LAUSR

BACKGROUND The fall armyworms (FAWs), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), are known to cause large agricultural production losses. Emamectin benzoate is one of the most effective insecticides to control this pest; however, its effective time is not sufficiently long to control FAW. Therefore, it is important that new controlled insecticide formulations with new application methods be developed. RESULTS A series of emamectin benzoate polymer gel granules were prepared with sizes ranging from 0.95-1.5 mm. As the bentonite content increased, the release rate decreased. The cumulative release process of emamectin benzoate mainly depended on the cracks in the surface of the granules, and the release rate can be described by non-Fickian- and Fickian diffusion which was closely related to the water content. By spreading the developed polymer gel granules into maize leaf whorls, the control effect reached 83% after 21 d in field trial. CONCLUSION A novel polymer gel granule was developed, which can effectively regulate emamectin benzoate release. By broadcasting polymer gel granules into maize leaf whorls, significant control efficacy against FAW can be obtained, and it could potentially be applied for the effective control of FAW.