Abstracts

Lisk & Jones Consultants Ltd, Cardiff, Wales CF14 0XJ (owenj@plaga.co.uk)

This presentation will give and overview of the current status of Integrated Pest Management as it has evolved over the last half century and to the present day. It will try to identify the challenges faced historically and currently as IPM has developed and evolved. It will also look at the dynamics of the conventional pest management practices based on petroleum-derived synthetic chemistry and how biocontrol technology is gradually becoming integrated into plant protection practices. Finally, a brief review will be attempted of some of the new innovations and solutions that are emerging which could facilitate and enhance the greater adoption of biologicals in IPM.

David Hunter, Orthopterists’ Society, UK, davidmhunter100@gmail.com

With climate change altering locust population dynamics, detailed understanding of the factors leading to locust outbreaks has become even more critical for successful the Integrated Pest Management of locusts.  In many parts of the world, locust treatment programs are based on a strategy of early intervention and preventive management, where locust infestations are located quickly and treated immediately using a variety of chemical and biological techniques. Locust outbreaks commonly develop in desert to semi-desert areas where human population is low and ready access difficult.  Consequently, the use of satellite imagery is becoming an essential part of locating locust infestations, starting with the use of Landsat imagery to determine the location of habitats favoured by locusts, and rainfall models and MODIS imagery to determine which of the favoured habitats are green from recent rain.  And these data sources plus recent locust survey data are analysed by a Geographic Information System to forecast when and where locusts are more likely to be present.  Surveys for locusts are conducted by driving and stopping at intervals where vegetation is green, particularly in areas forecast as more likely to be infested.  Such surveys are largely limited to roads and tracks, and when denser infestations are found by on-road surveys, aircraft are used to survey areas with limited ground access to determine if there are areas worth treating. Dense areas of adults can be detected by helicopter which stirs the locusts up as it flies over them, while dense bands can often be seen from a fixed wing aircraft flying overhead.  The detection of locust bands from the air by fixed wing aircraft been an essential part of locust management in Australia for many years and was recently introduced into Africa as a method of rapidly detecting infestations suitable for spraying.

Once infestations are detected, they are rapidly treated using a variety of techniques that limit chemical pesticide use.  In Australia, China, and Mexico, biopesticides have been a regular part of treatment programs for a decade or more and were used during the recent desert locust upsurge in Africa. However, chemical pesticides still dominate but for locust bands, the amount of pesticide used can be much reduced through barrier treatments where chemical is applied aerially in strips 300-500m apart.  This technique has been used in Australia for over 20 years and was recently used in Africa.  And in the African treatment program, swarms were treated as they roosted, substantially reducing chemical use because when flying swarms land they concentrate, and become very dense as they roost, covering less than a third of the area of flying swarms. The use of judicious use of chemical pesticides combined with using biopesticides where appropriate, provide a way of using much less chemical pesticide, reducing monetary and environmental costs while still providing effective treatment of locust bands and swarms.

Applied Insect Science Ltd, United Kingdom, mark@appliedinsectscience.com

The ecological risk assessment of microbial pesticides in Europe is based on a group of non-target organisms and their associated study designs that were originally selected and developed for chemical pesticides. In many cases these study designs are unsuitable for microbial products, or the test species themselves are not relevant to any meaningful risk assessment of ubiquitous soil-dwelling microorganisms. As the process still lacks a sound basis in either microbiology, entomology or ecology after so many years, is there any justification for calling it ‘regulatory science’?

Certis Belchim B.V., Utrecht, The Netherlands (myrta@certiseurope.com)

Formerly Sustainable Plant Protection Institute-CNR, Bari, Italy (sasanelli.n@gmail.com)

The problems caused by phytoparasitic nematodes in vegetable crops in European Union (EU) are increasing during the last decades because of the missing of effective control solutions due to the ban of key nematicides and the gradual rising of average temperatures. The availability of chemical nematicides in the EU market has been reduced due to the renewal difficulties of the existing active ingredients or limited possibilities to register new ones. Meantime, the number of bioproducts (plant extracts, microorganisms, etc.) approved as nematicides is increasing and trying to fill the market gap left by chemical nematicides. The EU legislation on pesticides registrations is constantly becoming more restrictive, looking with more attention to environmental and health issues, topics always very important, but not always considering the European grower needs to solve crop problems caused by nematodes. This results, sometimes, in confusion and concern of the field operators, due to the difficulty to replace fumigants or chemical post-planting nematicides with the available bionematicides. As consequence, EU has also accepted to grant national emergency uses (mostly in vegetable crops), mainly for fumigant nematicides during the last 15 years in some countries. Based on the experience gained the last years, it is clear that we are not going to replace totally chemistry shortly, but we need to use better IPM control which includes the use of chemical nematicides (both fumigant and non-fumigant), agronomic control strategies (resistant cultivars, crop rotations, bio-fumigation, cover crops, soil amendments), physical methods, such as soil solarization, application of biopesticides (fungi, bacteria and their derivatives) and plant derived formulations. In this way, we can pragmatically support farmers and increase gradually the amount of bionematicides while reducing the chemistry. Meantime, these last ones will continue to improve their performance because of  innovative formulations, and thus giving the chance to adopt more selective and safer nematicide-control strategies.

Keywords: bionematocides, EU legislation, nematode control strategies.

Greco N., Lopez-Aranda J.M., Maccarini C.A., Saporiti M., de Tommaso N., Myrta A., 2019. Sustainability of European vegetables and strawberry production in relation to fumigation practices in EU. Acta Horticulturae. 1270: 203-210.

Sasanelli, N.; Konrat, A.; Migunova, V.; Toderas, I.;  Iurcu-Straistaru, E.; Rusu, S.; Bivol, A.; Andoni, C.; Veronico, P. 2021. Review on the Nematicidal Control Methods allowed in the C Zone of the European Union. Agriculture, 11, 602.

Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire, UK (mback@harper-adams.ac.uk)

Plant parasitic nematodes (PPN) are destructive pests that infect a wide range of horticultural and field crops across the world. It is estimated that nematode feeding damage is responsible for around a 14% loss in global food production. Management of nematodes is largely reliant on synthetic nematicides, varietal resistance - where available, and cultural control measures. Due to concerns on human safety and environmental impact, many pesticides, including nematicides, have been withdrawn from use. For example, there are only three active substances for treating the economically important potato cyst nematodes in the UK, and the best performing product (fosthiazate) has an uncertain future. 

One option for suppressing PPN populations is using cover crops that are allelopathic, biofumigant or poor hosts. Cover cropping is primarily used for improving the condition of soil through increased nutrient retention, better drainage and increased organic matter. However, some cover crops can be utilised for targeting specific nematode pests. For example, brassicaceous plants, such as Indian mustard, accumulate glucosinolates that can be transformed into biocidal volatile organic compounds following tissue damage. Alternatively, some plants can reduce or prevent the multiplication of nematodes by limiting the development of specialised feeding cells.

This paper will describe some of the completed and ongoing research by the Nematology Group at Harper Adams University investigating cover crops in the management of PPN and some fungal pathogens.

DG Agricolture – Emilia-Romagna Region - Sustainable agriculture Area

An analysis of Emilia-Romagna Region experience in application of IPM and integrated production is presented giving information about historical evolution form ‘80s of the initiatives of research, advisory services and financial support by agro-environmental measures from EU CAP. The directive of IPM and Integrated production are described and the support system via web currently going on is also described. More than 110 crops are involved on more of 2600 farms covering over 120,000 ha (12% of regional agricultural area). Results in terms of reduction in pesticides and fertiliser use are given.

CABI Europe – UK, Bakeham Lane, Egham, Surrey, TW20 9TY, UK (k.pollard@cabi.org)

Impatiens glandulifera Royle, more commonly known as Himalayan balsam, is a prolific invader of riverine habitats. Introduced from the Himalayas for its ornamental purposes in 1839, this annual species rapidly naturalised across the UK where it now forms dense monocultures which can negatively affect whole ecosystems and decrease biodiversity. Due to its close proximity to water it is not possible to control this non-native using conventional herbicides. As an alternative control method, classical biocontrol, the use of coevolved host-specific natural enemies (arthropods and/or pathogens) from the centre of origin of the target weed, is currently being trialled in the UK. After safety testing and ministerial approval, the highly host-specific rust fungus, Puccinia komarovii var. glandulifera (Pucciniales), was released into the UK in 2014. To date, two strains have been released, one from India and one from Pakistan. However, rust-resistant populations of the weed exist, necessitating the requirement for pre-release susceptibility testing. At fully susceptible sites, the rust is performing well, adapting to local climatic conditions and spreading from the initial area of release. Good leaf infection is frequently observed, and the rust is able to survive the winter and establish populations in stands of Himalayan balsam the following year. Nevertheless, for successful control of Himalayan balsam additional strains of the rust are required from the native range.

Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ., UK  sam.cook@rothamsted.ac.uk

Oilseed rape production in Europe is in severe decline due mainly to problems in controlling insect pests, in particular the cabbage stem flea beetle Psylliodes chrysocephala due to EU ban on neonicotinoid seed treatments and resistance to pyrethroids.  Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is now an urgent need not an option for production of this valuable crop.  I will describe work at Rothamsted Research to develop tools for a NEW-IPM strategy based on improved monitoring, threshold testing, preventative methods, and alternative control via natural enemies. 

Monitoring: We tested the potential for automatic detection in real time using novel image-based tools and AI. 

Thresholds: We developed a method of controlled plant infection and validated current UK thresholds. 

Prevention: There are currently no pest resistant cultivars of oilseed rape but we are working to develop these through a better understanding of host plant location and selection processes and exploiting host plant preference.  We have tested different crop management options including companion planting (trap cropping and undersown ‘nurse plants’). 

Alternative control: We have investigated the life cycle and biocontrol potential of Microctonus brassicae, a parasitoid of the adult stage. 

At Rothamsted we have an unparalleled knowledge of the behaviour and ecology of this pest -and its natural enemies- and the oilseed rape cropping system.  We invite collaboration and partnership to develop further tools for a diverse (and therefore robust) NEW-IPM toolbox.   

Russell IPM, UK, nayem@russellipm.com

Advances in semiochemicals; sustainable monitoring and control strategies for economically important insects.

LUCIA ADRIANA ESCUDERO-COLOMAR¹, MARIÀ VILAJELIU SERRA¹; LLUÍS BATLLORI²; PERE VILARDELL¹; JESÚS AVILLA³; DOLORS BOSCH⁴

¹IRTA, Sustainable Plant Protection, Mas Badia. La Tallada d’Empordà S/N, 17134 Girona, Spain;

² Ministry of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda, El Cortalet, 17486 Castelló d’Empúries, Girona, Spain;

³Department of Crop and Forest Sciences, Agrotecnio-CERCA, University of Lleida (UdL), 25198 Lleida, Spain;  

⁴Sustainable Plant Protection (Entomology), IRTA (Institute for Agrifood Research and Technology), Av. Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain;

Area-wide management of codling moth and oriental fruit moth in fruit crops in Catalonia, NE Spain

In Catalonia (NE of Spain), fruit crops have two tortricid key pests, codling moth (CM) (Cydia pomonella (L.)) and oriental fruit moth (OFM) (Grapholita molesta (Busck)). Both species damage the fruit and can cause serious economic losses if their populations are not controlled. Since the first decade of the 21st century, the control system known as mating disruption (MD hereafter) has been gradually area-wide implemented. We present the results of 20 years of work in two different fruit production areas. In the former, the province of Girona, the apple tree is the main and most widespread fruit crop, while in the second, the province of Lleida, there is a mosaic of pome and stone fruit trees, hindering the application of MD.

In 2003, 41 ha of apple trees in the Girona province were successfully protected with MD for CM. This acreage has increased year after year arriving currently to 1689 ha (93,83% of the total pome fruit acreage). In this area the average of damage registered is very low (1.3 %). Beside this, the number of sprayings/year to reinforce the method is currently only 1.13, mainly used for the first generation of CM and it is timed in function of a phenology model that accurately predict the development of the species in this province. Since the beginning of the 2010s, also OFM cause significant damage in apple orchards of the province of Girona. Therefore, MD for the species started to be used as a control method and now many fruit growers in this province use it. Therefore, the 68 % of the pome fruits acreage (1224 ha) uses a double MD system, for CM and for OFM. Nevertheless, when insecticides spraying is necessary to reinforce OFM MD, it is difficult to know which is the best moment, because the existing phenology models were developed in peaches and do not fit to the development of the species in apples. Consequently, a new phenology model is currently in development to properly time insecticides sprayings.

In the province of Lleida, the situation is very different, since it is a mosaic of crops. There is an area in which stone fruits predominate (mainly nectarines and peaches), another in which pome fruits (apple and pear) predominate, and a mixed one where all the aforementioned crops are mixed. In the area where pome fruits predominate, CM is the main fruit pest and MD started to be applied at the last decade of the past century (1998) in 32 ha, reaching to 3,584 ha in 2014. Since MD was applied, the annual CM catches decreased from an average of 50 catches to 15 catches, the number of insecticides/year applied as MD reinforcement was, on average, 3 insecticides and about 90 % of the orchards registered a damage <1 %. These data confirm the importance and efficacy of MD for CM in pome fruits when used in a wide-area. However, due to the characteristics of the area, this positive result is fragile and variable. As of 2014, the annual catches increased to levels like the initial ones, already mentioned in the previous paragraph, due to a decrease in the acreage with MD. This decrease was due to different factors, both economic (loss of several foreign markets) and climatic (hailstorms and frosts outside the normal season) that caused a reduction in the application of the method. Another factor that influenced the increase in catches was that pear trees did not systematically use MD, thus offering CM "host islands" without MD where they could mate. More studies are needed on the biology of the insect in a context of climate change, in the province of Lleida, as well as on the phenology models used to predict its population dynamics, in order to better program insecticide sprayings to increase their effectiveness both to reinforce MD and when they are used as the single control method. In the area where stone fruits predominate, OFM is the main pest, and the use of MD for its control is widespread. The results showed that less than 1% damage is achieved with the support of an average of 2 insecticides as MD booster at some key moments of insect phenology indicated by a phenology model.

Finally, the comparison of the situation of tortricid pests in both provinces, separated by only 300 km, allows several conclusions to be drawn regarding their control and, in particular, about MD.

Key words: Cydia pomonella, Grapholita molesta, mating disruption, area-wide, integrated pest management, damage, insecticide sprayings, trap catches

BOURDON PIERRE-ANTOINE*^1,3, ZOTTELE MARIA², BAXTER IAN**³, MYRTA ARBEN³, AUDUN MIDTHASSEL³, WECHSELBERGER KATHARINA F.⁴, SALIM KHOJA¹, BULL JAMES C.¹, STRASSER HERMANN², BUTT TARIQ M.¹

^{BOURDON PIERRE-ANTOINE*, ZOTTELE MARIA, BAXTER IAN, MYRTA ARBEN, AUDUN MIDTHASSEL, WECHSELBERGER KATHARINA, SALIM KHOJA, BULL JAMES, STRASSER HERMANN, BUTT TARIQ}

1. Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, SA2 8PP. Swansea, UK.
2. Certis Europe BV, Stadsplateau 16, 3521 AZ Utrecht, The Netherlands.
3. Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Spargelfeldstraße 191, 1220, Vienna, Austria.

1. Department of Microbiology University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.

*Corresponding author: 967179@swansea.ac.uk  

Fumigation of wireworm (Agriotes lineatus) and corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) using 3-octanone and 1-octen-3-ol and its isomers.

The changing of pesticide legislation and banning of many soil insecticides let farmers with very few options to control soil pests. Entomopathogenic fungi have shown some efficacy against soil pests; yet, they take time to develop and kill pest and their efficacy is highly dependent of edaphic conditions.

Fungal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanone could be an alternative option as they are active immediately and have shown fumigants and semiochemicals properties on various insects and molluscs.

The fumigants properties of 3-octanone, racemic 1-octen-3-ol, R-1-octen-3-ol and S-1-octen-3-ol were tested against two soil pests: wireworm (Agriotes lineatus) and corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) in closed tubes with or without soil. The attractant and repellent effect of the VOCs were also tested at low doses.

The insects differed in their sensitivity to these VOCs with 3-octanone being slightly less toxic than 1-octen-3-ol; on the contrary, no differences were found between racemic 1-octen-3-ol and the pure isomers. Corn rootworms were more susceptible to 1-octen-3-ol and its isomers than wireworms which needed a threshold of 5µl or more to die. The fumigation properties of the VOCs and their efficacy against various pests is promising for the development of new IPM strategies against soil insects. With very low doses, no mortality was observed due to the VOCs; however, corn rootworm were slightly attracted, while wireworms were slightly repelled by them.

Keyword: Fumigation, volatile organic compounds, wireworm, corn rootworm, garden chafer

Acknowledgement: This project was partially founded by the SmartE project “Novel fungal volatile compounds for pest control (FUMIGATE)” 

**Now working for Biobest Group NV, Ilse Velden 18 2260 Westerlo Belgium

Swansea University, UK, B.J.Clunie@Swansea.ac.uk

The loss of conventional controls for wireworm (Agriotes spp.) and the larvae’s ability to render potato crops unmarketable has given rise to a need for alternative, environmentally friendly control options. Prior to the implementation of broad-spectrum chemical insecticides in the mid-20^th century a range of sugars, acids and botanicals were screened against wireworm to examine their behavioural effects. Botanicals extracts have gained traction as alternative biological control options within integrated pest management systems for both their insecticidal and semiochemical properties, often with the benefit of fewer environmentally negative side effects. However, their effects on subterranean invertebrate pests, like wireworm, is understudied. Here we demonstrate the bioactivity of tea tree, rosemary and cedarwood oils against Agriotes larvae as both fumigants and semiochemicals with the soil matrix. It was found that both tea tree and rosemary exhibit repellent effects on wireworm, positively correlating with mortality for each, with a suppression of feeding response in laboratory assays. The converse was found for cedarwood, with strong attractant effects observed, and no insecticidal effects against the larvae, and evidence of phagostimulation. These properties were reduced within the field, though comparable effects were observed in areas of lower infestation. It is suggested that there is strong potential for development of a novel control solution for wireworm using these botanicals, with formulations taking advantage of the specific bioactive constituents or through development of push-pull systems benefitting from their behavioural effects.

Biobest, UK, neal.ward@biobestgroup.com

Crop scouting is the foundation of a successful IPM programme. For many years, we have used manual tools – loupes, coloured signal clips and sticky traps – sometimes in conjunction with a paper or spreadsheet-based recording system to gather and collate our scouting data. A valuable but time consuming and labour-intensive activity.

New developments in sensing, robotics, and artificial intelligence have now enabled us to push the fast forward button and move into the brave new world of high-tech IPM. Automation of data gathering and analysis boosts the amount, accuracy and reliability of our scouting data and supports decision-making. Precision data means we can make precision biological and chemical treatments, reducing pesticide usage and residues. Twinning superior communication methods with these new technologies makes remote support by advisors possible, reducing travel, and therefore our environmental impact.

Biobest is busy creating a wide range of different high-tech IPM solutions. For those of us in the IPM industry, this scouting technology ecosystem will become part of our daily lives; we believe this can empower advisors, agronomists, and growers to make better IPM decisions, rapidly.

1 Department of Microbiology, Leopold Franzens University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria (hermann.strasser@uibk.ac.at)

2 Agrifutur srl, Alfianello, Italy (rkm@agrifutur.com)

Worldwide, but particularly in mountain regions, climate change is causing shifts in temperature and precipitation worldwide, but particularly in mountain valleys, as well as an increase in the frequency of extreme weather conditions. Higher temperatures associated with climate change are already having a significant and noticeable impact on plant and animal phenology, which in turn directly affects agriculture and forestry. The BIPESCO Team in cooperation with Agrifutur s.r.l. has been directly addressing the issue of pest management in a changing climate for nearly two decades, as well as the need to rethink existing preventive agricultural practices and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to promote locally adapted and diversified agroecosystems that are resilient enough to tolerate extreme weather variability. Our practical work is inter- and transdisciplinary in nature, as it includes four specific objectives: 1) To assess the livelihood responses of selected pest species, using white grubs (i.e., Cockchafers, garden chafer, and June beetles), western corn root worm, sugar beet weevils and wire worms as an example, to climate change. 2) To characterize new fungal biological agents/formulations and test the efficacy of existing fungal granules under new climate conditions. 3) Generation of data that will accelerate product registration and commercialization for the tested, effective biological agent Metarhizium brunneum and/or Beauveria brongniartii or its various dispersion formulations, for control of soil dwelling pests especially in steep slope applications, in fields and orchards but also in forest systems. 4) Knowledge Dissemination: Provide farmers with knowledge of practical management options to adapt to changes in pest outbreak frequency.

Department of Agronomy, Unit of Excellence María de Maeztu DAUCO, ETSIAM, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain. z12yonam@uco.es

Metarhizium brunneum (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) is a cornerstone in the IPM of tephritid fruit flies: a case study of olive fruit fly

The olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is the most destructive pest to the olive crops worldwide. The control of this monophagous tephritid fruit fly is now at a critical moment because of the resistance developed by this pest against the chemical insecticides hardly available for its control. Soil treatments with the Metarhizium brunneum (Petch) (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) strain EAMa 01/58-Su targeting third-instar larvae in the soil during autumn and emerging adults from the soil during spring, under different climatic conditions, is considered as a pioneer method that can reduce the B. oleae population density emerging from the soil during spring up to 70%. This fungus can be mixed with the herbicides in the atomizer tank to do a simultaneous application which reduces the application costs. From other hand, our studies have demonstrated the lack of negative direct or indirect impact of such treatments on both the soil-dwelling non-target arthropod population and the parasitoid Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). In addition, soil application of this fungus to control B. oleae leaves no residues in olive oil, in contrast to the use of chemical insecticides. Our works highlight the adaptation of the olive fruit fly control method based on soil application of M. brunneum to the IPM approach.

P. LUETH¹, N. KISALA¹, H.S. NZIOKI², and D.C. SANDS³

¹Toothpick Company Ltd., Kakamega, Kenya (perterlueth@outlook.de)

²Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Machakos, Kenya  (silanzioki@gmail.com)

³Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, U.S.A. (davidsands41@yahoo.com)

The Toothpick Project – Seed Treatment to Control Striga hermonthica

Witchweed (Striga hermonthica) is a parasitic weed that causes high yield losses in maize on more than 200,000 ha in Kenya alone. Striga particularly affects maize, sorghum and millet on approximately 40 million farms across Africa. A new biological herbicide developed in Kenya called Kichawi Kill™ is able to control Striga effectively. The product was approved for use by the PCPB (Pesticide Control Products Board) in Kenya in September 2021. It is self-produced in the villages using an inoculum provided by Toothpick Company Ltd. By using the product, yield increases of up to 100% could be achieved on Striga-infested areas. But the product has some disadvantages, which are a complicated production process, a very low storage stability and a high application rate. Additionally, the product has to be applied manually and therefore can only be used in maize production. For this reason, efforts have been made to formulate the antagonist, Fusarium oxysporum strain DSM 33471, as a powder and to use it as a seed treatment agent. The presentation deals with the production of the Fusarium spore powder, its properties, its application to the seed, and its herbicidal effect proven by two first field trials. The used Fusarium oxysporum strain was isolated from a Striga plant in Kenya. The strain produces amino acids Leucine, Methionine and Tyrosine. These are responsible for a second mode of action apart from the disease-causing effect of the fungus. Whereas Leucine and Tyrosine have an herbicidal effect, Methionine is triggering the germination of the Striga seed in the soil. Additionally, the strain has been selected concerning its resistance toward the fungicide Captan, which is commonly used in Kenya to treat maize seed. Results of two field trials on the effect of seed treatment on Striga hermonthica are presented. According to these, by treating maize seed with F. oxysporum DSM 33471 on Striga-infested areas on 17 small-holder farms in the counties Bungoma, Kakamega, Siaya and Vihiga, yield increases of up to 89% have been observed. A second trial carried out by the Kenyan Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) showed a reduction of the number of Striga plants of up to 93%.

Carreck Consultancy Ltd., Woodside Cottage, Dragons Lane, Shipley, West Sussex, RH13 8GD, UK.

Email: norman.carreck@btinternet.com

Honey bees: an effective vector to deliver beneficial microbes to control crop pests and a target for IPM for varroa control. 

With their need to visit flowers for nectar and pollen, their ability to recruit to mass flowering crops, and their existing global use in crop pollination, honey bees have great potential, mostly currently unfulfilled, to deliver biocontrol agents to crops to control insect pests. I will describe experiments carried out in the UK using honey bees to control several species of insect pest on oilseed rape crops, and will then review recent work elsewhere. I will discuss the practical factors that need to be taken into account in devising such systems, most notably safety of the agent to the bees delivering it. Honey bees themselves suffer from pests and diseases of their own, and beekeepers increasingly use IPM approaches to target the varroa mite, probably the most serious pest of honey bees worldwide.

RESQUÍN-ROMERO G^1*; FLEITAS LM²; RUÍZ-SAMUDIO F¹; LÓPEZ D¹; GAONA-MENA E¹; CHAMORRO J¹; CABRAL CC¹; SARUBBI-ORUE H¹; CABALLERO-MENDOZA EJ¹; SAMUDIO-OGGERO A³; BENÍTEZ, J³; BUTT T⁴*

¹Estudient, Faculty of Agrarian Sciences of the National University of Asunción, Paraguay. Campus of University. 1618. San Lorenzo, Paraguay

²Faculty of Agrarian Sciences of the National University of Asunción, Paraguay. Campus of University. 1618. San Lorenzo, Paraguay

³Multidisciplinary Center for Technological Research (CEMIT, UNA)

⁴Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park SA2 8PP, United Kingdom

* gloresqx@agr.una.py,

Combined use of biological controlling agents and insecticide for the control of ysau (Atta sexdens rubropilosa) (hymenoptera: formicidae)

Eusocial insects such as leaf-cutter ants of the Atta genus are associated with great losses in the agricultural, citric, forestry and ornamental sectors, due to their endemic defoliation activity in the neotropical region. For its control, mechanical, chemical and biological methods have been developed. The latter has been evaluated in the present investigation using three entomopathogenic fungi (HE) (Metarhiziumanisopliae (M), Beauveria bassiana (B), Paecilomycesfumosoroseus (P), an antagonistic fungus Trichodermaviridae (T) and an insecticide (Imidacloprid) (I) with their respective controls: mean control (MC) and absolute control (AC), which were applied alone and combined against "ysau" nests, under field conditions, totaling 11 treatments and 77 nests in situ. The HE concentration was 0.5 g of spores per liter (concentrations from 1.0×10⁸ to 1.0×10¹³ conidia mL^-1), 200 ccl^-1 antagonist and a sublethal dose of 20% Imidacloprid (0.009 mLm^-2). Spore broths were applied three days after application (DAA) of the insecticide. The activity and temporary inactivity of the nests at 30, 60, 90 and 360 DAA were evaluated, obtaining as results the highest efficiency in the Combined3 (P+I), Combined1(M+ I) and M. anisopliae(M) alone, with 71%, 68% and 64% inactive nests, respectively. The percentage of active or reactivated nests was recorded between 29 to 100% for the Combined 3 (P+I) and Trichodermasp. treatments (T), respectively, with respect to the controls MC and AC. The joint application of HE with insecticide at sublethal concentration could not only be a relevant ecological option against leaf-cutter ants, but it could also minimize the load of chemical insecticides applied in the environment against Ysau nests.

Keywords: Ysau, Atta sexdensrubropilosa, biological controller, entomopathogens, antagonists, Imidacloprid.

SHAFQAT SAEED¹, NAEEM IQBAL¹, UNSAR NAEEM-ULLAH¹, MUHAMMAD UMAIR SIAL¹, KHALID MEHMOOD¹, MUHAMMAD FIAZ¹, MUHAMMAD ARSLAN KHAN¹, SAQIB ALI ATEEL², ASIF ALI KHAN¹ 

¹MNS University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan

²Department of Agriculure, Govt. of Punjab, Pakistan

Corresponding Author: shafqat.saeed@mnsuam.edu.pk

IPM OF COTTON: A RAY OF HOPE IN PAKISTAN

Over the years, cotton growing farmers in cotton-wheat zone of Punjab Pakistan have shifted away from cotton crop to competitive kharif crops especially maize, rice and sugarcane. The major reason of this shift is the indiscriminate use of pesticides on cotton crop to control Pink Bollworm and White fly during recent years. These repeated sprays have not only resulted in sharp increase input cost of cotton and develop pesticide resistance but also pose serious threat to the public health and the environment. These factors collectively made cotton, a very difficult crop to grow. The cotton production had declined to 5.5 million bales in year 2020 against the potential of 15 M bales. The responsible factors for this reduction in production and sowing area include poor seed quality, high pest pressure, and pest resistance to insecticides and Bt. cotton.  Keeping in view the above situation, revival of the cotton crop was a challenge for the Department of Agriculture. For this purpose, alternate eco-friendly pest control methods were explored, and tested in the laboratories as well as in the field. Finally, it was decided to adopt IPM model and avoid insecticides up till two months from sowing to conserve natural beneficial insect fauna. In case of severe attack of sucking pests, advisory was given to spray bio-pesticides which has considerable effects on insect pests’ infestation and were also safer for beneficial fauna and recommended use of PB ropes for pink bollworm at flower initiation.  For campaign of IPM program at gross root level, 120 demonstration IPM blocks were established and managed with the help of Department of Agriculture Extension throughout cotton zone. Farmers were educated at IPM blocks for formulation of biopesticides and management of cotton throughout the season. Advisory was formulated according to situation every fortnight and circulated to gross root level through Agriculture extension workers and media. Up till September 2021, approximately 57% reduction in insecticidal spray was recorded than the previous years, which positively reduced input cost/hac. of farmers. This was the first year that farmers sprayed biopesticides/plant extracts as the IPM practice suggested by Institute of Plant Protection, MNS University of Agriculture, Multan.  By adaptation of these IPM strategies in 2021, 17.9% increase in cotton yield was recorded (@1976 kg/ha) irrespective of 20% less cultivation area as compared to 2020. However, an average of 3360 Kg/ha cotton yield was recorded from 120 IPM demonstration plots having an area of 242 ha throughout Punjab. This shows that there is still huge gap to get the yield potential.

Keyword: Biopesticides, Natural Enemies, Cotton, Insecticide Resistance, PB Ropes 

E. TAPIA, F. ALTIMIRA AND N. VITTA.

Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias-CRI La Platina, Santiago, Chile (etapia@inia.cl)

Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias-CRI La Platina, Santiago, Chile (fabiola.altimira@inia.cl)

Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias-CRI La Platina, Santiago, Chile (nvitta@inia.cl)

Use of Microbials for the IPM of Lobesia botrana in Chile 

Significant efforts are putting in place in Chile at the moment to control invasive pests. Unfortunately, once those new species have entered and established themselves in the ecosystem, different control measures must be implemented. One of the current invasive species problems is Lobesia botrana (Denis and Shiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) also known as the European Grapevine Moth, which entered in Chile in 2008 and was declared a quarantine pest. Its main damage is generated by the larvae, which by feeding on the grapes allows the entry of fungal diseases such as Botrytis cinerea Pers. This pest generates a high cost due to mandatory control measures such as mating disruption and pesticide applications on each of its three flights. All this without counting the cost of associated fungal diseases. Finally, depending on the destination markets, the grape must be fumigated with Methyl Bromide, which reduces quality and shelf life in its final sale.

Currently, to face the challenge of a friendly control with the environment and that allows lowering the populations of the pest in its first flight, we have developed a biopesticide based on entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) to control the moth in its pupal stage, in winter diapause. The mechanism used by the EPF allows it to go through the silk to reach the pupa where it finally feeds on its hemolymph causing death of the insect, reducing the moth population on the first flight.

During the winters of 2018 and 2019, we carried out different biopesticide application tests based on the EPFs B. pseudobassiana RGM 2184 and Metarhizium robertsii RGM 678 in two regions, Metropolitan and O´Higgins. These were evaluated through General Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) where the response was the efficacy of each biopesticide. In both regions, in 2018 the most effective biopesticide was the one based on RGM 2184 reaching 57% and 35% respectively. In 2019 the based on RGM 678 was the most effective reaching 75% and 46%.

In spring, we recommend monitoring black head eggs to apply B. thuringiensis subsp kurstaki achieved efficacy rates or 55–85% with various commercial products. This strategy generates a positive impact on the innocuousness of grape production. Based on these studies we propose an integrated control program with EPF-based biopesticide applications from early autumn to late winter, complementing these applications with B. thuringiensis from early spring to late summer. All this in a context of official control application in the fields with mating disruption and pesticides in each flight of the moth and release of natural enemies in urban areas that are reservoirs of the pest.

Finally, with the IPM tools, we hope to reduce the populations of L. botrana in an environmentally friendly manner in each turn of the grape production cycle, suppress the moth populations at the field level in further seasons in Chile.

MARIA ZOTTELE¹, HANNAH EMBLETON¹, ROBERTO KRON MORELLI², HERMANN STRASSER¹

1 Department of Microbiology, Leopold Franzens University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria (maria.zottele@uibk.ac.at)

2 Agrifutur srl, Alfianello, Italy (rkm@agrifutur.com)

New approach to control white grubs on steep slopes and in special crops: Melocont^TM and Granmet^TM liquid application with the MMexit

Infestations by white grubs (e.g. Melolontha melolontha, Phyllopertha horticola, Amphimallon solstitiale) cause great damage to European grassland. In valleys, a treatment with either Melocont^TM or Granmet^TM, depending on the pest present, is possible using the existing Vredo sowing slit technology. However, this is not possible on steep alpine slopes, as is the case in many regions, or in special crops (e.g. tramline application in orchards, tree nurseries, forestry). Consequently, an intensive search for application alternatives has been launched. In trials in different regions of Austria, liquid fungal biocontrol products based on Beauveria brongniartii or Metarhizium brunneum were applied using the new MMexit technique, in order to simultaneously test the effectiveness of both the application technique and the products. The spiked injectors of the MMexit machine from the company Terratec GmbH (Bings/Austria) not only allows easy manoeuvring on steep slopes or in orchard tramlines, but also the even injection of fungal dispersion formulations into the soil. Inoculative application of the prototype dispersion formulations of Beauveria and Metarhizium resulted in successful establishment of the entomopathogen in the soil. The field experiments confirmed a significant increase in fungal density in the soil through the treatments applied with the new machine in presence of the targeted pest. Further studies on formulation techniques are ongoing to maximise viability and durability of any infectious propagule that can be used in treating pest insects.

ROCIO HERNANDEZ-CLEMENTE

University of Córdoba, Spain, rociohclemente@gmail.com 

Remote sensing detection of Phytophthora using airborne hyperspectral and thermal imagery: lessons learned from the European outbreaks 

Holm oak is the main species of the Spanish dehesas, whose sustainability is threatened by the decay and mortality of the trees, mainly due to the action of oomycetes of the genus Phytophthora. In addition, root rot causes changes in trees' physiological and growth patterns. Therefore, big-Data based on remote sensing data and ground-based physiological data, low-cost devices with IoT technology offer an excellent opportunity to model and monitor the alterations produced by biotic and abiotic agents.

This study presents in situ measurements and model simulations aimed at understanding the ability of sun-induced fluorescence (SIF), thermal data and other physiological and structural hyperspectral indices as an early indicator of forest decline. Experiments were conducted over an oak forest (Quercus ilex) affected by water stress and Phytophthora infection in southwest Spain. FluorFLIGHT, a modified version of the 3-D radiative transfer model FLIGHT, was developed to enable the simulation of canopy radiance and reflectance, including fluorescence effects accounting for forest structure. Fluorescence retrievals and thermal data performed better than structural and physiological indices. Other pigment-related vegetation indices such as CRI550515 and RNIRCRI700 were also strongly related to physiological variables. The 3D modelling approach significantly improved the relationship between Fs and SIF. It enabled the quantification of SIF as a function of fractional cover, leaf area index and chlorophyll content, yielding significant relationships between Fs ground-data measurements and fluorescence quantum yield estimated with FluorFLIGHT. The methodology also demonstrated its capabilities for mapping SIF at the crown level to detect early damage assessment in oaks undergoing forest decline.

We found that spectral traits calculated from the blue region, solar-induced fluorescence quantified from the airborne imagery, and remotely sensed tree crown temperature were the most statistically-significant indicators for early Phytophthora symptoms. The use of these plant traits and machine- and deep-learning algorithms will be discussed in the context of the European outbreaks, including the applicability of these methods to the new Sentinel-2 satellite available for large-scale assessment of infected areas. In addition, these new analytical approaches provide sufficiently accurate data to differentiate changes in holm oak physiology related to the biotic disturbance of root rot, offering a massive and continuous source of data over time.

Keywords: Forest ecophysiology, Big Data, forest decline, Phytophthora spp., Quercus ilex

Swansea University, School of Mathematics and Computer Science,

1. sharifzadeh@swansea.ac.uk

Remote Sensing Data and Time-Series Analysis Strategies: Potential Opportunities and Challenges

Remote sensing as viewer of earth in large scale and frequent coverage, is a valuable source of information about the ongoing changes in land cover and land use. One significant application of remote sensing data is in studies related to the environmental and agricultural problems. Within the past decade, considerable research has been focused on detection of land cover and land use and its changes over time using computer vision and machine learning strategies. For instance, many instance segmentation methods have been developed for this aim to answer to the questions of “what is there”, and also “what activities are practiced there”. However, the improvements in spatial and spectral resolution of satellite images, together with the increase in computational power and access to high performance and cloud computing resources has made it easier to process larger amount of data, develop advance predictive models capable of learning long-term information and more details from satellite images. For example, it is possible to perform time-series analysis of remote sensing data for understanding long-term dependencies of environmental variations to some of their resulting effects. One interesting research in this case is related to learning from the changes in spectral features of farms together with other environmental factors and their influence on agricultural crop yield. Such studies allow tackling the agricultural challenges induced by climate change better. For example, it helps to understand the dependencies in dynamic conditions of the environmental factors over the cultivation seasons and model its effects on the final season yield. Modelling such dependencies using time-series analysis strategies such as deep learning techniques assists in taking wiser decisions about the appropriate crops to be cultivated and considering crop rotations plans. That would inform the adaptation policy makers and is a great support for them. In fact, the results of such studies have the potential to be used also for other applications such as planning for fertilizers, pest detection, and even providing valuable information for insurance companies and supply chain plans. On the other hand, the main challenge for conducting time-series analysis is related to the lack of ground truth data. While digital sensors can provide sufficient historical data in reasonable frequency, there are limitations in accessing to the ground truth data of the desired targets for prediction. In the case of many target factors such as crop yield, the existing historical data sets are the annual governmental reports in large regional scales which lack the required granularity for the analysis. Therefore, identifying the important parameters for frequent measurements in fine regional scales can be an important step to support data analysis frameworks based on time-series data in future.

Aberystwyth University, UK, lum@aber.ac.uk

Evaluation of UAV imagery and metabolite analysis of growing potato crop to monitor the effectiveness of late blight bioprotectants.

Jason Brook, Fiona Corke, Radek Braganca, David Shaw, Tina Kramaric, Luis A. J. Mur, John H. Doonan

Late blight (Phytophthora infestans) of potato crops necessitates regular prophylactic spraying in the UK and many other moist climates and contributes to significant agrochemical consumption under commercial production scenarios.  As many control agents are being withdrawn due to environmental concerns and blight-resistant cultivars are not yet accepted by most growers, there is an urgent need to rapidly and objectively assess the effectiveness of novel treatments, including bioprotectants.  We assess 2 approaches that are at opposite ends of the scale range for their ability to provide useful proxies for reduction in disease progression in foliage and for preservation of yield.  Mini-plots of potatoes were grown, treated regularly with the widely used commercial fungicide, Mancozeb or experimental sprays (products obtained from Vivagrow and PhytoQuest).  Plots were inoculated with locally prevalent strains of potato blight. Disease progression was assessed at regular intervals both visually and by drone-based photogrammetry.  Leaf samples were taken for metabolite analyses, and the tubers were harvested to determine yield and quality of the crop. 

Our results indicate that simple vegetation indices based on drone-acquired RGB images provided excellent correlation with visually assessed disease progression and also with the harvested yield.  Metabolite analysis indicated that certain treatments initiated the production of defensive phytochemical hormones, including jasmonates and salicylates, that could be linked to the observed phenotypes.  Therefore, we conclude that time-stamped images acquired using a standard RGB camera mounted on a standard drone provides a useful proxy for the level of protection afforded and could be easily scaled for large and geographically dispersed trials. 

G. LLEWELLYN^ψ., C. BARNES^ψ., L. JAOUEN^ψ., K. HALIKOVA^ψ. & M. HUGI^‡.

^ψ 2Excel Geo. UK. (https://www.2excelgeo.com/). Email: gary.llewllyn@2excel.uk.

^‡ The Woodland Trust. UK.

Remote Sensing INNS in the UK.

Remote sensing is an efficient and effective means of identifying some invasive non-native species (INNS). Satellite data can provide a useful overview but is often limited by the spatial detail that it can resolve and the information that can be extracted by limited spectral bands. Airborne hyperspectral data provides a viable means of identifying Rhododendron in wooded environments and Japanese Knotweed in riparian environments.

Rhododendron ponticum has a huge detrimental impact on UK woodland biodiversity. It is a major barrier to woodland restoration and is a potential carrier of plant pathogen Phytophthora ramorum. Effective eradication programmes are expensive and need accurate location maps, that show extent, so that work can be planned strategically. Whilst ground survey mapping is possible it is often logistically impossible and prohibitively expensive to do this at a landscape-scale, especially in regions with multiple land ownership. Previous work, conducted with the Woodland Trust, showed that satellite systems only identify ‘potential rhododendron’ cover and drone-mounted instruments require the pilot to be within line-of-sight, have the landowner’s permissions in place; thus presenting similar challenges to ground surveys. For true landscape-scale mapping an aircraft-mounted, hyperspectral remote sensing system with semi-automated data analysis provides a viable, cost effective and repeatable method of mapping rhododendron. It uses the distinct spectral signatures of rhododendron, to discriminate them from other understorey components, including other INNS, which can also be mapped. This work currently being expanded across the South Downs to develop a ‘rhododendron mapping tool’ with sufficient robustness to be used at the landscape scale anywhere in Wales and England.

Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) forms thick, dense colonies that completely crowd out any other herbaceous species. Its root system and strong growth can damage concrete foundations, buildings, flood defences and roads. Identification of Japanese knotweed is not always easy. Many other plants are suspected of being knotweed, due often to the similar appearance of leaves and stems.

Remote sensing provides a literal ‘bird’s-eye-view’ of the landscape and therefore presents an ideal tool for the synoptic mapping of the landscape. The key is to be able to identify the target which needs to be mapped. Hyperspectral remote sensing provides this solution for the identification and mapping of at least some of the major INNS in the UK.

¹BioBee USA, Salisbury, MD 21804, USA (steven.arthurs@biobee.us)

²Viewpoint Aerial Agriculture, Sebring, FL, USA (viewpointimaging@charter.net) 

The global market for beneficial insects and mites for crop protection has seen rapid growth in recent years, currently valued at close to a billion dollars annually. US agriculture has seen major growth in the acceptance and deployment of various species of predatory mites, insects and nematodes. While these biocontrols are still mostly used in high value protected crops (greenhouse/nursery), there is increasing interest in their use in open field crops.

The development of specially adapted drones now allows the deployment of beneficial mites and insects by air quickly over large areas. This technology has helped open the market for applying beneficials insects and mites in field crops, since it allows farmers to apply them to large areas that could not previously be treated by ground equipment or manual labour.

However, field agriculture achieving success is not easy. In this presentation I describe my experiences with IPM programs using aerially applied beneficial insects and mites, mostly in strawberries and leafy greens crops in Florida, USA. I will discuss perspectives from a beneficial insect company, application specialist (drone pilot), as well as growers seeking practical solutions for their pest problems.

JON S. WEST¹, GAIL G.M. CANNING¹, KEVIN M. KING¹, ANASTASIA SOKOLIDI¹ & ROHAN B.E. KIMBER² 

¹ Rothamsted Research, Protecting Crops and Environment Group, Harpenden, Herts AL5 2JQ, UK

² South Australian Research and Development Institute – SARDI, Government of South Australia, Plant Research Centre, GPO Box 397, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia 

Email: jon.west@rothamsted.ac.uk

Remote sensing and diagnostic assay methods to Enhance Crop Protection

IPM plays an important role in safeguarding food production and reducing the carbon footprint of crop production by preventing losses to disease. The use of crop protection products (CPPs), whether biologicals or chemicals, can be improved greatly through better timing by a range of monitoring and surveillance approaches, including imaging (from satellites, aircraft or in-field sensors), visual observations, portable diagnostic tests, weather-based models and airborne inoculum detection.  On one hand, remote sensing based on spectrographic, or imaging methods can provide information covering a wide land area but usually only indicates a problem that has already started to develop. In contrast, the area represented by a single air sampling device or spore trap is much smaller but provides an excellent early warning of imminent disease for many important plant diseases to optimise application of CCPs, especially where samples can be assessed very quickly or where there is a long disease incubation period, allowing sufficient window of opportunity for CPPs to be fully effective. 

Detection of airborne inoculum can greatly improve the timing of both biologicals and fungicides and so can reduce the development of fungicide resistance if products are used more sparingly and only at optimal times.  Automated detection systems are in development to avoid delays in sending samples to a lab for testing, which is particularly advantageous where very rapid disease development occurs e.g. potato blight.  Methods under investigation include biosensors, image-based identification of captured spores and automated immunological and DNA-based assays. Wireless communications and deployment as a network will make information from air samplers more reliable. The type of air sampler and where it is used are important considerations due to effects on results caused by the volume of air sampled, collection efficiency of the device, height above ground level and proximity to crops.

Zimmerman and Peacock, UK, martinpeacock@zimmerpeacock.com

Biosencors for precision farming and Horticulture

We discuss the electrochemical biosensor technology from Zimmer and Peacock and it's application to precision farming and horticulture, including: sugar sensors, capsaicin sensors, nitrate sensors, potassium sensors, phosphate sensors, pH sensors. We discuss the data journey from field to Cloud.

DR CLARE SAMPSON, DR DHURGHAM AL-KARAWI, MS RACHEL TURNER, MR TO SAUNDERS, DR SHAKIR AL-ZAIDI

Russell IPM, UK, clare@russellipm.com

Russell IOT has developed Truepest^TM, a SMART monitoring tool for counting and identifying spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, and whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum on sticky traps

The accurate monitoring of pests is vital to profitable crop and livestock production, and to human health.  Monitoring enables early warning of new pest infestations and outbreaks and can be used to measure the success of management interventions. This allows early intervention, which is typically cheaper and more effective, as the pest populations are smaller and have had less opportunity to spread. Assessing pests on traps can be time-consuming and requires training, yet there is a shortage of suitably skilled labour in the UK, compounded by Covid-19 and Brexit. With funding support from the Welsh Government through the European Regional Development Fund, Russell IOT has developed a SMART monitoring tool to help address these problems.

“Truepest^TM” is a mobile phone or tablet application that allows growers to take pictures of Russell IPM monitoring sticky traps and to receive a rapid, accurate identification and count of spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii, and glasshouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, against a background of non-target insects.  This saves considerable time and can be done by non-skilled staff and shared with advisers remotely.  Historical data is stored on the web portal, where growers can set action thresholds, allow different levels of access to staff, view graphs, and compare trap counts.  Each trap is identified and located on a map through a bar code system.  To attract SWD, the traps are combined with a long-lasting kairomone lure. Further pest and beneficial species will be added to “Truepest^TM” over time.

ALEX DEARDEN, Swansea university, UK, 795749@Swansea.ac.uk

Using visual modelling to improve pest management products: a Western flower thrips case study.

Colour vision modelling is a popular tool used by sensory ecologists. The appearance of objects to non-human animals can highly influence their efficacy, for example, the colour of insect sticky traps. Sticky traps are one of the most important tools for monitoring and mass trapping of insect pests. Trap colour often strongly affects capture rates, but currently a principled approach to identifying optimal trap colour for a given pest and growing context is lacking. Here we propose that modelling pest colour vision enables identification of trap colours that optimise pest capture rates. We tested this novel approach to trap design in field trials on Western flower thrips (WFT) Frankiniella occidentalis, an economically damaging pest of agriculture and horticulture worldwide. Prior studies have reported that WFT prefer blue and yellow sticky traps, aligning with recent evidence that WFT have trichromatic colour vision with peak sensitivities in the UV, blue and green portion of the visual spectrum and a blue-green colour opponent mechanism. Therefore, we hypothesised that a shade of blue that maximally stimulates the blue photoreceptor whilst minimally stimulating the green photoreceptor would improve sticky trap capture rates, while a shade of blue which decreased the opponent response would reduce capture rates. In three field experiments we found strong support for this hypothesis: the optimal blue colour captured 1.3 - 2.6x more WFT than current commercial trap colours. Our results also demonstrated that visual modelling can identify optimally contrasting colours for two-colour traps that further improve capture rates. This study provides a novel and principled approach to the design of visual traps that could be extended to other pest management contexts.

FAROOQ A. SHAH¹, ZEESHAN ZAFAR¹ & TARIQ M. BUTT²

¹Research and Development, Razbio Limited, Bridgend, United Kingdom

²Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom

1. A.Shah@Swansea.ac.uk

Computational and Genomic analysis for semiochemicals screening – Western Flower Thrips lure development as a case study

Olfactory systems are crucial to insect’ survival and western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) utilize the olfactory cues for oviposition as well as feeding. Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) transport the semiochemicals from the sensillum lymph to odorant receptors (ORs) that ultimately induce the behavioural response. In this study, four OBPs of F. occidentalis were identified and analysed for their expression in adult males, adult females and larvae. The presence of motifs, subcellular localisation and phylogenetic relationship to OBPs of other insect species were inferred. FoccOBP3 was selected for in-silico characterization, structural analyses, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Molecular docking data was used to screen a range of chemicals for their potential as WFT lure. Two promising lures showed greater binding with FoccOBP3 compared to the existing lures. This was further confirmed using molecular dynamics simulations of 50 ns during which bond stayed intact. The new lures were evaluated under laboratory and field conditions. The new lures attracted equal or higher number of thrips than the existing lures. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of our approach in identifying lures and repellents using a combination of genomics, computational and analytical chemistry techniques.

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Biology, Section of Genetics and Biotechnology, Athens, Greece (kouvelis@biol.uoa.gr) 

Risk assessment of fungal BCAs and their secondary metabolites using in silico analyses and genomics 

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) have been successfully applied as Biological Control Agents (BCAs) for the protection of crops. Several EPF species belonging to the genera Beauveria and Metarhizium, have the ability to adapt also to an endophytic lifestyle, thus, providing the potential to be additionally exploited as bio-fertilisers and bio-stimulants. However, their risk assessment before their industrial exploitation is needed. Several EU funded research projects thoroughly examined this, using well-developed detection techniques of EPF secondary metabolites and modern methodologies for assessing their cyto- and geno-toxicity. 

Interestingly, with the advent of Next Generation Sequencing techniques, the whole genome analyses of the EPF may provide an extra tool for the risk assessment of BCAs through initial in silico analyses. At least a representative genome of all BCA species used has been sequenced today and more genomes are added constantly, providing the datasets for comparative analyses. Therefore, not only sole genes, but whole metabolic pathways implicated in the production of potentially toxic metabolites are deciphered. It has been established that genomes are the background for producing these metabolites and are diverse at the inter- and intra- species level, not only in respect of their gene content, but also in intergenic regions and regulatory elements. This diversity renders genomics as the bedrock of in silico platforms, which determine the putative production of toxic secondary metabolites. Thus, they are useful for risk assessment towards the final goal of providing to the community a safe and reliable BCA-based product.

Swansea University, UK, e.j.loveridge@swansea.ac.uk 

A drug design approach to IPM?

Over recent decades the pharmaceutical industry has seen many developments, trends and fads in drug design. This talk will explore how these experiences – including mistakes made along the way – can be applied to the discovery and development of semiochemicals for use in IPM solutions. Increasing levels of –omic and structural biology information, coupled with a growing knowledge of the molecular basis of invertebrate olfaction, can form the basis for a combination of computational and experimental approaches. This has the potential to allow prediction of new uses (“drug repurposing”) for known semiochemicals, re-design and structure-activity relationship prediction (“hit-to-lead development”), and even de novo design of new semiochemicals.

Koppert B.V., Veilingweg 14, 2650AD, Berkel en Rodenrijs, The Netherlands

The danger of Regulating Macrobials out of IPM: New policies risk increasing registration approval timeframes and threaten achieving pesticide-use reduction goals

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is pivotal for sustainable pests & diseases management in cultivated crops.  It effectively prevents resistance development-, allows the targeting of important life stages of pests with the most appropriate method, ensures compatible product-use and minimizes post-harvest residues.

It is the duty of regulatory authorities to approve products for use, permitting growers to make the most appropriate and fitting IPM decisions, for their crop and growing conditions; their needs.  Other than non-biological plant protection products (PPPs), macrobials are naturally occurring beneficials insects, mites and entomopathogenic nematodes that are already part of functioning ecosystems.  It is under modern-day agricultural monoculture where numbers of beneficials are too low for sufficient pest ‘over-flooding’ and interventions by additional inundative releases are required.

The EU Green Deal and the 2030 pesticide-use reduction goals strongly focus on reduction targets, yet neglect grower needs for continued safe and efficient crop protection.  Macrobials form one crucial alternative.  Yet extensive regulatory requirements, such as PPP-style registration scrutinize Invertebrate Biological Control Agents (IBCA) on over (pre)cautionary criteria.  Lengthy application and approval procedures risk creating a deficit in available alternatives for growers, which inadvertently necessitates repeated use of a narrow portfolio of actives.  This risks over-use of the most effective products, reduces compatibility scope and most importantly increases growers’ risk-aversion and decreases willingness to accept certain pest levels or crop damage.

This presentation argues that additional regulation of macrobials, beyond-and-above existing functional guidelines, will slow product market access and, therefore, product availability to growers.  Limited availability of alternatives risks functional IPM programmes and expansion of adoption.

The best IPM programmes are those developed, tried and tested, by grower needs, not by top-down regulation.

Agroscope, Zurich, Switzerland (jana.collatz@agroscope.admin.ch)

Regulation of macro-organisms for biological control in Switzerland

Switzerland was the first country in Europe to make registration of native and non-native macro-organisms for plant protection compulsory in 1986. The regulatory basis is formed by the Plant Protection Products Ordinance and the Ordinance on Handling of Organisms in the Environment. Similar to the registration of other plant protection products, the process includes a step where the species (=active substance) is added to the annex of the Plant Protection Products Ordinance and a step where the respective product is registered. Nowadays, the registration procedure requires the completion of an application form accompanied by a dossier that contains the necessary information to evaluate risks and benefits of the proposed agent. Based on the PM6 standards from EPPO, major aspects during the evaluation are potential risks to non-target organisms from direct attack, competition, hybridization and contamination as well as demonstrated efficacy of the agent. From 2022 on, applications are directed to the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office. Decisions are based on the evaluation of environmental risks by experts from the Federal Office for the Environment, and efficacy by experts from the Federal Office for Agriculture. As of 2021, 42 species of insects, mites and nematodes in 135 different products have been registered for plant protection in Switzerland.

Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland (aino-maija.alanko@ruokavirasto.fi)

Ten years of regulation of macro-organisms used in biological control and pollination in Finland

Adverse phytosanitary effects caused by biological control agents are rare. But if this happens, consequences to growers may be economically significant. Nesidiocoris tenuis caused yield losses in all-year-round tomato greenhouses in 2008. This was a driver to the regulation of biological control agents in Finland. Micro-organisms were already regulated according to plant protection products. The import, marketing and use of macro-organisms in biological control and pollination was attached to plant health legislation in 2012. Species listed in EPPO standard PM 6/3 go through lighter notification process as non-indigenous and species outside PM 6/3 are accepted or declined in application process, which is built based on EPPO standard PM 6/2. Plant health legislation was changed again in 2019 and also BCA’s and pollinators used in research are also regulated. The process is similar to EPPO standard PM 6/1. National Finnish legislation regarding BCAs wanted to be built as light as possible to promote the use of biological control, but it is important, that certain products could be banned, if there are adverse phytosanitary effects. The list of accepted products containing BCAs or pollinators is publicly available on Finnish Food Authority’s website.

Legislation has been in force ten years. Data of the use of BCA products has been collected from growers by phytosanitary inspections, which were conducted with regular phytosanitary inspections or surveillance. All the products used by growers must be those notified/applied to Finnish Food Authority. If there have been compliances, inspector reported these further and manufacturers/sellers of the products were contacted. N, tenuis was found again in 2014 and the origin was unknown. One theory was, that a product containing Macrolophus pygmaeus was contaminated with N. tenuis. Based on this theory, products containing M. pygmaeus were inspected regularly. Growers were guided to inform possible adverse effects to Finnish Food Authority. Samples and possible feeding damage were surveyed every three years.

During last two years, there has not been any compliances. The amount of notifications has increased and new BCA species were notified after updates to EPPO standard PM 6/3. Any notification or application has not been rejected. The processes and the product list are developed further together with BCA/pollinator manufacturers, sellers and importers.

University of Liege, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Functional and evolutionary Entomology, Passage de Deportes 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium (Frederic.Francis@uliege.be)

Role of microbes in multitrophic interactions: from fundamental approaches to biopesticide conception.

A broad range of feeding behaviors are associated to insect crop pests and contributions in food webs in a diversity of processes in agroecosystems. Their interactions with plenty of micro-organisms are more increasingly investigated. In many situations, the adaptative processes are thought to be more related to the associated microbiota than the pest species itself. Considering plant – aphid models, a broad range of interactions between micro-organisms and insects revealed the differential roles and impacts of the latter, from symbiosis to pathogenicity. At laboratory scale, different approaches are developed to investigate multitrophic interactions: (1) direct defences from plants or from entomopathogen micro-organisms and subsequent uses of various biotechnologies, (2) indirect defences focusing on semiochemicals and their role in multitrophic interactions either as attractive or repellent toward aphids and their beneficials but also regarding microbial endophytic behaviour. Moreover, each kind of protagonist, plants and aphids, should not be considered alone but associated to their related microbiota. Particularly, oral secretions such as saliva and digestive residues such as honeydew also include different components related to microorganisms for further effects also on predators and parasitoids. Also, some Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) inducing systemic resistance (ISR) and entomopathogen fungi (EPF) impacts aphids. Several interspecific interactions related to plants and aphids induce changes in aphid behavior and biology. The results of several microbial – plant – aphid assays were discussed with the perspectives to switch from the laboratory to the fields by developing bio-insecticides including upscaling production and complementary approaches to sustainably control pests.

Department of Agronomy, Unit of Excellence María de Maeztu DAUCO, ETSIAM, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain. z12yonam@uco.es

Metarhizium brunneum-plant interactions impact on Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) development and survival

Entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) Metarhizium brunneum is a well-known and widely used biocontrol agent for noctuid pest’s control. There is evidence that this EPF is multifunctional and can cause additional mortality to that occurring by the contact route due to their endophytic potential. However, knowledge is limited concerning the possible impact of this endophytic behaviour on the plant chemical ecology, on the relationship insect pest-plant and insect-pest-natural enemies. In this sense, our studies have addressed the capacity of M. brunneum for progressive systematic colonization which led colonize the new plant tissues with direct and indirect effects on S. littoralis development and survival. Lethal effects on S. littoralis larvae with 40% mortalaity. Also,  sublethal developmental effects such an increase in larval developmental time (up to 50%) and decrease in the weight of larvae and pupae (up to 25%) if compared with the controls. To further understand the mechanisms of origin involved in these effects, the expression of genes related to the induction of both induced (ISR) and acquired (SAR) systemic resistance was studied. In this sense, ISR (LOX1 and MELOC014632) and SAR (PR3 and PR9) related genes were found to be increased in the inoculated cucumber and melon plants with values between 4.8 and 6.7 times with respect to their controls. Our work highlights the role of M. brunneum in the IPM of S. littoralis by direct effects on the fungal application and/or by the induction of resistance, which translates into direct benefits for the plant.

Swansea University, UK, Martyn.Wood@Swansea.ac.uk

Metarhizium brunneum and its’ derived volatile organic compounds as biostimulants of commercially valuable angiosperms and gymnosperms

Metarhizium brunneum is a highly effective entomopathogenic fungi that has additional plant biostimulant properties. It can act as both an endophyte and rhizosphere colonizer, however, the mechanisms driving biostimulation remain largely unknown. Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) seeds were grown in composts treated with different concentrations of M. brunneum strains ARSEF 4556 or V275,  or the M. brunneum derived volatile organic compounds 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanone. Biostimulant efficacy was found to be strongly dose dependent, with concentrations of 1x10⁶ conidia g^-1 compost found to be most effective for the M. brunneum, whereas dosages of 1 µL 100 g^-1 compost were found to be efficacious for the volatiles. These optimized doses were assessed individually and in combination formulations with a hydrogel against oilseed rape, sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), maize (Zea mays) and strawberry (Fragaria annanassa). Both volatile compounds were highly effective biostimulants and combination treatments with M. brunneum conidia were found to increase biostimulation further. Hydrogels were not found to interact with the growth process and may offer avenues for novel formulation technologies. This study demonstrates that Metarhizium-derived volatile organic compounds are actively involved in plant growth promotion and have potential for use in novel formulations to increase the growth of a wide range of commercially relevant crops.

Netherlands Institute of Ecology, The Netherlands, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Rasool@nioo.knaw.nl

Unravelling plant-fungus alliances, a step towards sustainable pest control

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are commonly used in Integrated Pest Management to reduce crop pest incidence. However, these fungi can also colonize plant tissues as endophytes and cause indirect effects on the herbivores by altering plant defense responses. Across host plant families, we found that EPF inoculations affected population growth of aphids and spider mites. However, isolates of the EPF species showed divergent results, some increasing and others decreasing herbivore population growth compared to control treatments. The modulation of plant specialized metabolites was highly dependent on EPF isolate, with the accumulation of certain metabolites correlating negatively with pest growth. Endophytic colonization patterns did not correlate with herbivore population size, further supporting the hypothesis of indirect effects of EPF on herbivores by modulating plant defense responses. These findings provide an initial understanding of plant-fungal-herbivore interactions of plant-associated EPF. We are exploring these three-way interactions further in the ongoing H2020 project “EXCALIBUR”, which will help to better understand the mechanisms involved in observed effects for the use of EPF and other microbes in plant production and protection.

Entomologie Fonctionnelle et Évolutive, Terra, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Liège-Université–Passage des Déportés 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium; ibtissem.benfekih@uliege.be; frederic.francis@uliege.be

Assessment of entomopathogenic fungi in a multitrophic interaction network context to promote sustainable alternatives to neonicotinoids

Beta vulgaris L. is a highly productive cash crop particularly threatened by aphids which can be vectors of economically important viral diseases such as the beet mild yellow virus (BMYV). For the last 30 years, seed treatment with neonicotinoids was the major adopted practice to control aphids in sugar beet. However, with the coming neonicotinoid ban throughout Europe, BMYV will be a major problem for the sugar beet production industry. Integrated pest management (IPM) is one of the biorational alternatives. Its use along with an ecological network concept is a novel way to disentangle links between the components of agroecosystem and therefore it can facilitate sustainable management. Plants, insects, and microbes are part of terrestrial agroecosystems, where underground and aboveground trophic interactions play a key role in shaping the relationships between these players. Whereas the role of the entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) in underpinning these interactions has recently been reported, there is little information about the effects of these fungi either on aphid-borne diseases or trophic interactions including those between pests and their insect biological controls. Here, we aim to provide a first-line evaluation of the potential of different EPF strains which colonize sugar beet plants, and report their effects on the behavior and biology of the vector pest Myzus persicae (Sulzer 1776), vector-borne plant virus (BMYV) and the beneficial insect, Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer 1776). This multitrophic cascade effects at cross-kingdom level and the mechanisms behind those effects would allow us to design new efficient strategies to use EPF against aphids.

Novosibirsk State Agrarian University, Novosibirsk, Russia (dubovskiy2000@yahoo.com)

Growth-promoting effect of entomopathogenic fungi and bacteria on potatoes

Fungal and bacterial preparations based on Metarhizium (mycelial and conidial formulations) and Bacillus thuringiensis have been tested on potatoes in the field conditions of the Siberian region. In this work we present fungal and bacterial complex effects on the growth and development of potato plants, soil microbiota, plants physiology, resistance to the disease rhizoctonia. This work was supported RSF № 22-16-20031.

Special Reports Publisher - Crop Science and Biologicals at S&P Global Commodity Insights

bullion@ihsmarkit.com

The Market for Biocontrol Agents and Growth Opportunities through IPM

My presentation covers the current size and development opportunities for biological control agents (BCAs) within their global context, regional dimensions, drivers and legislative challenges for future growth and potential strategies for IPM adoption in the EU and wider markets.   

Director iFormulate Limited David@iformulate.biz

Formulation and it’s Potential for Improving IPM practices

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices often involve the combination of pesticides with different modes of action, often via separate application. In this presentation, the benefits of formulation to optimise performance of individual pesticides will be outlined together with how it can be used to develop synergies between active ingredients, both conventional and biobased.

Croda Europe Ltd. Cowick Hall, Snaith, Goole, East Yorkshire, DN14 9AA, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1405 860551  Anna.Higley@croda.com

Optimising bioprotection products through innovative formulation design

Producing a biological pest control agent can be a challenge, each microbe presents unique characteristics, some of which are down to the biology of the microbe itself and some of which can be manipulated by formulation. The formulation type, co-formulant selection and application area can all impact the efficacy of a microbial pesticide in the field. This talk introduces the significance of formulation design in the commercialisation of microbial formulations.

The BioComposites Centre, Bangor University, Gwynedd LL57 2UW

Corresponding Author r.m.elias@bangor.ac.uk

Approaches to help decarbonise food production; bioplastic formulations for crop protection and the development of bioactive compounds.

An overall reduction in the number of chemical interventions available to farmers is driving the development of new approaches in crop protection such as the wider use of mulch films and application of bioactive compounds.

In the EU 168,000 tonnes of mulch film are used per year. These films are mainly manufactured from low density polyethylene (LDPE). Mulch films can increase crop yields by up to 30% by protecting the crop from weather extremes and from pests.

The films help to manage soil temperature and moisture and provide a physical barrier to pests. However, there are growing concerns over the use of polyolefins such as LDPE as they can contribute to microplastics that contaminate the soil as they physically and chemically degrade.

A new range of bioplastic formulations were therefore developed in a collaborative NEWTON project funded by InnovateUK. Master batch developer Wells Plastics Ltd and farm management company Velcourt in the UK partnered with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Beijing to develop materials that can replace LDPE. The new formulations are designed for specific crops, are tailored to naturally degrade in soil contact and they will therefore not contribute to microplastic pollution.

In addition to the use of mulch films there is an increasing interest in the replacement of conventional chemicals used for crop protection with bioactive compounds. An Atlantic Interreg funded project NASPA https://www.bionaspa.com combines the expertise of SMEs, research centres and farmers in the discovery and development new biomolecules. These bioactive compounds are derived from biomass sources widely available in the European-Atlantic region such as seaweeds, microalgae, marine plants and weeds. Results from glass house and field trials were used to assess the ability of these new compounds to control key crop diseases and, mitigate the effects of environmental stress.

 Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, WG Fermentation and Formulation of Biologicals and Chemicals, Bielefeld, Germany

Georg-August-University Göttingen, Department of Crop Sciences/Agricultural Entomology, Göttingen, Germany

Julius Kühn-Institut, Institute for Plant Protection in Fruit Crops and Viticulture, Dossenheim, Germany

Contact: linda_claire.muskat@fh-bielefeld.de

 Development of attract and kill formulations for biological psyllid pest control

Psyllid pests are distributed all over the world causing damage in various crop plants by serving as vector insects of phytoplasmas. One of these psyllids present in European apple orchards is the summer apple psyllid Cacopsylla picta, which is the most important vector of Candidatus Phytoplasma mali, the causing agent of apple proliferation. As there are no direct measures to combat phytoplasmas, the vector itself needs to be controlled. The overall aim of this project was the development of attract and kill formulations that can be applied for the biological control of C. picta in apple orchards.

In a former study, the sesquiterpene β-caryophyllene was identified as an attractant for C. picta. In order to protect and slow the release of β-caryophyllene, a novel formulation based on an oleogel was developed. This attract formulation combines unique properties that make it highly suitable for the application and release of semiochemicals, such as a reduced processing temperature, high loading capacities, improved oil-binding capacity and mechanical stability, self-adhesive properties on leaves and release modifiability.

Pandora sp. nov. inedit (ARSEF 13372), a new entomopthoralean fungus with potential for the control of psyllids was selected as kill compound. As the mass-production of fungal biomass is essential for providing inoculant in a sufficient quantity for large scale field application, a cost-effective and scalable fermentation process for production of finely-dispersed hyphae was established to cultivate the new fungus. The conversion of Pandora into an easily applicable form was realized by encapsulation of the hyphal biomass in Ca-alginate beads additionally providing nutrients for improved sporulation capacity. With this formulation, the two target psyllid species C. picta and C. pyri were successfully infected by Pandora sp. nov. and killed with a mortality of up to 89%.

To address the humidity problem, as most entomophthoralean fungi require saturated humidity conditions for efficient sporulation and conidia germination, a paste-type formulation containing bio-based superabsorbents was developed. Co-application of the beads with the paste enabled sporulation at non-saturated humidity conditions in a laboratory and a semi-field trial.

Our studies form the scientific and technical basis for above-ground application of specific formulations for the control of psyllid pests by innovative attract and kill strategies.

Cabi, Blakeham Lane, Egham, Surrey, TW209TY, UK  s.edgington@cabi.org

Enabling safe and climate smart coffee production in Colombia

This project focused on overcoming gender disparities in coffee farming in Colombia together with fostering greater awareness, uptake and precise-use of biopesticides. The coffee berry borer (CBB) is the most serious coffee pest, worldwide, causing crop damage in excess of $US500 million, annually. In Colombia, 75% of coffee crops are affected by this pest, where it directly damages coffee beans, destroying the taste and making the beans unsaleable. To exacerbate the problem, climate change is enabling the wider spread of CBB, especially at higher altitudes. So, to overcome losses, the trend amongst farmers is to intensify their pesticide activities and expand cultivation into wild areas. Women farmers are integral to on-farm decision-making in the study region but a lack of access to information is reducing their uptake of, or best-practice of, biopesticides. CABI and partners produced a prototype alert system that uses climatic data and remote sensing technology to give farmers advance warnings of CBB surges, in theory allowing them time to access and apply controls effectively; complementing this was provision of biopesticide information and, weekly engagement for 18-months with a champion female farmer group.

Fargro, United Kingdom

1. surrage@fargro.co.uk
2. What expectations should you the authorisation holder have?
3. How do you ensure grower expectations are properly managed?
4. How do you disseminate knowledge to the market to achieve the best results with your product?
5. How do you go about extending the uses you have in the market?

Post-registration barriers to success with plant protection products.

A key focus for any plant protection product (PPP) authorisation holder and marketing company is navigating the registration process. However, this is only one of the first steps in creating a successful PPP in the market. At Fargro we have many years of experience in introducing biological and conventional crop protection products to the UK marketplace and understand well some of the hurdles that come with this, such as.

Knowledge exchange, grower confidence and expectation management are some of the key factors that will impact how a biologically based PPP develops in the market. Poor product management can lead to a lack of repeat sales and stagnant growth through low market confidence both from growers and as importantly agronomists.

This talk from the technical development manager at Fargro will discuss these areas by using examples taken from experiences that have helped Fargro successfully manage products in the market and will also focus on examples of successful introductions of PPPs and how having a clear plan helped achieve this.

Chair of Plant Health, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia (silva.sulg@emu.ee)

Chair of Plant Health, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia (kcsgabriella@gmail.com)

Chair of Plant Health, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia (jonathan@emu.ee)

Chair of Plant Health, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia

(riina.kaasik@emu.ee)

Department of Plants and Crops, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (Guy.Smagghe@UGent.be)

Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Slagelse, Denmark (gabor.lovei@agro.au.dk)

Chair of Plant Health, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia

(eve.veromann@emu.ee)

Spatiotemporal distance between oilseed rape fields reduces Ceutorhynchus obstrictus pressure while providing biocontrol

Large monocrops provide sufficient vital resources for agricultural pests, but often do not support the presence of natural enemy populations (e.g. predators, parasitoids). This ecological imbalance can make intensive pesticide use a necessity for farmers. At the farm level, preventive methods in pest control (e.g. landscape complexity, crop-rotation, pathogen-free propagation material, cautious pesticide use) are well-established, whereas spatiotemporal field separation of same crop species remains understudied for most crop−pest systems, yet may be of great importance as a pest management technique. In order to develop integrated pest management (IPM) practices, it is important to understand how spatiotemporal location influences crop colonization and damage severity. We carried out a three-year study in winter oilseed rape fields, where half of the fields were within 500 m from the previous year’s closest oilseed rape field, and half outside this spatial distance. Cabbage seed weevil (Ceutorhynchus obstrictus) abundance was reduced in fields located further than 500 m from the previous year’s nearest oilseed rape field, whereas parasitism by its key parasitoids was high in all fields. We demonstrate that spatiotemporal field separation can be an effective preventive pest control tool at the landscape scale, and can work together with conservation biocontrol, which helps reduce the next year’s pest population. The use of spatiotemporal distancing should be investigated as a key integrated pest management strategy in additional cash crops.

Koppert BV, the Netherlands, wravensberg@koppert.nl

Understanding, safeguarding and trusting microorganisms as the backbone of healthy crops.

Microorganisms perform a wide array of functions in agriculture. Not only do they protect plants from pests and diseases, other valuable functions are more and more discovered. We need to understand this better as well the many interactions among microorganisms and with plants. The wealth of research on the microbiome and phytobiome will certainly lead to new insights and uses. Developments in science, technology and applications will be covered as well as opportunities of microorganisms in plant breeding and in biocontrol agents.

The value of microorganisms in IPM systems need to considered more when chemical pesticides are used with potentially harmful effects. This may affect many functions in the microbiome directly and indirectly, and may last for a long period. An example is recently discovered role of the floral microbiome in attracting pollinators to the crop. The interactions with chemicals need to be studied much more before these substances are  used.

Various legislative hurdles impair the study and uses of microorganisms like the Nagoya Protocol and regulatory approval systems around the world. Political developments in the EU potentially offer a better environment for microorganisms. These developments will be highlighted as well as a view on the near future of biological pest control in a new holistic and sustainable agriculture.

Marks & Clerk LLP, UK AWilliams@marks-clerk.com, dlang@marks-clerk.com 

Protecting innovations in the agritech space with intellectual property.

Innovations in biotechnology, digital & precision agriculture and biopesticides are revolutionising the agricultural sector, bringing huge opportunities to agriculturalists who embrace new technologies. Innovators stand to benefit enormously from the intellectual property that they generate, but only if that intellectual property is adequately protected. In this talk, Andrea Williams and David Lang, patent attorneys with Marks & Clerk, look at how innovations can be protected, with a particular focus on exploring what types of protection are available and practical considerations around obtaining IP in the agricultural sector.