An insecticidal composition comprising Metarhizium anisopliae and acetamiprid and its application.

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of agricultural insecticides, specifically an insecticidal composition comprising Metarhizium anisopliae and acetamiprid, and its application. The insecticidal composition includes Metarhizium anisopliae, acetamiprid, and a pesticide synergist. The pesticide synergist is YUS-AN4, Silwet408, or a combination of YUS-AN4, Silwet408, and G-2801. The insecticidal composition of this invention can be used for the control of whiteflies in tomato greenhouses. This invention combines chemical and biological agents, reducing the amount of chemical agents used and avoiding the "3R" problems (reduction, redundancy, and resource depletion) caused by long-term use of chemical pesticides. Furthermore, the addition of a pesticide synergist to the Metarhizium anisopliae and acetamiprid insecticide composition significantly enhances the control effect. The insecticidal composition of this invention combines the characteristics of rapid effectiveness, long-lasting effect, and reduced environmental pollution required in actual agricultural production, effectively ensuring the quality and safety of agricultural products and providing important practical guidance for the development of green agricultural products.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of agricultural insecticides, specifically an insecticidal composition containing Metarhizium anisopliae and acetamiprid and its application. Background Technology

[0002] Greenhouse whiteflies, also known as white moths, are a major pest of greenhouse vegetables belonging to the family Amycidae in the order Hemiptera. They primarily infest crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and cabbages. Due to the temperature variations in greenhouse agriculture, greenhouse whiteflies typically have up to 10 generations per year, with overlapping generations. Various life stages can overwinter and continue to cause damage in greenhouses, with the optimal temperature for adult activity being 25–30°C. On host plants, greenhouse whiteflies, as adults and nymphs, congregate on the undersides of leaves, sucking sap with their piercing-sucking mouthparts. This causes healthy leaves to gradually lose their green color, develop scattered spots, turn yellow, and wilt, eventually leading to severe damage and the death of the entire plant. Simultaneously, the whiteflies produce honeydew while sucking sap, affecting plant respiration. Furthermore, greenhouse whiteflies can transmit sooty mold, thus impacting the commercial value of fruits and vegetables.

[0003] Currently, the control of greenhouse whiteflies mainly relies on chemical pesticides, supplemented by physical control measures such as hanging yellow sticky traps and using insect-proof nets. Biological pesticides are rarely used in production practice, which will inevitably lead to unnecessary pesticide resistance in the whitefly over time. As early as in Qingdao, Shandong, and Shanxi, populations of greenhouse whiteflies with resistance to several new-generation chemical pesticides such as imidacloprid and abamectin have been found. Furthermore, the overuse of chemical pesticides can also lead to unnecessary agricultural product quality and safety problems, polluting the production environment and threatening the safety of edible agricultural products. Therefore, this paper uses the commonly used greenhouse whitefly chemical pesticide acetamiprid and the less commonly used biological pesticide Metarhizium anisopliae, comparing their single application and combined use to observe the control effects under different treatments, providing a scientific basis for the combined use of chemical and biological pesticides to control biological pests. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention utilizes a control strategy that combines biological and chemical control, which can reduce the amount of chemical agents used and improve the speed of biological control, thereby achieving the goal of effectively controlling pests.

[0005] The technical solution of this invention is as follows:

[0006] An insecticidal composition comprising Metarhizium anisopliae and acetamiprid, comprising Metarhizium anisopliae, acetamiprid, and a pesticide synergist; wherein the pesticide synergist is YUS-AN4, Si lwet 408, or a combination of synergists consisting of YUS-AN4, Si lwet 408, and G-2801.

[0007] Preferably, the pesticide synergist in the insecticidal composition of the present invention is a synergist combination composed of YUS-AN4, Si lwet408 and G-2801, and the mass ratio of YUS-AN4, Si lwet408 and G-2801 is 1-3:1-3:1-3.

[0008] The Metarhizium anisopliae described in this invention is a 10 billion spores / mL Metarhizium anisopliae oil suspension, and acetamiprid is a 10% acetamiprid aqueous solution, with a mass ratio of 1-5:1-5.

[0009] The amount of pesticide synergist added to the insecticidal composition of the present invention is 3-8% of the total composition.

[0010] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mass ratio of 10 billion spores / mL Metarhizium anisopliae oil suspension to 10% acetamiprid aqueous solution is 1:1; the amount of pesticide adjuvant added is 6%.

[0011] The insecticidal composition of this invention is used for the control of crop pests. A preferred crop pest is the tomato greenhouse whitefly.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0013] (1) Based on the results of experiments using chemical and biological agents alone, as well as their combined use, it was found that, in terms of the speed of effectiveness, the combined use of 10% acetamiprid at 800 times dilution and 10 billion spores / mL Metarhizium anisopliae oil suspension at 800 times dilution has the characteristics of rapid and long-lasting effectiveness. At the same time, the combined use of chemical and biological agents reduces the amount of chemical agents used, avoiding the "3R" problems (pesticide residues, pest resurgence, and pest resistance) caused by long-term use of chemical pesticides, achieving reduced pesticide use and continuous control, and ensuring the safety of the production environment of agricultural products.

[0014] (2) From agricultural production practice, it can be seen that spraying chemical pesticides is currently the main means of pest and disease control due to their rapid effectiveness. However, chemical pesticide control not only pollutes the growing environment of agricultural products and damages the ecological environment, but also poses unnecessary threats to the health of humans and livestock due to beneficial insects and chemical pesticide residues. Biological pesticides have the advantages of low toxicity, safety, and long-lasting effect. However, in actual production, due to their slow effectiveness and narrow control range, their effect is not as significant as that of chemical pesticides. This may lead to more time and resources being needed to achieve the expected control effect, and they are often used for pest and disease prevention. For plants with severe pest and disease infestations, it is difficult to achieve rapid effects by spraying biological agents. However, by using chemical agents and biological agents in combination, it can be seen that both have the characteristics of rapid effectiveness, good long-lasting effect, and reduced environmental pollution required in actual agricultural production. This can effectively ensure the quality and safety of agricultural products and has important practical guiding significance for the development of green agricultural products.

[0015] (3) Adding pesticide synergists to the compound insecticide composition of Metarhizium anisopliae and acetamiprid in this invention can significantly improve the control effect of the agent. Adding pesticide adjuvants YUS-AN4 and Si lwet 408 alone can significantly improve the control effect of the compound agent. Adding pesticide synergists to the compound insecticide composition of Metarhizium anisopliae and acetamiprid has a significant effect on improving the control effect of the agent, increasing it by more than 10%, which can effectively reduce the dosage of active ingredients, slow down the development of pesticide resistance in pests, and reduce environmental pollution. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be further explained below with reference to specific examples. Example 1: The control efficacy of the combination of Metarhizium anisopliae and acetamiprid against whiteflies in tomato greenhouses 1.1 Materials and Methods

[0017] 1.1.1 Test plants

[0018] Tomatoes: Purchased from the market and transplanted into greenhouses as seedlings.

[0019] 1.1.2 Test reagents

[0020] Chemical agent: 10% acetamiprid aqueous solution, produced by Qingdao Haina Biotechnology Co., Ltd., purchased from the market.

[0021] Biological agent: 10 billion spores / mL Metarhizium anisopliae oil suspension, produced by Chongqing Major Biotechnology Development Co., Ltd., purchased from the market.

[0022] 1.1.3 Test Conditions

[0023] The experiment was conducted in greenhouses in Chuzhou and Fuyang cities, Anhui Province. The experimental plots were flat, and the temperature inside the greenhouses was maintained at around 20-30℃ year-round, with humidity around 70%. The soil was yellowish-brown with a pH of 6.2. Organic fertilizer was used as base fertilizer before transplanting tomatoes. The spacing between transplanted tomatoes was approximately 35cm × 60cm, and they were covered with black mulch. The tomatoes grew uniformly before flowering. Weeding and watering were carried out regularly and manually. The experiment began when the infestation of whiteflies in the greenhouse was relatively severe, i.e., after flowering and before the early fruiting stage. The weather was sunny and the light conditions were good during the experiment.

[0024] 1.1.4 Test Methods

[0025] The experiment was divided into three treatment groups: 10% acetamiprid at a dilution of 500 times, 10 billion spores / mL Metarhizium anisopliae oil suspension at a dilution of 500 times, 10% acetamiprid at a dilution of 800 times, and 10 billion spores / mL Metarhizium anisopliae oil suspension at a dilution of 800 times. A water spray was used as a control group. Each group had three replicates, with each replicate consisting of four rows of tomatoes. Before the experiment, the population of greenhouse whiteflies (including adults and nymphs) on three tomato plants was observed and recorded using a five-point survey method and visual inspection. Then, the tomato plants were evenly sprayed with the appropriate pesticide dilution using a backpack sprayer. The population count was observed and recorded at 1, 3, 7, and 15 days after application. The population reduction rate and control effect at different time points were calculated.

[0026]

[0027] 1.1.5 Data Analysis

[0028] The basic experimental data were calculated and organized using Excel, and the significance of differences was analyzed using Duncan's new multiple range method with SPSS 22.0 software.

[0029] 1.2 Results and Analysis

[0030] (I) Plant safety survey

[0031] Comparative observations before and after pesticide application showed that the plants treated with both chemical and biological agents exhibited healthy growth with no significant differences, and the leaves did not show symptoms such as chlorosis, curling, or deformity. This indicates that under the conditions of this experiment, neither the chemical agent 10% acetamiprid nor the biological agent 10 billion spores / mL Metarhizium anisopliae oil suspension, when used in appropriate amounts, will cause phytotoxicity to tomato plants, whether used alone or in combination, and is safe for tomato growth.

[0032] (II) Pest Control Effectiveness

[0033] Table 1 shows that the insect population reduction of the chemical agent 10% acetamiprid at a dilution of 500 times gradually increased and then slightly decreased after 1, 3, 7, and 15 days of application, respectively, reaching 37.53%, 85.35%, 100%, and 97.69%. The highest insect population reduction rate was observed after 7 days of application, and the reduction rate was significantly higher than that of the control group after 1, 3, 7, and 15 days. The insect population reduction rate of the biological agent 10 billion spores / mL Metarhizium anisopliae oil suspension at a dilution of 500 times gradually increased after 1, 3, 7, and 15 days of application, respectively, reaching 7.36%, 37.24%, 57.47%, and 91.95%. The highest insect population reduction rate was observed after 15 days of application, but it did not reach 100%, and the reduction rate was significantly higher than that of the control group after 3, 7, and 15 days. The insect population reduction rates of a combination of 10% acetamiprid (800x dilution) and a biological agent (10 billion spores / mL Metarhizium anisopliae oil suspension, 800x dilution) gradually increased after 1, 3, 7, and 15 days of application, remaining constant after 7 days at 43.10%, 93.70%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. The highest reduction rates were observed at 7 and 15 days, and were significantly higher than the control group at all three days. Comparison of the three treatment groups revealed that the reduction rate of 10% acetamiprid alone was consistently significantly higher than that of the biological agent (10 billion spores / mL Metarhizium anisopliae oil suspension). The combination of both agents showed a higher reduction rate than either alone, and the reduction rate remained at 100% in the later stages. The control group treated with water also showed minor changes in insect population at different time points.

[0034] Table 2 shows that the control efficacy of the chemical agent 10% acetamiprid at a dilution of 500 times gradually increased and then slightly decreased at 1, 3, 7, and 15 days after application, reaching 35.33%, 85.01%, 100.00%, and 97.53%, respectively, with the highest control efficacy at 7 days after application. The control efficacy of the biological agent 10 billion spores / mL Metarhizium anisopliae oil suspension at a dilution of 500 times gradually increased at 1, 3, 7, and 15 days after application, reaching 4.09%, 35.79%, 58.51%, and 91.41%, respectively, with the highest control efficacy at 15 days after application, but not reaching 100%. The control efficacy of a combination of 10% acetamiprid (800x dilution) and 10 billion spores / mL Metarhizium anisopliae oil suspension (800x dilution) gradually increased after 1, 3, 7, and 15 days, remaining constant after 7 days at 41.10%, 93.56%, 100%, and 100%, respectively, with the highest efficacy observed at 7 and 15 days. Comparison of the three experimental groups revealed that the control efficacy of 10% acetamiprid alone was consistently significantly higher than that of the 10 billion spores / mL Metarhizium anisopliae oil suspension. The combination of both showed a higher control efficacy than either alone, with the control efficacy remaining at 100% in the later stages. This indicates that chemical pesticides are fast-acting but have relatively weak persistence, while biological pesticides are slow-acting but have strong persistence. The combination of both exhibits the dual advantages of rapid onset and strong persistence.

[0035] Table 1. Population reduction rate of single and mixed pesticides for greenhouse whiteflies.

[0036]

[0037]

[0038] Note: 1 represents a 500-fold dilution of 10% acetamiprid, 2 represents a 500-fold dilution of 10 billion spores / mL Metarhizium anisopliae oil suspension, and 3 represents an 800-fold dilution of both 10% acetamiprid and 10 billion spores / mL Metarhizium anisopliae oil suspension. CK represents a control group treated with water spray. Data in the table are averages; different letters after the data in the same column indicate significant differences at the 0.05 level, and the same applies below.

[0039] Table 2. Control efficacy of single agents and mixed agents against greenhouse whiteflies.

[0040] Experimental group number 1 day after application 3 days after application 7 days after application 15 days after application 1 35.33％b 85.01％b 100.00％a 97.53％a 2 4.09％c 35.79％c 58.51％b 91.41％b 3 41.10％a 93.56％a 100.00％a 100.00％a

[0041] Example 2: Effects of pesticide synergists on the bioactivity of a combination of Metarhizium anisopliae and acetamiprid 2.1 Materials and Methods

[0042] 2.1.1 Test plants

[0043] Tomatoes: Purchased from the market and transplanted into greenhouses as seedlings.

[0044] 2.1.2 Test reagents

[0045] Chemical agent: 10% acetamiprid aqueous solution, produced by Qingdao Haina Biotechnology Co., Ltd., purchased from the market.

[0046] Biological agent: 10 billion spores / mL Metarhizium anisopliae oil suspension, produced by Chongqing Major Biotechnology Development Co., Ltd., purchased from the market.

[0047] Synergists: YUS-AN4 (sodium alkyl sulfonate), Silwet 408 (alkoxy-modified polytrisiloxane), G-2801 (polyquaternary ammonium salt), purchased from market additive companies.

[0048] 2.1.3 Test Conditions

[0049] The experiment was conducted in greenhouses in Chuzhou and Fuyang cities, Anhui Province. The experimental plots were flat, and the temperature inside the greenhouses was maintained at around 20-30℃ year-round, with humidity around 70%. The soil was yellowish-brown with a pH of 6.2. Organic fertilizer was used as base fertilizer before transplanting tomatoes. The spacing between transplanted tomatoes was approximately 35cm × 60cm, and they were covered with black mulch. The tomatoes grew uniformly before flowering. Weeding and watering were carried out regularly and manually. The experiment began when the infestation of whiteflies in the greenhouse was relatively severe, i.e., after flowering and before the early fruiting stage. The weather was sunny and the light conditions were good during the experiment.

[0050] 2.1.4 Test Methods

[0051] The experiment was divided into 5 treatment groups, with water spray serving as the control group. Each group had 3 replicates, and each replicate consisted of 4 rows of tomatoes. Before the experiment, the population size (including adults and nymphs) of greenhouse whiteflies on 3 tomato plants was observed and recorded using a five-point survey method and visual inspection. Then, the tomato plants were evenly sprayed with the appropriate pesticide multiplier using a backpack sprayer. The population size was observed and recorded 21 days after application. The population reduction rate and control effect were calculated.

[0052]

[0053] 2.1.5 Data Analysis

[0054] The basic experimental data were calculated and organized using Excel, and the significance of differences was analyzed using Duncan's new multiple range method with SPSS 22.0 software.

[0055] 2.2 Results and Analysis

[0056] As shown in Table 3, adding pesticide synergists to the compound insecticide composition of Metarhizium anisopliae and acetamiprid in this invention can significantly improve the control effect of the agent; the control effect of pesticide synergist adjuvant G-2801 alone is not significant, and there is no significant difference compared with treatment 1; the addition of pesticide adjuvants YUS-AN4 and Silwet 408 alone can significantly improve the control effect of the compound agent; the addition of pesticide synergists to the compound insecticide composition of Metarhizium anisopliae and acetamiprid has a significant effect on improving the control effect of the agent, with an improvement of more than 10%, which can effectively reduce the dosage of active ingredients, slow down the development of pesticide resistance in pests, and reduce environmental pollution.

[0057] Table 3. Effects of pesticide synergists on the bioactivity of the compound of Metarhizium anisopliae and acetamiprid.

[0058]

[0059] Note: 1 indicates a 1:1 mixture of 10% acetamiprid and 10 billion spores / mL Metarhizium anisopliae oil suspension. 2 indicates No. 1 + 6% Si lwet 408, 3 indicates No. 1 + 6% YUS-AN4, 4 indicates No. 1 + 5% G-2801, and 5 indicates No. 1 + 2% Si lwet 408 + 2% YUS-AN4 + 2% G-2801; all the above agents are diluted 1000 times. CK indicates a control group using water spray.

[0060] Finally, it should be noted that the above examples are merely a few specific embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and many variations are possible. All variations that can be directly derived or conceived by those skilled in the art from the content disclosed in this invention are considered to be within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. An insecticidal composition comprising Metarhizium anisopliae and acetamiprid, characterized in that, The product contains Metarhizium anisopliae, acetamiprid, and a pesticide synergist. The pesticide synergist is a combination of YUS-AN4, Silwet 408, and G-2801, with a mass ratio of 1-3:1-3:1-3. The Metarhizium anisopliae is a 10 billion spores / mL oil suspension, and the acetamiprid is a 10% aqueous solution, with a mass ratio of 1-5:1-5.

2. The insecticidal composition according to claim 1, characterized in that, The amount of pesticide synergist added is 3-8% of the total composition.

3. The insecticidal composition according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mass ratio of 10 billion spores / mL Metarhizium anisopliae oil suspension to 10% acetamiprid aqueous solution is 1:1; the amount of pesticide adjuvant added is 6%.

4. Use of the insecticidal composition according to any one of claims 1-3 for the control of crop pests.

5. The use according to claim 4, characterized in that, The crop pest mentioned is the tomato greenhouse whitefly.

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