This project sought to develop refined methods of controlling tadpole shrimp, an invertebrate pest that can cause damage to rice plants and reduce yield.

Methyl farnesoate (MF), an organic compound derived from both crustaceans and plants, can be used for tadpole shrimp control through interference in the pests’ reproductive success.  It is a substance described as readily labile and easily oxidized.  In other words, it needs to be protected from the air in order to maintain its effectiveness at time of application.

An initial trial utilizing protein pellets, a standard crustacean feed, failed to achieve the desired success.  Researchers theorize that the substance was lost in the production and storage of pellets prior to application.  A different application process utilizing a liposome-protein pellet was more effective in reducing developing tadpole shrimp.  Future tests will examine this application approach in the field.

Other tests in this project examined the ground application of bluestone, the traditional copper sulfate treatment, and a bluestone-MF combinations.  However, an infusion of cold water into the experiment interfered with this portion of the project.  The study will be repeated in multiple fields.