Diammonium phosphate

Characteristics of Diammonium Phosphate

Diammonium phosphate powder is a highly effective chemical compound used as a food attractant to detect and capture fruit flies, particularly the olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae) and the cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis cerasi). In soluble powder form, this product dissolves easily in water to create a bait solution that is irresistible to these pests.

• Form: fine powder, packaged for agricultural use

• Use: bait solution for insect traps

• Recommended dosage: 40 g of powder per liter of water (equivalent to 2 heaped tablespoons)

• Compatibility: suitable for all types of bottle-style fly traps or hanging containers

Preparing the solution is simple: just dissolve the prescribed dose in clean water. Each trap is then filled with approximately half a liter of this solution. For optimal effectiveness, install one trap per tree as soon as flower clusters appear, a critical period when the flies begin their egg-laying cycle.

Benefits

Using diammonium phosphate as an attractant offers many benefits for both professional growers and home gardeners who want to protect their fruit trees in a targeted, environmentally responsible way. Here is why this product is a leading solution:

1. Proven effectiveness against the main fruit fly species, particularly the olive fruit fly and the cherry fruit fly, which cause substantial yield losses.

2. Non-toxic trapping method, safe for fruit, beneficial insects and consumers.

3. Ease of use: quick preparation in the field, with no special equipment.

4. Reduced use of plant protection products, promoting more sustainable agriculture.

5. Preventive monitoring: by detecting the presence of flies before they proliferate, you can plan what action to take.

6. Highly cost-effective: a small amount of phosphate can be used to prepare several liters of solution for a large number of traps.

7. Versatile use across several fruit tree species: olive trees, cherry trees, plum trees, etc.

8. Alignment with the biological cycle of pest insects, targeting them at a key point in their reproductive cycle.

Because its attraction is based on ammonia release, this diammonium phosphate attracts adult insects, which enter the traps and are captured before they can damage the fruit. This method is particularly suitable for integrated pest management programs or organic farming, where chemical treatments are limited or prohibited.

Composition

Diammonium phosphate (NH₄)₂HPO₄ is a double mineral salt of phosphoric acid and ammonia. Its composition gives it excellent solubility and a gradual release of ammonia, a key factor in attracting adult flies.

Composition:

• Phosphate content (P₂O₅): approximately 46%

• Nitrogen content (N) in the form of ammonium ions: approximately 18%

• No plant protection products or active chemical substances

Why choose this product?

Choosing diammonium phosphate as a natural trapping solution is based on several objective criteria:

• Natural alternative to insecticides, limiting residues on fruit and protecting beneficial insects.

• Support for biodiversity by targeting only pest insects without affecting pollinators.

• Reliability in varied weather conditions: the product remains effective even during hot periods, when fly populations surge.