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Met52 granular
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Met52 is a granular bioinsectide for Black Vine Weevil control in protected and outdoor soft fruit and ornamental production which has no harvest intervals and leaves no chemical residue. Met52 granular is a microbial pest control product containing the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopoliae strain F52, a naturally occurring insect parasitic fungus that is not genetically modified. Met52 granular controls Black Vine Weevil, Otiorynchus sulcatus (Coleoptera: Cuculionidae) a common and noxious polyphagous pest of soft fruit and ornamentals. |
Crops
Met52 granular is for use on soft fruit (blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry, gooseberry, raspberry, redcurrant, strawberry, whitecurrant) and ornamental plants.
Application Rate and Frequency
Met52 granular contains 2% active substance which is incorporated into crop growing media at a rate of 0.5 kg/m3.
Growing media containing Met52 granular should be used wihtin 30 days of delivery.
Met52 granular can be used at all crop growth stages from propagation to final potting. When plants are potted into larger containers, the fresh growing media in which they are potted should also be treated with Met52 granular to maintain good control otherwise larvae within the original root-ball may not be controlled by application at re-potting.
Compatibility
The effect of Met52 granular on insects and mites used in biological control programmes has not been established and safety cannot be assumed.
Met52 granular has been used on a wide range of crops under a range of conditions and no phytotoxicity has been observed.
If using other pesticides, please check with your advisor regarding its compatibility.
Resistance
Met52 granular has not been reported to have any insect resistance. However, it is good practice to use such products as components of Integrated Pest Management systems, alternating with other control measures.
Mode of Operation
Metarhizium anisopliae preferentially associates with the roots of plants, providing a protective and persistent barrier. When transplanted the roots of the plant retain this protective cover. This root association, originally discovered in cabbage, demonstrated that the rhizospheric soils are a potential reservoir for M. anisopliae. It is suggested that root exudates may be responsible for this rhizospheric effect.
Met52 granular spores germinate and the fungal hyphae penetrate and grow within the insect. Death usually occurs within a few days and a new generation of spores are produced on hyphae emerging from the dead insect. In the absence of suitable insect hosts the spores can remain in the soil for years without germinating, providing longevity from a single treatment.
When the larvae come into contact with Met52 granular the spores attach to them and the fungi will grow through into the body of the larvae. Once the penetration peg enters the hemolymph of the insect the insect dies. The process takes between 5-7 days. Hyphae may then emerge from the body of the larvae and give rise to new spores. Larvae which come into contact with these spores will become infected and die.
The optimum temperature range for activity is between 15 and 30oC. Outside this temperature range, activity may be reduced but spores remain viable. Spores are not killed by the cold, or a heavy frost. On the other hand, they will start to die at temperatures above 40oC.
Efficacy
Met52 granular is effective against all stages of Black Vine Weevil when applied shortly before egg-laying occurs.
Control of larvae is likely to be greatest in peat-based growing media.
A trial in Holland in 2008 found that when pots were infected with 30 Black Vine Weevil per pot and Met52 granular incorporated at 500g/m3 the incidence of BVW remaining was virtually zero.
Safety Precautions
Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use.
To avoid risks to man and the environment, comply with the instructions for use.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (CASHH) Regulations may apply to the use of this product at work.
A copy of the safety data sheet is available on request.
