1Diatom Research and Consulting, 14 Tidefall Dr., Toronto, ON, M1W 1J2, Canada. Email: zkorunic@rogers.com
2Morden Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 75A Chancellor's Circle, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, R3T 5V6
*Email: paul.fields@agr.gc.ca (corresponding author)
Online published on 20 May, 2016.
Sixteen inert dusts were tested for their effects on bulk density, oil absorption capacity and insecticidal activity against Sitophilus oryzae and Sitophilus granarius: Sipernat 50S, Protector (Italy), Celite 209, SilicoSec (Germany), Dryacide (USA), KeepDry (Brazil), Mn 23, Protect-It (USA), MA-4 (Croatia), Mn 51, Clarcel (France), Perma Guard, DiaFil 610, Zeolite Osijek (large particles), Zeolite Osijek (small particles) and Huber 80 (USA). These dusts had differences in oil absorption capacity, reduction of bulk density and toxicity to insects. Sipernat 50S, the silica aerogel had the greatest capacity to absorb oil (3.23 mL/g dust), greatly reduced bulk density (to 71.9 kg/hL from 76.6 kg/hL in untreated wheat) and caused 90 to 100% mortality with S. granarius and S. oryzae. Zeolite and kaolin clay had the least effect on oil absorption, bulk density and mortality. The rest of the diatomaceous earth (DE) tested had intermediate values. Oil absorption capacity was positively correlated with mortality. The correlation for S. oryzae was lower (r2 = 0.44) than with S. granarius (r2 = 0.73). Mortality was negatively correlated with bulk density. Bulk density was negatively correlated with oil absorption.
Sitophilus oryzae, S. granarius, wheat, diatomaceous earth (DE), bioassay, toxicity, absorption capacity, correlation, bulk density
