Field Test of the Effectiveness of Chitinase Additive to Bacillusthuringiensis Berliner Against Choristoneurafumiferana (Clem.)

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Abstract
In a field trial two 100 acre (40 ha) plots of balsam fir heavily infested with spruce budworm were sprayed with a water-based formulation of a liquid concentrate containing 25% commercial Bacillusthuringiensis Berliner and 25% non-volatile additive. The spray formulation used on one plot contained 5.5 g of the enzyme chitinase added to the 200 gal (757 l) of material. The spray was applied at 2 gal/acre (G.P.A.) (18.6 l/ha) by a Stearman aircraft equipped with 4 Micronair® AU 3000 rotary atomizers. Spray deposits were sampled with paper cards and plates of nutrient medium. A dry dye treatment was used to enhance drop trace visibility on deposit sample cards.Larval mortality was higher on the chitinase treatment plot, and better foliage protection resulted. Biochemical tests indicated some differences in physiological responses in larvae and pupae from the two treatments. It is concluded that, given suitably equipped aircraft, and a guidance system that would ensure uniform coverage, the addition of chitinase should make it practicable as one of the methods of control of the spruce budworm.

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