Our friends at East Riding Horticulture (ERH) recent undertook a number of trials with nematodes on pests such as caterpillars and vine weevil.
As a precursor to two trials on brassicas and plants in a nursery (see image below), ERH’s first trial involved assessing the efficacy, accuracy and user-friendliness of PSP’s application system for nematodes, the Nematode Spraying Kit, which comprises the Guarany Dosimeter Valve and a Guarany handheld compression sprayer, in this case the 4.7L ‘Bee’.
The trial aimed to demonstrate:
- Reliable and repeatable application volume using the Guarany Dosimeter with a Guarany handheld compression sprayer
- Compatibility of the dosimeter with live nematodes (no blockage or harm)
- A simplified method for calculating dosage by pot size, avoiding manual pre-testing
The trial was conducted in a working greenhouse at 20°C with a water mix pHof 8 (within nematode tolerance). Nematodes were mixed with water
and dye, then applied using the Dosimeter in 100 consistent 20ml doses into numbered dishes. Each dish was visually inspected under a microscope to verify nematode presence and activity.
ERH reported nematodes moving actively in the dishes, showing that the nematodes had successfully passed through the Dosimeter. While it was not possible to see precisely how many nematodes got through the equipment – this result is only based on a visual assessment – at the end of the trial no blockage was found nor were there any nematodes left in the Dosimeter. This indicates no blockage in the equipment after 100 repeat applications.
ERH’s Melanie Breillat said: “This trial indicates that the Nematode Spraying Kit is a useful delivery system for nematode solutions and that it can consistently spray exactly the same amount, meaning there is no wasteful overspray or underspray that would necessitate a user having to spray again.
“We are looking forward to using the system in our trials on an outdoor crop to test the efficacy of the system on caterpillars found on vegetables and in a protected envrionment on ornamental plants in a nursery.”
Results of the above trials coming soon….
ABOUT THE GUARANY DOSIMETER VALVE
This innovative valve, featuring a trigger mechanism and application pipe, easily attaches to any standard sprayer to deliver precise, consistent volumes of fluid with every squeeze. Its pressure-retaining system ensures reliable performance regardless of pressure fluctuations in the sprayer. The delivery volume is fully adjustable between 2 ml and 25 ml per stroke, allowing for exceptional control and repeatability with each trigger pull.
See the Nematode Spraying Kit here.
Learn more about East Riding Horticulture here.
