Use of biopesticides – A safe solution Dr Chris Knight Campden BRI

Biopesticides - Introduction Insects, plant disease and weeds are major constraints to food crop production Becoming more difficult to control by conventional methods Pesticide resistance, product withdrawals Need to control emerging threats

Biopesticides - Introduction Pressure to reduce residue levels from conventional chemical pesticides Regulations: changes in MRLs Retailers: minimise detectable residues Pressure to develop sustainable ‘pest’ control systems Environmental welfare Maintain crop quality, productivity and profitability

Biopesticides - Introduction Integrated Crop Management (ICM) seen as the way forward (cf IPM) Framework for reduced chemical pesticide use and residue levels Combines complementary ‘pest’ control methods Include chemical, biological, cultural and physical controls, plant resistance and decision support systems

Biopesticides in ICM Make an important contribution to ICM Help reduce reliance on chemical pesticides Major role to play in sustainable farming Conventional and organic systems Reduce artificial chemical inputs

What is a biopesticide? Range of definitions and terminologies Can be confusing Essentially a broad group of agents Defined as Mass produced Biologically based agents Used to control plant pests, diseases and weeds

What is a biopesticide? ‘Biopesticide’ covers a wide spectrum of ‘products’ Subject to regulation as pesticides Approved uses and conditions of use Living organisms as control agents e.g. predatory insects Not necessarily regulated as pesticide products Three basic categories

Categories of biopesticides (1) Products based on pheromone and other semiochemicals e.g. insect pheromones for trapping or mating disruption Semiochemicals Chemicals emitted by plants, animals and other organisms (or synthetic analogues) Evoke a behavioural or physiological response in the same or similar species

Categories of biopesticides (2) Products containing microorganisms (microbials) e.g. bacterium, fungus, virus Natural enemies Includes invertebrates (e.g. predatory insects) and nematodes Not necessarily regulated as a pesticide product

Categories of biopesticides (3) Products based on plant extracts Unprocessed extracts representing a cluster of substances Highly refined containing one active substance

Categories of biopesticides (Other) Genetically modified plants Express introduced genes that confer protection against pests and disease Not universally accepted as ‘biopesticides’

How many biopesticide products? Wide variation in countries Over a 1000 products in USA Significantly fewer in EU Microbial products 200 in USA 60 comparable products available in EU

Examples of biopesticides (UK) Fungicide Bacillus subtilis (specific strain) Coniothyrium minitans (specific strain) Insecticide B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki Cydia pomella granulosis virus Verticillium lecanii Spinosad Fatty acids

Examples of biopesticides (UK) Herbicide Citronella oil (plant extract) Fatty acids Other Candida oleophila (biological control) Peniophora gigantea (tree stumps) Pepper (vertebrate control) Zucchini yellow mosaic virus weak strain (immunisation)

Biopesticides - Benefits Usually inherently less toxic than conventional pesticides Environmental and worker welfare Produce little if any residue Food safety Generally have a narrow spectrum of activity Low direct impact on non targets, including humans and wildlife

Biopesticides - Benefits Use often compatible with other control agents May aid chemical pesticide performance when used together Enhanced control Help prevent/delay chemical pesticide resistance Mode of action not specific Reduced risk of developing resistance

Biopesticides - Benefits Used as a component of ICM may decrease use of chemical pesticides Crop quality and yields remain high Flexible approach to ‘pest’ management Natural enemies can reproduce in the pest population and respond to changes Help meet market demands/expecations for Environmentally friendly agriculture Reduced chemical pesticide residues

Biopesticide - Concerns Commercialisation is affected strongly by the regulatory system Governs their authorisation and use Disincentive for manufacturers Industry is relatively small Many SMEs Policy resources limited Undergoing organisational development

Biopesticide - Concerns Higher unit prices compared to chemical pesticides In general, biopesticides are not as effective as chemicals Chemicals easier to predict what will do Biopesticides may not work immediately Ecological background may have to change first

Biopesticide - Concerns Shelf life may be shorter than chemicals Technical knowledge Have to be used in relatively complex knowledge intensive management systems To be used effectively users need to know a great deal about managing ‘pests’ May act as a disincentive or influence efficacy

Biopesticides - Summary Comparisons between chemical and biopesticides are over simplistic May detract from from beneficial properties Becoming part of mainstream agriculture agrochemical industry Good Agricultural Practice

Biopesticides - Summary Make an important contribution to Development of sustainable agriculture ICM/IPM systems Reducing reliance on chemical pesticides Reducing pesticide residue levels in food Meeting market demands and expecations Provide positive public benefits related to policy goals

Biopesticides - Summary Positive benefits Environmental welfare Food safety Wider commercial uptake requires collaboration between Governments and regulators Agrochemical industry Farmers

Thank you c.knight@campden.co.uk