Feasibility Study: Developing a biopesticide for Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle

The proposed project is a feasibility study to develop an innovative biopesticide technology for the control of Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle (CSFB) in Oilseed Rape (OSR). The project is driven by demand from farmers and the OSR market which has decreased by 12.9% from 2018 to 2019, due, in part, to CSFB damage. This is a result of recent restrictions on neonicotinoid-treated seed and the development of Pyrethroid resistance.

Preliminary work has been conducted by CAB International (CABI) using a fungal isolate which has shown 100% kill rate against CSFB after 4 days.

Project outputs will be the development of biopesticide application methods that can target the CSFB at different stages of development.

This project will also focus on end-user engagement through two knowledge transfer workshops. The first workshop will focus on the aim and objectives of the project, and the second will cover dissemination of results and technology adoption. In addition, end-user feedback will be gathered using a market survey to ensure the project is aligned to end-user needs. The business model, economic analysis and route to target will be assessed as part of the market development work package.

The project will be led by CHAP, a UK-based research organisation aiming to increase crop productivity through the uptake of new technologies. CHAP will deliver the knowledge exchange workshops and project management. CABI will lead on the formulation development, with inputs from H&T Bioseeds Ltd and Russell Bio Solutions Ltd. The aforementioned industry partners will also lead on market development.

The outputs of the project have the potential to have a significantly impact on the UK economy, by helping farms achieve increased yields through enhanced CSFB control. This project will also work towards achieving net zero emissions by 2040 through development of targeted biopesticides application systems, thus decreasing the number of machinery passes, reducing excess packaging due to reduced inputs and ultimately reducing toxic chemical inputs. The wider environmental/societal benefits of this project include less damage to the environment and human/animal health due to reduction of chemical inputs.