Diatom Research and Consulting Inc.
PROJECTS
Impact and Principal Projects
Impact of Research
The new method for the assessment of the insecticidal value of diatomaceous earth developed.
Using the new developed method it is possible to evaluate and to predict the insecticidal value of natural diatomaceous earth mainly by very simple and low cost analysis of physical properties of DE without conducting bioassays or extensive physical and chemical analyses (Korunić Z., 1997: Rapid assessment of the insecticidal value of diatomaceous earths without conducting bioassays. Journal of Stored Products Research, 33(3):219-229).
Discovery of resistance of insects against diatomaceous earth (DE).
To 1998, resistance in stored grain insects to diatomaceous earth has not yet been documented. According to some researchers, since only a physical method of controlling insects is involved, the resistance is unlikely. However, after exposing 5 generations of the red flour beetle and rusty grain beetle and 7 generations of the lesser grain borer adults to diatomaceous earth, and recorded mortality, the ratio of the LD50 of the selected strains to the DE-susceptible laboratory strains was 1.3, 2.2 and 1.9, respectively. Therefore, potential resistance or tolerance development against DE is possible and therefore the acceptable strategy for the use DE in the Integrated Pest Control needs to be developed for the each field of use (Korunic Z.,1998: Diatomaceous earth, a group of natural insecticide. Journal of Stored Product Research Vol. 34, No. 2/3, pp. 87-97).
Mitigating the negative effect effects of DE on grain physical properties.
Trying to mitigate the negative effect of high concentrations of diatomaceous earth (DE) on grain bulk density and flowability, the lower concentrations of DE were mixed with very low concentrations of synthetic insecticide and plant extract. Studying the mixture, we discovered the existence of the synergism between diatomaceous earth, very low concentrations of synthetic insecticides and botanicals. In the mixture we are using several times lower concentrations of active ingredients (a.i.) in comparison when those a.i. are used alone. Because of the synergism and/or the enhanced activity between these active ingredients and several times lower concentrations the adverse effect of DE on grain quality and handling is avoided or greatly reduced and a problem of toxic residues of synthetic insecticides is minimized.
Projects
2014 – 2017
Development of new natural insecticide formulations based on inert dusts and botanicals to replace synthetic, conventional insecticides. Supported by Croatian Science Foundation. Project leader: Prof. Dr. Sc. Vlatka Rozman. Main researcher: Dr. Zlatko Korunic.
2009 – 2011
The effectiveness of DuPonts' active ingredients of the insecticides TN Dermacor X-100-DECO7VL601 and DPX HGW86-362 against stored product insects. Supported by E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS, USA. Principal Researcher, Dr. Zlatko Korunic.
2000 – 2001
Unsynergized Spinosad for Protection of Stored Wheat and as a Synergized Alternative to Chlorpyrifos Methyl in F2 insecticide formulation. Supported by Dow AgroSciences LLC, USA and Hedley Technologies Inc., Canada. Principal Investigator, Dr. Zlatko Korunic.