ISCA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. — Department of Agriculture SBIR Phase I: 8.12

Description

Cranberries are a native North American fruit; domesticated in Massachusetts in the early 1800's and are currently vital to numerous small and mid-size U.S. farmers. Cranberry production is a particularly important component of the economy in many states, including Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington. Moreover, cranberries are the top fruit crop in Wisconsin, grossing approximately $200 million annually and providing tens of thousands of jobs. Cranberry production in the majority of these areas is constrained by the feeding damage caused by either the Cranberry Fruitworm (Acrobasis vaccinii) or the Blackheaded Fireworm (Rhopobota naevana) and in some instances by both.ISCA Technologies will develop two separate mating disruption formulations SPLAT CFW and SPLAT BHFW, effective pheromone blends to manage the two key cranberry pests, Cranberry Fruitworm and the Blackheaded Fireworm. These formulations will provide cranberry growers, predominately small and mid-sized farms, with low-cost and organic integrated pest management tools. Our two formulations will provide season long protection for their crops without the costs or concerns associated with the use of conventional insecticides in the environmentally sensitive marshes where cranberries are grown. Cranberry marshes are carved out of sensitive wetland ecosystems, and therefore, reducing the amount of insecticide applied to cranberry marshes would markedly lower pesticide loads in surface and ground waters.The objective of this USDA NIFA SBIR Phase I project is to demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of the two SPLAT products. SPLAT® (Specialized Pheromone & Lure Application Technology) emulsions will be developed and optimized for effective release of the CFW and BHFW pheromone, these formulations will also be optimized such that the products last for an entire season of control of these two pests. The formulations will then be evaluated in field conditions to obtain field longevity and to determine persistence of the formulations when exposed to natural environmental conditions such as rain, sunlight and temperature. The best performing formulations will be tested in cranberry fields, for their biological effect on CFW and BHFW. The ultimate goal of this project is to develop two formulations that can be mixed in the field, giving cranberry and blueberry growers the ability to manage one or both pests.