Koppert's Mycotal: Effective LVM application

Added on 30 June 2023

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Koppert's Mycotal: Effective LVM application

Recent trials using low volume misting (LVM) to apply Mycotal to control whitefly and thrips have shown some very positive results. Koppert carried out the research into the LVM application of this effective bio-insecticide in collaboration with Anthura – the world’s number one breeder of Anthuriums.

‘We needed to find out if Mycotal spores were spatially evenly distributed in the greenhouse when applied via LVM systems,’ Koppert consultant, Marjolein van der Knaap, explains. ‘The second question was: Are Mycotal spores sufficiently concentrated to control insect pests when applied this way? And finally: Is Mycotal compatible with existing LVM systems? In order to investigate the time and space distribution of Mycotal spores in the greenhouse, we placed Petri dishes amongst the plants at fixed times and rates for a few consecutive weeks.’

Demo trials collaboration with Anthura

Mycotal was applied (2kg/ha) together with an adjuvant (Eko-mist) at two locations in the greenhouse using the LVM device. At different time points, five leaves were sampled from one plant and rinsed with water. This water was then placed in three Petri dishes and incubated until the growth of microbial colonies was observed. Results from this pilot assay showed that fungal colonies fully covered the Petri dishes.

Koppert researchers then randomly selected eight plants from the greenhouse and brought them to the laboratory. Petri dishes were infested with whitefly, incubated in a climate cell, and insect mortality monitored. ‘The practical experiment in the greenhouse, followed up with tests in the laboratory proved the LVM application to be highly effective,’ Marjolein concludes.