ARMING PLANTS AGAINST PESTS

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 48, 10 December 1952, Page 2

ARMING PLANTS AGAINST PESTS

ANTI - BUG INJECTIONS American scientists are using new phosphorus compounds to help plants protect themselves against insects, Some plants are able to protect themselves naturally. The flowers, leaves, or roots *of others are used to manufacture insecticides. Still other plants, like the Venus flytrap, snap shut on flies, spiders, heetles and ants. Now scientists are devising a new attack on insect pests. They feed the new phosphorus compounds into the stems and leaves of plants. This enables the plants to kill insects feeding on them. For example, roses and crysanthemums by taking these plants new insecticides into their sap streams protect themselves against such sucking Insects as aphids and mites. The pests, after ingesting juices from the plants, are killed by "systemic" poisoning. Such insecticides, scientists feel, may be selective because they kill injurious chewing and sucking insects, but do not harm beneficial bugs. In recent experiments, some of the new phosphorus compounds have killed a high percentage of aphids, but few of the ladybugs that feed on the aphids. Two new phosphorous compounds, Systox and Metacide, already are available for experimental purposes. In tests they have controlled greenbugs on small grains. One application protects plants for several Veeks. As little as 1/4 pound per acre gives excellent results. The chemicals are sprayed on the foliage or applied directly to the roots. While highly elfective as insect killers, the new chemicals are dangerous to handle. Therefore, care will be used in releasing the systemic insecticides to the public. At first the new insecticides will be used on garden flowers and non-fcod crops only.