ENDORSE
The Project
ENDORSE aims to provide a new framework that minimises damage to our natural environments while sustainably safeguarding our ability to protect crops. ENDORSE will:
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Determine if heterogeneous environments produced by crop and fungal biopesticide combinations can delay the evolution of resistance in the long term.
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Investigate if our fungal isolates are suitable for commercial production, if we can deliver them viably in the field, and their effectiveness at controlling pests at the field scale.
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Identify social and economic barriers in agricultural communities to the uptake of this pest control system, and investigate solutions to overcome these barriers.
Project structure
Solution for achieving successful long-term sustainable crop protection
WP 1
Lead: Luc Bussière, University of Stirling
Work package 1 will assess the stability of genetic associations that prevent resistance to multiple biopesticides.
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WP 2
Lead: Matthew Tinsley, University of Stirling
Work package 2 will examine the genomic basis of biopesticide resistance in heterogeneous environments.
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WP 3
Lead: Brad Duthie, University of Stirling
Work package 3 will investigate how the scale of landscape diversity and quantitative genetics of resistance affect the maintenance of susceptibility alleles.
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Solutions for achieving successful crop technology deployment
WP 4
Lead: Belinda Luke, CABI UK
Work package 4 will assess the suitability of multiple fungal isolates for commercialisation using a two-step mass production system.
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WP 5
Lead: Leonardo Fraceto, University of Sao Paulo Sorocaba
Work package 5 will investigate the potential for micro-encapsulation to increase fungal spore viability.
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WP 6
Lead: Ricardo Polanczyk, University of Sao Paulo Jaboticabal
Work package 6 will examine the viability of classic and encapsulated biopesticide formulations under Brazilian field conditions
Solutions for achieving successful behavioural change in farmers
WP 7
Lead: Rosie Mangan, University of Stirling
Work package 7 will examine the ecosystem service consequences of applying fungal biopesticides to the overall performance of integrated pest control.
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WP 8
Lead: Yelitza Colmenarez, CABI Brazil
Work package 8 will examine the operational costs and benefits to farmers of diversifying their farm operations.
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WP 9
Lead: Nils Bunnefeld, University of Stirling
Work package 9 will investigate barriers to enhancing agricultural diversity, and the efficacy of alternate policy solutions.
Project outcomes
We will introduce crop regimes and fungal strains to facilitate long-term resistance management.
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We will develop biopesticides to the point where they are attractive for industrial investment.
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By identifying barriers to uptake, providing solutions, working closely with agribusiness and extension officers we will ensure this technology is feasible for adoption in the field.