ENDORSE
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.
WP 2
Lead: Matthew Tinsley, University of Stirling
Work package 2 will examine the genomic basis of biopesticide resistance in heterogeneous environments.
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.
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.
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.
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.
WP 8
Lead: Yelitza Colmenarez, CABI Brazil
Work package 8 will examine the operational costs and benefits to farmers of diversifying their farm operations.
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.
We will develop biopesticides to the point where they are attractive for industrial investment.
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.