ARS | Publication request: ADJUVANTS FOR EXTENDING THE RESIDUAL ACTIVITY OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC VIRUSES

Submitted to: Biological Control
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: September 8, 1996
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Adjuvants can be defined as additives to spray tanks that affect pesticide performance. Buffers and drift retardants are used to affect chemical and physical performance, while spreaders, stickers, and feeding stimulants can affect residual activity and overall efficacy. Research conducted with the addition of naturally occurring polymers such as cornstarch, flour, gluten, casein, lignin, etc. to spray tanks containing Bacillus thuringiensis has demonstrated that these materials can provide protection from sunlight and/or rainfall thus extending residual insecticidal activity. Upon spraying, the materials form a thin film entrapping the other ingredients within the spray droplet. Recently, the adjuvants have been tested with baculoviruses. Laboratory tests suggest that corn flour and sucrose mixtures can protect viruses from sunlight. For example, after 20 minutes exposure to simulated sunlight, virus without adjuvant lost all activity. Virus with adjuvant retained approximately 50% of original activity. After 80 minutes exposure, 30% activity remained. Similarly, solubilized lignin provided excellent protection from wash-off by simulated rain. Effects from the other ingredients were not as dramatic, and gluten actually was detrimental to the virus. Aspects of the technology transfer process will be discussed in light of government and company policies with an emphasis on the critical relationships that are necessary between scientists from public and private sectors.