donnèrent pas un meilleur résultat qu'une seule pulvérisation. Cependant, dans le 2ème essai une seule pulvérisation à 3.7×1012 capsules/ha ne réduisit pas significativement le nombre de larves. Cet échec pourrait être expliqué par une combinaison de la plus importante population deP. rapae, enregistrée à mi-parcours du 2ème essai, et de l'inactivation rapide des dépôts de virus ne laissant ainsi que peu de virus susceptibles d'infecter ces larves. L'inactivation du virus fut si rapide que, 1 jour après l'application, il ne restait plus que 7 à 33% du dépôt de virus. Ces résultats montrent qu'une meilleure compréhension de la formulation, de la persistance et des dosages de ce virus est nécessaire avant de pouvoir l'utiliser rationnellement.
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Tatchell, G.M., Payne, C.C. Field evaluation of a granulosis virus for control ofPieris rapae [Lep.: Pieridae] in the United Kingdom. Entomophaga 29, 133–144 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372103
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372103