A first version prototype was projected and evaluated, in order to mechanically release Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias Henriot and Orius laevigatus (Fieber), commonly employed in biological and integrated control programs on protected vegetable crops. This machine was used to release the beneficials which where placed, together with the carrier material present inside the bottles (vermiculite and buckwheat husk), into a hopper equipped with a distributor. Preliminary trials were conducted under laboratory conditions to evaluate the vitality and the damages eventually caused to the predators and to determine the range of action of the machine at different working rate. No physical damages to the arthropods limiting their mobility and vitality were observed. Also the distribution, evaluated on a horizontal surface, seems to be suitable for applications in biological control programs.
Al fine di meccanizzare il rilascio di Phytoseiulus persimilis e Orius laevigatus, comunemente impiegati per la difesa biologica e integrata su colture ortive in ambiente protetto, è stato messo a punto un primo prototipo da laboratorio. Con tale dispositivo sono stati lanciati gli artropodi posti, insieme al substrato (vermiculite e pula di grano saraceno) con cui sono commercializzati, in una tramoggia dotata di distributore. In laboratorio sono state effettuate prove preliminari volte a valutare la vitalità e gli eventuali danni provocati agli artropodi e a determinare il raggio di azione della macchina al variare del regime di funzionamento. I risultati ottenuti non hanno fatto evidenziare né variazioni di vitalità né danni fisici limitanti la mobilità degli artropodi. Anche la distribuzione, valutata su un piano orizzontale, è risultata tale da far ritenere il prototipo idoneo all’uso in programmi di controllo biologico.
Prove preliminari di distribuzione meccanica di antagonisti naturali
FAILLA, Sabina Iole Giuseppina;MANETTO, Giuseppe Ezio;TROPEA GARZIA, Giovanna Maria Daniela;SISCARO, Gaetano;ZAPPALA', LUCIA
2006-01-01
Abstract
A first version prototype was projected and evaluated, in order to mechanically release Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias Henriot and Orius laevigatus (Fieber), commonly employed in biological and integrated control programs on protected vegetable crops. This machine was used to release the beneficials which where placed, together with the carrier material present inside the bottles (vermiculite and buckwheat husk), into a hopper equipped with a distributor. Preliminary trials were conducted under laboratory conditions to evaluate the vitality and the damages eventually caused to the predators and to determine the range of action of the machine at different working rate. No physical damages to the arthropods limiting their mobility and vitality were observed. Also the distribution, evaluated on a horizontal surface, seems to be suitable for applications in biological control programs.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.