Pheromone Preparations for Low-Density San Jose Scale Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling San Jose scale using pheromone preparations are impractical and economically unviable due to the need for dense installation to avoid uneven concentration, which is labor-intensive and costly.

Innovation Solution

A method using 200 to 5,000 pheromone preparations per hectare, each containing 7-methyl-3-methylene-7-octenyl propionate and optional compounds, enclosed in ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer containers, releasing 20 to 2,000 mg of pheromone substance per hectare, to control San Jose scale without requiring dense installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pheromone preparations are densely installed to avoid uneven concentration, then effective control of San Jose scale is achieved, but labor and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of pest controlVSAvoidlabor intensity of installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of the pheromone preparation system by using ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer containers with controlled pheromone loading amounts (20 to 2,000 mg per preparation). This allows effective pest control with reduced installation density (200 to 5,000 preparations per hectare) while maintaining effective concentration through optimized material properties and dosage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If pheromone preparations are densely installed to maintain effective concentration, then pest control effectiveness is improved, but economic viability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of pest controlVSAvoideconomic viability of treatment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes economic viability by changing parameters including container material (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer), pheromone loading amount (20 to 2,000 mg per preparation), and installation density (200 to 5,000 preparations per hectare). These parameter changes reduce total pheromone substance requirements (5 to 500 g per hectare) while maintaining effective concentration for pest control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer as a composite material for the container, which provides appropriate pheromone release characteristics and durability, contributing to both effectiveness and economic viability of the treatment system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effective control of San Jose scale is achieved with a reduced number of pheromone preparations, mitigating fruit damage economically and with less labor, while maintaining effective concentration.

Implementation Method 1

wherein the container is at least partially made of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer that allows the pheromone substance to permeate the container and to be released into the field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP3586628B1Method for controlling san jose scale
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 SHIN ETSU CHEMICAL CO LTD

AI summary

There is provided a method for controlling San Jose scale using pheromone preparations comprising a pheromone substance of San Jose scale. A method for controlling San Jose scale is provided, the method comprising at least a step of installing pheromone preparations in a field such that the number of the installed pheromone preparations ranges from 200 to 5,000 per hectare, each of the pheromone preparation comprising a pheromone substance of San Jose scale and a container for enclosing the pheromone substance therein, to allow the pheromone substance to permeate the container and to be released into the field.