Anisum Essential Oil as a Natural Bio-molluscicide for Slug Control

陆生软体动物(鼻涕虫、蜗牛)以多种作物为食，在世界范围内造成了相当大的作物损失。它们可以在短时间内摧毁庄稼。此外，取食危害增加了作物对病原菌的敏感性。这两种动物都受到鼻涕虫的猛烈攻击。据估计，英国工业每年因不控制可耕种作物的虫害而付出的总成本超过1亿GB。在英国，三乙醛是用来控制可耕种作物中的鼻涕虫的主要杀虫剂。它经常被检测到超过饮用水农药标准。随着三乙醛和其他几种杀螺剂的退出，人们迫切需要寻找安全的替代品。一种从八角种子中提取的精油有望成为一种良性的、可持续的软体动物杀虫剂。本项目的重点是：(1)用廉价的微波法提取油的生物活性部分；(2)评价生物活性部分的不同配方。将对至少两种配方进行评估，以便在滴灌、常规喷雾器和播种或种植期间进行播种。将特别注意将AEO包裹在廉价的、经过验证的基质中，如海藻酸盐、壳聚糖和环糊精。初步试验将在温室研究中进行，优化的配方和精心挑选的对照将在试验田试验中进行测试，这些试验在两种重要的可耕作作物(油菜和小麦)上进行。行业合作伙伴作物智商技术公司将在田间试验中评估这些产品用作接触性杀螺剂、驱虫剂和拒食剂的商业潜力，以确定最佳的使用率和使用频率。新型杀螺剂的开发将为农业和园艺部门的种植者带来巨大的好处。与目前的产品不同，AEO的寿命很短，因此应该不会有残留，但这将通过对植物组织和产品的GC-MS分析来验证。这项为期六个月的研究将为CropIQ提供机会，以确定配方是否需要改进，并为制定具有明确上市路线的业务计划提供机会。

Terrestrial molluscs (slugs, snails) feed on a wide range of crops, causing considerable crop losses worldwide. They can devastate crops in a short period of time. Furthermore, feeding damage increases crop susceptibility to pathogens. Both are heavily attacked by slugs. It is estimated that the total annual cost to the UK industry from not controlling slugs in arable crops is over £100 million. Metaldehyde was the main pesticide used to control slugs in arable crops in the UK. It is often detected above the drinking water standard for pesticides. The withdrawal of metaldehyde and several other molluscicides has promoted an urgent search for safe alternatives. An essential oil from anisum seeds shows promise as a benign, sustainable molluscicide. This project focuses on: (1) recovery of the bioactive fraction of oil extracted using an inexpensive microwave-based method and (2) evaluating different formulations of the bioactive fraction. At least two formulations will be evaluated for delivery in drip irrigation, conventional sprayers and drilled during seed sowing or planting. Particular attention will be given to encapsulation of the AEO in inexpensive, proven matrices such as alginate, chitosan and cyclodextrin. Initial trials will be conducted in glasshouse studies with the optimised formulations and carefully selected controls being tested in experimental field trials, conducted on two important arable crops (oilseed rape, wheat). The commercial potential of the products for use as contact molluscicides, repellents and antifeedants will be evaluated by the industry partner, Crop IQ Technology, in field trials which determine optimum application rates and frequency of application. Development of innovative molluscicides will be of immense benefit to growers in both the agricultural and horticultural sectors. Unlike current products, AEO is short lived, therefore, there should be no residues but this will be verified by GC-MS analysis of plant tissue and produce. This six month study will provide CropIQ the opportunity to determine if the formulations need improvement and for development of business plan with a clear route to market.