SBIR-STTR Award

USDA scientists at BARC have developed and evaluated cucurbitacin-rich watermelon mutants. Adult corn rootworm beetles voraciously ingest the cucurbitacin, and blends of this naturally occurring chemical with pesticides or a photoactive chemical dye result in toxic reactions and demise of the insect. Area-wide Integrated Pest Management (IPM) includes widespread aerial spraying of corn, using baited blends that contain cucurbitacins from watermelon and other vegetable sources (buffalo gourd, cucumber, etc.). Pesticide usage can be decreased by 95%. Such area-wide elimination of the adult beetle also prevents re-infestation of root-worm-free fields. Using benign-to-humans pest control has immense implications with regard to the Food Quality Protection Act and to the environment. Cost and availability of the bait are, however, the key economic issues. This program examines the extraction, concentration and stabilization procedures that result in maximum, standardized yields of cucurbitacins and cucurbitacin glycosides from Hawkesbury watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Schrad.). The practical application to existing and possible industrial processes will be determined on a laboratory and pilot plant scale. Rapid process-control techniques will be defined. Evaluation of agronomy practices, including ideal growing conditions and harvesting procedures in the climes of southern states, will be initiated.

Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research:
This research refines extraction procedures that will maximize production efficiencies and yields. Stable and standardize commercial quantities of curcubitacins are essential if the farmer of the pesticide applicator is to have confidence in IPM programs. Commercial production of concentrates for area- wide IPM will have an immense beneficial effect on the environment, and will support the Food Quality Protection Act, through a potential 95% reduction in the use of pesticide chemicals. There is also a significant international potential. The corn rootworm is a growing European and Mexican problem.

The corn rootworm is one of the most serious pests on corn in the U.S. Growers routinely apply soil insecticide to 50-60% of the 30 million acres of corn annually to control corn rootworm. Insecticides are routinely applied prophylactically and are frequently unnecessary, and may cause imposed health risks to growers, livestock and wildlife, in addition to possible ground water and environmental contamination. Losses and control costs due to the corn rootworm can exceed $1 billion dollars per year. Florida Food Products, Inc., in cooperation with USDA, identified and extracted cucubitacin E. glycoside, a corn rootworm feeding stimulant/arrestant from Hawkesbury bitter watermelon (BHW), known as Invite™ . In Phase I, the feasibility of commercially extracting and concentrating the BHW juice was demonstrated, and its efficacy was proven in a bait formulation with 90-95% reduction in rates of insecticides. It was also shown for the first time that Invite™ could be used effectively in combination with a number of different insecticides at reduced rates. The proposed program is directed at the commercial production of Invite™ in combination with reduced insecticides, and will be applied on 500,000 acres of corn in the U.S. ANTICIPATED RESULTS & POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS OF RESEARCH This research will provide large-scale capabilities for the commercial extraction and concentration of Invite™, which is registered as an inert with EPA. Commercial production of Invite™ will provide the agriculture industry with an effective feeding stimulant/arrestant in a bait formulation which will allow a 90-95% reduction in use of pesticides, will reduce the health risks to humans, livestock and wildlife, and contamination of ground water and the environment.