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News from the IPM Innovation Lab
Posted in IPM, News on May 13, 2022| Leave a Comment »
New Zealand Plant Protection Society: March 2022 Newsletter
Posted in Meetings, News, Pests, Plant Pathogens, Weeds on May 3, 2022| Leave a Comment »
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 In this issue:From the President 75th Anniversary Symposium and Conference Photo Competition NZPPS Medal 2021 Scholarship Winners Members in the News Related Events NZPPS Books NZPPS Corporate Members Contacts We look forward to your feedback.From the President The next conference, at the Christchurch Town Hall, in August 2022, will be a celebration of 75 years of the Plant Protection Society. Several ideas to mark the 75th anniversary are in progress, some of which are reported in this newsletter. To begin with, a special 75th anniversary logo was designed for this year, which is depicted in this newsletter and on the website. Those of you with keen eyes may notice some slight modifications to the logo. Since we engaged a professional graphic designer to create the 75th logo and a new banner, it was a good opportunity to make some improvements to the existing logo. The revised logo is higher resolution, and the arrows embracing the plant have been tightened and made more fluid. The colour version uses a two-tone approach, with light and dark green, giving a more unique and modern look. Importantly, the logo remains the same, as it still captures the essential purpose of the Society ‘to pool and exchange information’ related to plant protection. Given the anniversary occasion, it is timely to reflect on the history and meaning of Society’s logos, past and present. In the formative years of the Society, as a weed-control conference, there was no logo but, from 1962 until 1983, the cover of the published proceedings featured an illustration of a weed or pest. In 1984, the Society developed its first logo, which was the depiction of a weed (possibly a buttercup species) and a pest (a scarab grub), contained within a hexagon. The weed was in the light (aboveground) section, and the scarab in the dark (belowground) section. At a glance, it is a literal depiction of the focus of the Society at the time, weeds and pests.However, the logo possibly had greater significance, reflecting a shift in thinking at the time, away from pesticides as the panacea, towards integrated pest management. Hexagons are ubiquitous in nature and used to symbolise harmony. And the perfectly balanced dark and light halves of the harmonious hexagon conjure a yin and yang interconnectedness. As the scope of the society further evolved, encompassing plant protection research and extension activities in the broadest sense, a new logo was needed. In 1996, the Society adopted its current logo, which was described by the President at the time, Richard Falloon, in his Presidential Address at the 49th conference. The arrows indicate interactions and information exchange that occurs through the interdisciplinary approach to plant protection. The protective circle conveys plant health resulting from plant-protection activities, and sustained plant health is depicted as the plant grows through the circle. I do not know who designed either of the logos, and I have possibly over interpreted the first logo. If any members know more about the logos or their designers, please get in touch. In the coming months, the Executive will be reaching out to previous Presidents and others who have had an enduring impact on the Society to invite them to share their reminiscences, learn about past success stories, and receive advice for the future. Mark your calendars, submit your abstracts, and stay tuned for more news about this year’s symposium and conference. Mike Cripps  The NZPPS Executive are delighted to advise that theNZPPS 75th Anniversary Symposium and Conferenceare proceeding as in-person events at theChristchurch Town Hall.Dame Juliet Gerrard will give the conference opening address on Tuesday 9 August.Symposium: 8 August 2022 Plant pathogens that keep us awake: past, present and future threats to native species. https://nzpps.org/events/nzpps-symposium-2022/A day of invited presentations focussed on microbial threats to our native taonga plants. Leading scientists, kaitiaki, international experts and representatives from government agencies will bring attendees up to date with progress on myrtle rust, kauri dieback, Pacific biosecurity, Ceratocystis, Xylella and more. The day will conclude with a networking and poster session. Those interested in submitting a poster for the symposium should submit an abstract (maximum 250 words) to Renee Johansen (JohansenR@landcareresearch.co.nz) by 31 May 2022. Conference: 9-11 August 2022 Celebrating 75 years of the New Zealand Plant Protection Society https://nzpps.org/events/nzpps-conference-2022/ Three full days of presentations including special sessions, conference dinner with 75th anniversary cake for dessert and a slideshow of competition photos. The first session on Tues 9 August has been reserved for participants who wish to present a talk on the symposium topic. Abstract submission for the 2022 conference is open. Deadline is 30 April 2022.  NZPPS 75th AnniversaryPhoto Competition Get clicking and enter your pictures here for the 75th anniversary photo competition. The photo within each category with the most member votes wins. Categories: Plant protection in action Plant pests Plant diseases Plant weeds The growing crop Plant protection science People in plant protection Winners and their photos will be showcased on the NZPPS website, at the conference and in the newsletter. Closing date: 30 June 2022.  NZPPS Plant Protection MedalThis medal has been instituted by the New Zealand Plant Protection Society to honour those who have made exceptional contributions to plant protection in the widest sense. The medal will be awarded based on outstanding services to plant protection, whether through research, education, implementation or leadership.Details of the nomination process are available here.Deadline 1 July 2022.2021 NZPPS Research ScholarshipAshleigh Mosen is an MSc student at Massey University.Development of a novel disease control strategy to protect Pinus radiata from Dothistroma needle blight.  The hemibiotrophic fungus Dothistroma septosporum is a foliar pathogen of Pinus radiata that causes a disease known as Dothistroma needle blight (DNB). This forest tree disease is destructive to pines, resulting in dieback of needles, premature defoliation and in severe cases tree death. Necrotic lesions, which are seen on infected needles become a brick-red colour, characteristic of the fungus producing a toxic virulence factor called dothistromin. DNB is an economically important disease impacting upon New Zealand’s forest industries, costing the NZ economy ~$20 million per year. Current control measures include copper fungicide spraying, silvicultural methods such as pruning and thinning, and breeding pine trees for increased resistance to pathogen attack. A radical new approach, spray-induced gene silencing using RNA technology, has great potential to control DNB.My project explores the potential for applications of this technology by using RNA molecules, that specifically target and silence pathogen genes, to effectively lower the virulence of the pathogen. The candidate genes DsAflR (dothistromin pathway regulatory protein) and eGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) were pursued as targets for RNA silencing trials. As a result, dothistromin production and virulence of the pathogen is expected to be reduced, and decreased DNB symptoms on pine. Confocal microscopy analyses have been performed demonstrating dsRNA uptake into fungal cells. In vitro and in planta silencing trials suggest no clear evidence whether there is knockdown of AflR and eGFP. However quantitative real time PCR analyses are in progress to determine if there is a reduction in transcript levels. Disease symptoms have been monitored on infected pine needles and are showing reduced lesions, as a result of spraying with dsRNA targeting AflR. In combination, biomass assays will verify if there is a reduction in fungal biomass and hence suppressed virulence. The effects of timing and concentration of the dsRNAs have been established to achieve maximum silencing. By the end of my project I hope to determine if treatment with the dsRNA has had any effects in terms of suppression of the target genes and create a framework to optimise silencing in this forest pathogen for future studies. This could be an effective solution to augment current control measures and could be applicable to agricultural and horticultural disease control. My project is of great importance to NZ, its forest industries, and other plant-based industries. This will be the first study of its kind in NZ, which will be a blueprint for controlling other forest, agricultural and horticultural pathogens.Dan Watkins Scholarship in Weed Science Robert Gibson II is a PhD student at Lincoln University. Establishment risk of wilding Pinus radiata and its hybrid in New Zealand high country.  Non-native conifers have been well integrated throughout New Zealand’s landscape for amenity and shelter, erosion control, and commercial forestry purposes. Unwanted individuals that self-perpetuate from these cultivations are categorised as wildings. Wildings are the largest weeds in New Zealand and one of the biggest weed problems, posing a significant threat to the biodiversity and functioning of native ecosystems, particularly on the South Island. The conifer species most tightly interwoven throughout New Zealand’s landscape, industry, and culture is Pinus radiata. As a result, P. radiata propagules are genetically bred and widely distributed across both main islands with sufficient mutualists; all factors that can increase the risk of wilding. From a commercial forestry and afforestation perspective, previous research suggests P. radiata has a limit of establishment around 700 m due to cold-intolerance (i.e. reduced germination, growth, and cone production). As a result, a natural hybrid between P. radiata and P. attenuata is being assessed as commercial forestry and afforestation programmes shift to higher elevations. The aim of this research is to assess the potential threat of wilding establishment of both taxa in high country native grasslands and shrublands. This will be achieved through evaluating the potential biotic and abiotic barriers associated with these ecosystems on the fate of seeds and seedlings along an elevation gradient from the putative limit of establishment (< 700 m) to the high country (900 m and 1100 m). Across six sites and three microhabitats, this study is investigating: 1) seed viability, seed loss to predation and the potential for deposition into the soil seed bank; 2) emergence and seedling establishment; and 3) the response of 12-month-old seedlings to herbivory, and the interaction between herbivory and climate. This study isolates each seed and seedling stage with a different experiment to disentangle the influence of different barriers and how the magnitude of those barriers may fluctuate across multiple life stages to gain insight into the big picture of what may induce establishment failure of these two taxa. Lastly, this research will determine whether the information around the elevation limitation of P. radiata establishment from commercial plantations holds under natural conditions, and whether any of those barriers may be surpassed by the inclusion of the hybrid into high country ecosystems.Members in the News 2018 NZPPS Medal winner Barbara Barratt has been made a Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi for pioneering internationally relevant research into the biosafety of introduced biocontrol agents for insect pests and for leading a major theme in a multi-agency research collaboration focused on border biosecurity risk assessment. Read more here. NZPPS editor Ruth Falshaw is the latest person to be profiled in the “Women in Horticulture” series published in the NZGrower magazine. The publisher Horticulture NZ and author Elaine Fisher have given permission for the article to be reproduced and it can be viewed here. Related Events Canterbury University is running a webinar entitled: Mahi Tahi: work together to build biosecurity capability on 13 April 2022. Find out more at: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/biosecurity-innovations/news-and-events/mahi-tahi-.html 12th International Symposium on Adjuvants for Agrochemicals Bordeaux 24 – 29 April 2022. https://www.isaa2022.org/general-information/ The Weed Management Society of South Australia (WMSSA), on behalf of The Council of Australasian Weed Societies (CAWS), will be hosting the 22nd Australasian Weeds Conference (22AWC) at Adelaide Oval from 25-29 September 2022. https://eventstudio.eventsair.com/22AWC The 8th International Weed Science Congress: “Weed Science in a Climate of Change” will be held in Bangkok from 4 – 9 December 2022.https://www.iwsc2020.com/ BooksFor sale There is a 10% discount for NZPPS members on NZPPS titles purchased from Nationwide Book Distributors: 351 Kirikiri Road, Oxford 7495 Phone: 0800 990 123 Email: books@nationwidebooks.co.nz Web: http://www.nationwidebooks.co.nzBest sellers include: Farewell Silent Spring – the New Zealand Apple Story An Illustrated Guide to Common Weeds of New Zealand (Third Edition) An Illustrated Guide to Weed Seeds of New Zealand An Illustrated Guide to Common Grasses, Sedges and Rushes of New Zealand A Guide to the Identification of New Zealand Weeds in ColourFree to NZPPS members:Hard copies of: Future Challenges in Crop Protection Surveillance for Biosecurity2010 Microbial Products Paddock to PCR The Plant Protection Data Toolbox Utilising Plant Defences for Pest Control Contact the Secretary at secretary@nzpps.org if you would like one.NZPPS Corporate MembersAgResearch Ltd Adama New Zealand Ltd Arxada New Zealand Ltd BASF New Zealand Ltd Bayer New Zealand Ltd Corteva Agriscience Environmental Protection Authority Foundation for Arable Research Horticulture New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries New Zealand Apples & Pears Inc. New Zealand Avocado New Zealand Winegrowers Nufarm NZ Limited Peak Research Limited Scion Staphyt Research Ltd Syngenta Crop Protection Ltd The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd UPL New Zealand Ltd Zespri International Ltd |
| ContactsPresident Dr Mike Cripps AgResearch Christchurch Ph: (03) 325 9936 mike.cripps@agresearch.co.nz Vice President Dr Hayley Ridgway Plant & Food Research Christchurch Ph: (03) 325 9450 Hayley.Ridgway@plantandfood.co.nz Immediate Past President Dr Eirian Jones Lincoln University Christchurch Ph: (03) 423 0746 Eirian.jones@lincoln.ac.nz Secretary Jenny Taylor PO Box 21839 Henderson 0650 Ph: (09) 8128506 Mob: (027) 477 9821 secretary@nzpps.org Treasurer Dr Jason Smith Horteye Ltd Nelson Mob: (027) 249 9370 jason@horteye.co.nz Journal Editor/ Communications Manager Dr Ruth Falshaw Mahana Editing Services Rotorua Mob: (027) 380 9839 nzppeditor@outlook.com Website Editor Mike Barley mike@hortplus.comCommittee Members Rebecca Campbell, Plant & Food Research, Motueka Joy Tyson, Plant & Food Research, Auckland Stephen McKennie, Arxada NZ Ltd, Auckland Laura Tomiczek, Ministry for Primary Industries, Auckland Rebecca Fisher, Horticulture New Zealand, Wellington Dr Soonie Chng, Plant & Food Research, LincolnCopyright © 2022 New Zealand Plant Protection Society Inc.All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: secretary@nzpps.org Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. |
Australia: A millipede with 1306 legs
Posted in News on January 2, 2022| Leave a Comment »
The first true millipede: new species with more than 1,000 legs discovered in Western Australia
Researchers named the subterranean animal Eumillipes persephone after the Greek goddess of the underworld
Donna Lu@donnadluThu 16 Dec 2021 11.30 EST
- The first ever millipede with more than 1,000 legs been discovered in Western Australia.
The species, which is the first “true” millipede, has 1,306 legs and was found up to 60 metres underground in a mining area in the Eastern Goldfields region of WA.
Researchers have named the new species Eumillipes persephone, in reference to the Greek goddess of the underworld, Persephone.
It breaks the previous record set by Illacme plenipes, which is found in central California and has up to 750 legs.
A team of researchers discovered the millipede while conducting a subterranean environmental impact assessment.AdvertisementUS judge delivers double setback to Prince Andrew’sabuse case battlehttps://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.493.0_en.html#goog_1243527239https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.493.0_en.html#goog_2057871846https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.493.0_en.html#goog_657626365
Dr Bruno Buzatto, a biologist at Bennelongia Environmental Consultants, described the find as “incredibly lucky”.
“These animals were so unique,” Buzatto said. “As soon as I realised how long they were … I realised they had to be something completely different.”
The species has a long, thread-like body comprising up to 330 segments, with short legs and a cone-shaped head. Like other animals that live in constant darkness, it is blind and pale.
Dr Juanita Rodriguez, a research collaborator and CSIRO insect expert, said the new species had likely evolved its length for ease of movement underground.
“The more length you have, the more strength to propel forward,” she said. The millipede’s more than 300 body segments would also give it greater force for movement in rocky areas such as small crevices, she said.
In comparison, the Portuguese millipede – a common invasive species in Australia typically seen in high numbers after heavy rain – has around 25 segments, Rodriguez said. In 2013, a Portuguese millipede infestation was reportedly responsible for a train collision in Perth.
In total, the team found eight Eumillipes persephone millipedes in three drill holes at depths between 15 and 60 metres.
Rodriguez said it was surprising to discover the new species so far underground. While some millipedes live in caves, many are surface dwellers and break down organic matter such as leaf litter, she said.
Little is known about the new species. “It’s a good bet that they eat fungi,” Buzatto said.
Genetic analysis found that while Eumillipes persephone has physical similarities to the previous leg record holder in California, the two millipede species are only distantly related.
There are more than 2,000 known species of millipede in Australia, Rodriguez said, adding that the true number of species may be as high as 4,000.
“Few people realise … the large proportion of Australian biodiversity that is still undescribed, and therefore also the importance of taxonomists,” Buzatto said. “We essentially are driving species extinct probably quicker than we describe them.”Advertisementhttps://a3e62df2a1877b987314d659aea5656b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Rodriguez and her colleagues at CSIRO are also studying chemicals produced by Australian millipedes. “We’re testing them to see if they have potential for being antimicrobials against the pathogens that have a lot of antimicrobial resistance.”
Millipedes differ from centipedes in that they have two pairs of legs on most body segments, whereas centipedes only have one.
Research into the new millipede was published in the peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports.
This article was amended on 17 December 2021 to include the fact that the discovery of the Eumillipes persephone was initially made by a team of researchers while conducting a subterranean environmental impact assessment.
Report of activities: IAPPS Region X Northeast Asia Regional Center (NEARC) 2020-2021
Posted in Biological control, Biopesticide, Botanical pesticides, Crop protection, Cultural control, Herbicides, Host plant resistance, Mechanical control, Meetings, News, Pests, Plant Pathogens, Webinars, Weeds on November 28, 2021| Leave a Comment »
IAPPS Region X Northeast Asia Regional Center (NEARC)
Present committee members
Dr. Izuru Yamamoto, Senior Advisor
Dr. Noriharu Umetsu, Senior Advisor
Dr. Tsutomu Arie, a representative of the Phytopathological Society of Japan, the chair of Region X
Dr. Tarô Adati, a representative of Japanese Society of Applied Entomology and Zoology
Dr. Hiromitsu Moriyama, a representative of Pesticide Science Society of Japan, the secretary general of Region X
Dr. Rie Miyaura, a representative of The Weed Science Society of Japan
The Phytopathological Society of Japan and Pesticide Science Society of Japan became official partners of IYPH2020 by FAO of UN and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan and endeavored to educate the society on plant protection. https://www.maff.go.jp/j/syouan/syokubo/keneki/iyph/iyph_os.html
Annual activities related to IAPPS especially to IPM of plant diseases, insects and weeds, and plant regulation (from April 2020 to March 2021)
The Phytopathological Society of Japan (PSJ)
2020 Kanto District Meeting, Online; Sep 21–22, 2020
2020 Kansai District Meeting, Online; Sep 21–22, 2020
2020 Tohoku District Meeting, Online; Oct 12–14, 2020
2020 Hokkaido District Meeting, Online; Oct 15, 2020
2020 Kyushu District Meeting, Online; Nov 24–26, 2020
2021 Annual Meeting, Online; Mar 17–19, 2021
Japanese Society of Applied Entomology and Zoology (JSAEZ)
65th Annual Meeting, online, March 23-26, 2021
28th Annual Research Meeting of the Japan-ICIPE Association, online, March 25, 2021
Pesticide Science Society of Japan
37rd Study Group Meeting of Special Committee on Bioactivity of Pesticides, online, Sep 18, 2020
40th Symposium of Special Committee on Agricultural Formulation and Application, Yokohama, Kanagawa; Oct 15–16, 2020 (Cancelled due to the spread of COVID-19)
43th Annual Meeting of Special Committee on Pesticide Residue Analysis, online, Nov. 5–6, 2020
46th Annual meeting, Fuchu, Tokyo and Online, March 8–10, 2021
The Weed Science Society of Japan (WSSJ)
2020 Annual Meeting, The Weed Science Society of Kinki, Online; Dec 5, 2020
35th Symposium of Weed Science Society of Japan, Online; Dec 12, 2020
2020 Annual Meeting, Kanto Weed Science Society, Online; Dec 22, 2020
22th Annual Meeting, The Weed Science Society of Tohoku, Japan, Online; Feb 25, 2021
2020 Study Group Meeting of Weed Utilization and Management in Small Scale Farming, Online; Feb 26, 2021
Hono-Kai (means, Meeting who are appreciating agriculture)
35th Hono-Kai Symposium was cancelled due to the epidemic of COVID-19
Japan Biostimulants Association
３rd Symposium, Online; Nov 2–30, 2020
Nodai Research Institute
2020-1 Biological Control Group Seminar, Setagaya; Tokyo; Jun 16, 2020 (Cancelled due to the epidemic of COVID-19)
2020-2 Biological Control Group Seminar, online, Nov 13, 2020
2021-1 Biological Control Group Seminar, online, Jun 15, 2021
2021-2 Biological Control Group Seminar, online, Nov 9, 2021
‘News from PestNet’
Posted in Crop protection, Emerging/invasive pests, News, Pest diagnostics, Technology transfer on November 27, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Saturday, 27 November 2021 17:37:00
Grahame Jackson posted a new submission ‘News from PestNet’
Submission
News from PestNet
Hi Everyone
We are excited to tell you that PestNet has joined forces with the Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds app (compiled by PestNet). It seemed sensible to put these two Pestnet endeavours together. Some time ago, we mentioned that the website had been redesigned to reflect the changes; now we have completed the amalgamation with new mobile apps.
You can see the changes if you visit the website here. And you can download the new mobile apps by searching for “PestNet” or “Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds” from the Google and Apple stores.
Hope you like the changes!
All the best
PestNet Moderators
Syngenta announces North Carolina site as US crop protection headquarters
Posted in Crop protection, News on March 18, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Syngenta announces site selection for North American crop protection headquarters
Syngenta announced today it has selected its current campus location on Swing Road in Greensboro, North Carolina, to redevelop its North American Crop Protection headquarters. The announcement follows a comprehensive assessment of the company’s future needs and multiple site options in North Carolina and other states.
The company intends to construct a more than 100,000 square-foot office building to connect with its existing laboratory facility on the north side of the 70-acre campus. Plans also include a complete renovation of the lab facilities. The new workspaces will support about 650 employees and 100 contract workers.
“The Syngenta family in Greensboro has been part of the fabric of this community for many decades, and it’s our goal to remain so for many years to come,” said Vern Hawkins, president of Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC. “Our new facilities will enable us to have our Greensboro colleagues on this campus working together in modern, efficient facilities, enabling better collaboration and focus to meet our customers’ needs.”
Elaborate function
The redeveloped headquarters will include contemporary work and conference spaces, health, wellness and fitness centers, a cafeteria, auditorium, coffee areas, and other amenities. In addition, a Customer Experience Center is planned for the company to showcase the innovative products and services it continually provides customers. Employee health, safety and work effectiveness will be key factors in the design and construction.
Construction is expected to begin on the new building later in 2021; the entire project will take about three years to complete. Syngenta is assessing options for the south side of its campus.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce, Guilford County and City of Greensboro have offered Syngenta incentives that can reduce future tax liability and offset costs if commitments, including investment and employment, are met. This will help retain 750 employees and contractors and maintain the significant economic impact Syngenta contributes to the area, along with future capital and other investments. Syngenta’s investment will be more than $68 million in real property improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment.
In early January 2020, Syngenta announced it had engaged in a comprehensive assessment of is current facilities on Swing Road. The large campus, with 17 structures, was established in the mid-1960’s and was later acquired by a Syngenta legacy company, Ciba-Geigy. Syngenta was formed in 2000 and this site has remained one of the company’s major workplaces in the U.S. Due to the age of the buildings and ongoing repairs and renovations required to maintain an optimal and safe work environment, the company explored options for the future which led to today’s announcement.
For more information:
Syngenta
www.syngenta.com
Publication date: Wed 17 Mar 2021
ENDURE News, Issue 32, December 2020
Posted in IPM, News on December 24, 2020| Leave a Comment »
Welcome to the 32nd edition of ENDURE News, the electronic newsletter from ENDURE. Please feel free to share this newsletter with colleagues.
- IPM works and IPMWORKS will show how!
A European-wide network of farms is being constructed in order to “demonstrate and promote cost-effective strategies on Integrated Pest Management (IPM)”. Called IPMWORKS, the four-year Horizon 2020 project was launched in October and brings together 31 partners from 16 countries. The project will be developing an online IPM resource toolbox for farmers, advisers and researchers to easily search, share and discuss IPM reources and you can help out by completing a short survey. - Survey: Agroecology initiatives in Europe
Agroecology Europe has produced its first report mapping a large number of agroecological initiatives across Europe, allowing it to identify key findings and recommendations for fostering agroecology around the continent. - DiverIMPACTS: Be inspired by success stories
DiverIMPACTS, the project striving “to achieve the full diversification potential of cropping systems for improved productivity, delivery of ecosystem services and resource-efficient and sustainable value chains”, has published a series of success stories to inspire further diversification. - IHAR joins forces for late blight study
Poland’s Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute (IHAR) has joined forces with the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research to broaden knowledge “on plant diseases and the factors influencing resistance or susceptibility to pathogens”. In particular, they will be focusing on potato and the economically important disease which affects crops worldwide, potato late blight (pictured right). - Magazine gives insights into Agroscope research
Agroscope, ENDURE’s Swiss partner, has launched a magazine to better share the topics it is working on. Available in English, French and German, the magazine provides concrete examples of its work, alongside interviews with key researchers and access to further sources of information such as videos and other publications. - ReMIX: Updates from the teams
The next challenge for the ReMIX project (Species mixtures for redesigning European cropping systems) has been unveiled by the team’s coordinators. Writing in the project’s third newsletter, they highlight the importance of winning the support of policy makers in increasing the adoption of intercropping. - 5 principles for Scottish plant health
Scotland has launched five key principles to protect the country’s plant health. Scotland’s Plant Health Centre published the principles to mark the United Kingdom’s Plant Health Week, which is itself part of the United Nations’ International Year of Plant Health. - UK launches centre for tomorrow’s food experts
Rothamsted Research is joining forces with eight other universities and research institutes in the United Kingdom to create a joint PhD training centre focused on “developing the next generation of interdisciplinary food systems experts”. - Downy mildew breakthrough
French researchers believe new control methods for grapevine downy mildew (pictured right) are a realistic prospect after managing to identify the group of genes involved in its sexual reproduction. It is the first time these genes have been identified in oomycetes, reports France’s INRAE. - Catch up with Agroecology Europe
The latest edition of the newsletter from Agroecology Europe is now available. It includes the association’s position on the European Commission’s From Farm to Fork and biodiversity strategies, details of 2021’s 3rd Agroecology Europe forum and news from around the continent, including a feature on an innovative Belgian farmer. - Real-life nature-based IPM
The latest electronic newsletter from Agricology, a community bringing farmers and researchers together to share knowledge in pursuit of “practical sustainable farming regardless of labels”, includes an interesting feature on UK farmer Martin Lines, chair of the Nature Friendly Farming Network. - Intercropping event to go virtual
DECEMBER update: The organisers of next year’s Intercropping for Sustainability conference have opted for a virtual event via Zoom. Organisers had pledged to remain flexible about the format for the event, which was scheduled to be held at the UK’s University of Reading on January 19th and 20th. - Mixtures no ‘silver bullet’ to resistance
Current efforts to stop the spread of resistance through the use of pesticide mixtures might sometimes “be doing as much harm as good”, says ENDURE partner Rothamsted Research. - DIVERSify: Watch and learn!
The DIVERSify project has launched a mini-series “exploring the benefits and challenges of cultivating crop mixtures as an alternative to monoculture”. The series is called Growing Beyond Monoculture and currently consists of three episodes. - PPPs in Swiss field crops: Use and aquatic risks
Researchers at Agroscope, ENDURE’s Swiss partner, have completed a study examining the use and risk of plant protection products (PPPs) in the country’s field crops over a period of 10 years. They conclude that decreasing amounts of PPPs are being used in the country but show that quantity alone does not determine the risk to the environment. - Events calendar: Check it out!
After the difficulties of staging events in 2020, a slew of conferences and meetings have been rescheduled for 2021, and some events, both new and reorganised, are including the possibility of virtual attendance or even introducing back-up plans that will allow organisers to move meetings to online-only events at short notice. - IWMPRAISE: Latest newsletter now available
IWMPRAISE (Integrated Weed Management: PRActical Implementation and Solutions for Europe) has produced its fourth newsletter, bringing readers up to date with the latest news from the Horizon 2020 project. The project is now entering its fourth and penultimate year and 2020 should have seen the finalisation of experiments and a plethora of workshops and open days, activities which were rendered impossible by the Covid-19 pandemic. - To find out more about ENDURE, visit: www.endure-network.eu
- To get in touch with ENDURE, use the contact form
- Click here to unsubscribe from this newsletter
27th edition of ENDURE News
Posted in IPM, News on June 29, 2018| Leave a Comment »
Welcome to the 27th edition of ENDURE News, the electronic newsletter from ENDURE. Please feel free to share this newsletter with colleagues.
- ‘Inspiring’ Agroecological Crop Protection course
Some 26 participants from 10 countries, including PhD students as well as postdocs, junior and senior researchers working in Africa, Asia, South America, Central America and Europe, attended ENDURE’s international training course on Agroecological Crop Protection (ACP) which ran from February 12 to 16, 2018. - ACP course sparks South-East Asian ‘twin’
Drawing inspiration from ENDURE’s Agroecological Crop Protection (ACP) international training course held in Volterra, Italy (see story above), a ‘Twin Scientist School’ was staged in Can Tho, Vietnam, in March, providing the opportunity for 23 participants to learn more about the ACP approach, which is seen as providing important benefits for crop protection in South-East Asia. - Call for stakeholders to boost IPM
A pan-European group of IPM experts has drawn on the work conducted within the three-year European Research Area Network on Coordinated Integrated Pest Management (ERA-Net C-IPM) to produce a paper outlining the steps stakeholders can take to boost IPM uptake in Europe. - The case for IPM breeding programmes
European experts have called for a shake-up in the way crops are bred for Integrated Pest Management (IPM), pointing out that current private breeding programmes are mainly targeted at conventional agriculture and therefore do not produce the species and varieties more sustainable systems require. - Award marks Franco-Hungarian collaboration
ENDURE coordinator Antoine Messéan has been made an Honorary Professor at Szent István University in Gödöllö, Hungary, in recognition of the long-standing collaboration between his institute, France’s National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), and the Hungarian university. It is a relationship first forged in collaborations for various Diabrotica-related European projects from 2000 and, specifically, 14 years ago during the preparation stage for the ENDURE Network of Excellence. - IPM central to wheat anti-resistance strategies
EuroWheat has stressed the importance of implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies in wheat as fungicide resistance continues to develop across the continent, raising concerns about the impact of Septoria tritici blotch (STB) on yields. - Halving pesticide use in apple orchards
Researchers from INRA (France’s National Institute for Agricultural Research) have reported on their long-term experimental work on apple orchards, which has seen them reduce pesticide use by up to 50% through a series of measures based on increased forecasting and observation of pests and diseases. - £5 million boost to UK research
Four of the United Kingdom’s leading universities and research centres have been given a £5.3 million (around €6 milllion) boost to fund their work on improving crop resilience, sustainability and quality. The recipients, including ENDURE partner Rothamsted Research (pictured), will receive the funding over the next five years to ‘help develop new technologies and environmentally friendly production for farmers and growers across the country’. - Biocontrol on the march in France
French Integrated Pest Management (IPM) experts have provided an update on the biological control situation in the country, where these alternative control methods continue to be become more widely used in IPM strategies. The authors identify some of the key drivers behind these developments, including legal changes to encourage the development of new biocontrol options, major investments in both public and private research, the development of experimental networks and projects and the incorporation of biocontrol in the country’s pesticide savings certificate scheme (Certificats d’Economie de Produits de Phytopharmaceutiques or CEPP). - IPM ‘packages’ undergo field testing
The EUCLID project’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) ‘packages’ are currently undergoing field testing with farmers, offering alternative approaches for combating pests and diseases in three important crops (grapes, leafy vegetables and tomatoes). - JHI heads Centre of Expertise in Plant Health
ENDURE’s Scottish partner, the James Hutton Institute (JHI), is heading up the country’s new Centre of Expertise in Plant Health, which is taking a coordinated cross-sector approach to pest monitoring and will also seek to help stakeholders improve their own plant health capabilities. - DiverIMPACTS: get the newsletter and flyer
New ways of keeping up with the DiverIMPACTS project (Diversification through Rotation, Intercropping, Multiple Cropping, Promoted with Actors and value-Chains towards Sustainability) are now available with the publication of its first newsletter and the production of an informative flyer. Funded under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme, DiverIMPACTS brings together 34 partners from 11 countries, including farmers and farmer organisations, advisory services, cooperatives, logistics providers, scientists, industry professionals and representatives of civil society and rural areas with the aim of exploring the full potential of diversifying cropping systems and thereby improving agricultural productivity and resource efficiency and creating sustainable value chains. - Progress on more sustainable oilseed rape
Two ENDURE partners have published details of their ongoing work on more sustainable methods for growing oilseed rape (OSR). INRA (France’s National Institute for Agricultural Research) has revealed details of its promising trials of accompanying winter rapeseed crops with legumes as a means of reducing weed pressure, while Germany’s Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) hosted an international workshop on ‘Clubroot disease in oilseed rape – status quo and research demand’ with an emphasis on integrated approaches. - Significant improvements required in NAPs
The European Commission has urged Member States to ‘significantly’ improve their National Action Plans (NAP) to address the shortcomings identified in their review of progress on the implementation of the Pesticides Directive (2009/128/EC) and to ‘establish more precise and measurable targets’. - Search for SWD predators closes in
The prospects of new biological controls to combat spotted-wing drosophila, a serious invasive pest causing extensive economic damage in berries and stone fruit, have moved a step closer thanks to two projects involving ENDURE partners. - Catch up with Agroecology Europe
The first newsletter from Agroecology Europe is now available, offering reports and video from last October’s European Agroecology Forum, which brought together more than 300 farmers, researchers, students, policy makers and representatives from social movements and civil society in Lyon, France. - Crop loss conference: final report online
The final report from last October’s three-day International Conference on Global Crop Losses Caused by Diseases, Pests and Weeds is now available. The event was organised by INRA, through its SMaCH (Sustainable Management of Crop Health) and GloFoodS (Transitions to Global Food Security) metaprogrammes, and in partnership with CIRAD and ISPP (International Society of Plant Pathology). - ‘One health’ approach to include crop pests
CIRAD and INRA, two of ENDURE’s French partners, have combined forces with other research and higher educational institutions to form a network to drive innovation in the control of not only crop pests but also arthropods which transmit pathogens causing infectious diseases in humans and animals. - New times ahead for European weed management
Integrated weed management is the way to go for sustainable and resilient agriculture. A new Horizon 2020 project will support and promote its implementation in Europe, reports Janne Hansen, from the Department of Agroecology at Aarhus University, Denmark. - Agroscope trials fungi to control Japanese visitor
Researchers from Agroscope, ENDURE’s Swiss partner, will this year be investigating whether it is feasible to control Japanese beetles in the field with a fungi that has already proved effective against May and June beetles. - Blight tracking results now available
EuroBlight, the potato late blight network for Europe, has revealed the findings of its ongoing work to chart changes in the European population of the pathogen, a major effort which saw almost 1,500 samples from 16 countries genotyped in last year’s growing season. - Profiting from legumes
The TRUE project has marked its first anniversary with the release of its second newsletter, bringing readers up to date with its work on ‘Transition paths to sustainable legume based systems in Europe’, which includes 24 case studies in three pedoclimatic regions across the continent (‘Atlantic’, ‘Continental’ and ‘Mediterranean’). - Updates for events calendar
Nearly 20 new events have been added to ENDURE’s events calendar, including July’s 20th International Conference on Agroecology and Organic Farming, which is being held in the Swedish capital of Stockholm, and ECE 2018, the XI European Congress of Entomology, which is being staged the same month in Naples, Italy. - ESA 2018 to address innovative systems
ENDURE’s Swiss partner Agroscope is leading the organisation of the XV European Society for Agronomy Congress, which runs from August 27 to 31 in the lakeside city of Geneva and will address the theme of ‘Innovative cropping and farming systems for high quality food production’. - EMPHASIS on LAMP technology
The EMPHASIS project (Effective Management of Pests and Harmful Alien Species – Integrated Solutions), which is seeking practical solutions ‘to predict, to prevent and to protect agriculture and forestry systems from native and alien pests threats’, will be focusing on loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) as an emerging molecular tool for the rapid in-field diagnosis of plant diseases at a summer school this July. - To find out more about ENDURE, visit: www.endure-network.eu
- To get in touch with ENDURE, use the contact form
New book: Grain Legumes
Posted in News on March 30, 2018| Leave a Comment »
Description
Grain legumes are characterised by their nutritional value, an ability to grow rapidly and improve soil health by fixing nitrogen. This makes them a key rotation crop in promoting food security amongst smallholders in particular. However, yields are constrained by factors such as pests and diseases as well as vulnerability to poor soils, drought and other effects of climate change.
This collection reviews the wealth of research addressing these challenges. Volume 1 focusses on breeding and cultivation. Part 1 summarises advances in understanding crop physiology and genetic diversity, and how this understanding has informed the development of new varieties. Part 2 reviews improvements in cultivation techniques to make the most of these new varieties, from variety selection and seed quality management, through pest and disease management to storage and quality assessment.
With its distinguished editorial team and international range of expert authors, this will be a standard reference for the grain legume research community and farmers of these important crops as well as government and other agencies responsible for agricultural development. It is accompanied by a companion volume which reviews particular grain legumes.
Key features
- Reviews key developments in understanding crop physiology and genetic diversity and how they have informed advances in breeding new varieties
- Coverage of advances across the value chain for grain legume cultivation, from variety selection to post-harvest storage
- Discusses the latest trends in disease, insect pest and weed management
Sample content
Not sure what you’re getting if you buy this book? Click on the cover image below to open a PDF and preview pages from the book. .
What others are saying…
‘This reference will greatly improve the visibility of, and access to knowledge about crops that play such a critical role in sustainable cropping systems, nutrition and income, yet which often remain under the radar of governments and policy makers and which do not always receive the investment they deserve.”
Jeff Ehlers, Program Officer in Agricultural Development, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Table of contents
Part 1 Plant physiology and breeding
1.Advances in understanding grain legume physiology: stomatal behavior and response to abiotic stress: E. Troyo Diéguez and A. Nieto-Garibay, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, México; J.L. García-Hernández, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, México; P. Preciado-Rangel, Instituto Tecnológico de Torreón, México; F. A. Beltrán-Morales and F. H. Ruiz-Espinoza, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, México; and B. Murillo-Amador, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, México;
2.Advances in understanding grain legume physiology: understanding root architecture, nutrient uptake and response to abiotic stress: Yinglong Chen, The University of Western Australia, Australia and Northwest A&F University, China; Ivica Djalovic, Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Serbia; and Kadambot Siddique, The University of Western Australia, Australia;
3.Conserving and characterizing the genetic diversity of grain legumes: P. J. Bramel and H. D. Upadhyaya, Global Crop Diversity, Germany and International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), India;
4.Advanced breeding techniques for grain legumes in the genomics era: Juan M. Osorno and Phillip E. McClean, North Dakota State University, USA; and Timothy Close, University of California (Riverside), USA;
5.Genetic modification of grain legumes: Pooja Bhatnagar-Mathur and Kiran Kumar Sharma, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), India;
6.Developing drought- and heat-tolerant varieties of grain legumes: Shoba Sivasankar, Former Director, CGIAR Research Program on Grain Legumes, India;
7.Developing pest- and disease-resistant cultivars of grain legumes: Diego Rubiales, Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, Spain;
8.Biofortification of grain legumes: Bodo Raatz, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Colombia;
Part 2 Cultivation
9.Variety selection and seed quality management in grain legume cultivation: Jean Claude Rubyogo, Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA), International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Tanzania; and Wilfred Odhiambo, Seed Systems Consultant, Kenya;
10.Grain legumes in integrated crop management systems: Chris Johansen and Kadambot H.M. Siddique, The University of Western Australia, Australia;
11.Grain legume–cereal intercropping systems: L. Bedoussac, ENSFEA, INRA AGIR, France; E-P. Journet, CNRS LIPM, INRA AGIR, France; H. Hauggaard-Nielsen, Roskilde University, Denmark; C. Naudin and G. Corre Hellou, Ecole Supérieure d’Agricultures, France; E. S. Jensen, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden; and E. Justes, INRA AGIR, France;
12.Soil and nutrient management in grain legume cultivation: S. Adjei-Nsiah , International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Ghana ; and B.D.K. Ahiabor, CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Ghana;
13.Diseases affecting grain legumes and their management: Keith Thomas, University of Sunderland, UK;
14.Insect pests and integrated pest management techniques in grain legume cultivation: Tolulope A. Agunbiade, Yale University, USA; Weilin Sun, Michigan State University, USA; Brad S. Coates, USDA-ARS, USA; Fouss é ni Traore, Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles, Burkina Faso; James A. Ojo, Kwara State University, Nigeria; Anne N. Lutomia, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA; Julia Bello-Bravo, Michigan State University, USA; Saber Miresmailli, Ecoation Innovative Solutions Inc., Canada; Joseph E. Huesing, USAID, USA; Michael Agyekum, Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, Michigan State University, USA; Manuele Tamò, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Benin; and Barry R. Pittendrigh, Michigan State University, USA;
15.Weed management in grain legume cultivation: Don W. Morishita, University of Idaho, USA;
16.Grain legume storage in developing nations: L. L. Murdock and D. Baributsa, Purdue University, USA;
17.Drying, handling, storing and quality monitoring of pulses: C.B. Singh, University of South Australia, Australia; and D.S. Jayas, University of Manitoba, Canada;
18.Dietary health benefits, phytochemicals and anti-nutritional factors in grain legumes: Elizabeth Ryan, Colorado State University, USA; Indi Trehan, Kristie Smith and Mark Manary, Washington University, USA;
19.The nutritional potential of grain legumes: an economic perspective: Alan de Brauw, International Food Policy Research Institute, USA;
Science for Environment Policy, Issue 504: A service from the European Commission
Posted in News on March 10, 2018| Leave a Comment »
From PestNet
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Science Env Policy <sfep@uwe.ac.uk>
Date: 10 March 2018 at 03:44
Subject: Science for Environment Policy, Issue 504: A service from the European Commission
To: gjackson@zip.com.au
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UK: Mini Robots Could Cut Pesticide Use
Posted in Crop protection, News, Research on November 22, 2017| Leave a Comment »
Mini Robots Could Cut Pesticide Use, Food Waste, and Help Harvests
UNITED KINGDOM – Could miniature robots be joining the ranks of farmhands around the globe? According to The Guardian, yes, but optimistically, not for another couple of years. Developing in laboratories now, academic farming experts are researching whether miniature robots are a solution to chemical use, food waste, and labor shortages on farms, and posit that while a possible solution, mini robots might not be the answer farmers are seeking yet.
As reported by the source, current blanket practices waste 95% to 99% of pesticides and herbicides as the method “blankets” chemicals across entire fields, allowing pests and weeds to grow resistant, harming helpful pollinators like bees, and essentially rendering the chemicals ineffective over time.
Toby Bruce, Professor of Insect Chemical Ecology, Keele University“Farmers have been heavily reliant for decades on the heavy use of pesticides. Some spraying is very desperate,” said Toby Bruce, Professor of Insect Chemical Ecology at Keele University, according to The Guardian. “Farmers are spraying [chemicals] to which there is resistance. They will not be killing pests as the pests have evolved resistance. They will be killing other insects [such as pollinators].”
In order to reduce pesticide waste and its harmful side effects, researchers are programming the robots to be able to apply tiny quantities of pesticides directly to the plants that need them.
Robots aiding in farming a cabbage field
The robots are also able to detect when fruit and vegetables are too small or malformed to be harvested. Because malformed produce typically has a lower market value, this would help reduce food waste and allow produce enough time to be harvested when it is ready.
With labor shortages worrying farmers worldwide, the mini robots could also provide the extra hands needed to harvest crops in the field. And this isn’t the only place in our industry seeking extra help from artificial intelligence. Last month, Giant Foods stores piloted Marty, and Walmart began testing shelf-scanning robots in over fifty stores.
While robots seem to be an easy solution, The Guardian reported that the technology is not at an advanced enough stage to implement in the field just yet, and noted that start-ups are needed to spearhead this innovation as many farm technology companies are unwilling to give up their current business models.
With technology advancing every day and offering different ways to rid pests and minimize waste, are mini robots the future of sustainable farming? AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the robot takeover.
Global Plant Protection News 