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Commercial Success of ECLAIR Programme
AGRE-0013: The development of environmentally safe pest control systems for European olives |
AGRE-0013: The development of environmentally safe pest control systems for European olives
Science Background
Producers of the olive, an important Mediterranean crop, suffer large annual losses due to insect pests. Major pests include the olive fly (Bacrocera (Dacus) oleae), olive moth (Prays oleae) and other moths (Palpita unionalis, Euzophera pinguis), olive beetle (Phloeotribus scarabaeoides) and olive scale (Saissetia olea). These pests not only reduce overall yield and fruit/oil quality, but also, at the time of this project, could only be controlled efficiently by chemical pesticides, increasing the costs of production. Thus there was increasing demand for alternative methods of controlling these pests due to environmental, user and consumer concerns.
Objectives
To develop a practical integrated pest management (IPM) programme for olives and to test this in participating countries, as well as to develop a technology transfer package so that the findings can be adapted to other European countries growing olives. In particular it was hoped to achieve a reduction in the environmental impact of pesticides through a reduction in chemical inputs to the olive production system.
Significant changes and results since end of ECLAIR
The IPM system developed by this project (coordinated by University of Wales Cardiff, UK) has led to environmental and economic benefits for the olive-growing regions of Europe. Agrisense-BCS, UK (commercial partner) commercialized six new or improved products during this project. Agrisense-BCS was started in 1984 as a joint venture with the University of Wales. It was bought by Biosys, USA in 1993 and in 1997 when Biosys ceased trading, Agrisense-BCS became a wholly owned subsidiary of Thermo Trilogy Corp, USA.
Results
At end of this ECLAIR project
Models were developed that can be used to forecast pest outbreaks and establish acceptable levels of chemical pesticide use. These were used as a basis for the development of an IPM system. Existing products (Foray 48BTM, containing Bacillus thuringiensis, and the natural pyrethrum SectrolTM) were used to control P. oleae, and a lure and kill system (using BiophytozTM, a mixture of natural pyrethrum and rotenone) was devised for control of B. oleae. Six Agrisense products were either improved or invented during this project. These related to pheromone products for control of the B. oleae and P. oleae. By the end of the project, these had already reduced pesticide application to below 50% of that normally applied.
Specifically, the Agrisense-BCS products developed during the project were as follows:
Some of these products were available during the period of the project. Others had to undergo the legally required 2 years of trials at the end of the project.
BCPC Monograph 52: Research Collaboration in European IPM Systems was produced around the results of this project.
Current position
The results of this work are being exploited as products and procedures for use in monitoring the crop and for pest control. A scientific volume containing the papers from this project is anticipated in 1999.
Olive flies are monitored using vertical yellow sticky traps (VYST, above right), both with and without lures. The VYST alone attracts both sexes (by virtue of its colour). When baited with the pheromone lure there is a significant increase (10x) in the male catch at the onset of sexual activity. Dome traps (above left) baited are then deployed to catch females (and males) which are inspected for egg maturity
Impact
Commercial
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Olive growers have been able to reduce the cost of pest control without reducing yield. This project enabled Agrisense-BCS to establish a market in a region where it would otherwise have been difficult. This was a market they may not otherwise have considered. It also enabled them to establish good contacts with the national and regional authorities in Spain (Madrid, Andalucia), Greece, etc, who participated in the project. |
The main markets for the Agrisense-BCS olive pest products are in Spain, Italy and Greece. This project also enabled them to improve existing products and significantly reduced the time to market. These products are pheromone lures and traps for use as monitoring tools rather than as traps for pest control. Sales of these types of products into this market have tripled over the period from 1987 to 1999, and the market is still growing. Minor competitors exist in Italy and Greece.
Associated
The IPM system developed has environmental benefits throughout the olive-growing regions of Europe by reducing use of chemical pesticides. This project was followed up in VALUE CTT-472: The development of slow release formulations for behaviour modifying chemicals for olive pest control using natural supramolecular systems. Agrisense-BCS is also involved in AIR3-CT92-0300: Environmentally safe, integrated system(s) for control of the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata. Although this is not a continuation of the ECLAIR project, the experience from the earlier project was useful - particularly administrative/management experience which could be transferred to the AIR coordinator. A number of scientific papers have been published.
Further information
Jones, O. and Montiel, A. (1998) Use of semiochemicals in monitoring and control of olive fruit flies. Pesticide Outlook pp 17-21.
Contacts
Agrisense BCS Ltd
Author
Foundation R & T Hellas
NCSR Athens
University of Cardiff
© Copyright 2006 Policy Statements
Updated
by CPL Press:
03/07/2007
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