Assessment of microbial biocontrol agent (BCA) viability to mechanical and thermal stress by simulating spray application conditions |
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| Authors: | Marco Grella Fabrizio Gioelli Paolo Marucco Ingrid Zwertvaegher Eric Mozzanini Marco Pittarello Paolo Balsari Spyros Fountas David Nuyttens Monica Mezzalama Massimo Pugliese |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DiSAFA), University of Turin (UNITO), Grugliasco, Italy;2. Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Merelbeke, Belgium;3. Department of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece |
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| Abstract: | Background In order to improve the biological control agent (BCA) efficacy, stress factors threatening the viability of microorganisms during spray application need to be determined. The effect of spray mixture temperature and exposure time on Trichoderma harzianum T 22 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST713 viability were tested. Concurrently the combined effect of mechanical and thermal stress effect on BCA viability were tested at two initial spray mixture temperatures (14 and 25 °C) by simulating a spray application using airblast sprayers featured by different tank capacity and a spray liquid circuit (without and with hydraulic agitation system). To assess the BCA microorganism viability, spray mixture samples were collected at time intervals along trials and plated to count the colony forming units (CFU). Results The critical temperature threshold that inhibited BCA viability was 35 °C with 30 min of exposure. The sprayer type, the initial temperature of the spray mixture and the temperature increment during the trials significantly decreased the number of CFU recovered. When simulating a spray application, the spray mixture temperature increase rate was determined mainly by the residual amount of spray mixture in the tank. Even if the tank capacity does not substantially affect the final temperature reached by the spray mixture, the higher residual spray mixture in bigger tanks can expose the BCAs for a longer time to critical temperatures. Conclusions Experimental trials allowed us to identify the effect of factors affecting the viability of tested BCAs, providing information about the actual chance to guarantee the biological efficacy of BCA treatments. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. |
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| Keywords: | integrated pest management airblast sprayers spray application bio plant protection products antagonist BCAs colony forming unit |
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