CHICAGO. IL Although
many breakthroughs in agricultur
al biotechnology have been
reported by scientists recently,
several more years of research will
be required in most cases to deve
lop products which farmers can
use for crop or livestock
production.
Biological insecticides, howev
er, are among the few products of
biotechnology currently available
for use by farmers on a commercial
basis.
According to Dr. Brian Melin,
research entomologist with Abbott
Laboratories, most biological
insecticides in the marketplace
today are made from the naturally
occurring bacteria. Bacillus thur
ingiensis (Bt).
“Bt is one of the few natural
pathogens presently available that
can be cultivated and produced in
quantities large enough for com
mercial use on major crops,”
Melin says. ‘‘lt is particularly
effective against crop-destroying
caterpillars of the Lepidoptera
order, which are major pests of
crops such as com, cotton, bruits
Smcas mmx kick
Biotechnology For Insert Control
and vegetables.”
Dave Martin, director of mark
eting for the Agricultural Products
Division of Abbott Laboratories,
notes that a rapid growth in the
demand for biological pesticides
over the last three years is due to
several factors.
‘‘Biologists today are more
effective and ecnomical than
they’ve ever been due to improved
product formulations and recent
advances in fermentation and
recovery technology,” Martin
says. “Equally important is the
fact that these materials have
shown no toxicity to people or ani
mals, and they’re not a threat to
groundwater contamination.
“Environmental considerations
are particularly significant in irri
gated crop areas and where leach
ing or runoff of chemicals may
cause problems,” Martin adds.
“The feedback we’re receiving
from farmers and their families
shows that they want effective pes
ticides, but they also want the saf
est products available.”
Abbott Laboratories is the
world’s largest producer of biolog-
ical pesticides, including several tries. A $3O million expansion of capacity will be sufficient to meet
Bt-based products used to control the company’s laboratory and fer- growing market demand for bio
insects on over 200 agricultural mentation facilities was recently logicals over the next several
crops in the U.S. and other coun- completed to ensure production years.
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The Cumberland Cooperative Sheep and Wool Growers recently spon
sored a Lamb and Wool Queen Contest. Debra J. Martin, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Melvin Martin, Rl, Box 380, Sickmans Mill Road, Conestoga, Pa. was
selected to represent them at the Pa. Lamb and Wool Contest. Debra Is shown
here with Sandra Hopple (left) of 860 Bolling Springs Road, Mechanlcsburg,
who was chosen first runner-up and Carol Perry (right) of R 3 Newvllle, the
1986-87 Cumberland Cooperative Sheep and Wool Growers Lamb and Wool
Queen.
SOIL -
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