Insecticidal and behavioral effects of granite dust byproducts

遗产纪念有限公司位于新斯科舍省温莎市，是一家主要由花岗岩组成的高质量纪念碑和纪念碑产品的制造商。用于纪念碑制造的工业岩石切割会产生大量的石粉(副产品)，这是石材切割过程的结果。*该公司的初步研究表明，这种‘ai’(活性成分)有望成为一种有益的土壤改良剂和潜在的虫害控制方法。**初步研究(由NSERC Engage赠款资助)揭示了花岗岩粉尘(Ai)应用的几个影响。在选定的昆虫种类中，叶面喷施AI可直接减少对幼虫的伤害，并导致雌虫避免产卵。此外，在水果上应用人工智能降低了食果性害虫的存活率，并抑制了真菌的生长。其作用方式可能是多方面的：首先，幼虫可能主动躲避物质。其次，鉴于其结构，它的功能可能类似于硅藻土(导致水分损失)。**这个为期两年的项目的目标将是：1)阐明作用模式；2)通过改进喷雾和耐水性来改进投放技术；3)扩大温室试验中作物和害虫目标的范围；4)验证零售市场的目标，包括家庭害虫(如蚂蚁)和园艺害虫；5)测试对非目标有益物种(如传粉者)应用人工智能的安全性；6)整合对植物活力的研究，以确定在土壤改良剂人工智能的应用中，抗虫性是否间接与植物活力的提高有关。**这一努力将为Heritage Mememals Ltd.的产品开发和注册提供关键数据，如果这些产品商业化，将导致创新的惰性岩石粉尘的市场供应，这可能提供环境安全的标准化学驱虫剂的替代品。

Heritage Memorials Ltd., located in Windsor, Nova Scotia, is a manufacturer of high quality memorial and monument products, primarily comprised from granite. Industrial rock-cutting for memorial manufacturing generates a significant amount of rock dust powders (byproduct) as a result of the stone-cutting process. **Preliminary research by the company has shown promise for this 'ai' (active ingredient) as a beneficial soil amendment and a potential insect control method. **Preliminary research (funded by an NSERC Engage grant) has revealed several effects of granite dust (ai) application. Foliar application of ai directly reduces larval damage and results in oviposition avoidance by females in selected insect species. Furthermore, application of ai to fruit reduces survivorship of frugivorous pests, and inhibits fungal growth. The mode of action may be multifaceted: First, larvae may actively avoid material. Second, given its structure, it may function in a similar manner to diatomaceous earth (resulting in water loss). Finally, it may also cause damage within the gut tissue inhibiting feeding.**The objectives of this 2 year project will be to: 1) elucidate the mode of action; 2) improve delivery technology through improved sprayability and waterfastness; 3) expand the range of crops and pest targets in greenhouse trials; 4) validate targets for retail markets, including household insect pests (e.g. ants) and horticultural pests; 5) test the safety of ai application on non-target beneficial species (e.g. pollinators); 6) integrate studies of plant vigour to determine if pest resistance is indirectly linked to improved plant vigour in soil amendment application of ai.**This endeavor will provide critical data for product development and registration for Heritage Memorials Ltd., and if these products are commercialized, will result in market delivery of innovative inert rock dust powders, which may provide environmentally safe alternatives to standard chemical insect repellents.