Evaluation of SorbiShield90 (sorbitol octanoate) for the management of thrips in greenhouse cucumbers

Project Code BPR12-050

Project Lead

Janice Elmhirst - Elmhirst Diagnostics and Research
Robert Doell - Ag-Quest, Incorporated

Objective

To develop efficacy and crop tolerance data in support of a regulatory submission for SorbiShield 90 (sorbitol octanoate) for the management of thrips in greenhouse cucumber

Summary of Results

Background

In Canada approximately 136,222 metric tonnes of greenhouse cucumber are produced annually with a farm gate value of $137 million. Thrips are a major threat to the greenhouse cucumber crop in Canada, and the insects feeding behaviour results in yield reduction and fruit damage which can make the crop unmarketable. Thrips resistance to insecticides is common and there is an urgent need for alternative control solutions that are compatible with biological control programs.

A potential solution to this problem is SorbiShield 90, which has been developed by Natural Forces, Limited Liability Company (LLC). The active ingredient in this biopesticide is sorbitol octanoate, which is a sugar alcohol compound that dissolves the wax outer layer of an insect.

During the 2011 Biopesticides Priority Setting workshop SorbiShield was selected as the priority biopesticide solution for the management of thrips in greenhouse cucumbers.

Results

It has been determined that this project cannot be successfully completed due to reasons beyond the control of Pesticide Risk Reduction, and the project has been terminated as a result. For more information contact the Pest Management Centre.