METARHIZIUM ANISOPLIAE FI-1045

PRODUCT SUMMARY:
Metarhizium anisopliae strain FI 1045 was first isolated at CSIRO from a dead canegrub collected in a crop in Queensland. Canegrubs destroy the roots of sugarcane and cause severe losses (estimated at over $10 million) of the crop in Australia. Strain FI-1045 was identified as the most pathogenic of the many isolates prepared from the fungus obtained from the diseased grub. A research project was set up between the Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations, CSIRO, the Inkerman Cane Protection and Productivity Board and Bio-Care to investigate the commercial potential of the isolate and this was followed by full development of BioCane granules by Bio-Care. The granules contain the spores and mycelium of strain FI-1045 on pre-sterilised broken rice grains.
BioCane is the first biopesticide to be registered for use in sugarcane in Australia and only the second fungal-based product to be registered in Australia for use against any pest. Bio-Care has no immediate plans to introduce the product in other countries.
Bio-Care has developed the product to provide control of greyback canegrub as part of an IPM program in sugarcane. BioCane was registered for this application in March 2000 and was officially launched at the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists Conference in May 2000.

FORMULATIONS:

PRIMARY TARGETS:
Dermolepida albohirtum

CROP USES:
Sugarcane

APPLICATION RATES:
500g per 100 metre of cane row or 33 kg/ha at 1.5 m row spacing.

ACTIVITY SUMMARY:
BioCane is applied once, at the fill-in stage of planting, to the young cane and the fungal spores then come into contact with the canegrubs. After contact, the spores germinate on the grubs forming germtubes that penetrate into the body cavity, eventually causing the grub to die. At this point, the pathogen forms new spores which are dispersed into the soil adding to the original spore loading and providing on-going control of the grubs throughout the growing season.
After application, the granules must be covered with 15-20cm soil to avoid spore death by dessication, high temperature or UV exposure.
Field trials have shown that BioCane is capable of eradicating up to 60% of grubs in the first 4-6 months after application and that the spores can remain viable in the soil for up to 3 years after application. The consequence of grub control by BioCane is a stronger cane root system leading to increased plant vigour, increased numbers of cane shoots and increased yields of cane and sugar. Application of BioCane may result in up to 30% increase in cane yield in situations where the grub presssure is moderate. However, in severe infestations, Bio-Care state that the cane may still suffer significant damage and recommend that the product is used as part of an IPM program.
BioCane does not leach into adjacent waterways and has no adverse effects on other insects, earthworms, soil microbes, birds, fish, rats, mice, rabbits and guinea pigs. The spores cannot enter cane root systems.

STATUS:

MEETINGS:
2000: 22^ND Conference of the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists

LITERATURE REFS:
Proceedings Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists 20 pp111-117 (1997)
Proceedings Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists 21 pp156-163 (1999)
Biocontrol News and Information 21 pp 47N-50N (2000)