INIA scientists generated bioinput to control pests in northern Chile

Alerted by the problems that the jerjeles generate in the activities of those who work and live around the Lluta River, in the Arica and Parinacota Region, a group of researchers from INIA Chile developed a program to reduce the annoying presence of this blood-sucking insect, the results of which were presented at a seminar held in June. Taking advantage of their experience in pest control, INIA La Platina researchers Eduardo Tapia and Nancy Vitta, with support from the Regional Government of Arica and Parinacota, developed a biopesticide based on the biological agent Bacillus thuringiensis var. Israelensis, which proved effective in the mortality of the larval population. The initiative financed by the Innovation Fund for Competitiveness (FIC) of the Regional Government of Arica and Paronacota allowed to reach a formulation in Chile of a bioinput that in the future could become the solution to a problem that harms tourism and agriculture, mainly, said the director of INIA Ururi, ...