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market-farming - Eucalypt insecticide offering hope for agriculture

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Chronological Thread  
  • From: Aozotorp AT aol.com
  • To: market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu
  • Subject: Eucalypt insecticide offering hope for agriculture
  • Date: Wed, 16 May 2001 04:17:16 EDT


http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/environment/2001/05/item20010516000425_1.ht
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Eucalypt insecticide offering hope for agriculture

A Western Australian company that has identified a natural insecticide in a
eucalyptus species says it has the potential to revolutionise agricultural
and domestic chemical use.

The insecticide, found in a Queensland eucalypt, is non-toxic to mammals yet
more potent than the most widely used natural insecticide, pyrethrum.

Perth company BioProspect and the University of New South Wales and Southern
Cross University are working with the Queensland Government to develop the
compound to a commercial level.

BioProspect chairman John Stratton says the insecticide could be used to kill
pests in cotton and horticultural crops as well as reducing the amount of
chemical in the food chain.

"An insecticide that in the first instance is far less toxic than that which
is currently being applied to Australian plants, the ability to apply
insecticides where animals are grazing that are non-toxic so that we don't
get any carriage in the animal's blood stream is very important," he said.


May 16




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