54
UK Herbs and the changing climate Warwick Crop Centre, The University of Warwick, Wellesbourne, Warwick, CV35 9EF 19 November 2013
UK Herbs and the changing climate
Warwick Crop Centre, The University of Warwick,
Wellesbourne, Warwick, CV35 9EF
19 November 2013
Seminar Programme
09:30 Registration 10:00 Introduction to Warwick Crop Centre (Dr Rosemary Collier,
WCC) BHTA Chairman’s welcome (Dr Tom Davies, BHTA)
10:15 Session 1: Defence inducers and Biopesticides Jasmonate, plant elicitors and defence priming for Herbs (Dr Mike Roberts, LEC) Biopesticides for Herbs (Joshua Burnstone, Fargro) Discussion session 1
11:15 Session 2: Herb Physiology – some further exploration Controlling Herb growth (Prof Peter Kettlewell, HAU) Crop nutrient balancing & the Carbon footprint (Dr Rob Lillywhite, WCC) LED & Herb light response properties (Dr Martin McPherson, STC) Discussion session 2
12:40 Tour of Warwick Crop Centre 13:00 Lunch 14:00 Session 3: What lies ahead?
Impact of climate change on weeds (Dr Paul Neve, Warwick University) Forecasting disease potential ahead of symptom development – Field Vegetables: A model to follow? (Alison Wakeham, University of Worcester) Future pests & Herb interactions (Dr Rosemary Collier, WCC) Discussion session 3
15:15 Summary (Dr Tom Davies, BHTA) 15:30 Grower discussion to determine ways forward 16:00 Depart
Contents
Presentation title and presenter Page
Jasmonate, plant elicitors and defence priming for Herbs – Dr Mike Roberts, LEC
1
Biopesticides for Herbs – Joshua Burnstone, Fargro 11 Controlling Herb growth – Prof Peter Kettlewell, HAU 17 Crop nutrient balancing & the Carbon footprint – Dr Rob Lillywhite, WCC 19 LED & Herb light response properties – Dr Martin McPherson, STC 20 Impact of climate change on weeds – Dr Paul Neve, Warwick University 29 Forecasting disease potential ahead of symptom development – Field vegetables: A model to follow? – Alison Wakeham, University of Worcester
31
Future pests & Herb interactions – Dr Rosemary Collier, WCC 34 Notes Page 41 Delegate List 42 Publication Order Forms 43
Dr Mike Roberts
Senior Lecturer in Plant Science, Lancaster Environment Centre Lancaster University. After a BSc in botany from the University of Durham, he obtained a PhD in
plant molecular biology from the University of Leicester in 1992. His PhD
focussed on pollen development, and he stayed on in Leicester as a post-
doc to continue working in this area. In 1994 he moved to the group of
Professor Dianna Bowles in the University of York, where he began working on plant stress response
signalling. In 1996, he was awarded a Royal Society University Research Fellowship, which he moved
to Lancaster in 2001. He was appointed lecturer at Lancaster from 2004 and was promoted to senior
lecturer in 2012.
Research in Mike’s group still focuses on the biology of plant stress responses, with the signalling
processes responsible for the regulation of resistance responses being of particular interest. The
group uses Arabidopsis, tomato and barley as the main models to study plant-insect and plant-
pathogen interactions, as well as some aspects of abiotic stress. Current research areas include:
Long-term priming of plant defence responses, effects of the environment on plant stress responses
and sustainable approaches to improved biotic and abiotic stress resistance in crops.
In addition to his research activity, Mike teaches at all levels within the University, covering topics
ranging from protein biochemistry to plant physiology and crop protection. He acted as Biological
Sciences Admissions Tutor for 8 years until this summer. Mike is Deputy Editor of the journal Plant
Methods (www.plantmethods.com), and served on the Society for Experimental Biology Plant
Section Committee from 2006 - 2012. He begins a term on the BBSRC Research Committees’ Pool of
Experts in January 2014.
Contact details: Phone: +44 1524 510210 e-mail: [email protected]
Relevant publications:
1. Wargent J.J., Pickup D.A., Paul N.D. Roberts M.R. (2013) Reduction of photosynthetic sensitivity in
response to abiotic stress in tomato is mediated by a new generation plant activator. BMC Plant Biology 13: 108.
2. Luna E., Bruce T.J.A., Roberts M.R., Flors V., Ton J. (2012) Next generation systemic acquired
resistance. Plant Physiology 158: 844-853. 3. Worrall, D., Holroyd, G.H., Moore, J.P., Glowacz, M., Croft, P., Taylor, J.E. Paul, N.D., Roberts,
M.R. (2012) Treating seeds with activators of plant defence generates long lasting priming of resistance
to pests and pathogens. New Phytologist 193: 770-778. 4. Naureen, Z., Price, A.H., Hafeez, F.Y, Roberts, M.R. (2009) Identification of rice blast disease-
suppressing bacterial strains from the rhizosphere of rice grown in Pakistan. Crop Protection 28: 1052-
1060.
Priming defences againstpests and disease.
Mike Roberts
Lancaster Environment Centre
Alternatives to pesticides
• Management– Propagation,– Sanitation,– Rotation, etc.
• Biological Control
• Adding new resistance mechanisms– Breeding– Genetic modification (GM)
• Activation of natural defences
“Plant activators”
Products aimed at enhancing natural plant processes
1
Regulation of plant defence
Herbivores
JA
Herbivoreresistance
Disease resistance
Pathogens
SA
Activating SA or JA‐based resistance can reduce herbivory
and/or disease
aka:•Bion•Blockade•Boost
BUT: resistance comes at a cost
WT CPR6/cpr6 cpr6/cpr6
2
‘Priming’ of plant immunity
Naïve
state
Naïve
state
Primed
state
Primed
state
Primingevent
BioticattackDefence DEFENCE
Genome modification?Enhanced signalling capacity?
Plants remember stress
• Herbivore resistance
• Direct defence• Plant defensive metabolitesand proteins
• Indirect defence• VOCs: attract natural enemies
• Resistance againstnecrotrophic fungal diseases
Jasminum polyanthum
Jasmonic acid as aregulator of biotic stress resistance
Can plant defence beprimed at the seed stage?
Seed treatment with JA
Challenge plantswith herbivores
8 weeks after planting
3
Herbivore resistance inplants grown from JA-treated seed
Red spider mite (Tetranychusurticae) on tomato
0
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70
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Nu
mb
er o
f ap
hid
s
Days after introducing aphids
Control
JA‐treated
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140
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gs
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ce
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er
ad
ult
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JA concentration (mM)
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Control JA
Lea
f ar
ea e
aten
(cm
2)
Green peach aphid (Myzuspersicae) on sweet pepper
Armyworm (Spodoptera exempta) caterpillars on wheat
JA seed treatment suppresses Botrytis (grey mould) disease
Control JA0
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50
Mea
n l
esio
n a
rea
(mm
2)
Control JA
***
Growth & Development
0.01 0.1 1 10 1000
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JA concentration (mM log scale)
Se
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rmin
ati
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(%
)a
fte
r 7
da
ys
Harvest (weeks)
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it d
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Harvest (weeks)
CJA
4
Other possibilities?
Enhanced recruitment of natural enemies
Predatory mites - Phytoseiulus
Methyl salicylate
Treated plants areattractive to Phytoseiulus
J. Chem. Ecol. (2013) 39: 1297–1300
5
Treated plants areattractive to Phytoseiulus
JA seed treated
Control
Mite infested
JA seed treatment is effective against nematodes
Nematology (2013) 15: 15‐21
Seed treatment with -aminobutyricacid (BABA) provides powdery mildew resistance
Control BABA0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
Infe
ctio
ns/
cm2
***
6
Seedling root drenchesalso provide long-lasting protection
Control
0.1
mM
BABA
0.5
mM
BABA
M J
A
1
M J
A
10
0
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Les
ion
dia
met
er (
mm
)
****** ***
***
Botrytis resistance in tomato seedlings two weeks following root drench with JA or BABA
Commercial exploitation?
Cell content feeders
Sap suckers
Chewers
Monocots‐Wheat,‐Maize
Dicots‐ Tomato,‐ Pepper, etc.
• Induced pest resistance is long‐lasting
• Works via a natural plant resistance mechanism
• Broad applicability
• Environmentally‐friendly
• No action required by growers
• Strong consumer & regulatory drivers to promote adoption
• Exclusive worldwide licensee
Patent coverage
Granted Under examination
7
US EPA Approval
“…particularly in the rapidly‐growing seed treatment market, we will be able to develop innovative solutions for agriculture…”
Transgenerational resistance priming
M0
S0M0
Mock inoculation
Pst inoculation
M1 S1
M2
Mock inoculation
S1M2 S1S2
Mock inoculation
Pstinoculat ion
M2 S1M2 S1S2
* *100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Downy mildew resistance
8
Transgenerational resistance priming
Jason Moore
Mike Roberts
Nigel Paul
Jane Taylor
Lancaster
• Dawn Worrall
• Geoff Holroyd
• Phil Nott
Rothamsted Research
• John Pickett
• Toby Bruce
• Lesley Smart
University of Sheffield
• Jurriaan Ton
• Estrella Luna
Stockbridge Technology Centre
• Pat Croft
Acknowledgements
Horticultural Development Council
Genes canbe expressed
Genes not availablefor expression
Chromatin Remodelling and Epigenetics
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Dr. Joshua Burnstone
PhD, MSc, BSc (Hons), MBPR (Hort)
Having completed an MSc in Applied Entomology at Imperial College, Joshua moved
to Warwick in 2005 to undertake a PhD with Dr. Rosemary Collier at Warwick HRI.
Focusing on the biology and behaviour of the onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) Joshua
worked on improving understanding of this serious pest and identifying windows of
opportunity for its control. Having completed his thesis, Joshua joined Fargro in
autumn 2010 as a Technical Officer, and has since then concentrated on running
Fargro’s trials program, in particular focusing on new products and biopesticides.
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Dr. Joshua BurnstoneFargro Ltd.
•Microbials ‐micro‐organism based products
•Botanicals ‐ plant derived compounds, plant extracts
•Semio‐chemicals – pheromones
• Losing conventional products
• Fully approved and efficacious
• No chemical residues
• No harvest intervals
• Resistance management tools
• Highly compatible with biological controls
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The number 1 reason for failure of control is poor application
We must ensure we are hitting the target
All currently available products are primarily contact acting
Handling, storage and application requirements may differ from conventional chemicals
Biofungicide for the reduction of powdery mildew
• Microbial product – Ampelomyces quisqualis
• Use under EAMU – 1324 of 2012
Can be applied via conventional or ULV equipment:
Coverage must be sufficient to reach all leaf surfaces
Minimum nozzle size 0.5mm
Application should be made late evening
High relative humidity (optimum over 80%)
2 successive applications minimum
7 to 10 days apart
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Bioinsecticide for the control of whitefly
Bioinsecticide for the control of whitefly
• Microbial products
• May also have useful effects against other pests such as thrips
• Mycotal use under EAMU – 0861 of 2007
Spore activation
Mix Naturalis‐L in a bucket with a small amount of water
Leave for 2‐3 hours but no longer than 5 hours
Application should be made early morning or late evening
High relative humidity (optimum over 80%)
Apply to just before run off
Thorough coverage essential
1.5l/ha if water volumes between 500‐1000l
At 2000l of water use 3l/ha
Effective temperature range 12oC to 30oC Optimal for Naturalis‐L is above 20oC
pH 6‐7 ideal. Avoid water at over pH 8.
Apply in the evening when humidity is highest
Avoid application at the middle of the day
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Botrytis control
Broad‐spectrum Biofungicide Broad‐spectrum Bioinsecticide
Many new products will cometo market in the next few years
• Good control of soil and water borne diseases• Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium etc.• New high yield manufacturing process
• Control of pests with soil stages• Investigations into sciarid control ongoing
• Extend conventional programmes• Use right up to despatch
Can we expect 100% control with these products?
No, in almost every case.
Biological management
Extension of conventional programmes
Resistance management
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Peter Kettlewell - Biography
Peter Kettlewell has a Bachelors degree from Newcastle University, and a Masters and Doctorate from Cambridge University. He started as Lecturer in Crop Physiology at Harper Adams in 1980 and was promoted to Professor of Crop Physiology in 2010. His research has covered many aspects of crop physiology in relation to crop production, including: foliar fertilisers, wheat grain quality, drought tolerance. He discovered, working with a climate scientist, that the large-scale climate phenomenon, the winter North Atlantic Oscillation, influenced summer crop production in the UK. He has also worked with plant pathologists on the use of inorganic salts for disease control, most recently in parsley and courgette.
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A Basis for Controlling Herb Growth
Peter S. Kettlewell, Anna K.S. Aronsson, Ivan G. Grove, John P.H. Reade, Annis Richardson, Michael W. Snelson and Alice E. Whitehead
Crop and Environment Sciences Department, Harper Adams University,
Newport, Shropshire TF10 8NB, UK
Excessive growth in crops leads to management problems and reduces yield and quality of produce. Synthetic growth retardants can be used to reduce these problems. In some crops, however, it is not common practice to apply growth retardants because either: there are no approved active substances; the retardants available are expensive; or application of synthetic active substances may not be permitted in the retailer produce specifications. There is thus scope for lower-cost growth retardants that are acceptable to retailers. Basic research into the control of leaf growth has shown acid pH in the cell walls is necessary for cell expansion, and in some species, retardation of leaf growth during drought may result from alkaline sap moving from the roots to the leaves, neutralising the normal acidity. Exploiting this knowledge may enable a cheaper growth retardant to be used based on food ingredients or on commodity substances already approved for other uses. Research at Harper Adams has focused on arable crops. Experiments with detached shoots of oilseed rape and barley have shown that both species respond to artificial alkaline xylem sap with reduced leaf expansion. Spray applications of alkaline pH buffers to intact plants of oilseed rape have, however, been variable in effects on leaf expansion. This was thought to possibly be a result of difficulty in penetrating the thick layer of epicuticular wax. Application of either alkaline pH buffers, or of solid calcium carbonate (lime), to field-grown barley has retarded leaf canopy expansion, but only for a short period. Thus the greatest commercial potential for alkalizing growth retardants may be with short duration crops, and possibly with crops that also do not have a thick layer of epicuticular wax. Herbs may present the best opportunity, and recent experiments indicate that coriander is sensitive to reduced growth from alkaline bicarbonate applications. HDC Project PE 005 aims to discover whether this effect is commercially useful on coriander, basil, mint and flat leaf parsley.
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Biography - Rob Lillywhite
Rob Lillywhite is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Warwick’s Crop Centre. He has twenty years’ experience of working on both arable and horticultural crops. His areas of expertise include nitrogen nutrition, growing media and environmental accounting (carbon and water footprinting, life cycle analysis).
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Abstract - Herbs Carbon footprint
All production systems are coming under increased scrutiny regarding their sustainability and herb production is no different in this respect. Carbon footprinting can be used to examine the different stages of production and their associated inputs and to identify ‘hot-spots’ where the environmental or economic burden is particularly high. The presentation will consider how energy, growing media, fertilizers, pots and packaging are used in production and investigate where the economic and environmental burdens lie and whether they are the same.
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LEDs and Herb light responses
Dr Phillip A Davis
BHTA Conference 2013
The Global Food Supply - and Impact from Climate Change
‘The Future of Food & Farming : Challenges & Choices for Global Sustainability’
- Final Report of the Foresight Global Food and Farming Futures Project (January 2011)
‘Achieving food security in the face of climate change’
– Final Report from the Commission on Sustainable
Agriculture and Climate Change (March 2012)
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More Mouths to Feed….
Source : CSIRO
Impact of Rising Food Prices on Civil Unrest & Political Instability in N. Africa & Middle East
M. Lagi, K.Z. Bertrand, Y. Bar‐Yam (2011) The Food Crises and Political Instability in North Africa and the Middle East. arXiv:1108. 2455.
Fertilizer prices
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The Rising Cost of Energy(of particular concern for Protected Crops sector)
BBC Website3 September 2013
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science‐environment‐23931590
Import costs are higher than previously thought
Sustainable Intensification
….a simple and appealing concept:‐
…….“to maximise food production efficiency in terms of external resource inputs and on the
smallest necessary land area”
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AYR cucumber production(STC : 2005-2007)
Year round production requires lighting
LEDs are more efficient than sodium lights
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Wavelength / nm
Photosynthetic spectral response
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Wavelength / nm
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Wavelength / nm
Light and leaf photosynthesis
Diffuse light is used more efficiently
Cavazzoni et al 2002
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Solar SpectrumRed light responsesBlue light responsesUVB light responses
Plants use light for more than photosynthesis
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Why are LEDs better for plant morphology?
Solar HPS Red:Blue:Far red LEDs White LED
Effect of red:blue ratio on plant height
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1
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0 20 40 60 80
Hypocotyl len
gth (cm
)
% Blue (total intensity = 200 µmol m‐2 s‐1)
Amaranth
Basil
Coriander
Watercress
RV Sorrel
Red perilla
Parsley
Effect of far‐red light on plant height
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Light quality has many influences on plant metabolism
Pigment content (antioxidants).
Vitamin content.
Pest and disease resistance.
Potentially increased shelf life.
Potential for flavour manipulation.
http://public.wsu.edu/~lange‐m/Research1_1.htm
Biosynthesis of Menthol in Mint.
http://www.denniskunkel.com/DK/Plants/24071B.html
What are LED lights going to be like in 5‐10 years?
A better question is what should growing systems look like in 5‐10 years and how can LEDs help us
achieve this?
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What do we build in the future?
Glasshouse Poor thermal insulation
Expensive to heat
But free solar radiation
Single layer cropping?
Mechanisation possible but challenging
Option of PV technology limited
No control over incident light
Warehouse Excellent thermal insulation
Cheap to heat
No free solar radiation
Potential for multi-tier cropping
Mechanisation quite easy
Option of PV technology logical
Full control over incident light
How do the economics stack up?
SUMMARY Potential Benefits of LED Driven Multi-Tier Urban Farms
Increased yield & quality/unit area through multi-tier array Opportunity for season extension & import substitution Complete automation is possible Faster, year-round cropping cycles Improved scheduling to suit retailer demand Reduced transport costs to retailer & consumer Local fresher production in urban areas…improved shelf-life Altered crop morphology/architecture e.g. reduction in PGR use in some
crops Colour/pigment change e.g. anthocyanin manipulation Potential for improved flavour & nutritional content Potential reduction in pesticides for P&D control Reduced risk of microbial pathogens e.g. E.coli Possibility of enhancing host resistance mechanisms System immune from climate change…relevant worldwide Future success will depend on economics of system deployed
The Future’s Bright,The Future’s Pink!
...Any Questions?
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Dr Paul Neve - Biography
Dr Paul Neve is currently employed as an Assistant Professor at the University of Warwick in England. He will move to Rothamsted Research in January 2014. His research group uses weed populations, models and model organisms to explore ‘evolution in action’, and to investigate strategies for the proactive management of herbicide resistance. The group is also particularly interested in the fitness impacts of resistance genes and mechanisms, the impacts of dose on resistance evolution and the development of experimental evolutionary approaches in herbicide resistance research.
Paul has authored or co-authored over 30 refereed journal publications. Other current research interests include weed responses to climate change, weed life history variation and evolution and weed seed ecology.
Studying plant science at the University of Liverpool in the UK, Paul went on to complete a PhD at Liverpool in agroecology. On completion of his PhD studies, he moved to the University of Western Australia where he spent six years with the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative. He returned to the UK in 2005. Paul’s current research is funded by the BBSRC, EPSRC, the Leverhulme Trust, DEFRA, HGCA and the agrichemical industry. He has international collaborations in North America, Australia and across Europe. Paul was recently appointed Chair of the European Weed Research Society’s working group on herbicide resistance, and onto the Scientific Committee of the EWRS.
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Weed responses to climate change. Agricultural weeds are opportunistic species that have evolved over thousands of years of human agriculture to fill the ecological niches created by crop cultivation. Implicit within this definition is recognition that weeds are capable of rapidly adapting to changing environments. The starkest example of rapid weed evolution has been the widespread evolution of resistance to herbicides. However, weeds and weed floras have also been shown to evolve in response to changing crop rotations and tillage practices. A number of weed species have been shown to evolve strategies that enable them to mimic the life cycle and morphology of the crops that they infest. Rapid human-induced climate change similarly imposes selection pressure for weed adaptation. In some instances, the species present in an area will be capable of adapting to keep pace with climate change. However, climate change may also facilitate the invasion and spread of new weeds. Finally, changes in cropping practices associated with climate change may drive changes in the weed flora. I will consider the potential impacts of climate change on current major weeds in the UK as well as the potential for climate change to lead to new weed problems.
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Alison Wakeham - Biography
Alison started her career in Plant Sciences at the National Vegetable Research Station, Wellesbourne in 1983. Although initially working in the area of Crop Physiology she realised that her interest was with Plant Pathology. She transferred to assist Dr G. White in studies to identify species of Pythium involved in diseases of ornamentals and carrots. This area of work led to her specialising in the development of immunological systems to monitor plant pathogenic disease propagules. She has since developed diagnostic assay systems to monitor a range of plant pathogens in irrigation systems, plant, soil and air.
Alison’s current position at the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, Worcester is to promote the unit within the commercial sector and to identify and develop areas of commercial research, product testing and business development. In addition, she leads a team investigating the development and use of immunodiagnostic assay systems to study plant pathogen incidence within horticultural cropping systems. Her recent work has focused on developing sampling processes and diagnostic tests to monitor both aerobiological and soil-borne transmissible disease inoculum of fungal species. Information on disease inoculum has been incorporated with mathematical based models to predict disease potential. Alison’s research in this area of work is well recognized by the UK Horticulture Industry and supported currently with National and International research awarded grants. Her work is published in refereed scientific journals and delivers oral presentations both in the UK and Internationally. She recently gave an invited key note talk at the 9th International Congress on Aerobiology but is equally happy translating her research to the wider public
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Alison Wakeham - Abstract
Worldwide and on an annual basis diseases of agriculture and horticulture cropping systems impact significantly on crop yield and quality. These losses can be quantitative and / or qualitative. Quantitative losses result from reduced productivity, leading to a smaller yield per unit area. Qualitative losses may result from the reduction of an essential substance, a change in taste, cosmetic appearance or contamination of the harvested product. It has been estimated that an average of 20 – 30% of crop yield is lost annually from the field, even in crops where pesticides and cultivars with improved genetic resistance to pests and diseases are used. A major problem for producers is that diseases are moving targets that evolve in response to agricultural practices and environmental change.
Most horticultural crops in the UK are produced using a variety of pesticides. In relation to the Arable market, the horticultural sector provides a limited market and accounts for only 3.7% of non-grassed cropped land. Nevertheless with more than 300 crops and, with a combined home-produced value of around £2.23 billion (farm gate value) it provides significant economic value to the UK economy. However there is a reduction in broad spectrum fungicides available to the Horticulture Industry. Despite the development of the ‘off-label’ system for minor uses the number of pesticides that are currently approved for use on horticultural crops is under ever increasing pressure. To utilise these efficiently and with optimal disease control performance there is a move away from routine pesticide application to targeted crop treatments (pesticides and biological) based on regular monitoring.
Economic losses resulting from disease can be reduced by the accurate and early detection of plant pathogens. Early detection can provide the grower with useful information on optimal crop rotation patterns, varietal selections, appropriate control measures, harvest date and post-harvest handling. Pathogen detection prior to infection can reduce disease epidemics. Classical methods for the isolation of pathogens are however commonly used only after disease symptoms. These processes are often time consuming, with a reliance of the organism to be cultured and availability of expert taxonomic training for accurate identification. This frequently results in a delay in application of control measures and, often at potentially important periods in crop production. As a result blanket pesticide application has been common.
The timely detection and identification of economically important diseases in a commercial cropping environment will provide the initial key to drive a successful and informed control strategy. It is however only part of the solution and the success of which will depend on how the information is evaluated and then incorporated within an integrated disease management system (IDMS). Once a disease is identified information about the presence of sufficient pathogen concentration coupled to the associated environmental parameters is required to determine accurate disease thresholds at which damage may occur. This information needs to be translated in a
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timely and accessible way to growers for targeted and cost effective control measures to be taken to enable disease containment or eradication.
Early detection allied to key environmental parameters to control disease at the onset can lead to an increase in production, an improvement of resource efficiency and make a substantial contribution to food security. This presentation describes the application of technologies to monitor diseases of horticultural pathogens and the utilisation of this information within environmental disease risk models.
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Rosemary Collier
Rosemary is Director of Warwick Crop Centre, which is part of the School of Life Sciences at
the University of Warwick, and she is based at the Wellesbourne Campus. Rosemary trained
as an entomologist and has worked on the pest insects of horticultural crops for many years.
She enjoys using science to address practical problems and her main research interest is in
the development and application of Integrated Pest Management strategies for vegetable
and bulb crops. Apart from undertaking research, Rosemary currently leads the taught
Masters courses at Warwick on Sustainable Crop Production and Food Security. Rosemary
is a member of Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, the Royal Horticultural
Society Science Committee, the UK Insecticide Resistance Action Group and the
International Organisation for Biological Control-West Palaearctic Regional Section Council.
Rosemary is also interested in the wider aspects of food production and consumption. She
is an Academic Lead for the Warwick Global Research Priority (GRP) on Food and in recent
years has collaborated with colleagues from a range of disciplines (sociology, geography,
statistics, engineering, theatre studies) on projects associated with food and food security.
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Future pests and herb interactions
Rosemary Collier
WarwickCropCentre,SchoolofLifeSciences
©RHS
Challenges……….
– Climate disruption
– Globalisation
– ‘New’ pests
– ‘Loss’ of pesticides
– Insecticide resistance
– Residues
– Sustainable Use Directive
Climate disruption
• Warmer on average
• Rainfall patterns likely to change
• Greater number of ‘extreme’ events
• Insect life-cycles heavily dependent on weather
– survival
– rate of development/reproduction
Sir Mark WalportChief Scientist
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Climate disruption
• Warmer weather
– more generations – many pest species
– earlier start of activity - most pest species
• Impact on abundance will depend on species x temperature x rainfall interaction – and impact of weather on host plants and natural enemies
• Summer 2012 ‘devastating’ for many pests outdoors –summer 2013 allowed some to ‘recover’
Globalisation
• International transport and trade
• Increased risk of importing ‘new’ pests
• Some pests come under ‘own steam’ – migrate across channel e.g. silver Y moth
• Climate change may allow ‘new’ pests to establish
Wikipedia
Migrant Lepidoptera
• Increased migration of moths and butterflies to UK
• 1°C rise in temperature in south west Europe »14 new species (Sparks et al, 2007 )
• Most from due south and fly over many km of sea
• Wind direction, especially high altitude wind, is important
• Wind likely to have strong influence on pests - on arrival of immigrants (and timing of arrival) and eventual spread
35
Three stages of invasion
• Arrival – transportation to new areas
• Establishment – formation of self-sustaining population in new area
• Spread – expansion to suitable habitats and interaction with surrounding ecosystem
H. Vanhanen – Academic dissertation
New pests!
• Who spots the new pests?
– Growers
– Plant Health team
– Gardeners – RHS
– Information from continent?
New pests!Rosemary beetle (Chrysolina americana)
• Pest on rosemary and lavender and breeds on thyme and sage. Other plants may act as hosts.
• First found outdoors at Wisley in 1994.
By 1998 established colonies in south-east.
• By end of 2005 widespread throughout London and surrounding areas.
• Now widespread in England and has been found in parts of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.
©RHS
36
©RHS
Rosemary beetle
©RHS
New pests!
• Blue mint beetle, Chrysolina coerulans
• Detected breeding in the UK for first time in 2011 in garden in Kent
• In 2012, breeding in several locations near Ely, Cambridgeshire
• Widespread on mainland Europe and may now spread and become problem in UK
©RHS
‘Establishment’ of pests of protected and outdoor crops
• Means of ‘new’ pests getting into UK similar
• Protected crops can be first site of ‘establishment’ – benign environment
– e.g. Tuta absoluta on tomato
©Russell IPM
37
‘Establishment’ of pests of protected and outdoor crops
• Protected crops may also be ‘source’ of insecticide resistance
– e.g. threat of new forms of resistance in Myzus persicae
• Options for control may differ – biological control is a lot ‘easier’ to implement in protected crops
‘Loss’ of pesticides
• Of concern – especially for ‘minor’ crops
– control, resistance management…
• However, there have been several ‘new’ insecticides with different modes of action in the last few years. Situation much better than for fungicides and herbicides!
• Need to ‘protect’ current armoury by:
– Trying to prevent infestations developing
– Using insecticides only when necessary
– Using appropriate insecticide
– Targeting treatments
– Rotating modes of action
– Using other control methods as part of IPM programme
Insecticide resistance
• Due to high selection pressure from one or more insecticide groups
• Increasing number of ‘incidences’ (aphids, thrips, whitefly, pollen beetle, leaf miner?)
• In UK mainly due to pyrethroids at present (Myzus persicae –wider range of resistance)
• Need to ‘manage’ resistance
38
Biocontrol
• Use of predators/parasitoids for protected crops increasing all the time.
– Companies very active
– Not so well developed for outdoor crops
• Increasing ‘interest’ in biopesticides
– Insect pathogens
– Others e.g. plant extracts/pheromones
• Being taken seriously by large agrochemical companies –acquisitions
SCEPTRE project
• LINK project – large consortium including HDC
• Identifying novel products to control pests, diseases and weeds on edible crops
• Conventional pesticides and biopesticides
• May be some useful ‘spin-offs’ for herbs
The future……….
• Challenges
– Climate disruption
– Globalisation
– ‘Availability’ of pesticides
– Insecticide resistance
• Opportunities
– New crops
– New markets
– New control methods
39
Thank you for listening and to the RHS for permission to show their images
©RHS
Any questions?
40
Notes
41
Delegate List - UK Herbs and the changing climate
Surname First Name Company
Bayard Marie-Laure Elsoms
Boers Martin Westland Nurseries Ltd
Budge Simon VHB Herbs
Bulloch Hugh Herbfresh LLP
Burnstone Joshua Fargro
Carr Simon Sandhutton Growers t/a Herbs Unlimited Choto Grace HDC
Collier Rosemary WCC
Coopland George Elsoms
Cottingham Joe Watts Farms Group
Davies Tom Malvern Herbs
Dodd Philip Sandhutton Growers t/a Herbs Unlimited Gibbs Robert Scotherbs
Goodrich Thane Intercrop Ltd
Graham Laura R & G Fresh Herbs
Gregory Ben Bell Brothers Nurseries
Hall-Jones Julia BGA Ltd
Herbert Robert Red Deer Farm
Hilton Becky Dow Agrosciences
Howlett Joe Folly Farm Herbs
Kayes Tanya Elsoms
Kettlewell Peter HAU
Lambourne Cathryn HDC
Lillywhite Rob WCC
McEwan Gavin Hort Week
McPherson Martin STC
Meakin Robert VCA
Mudge Tim BGA Ltd
Neve Paul WCC
Nickells Steve Valefresco
Powell Jonathan Intercrop Ltd
Roberts Mike LEC
Roberts Alec Tozer Seeds
Roberts Steve Plant Health Solutions Ltd
Seddon Charles C N Seeds
Stafford Angela ADAS UK Ltd
Stangroom Nigel Stangroom Bros
Taylor Peter Westland Nurseries Ltd
Taylor Gareth Red Deer Farm
Wakeham Alison University of Worcester
Wallwork Chris Agrii
Whiteside Chloe ADAS UK Ltd
Williams Edward Agrovista UK Ltd
Willis Jim Binsted Nursery
Zdunek Tom Watts Farms Group
42
Over recent years HDC has produced a wide range of factsheets and publications which you can order by putting
a tick next to the publication(s) you require and returning this form to the address below.
09/13 Tomato leaf mould
36/12 Southern Green Shieldbug
34/12 Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) - Code of practice for growers
27/12 An introduction to hyperparasitism
23/11 Grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) of tomato
18/11 Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus
08/11 Downy mildew of basil
23/10 Tomato spotted wilt virus in protected edible crops
21/10 Russet Mite
14/10 A robust IPM programme for organic tomatoes
06/10 Grower System for rearing the predatory beetle Atheta coriaria
03/10 Tomato Leafminers
02/10 Boosting Biocontrols Within IPM Programmes
01/10 Bacterial Wilt and Canker of Tomato (Clavibacter michiganensis subsp michiganensis)
10/09 Energy management in protected cropping: Management of CO2 enrichment
09/09 Energy management in protected cropping: Horticultural lighting
08/09 Energy management in protected cropping: The use of screens
07/09 Energy management in protected cropping: Humidity control
06/09 Energy management in protected cropping: Manipulation of glasshouse temperature
05/09 Energy management in protected cropping: Good Housekeeping
03/09 Biobeds for treatment of pesticide waste and washings
04/08 Energy saving in tomato production
09/06 Potato spindle tuber viroid in tomato and new viroid reports
29/05 Getting the best out of CO2 enrichment for cucumbers
23/05 Disease control in protected lettuce
12/05 Dithiocarbamate contamination of salad produce and the use of rubber gloves
Publication Order Form
Protected Crops (Edibles)
Factsheets
43
07/05 Securing your water supply for the future
20/03 Pepino mosaic virus of tomato – new results on virus persistence and disinfection
15/01 Act now to control Verticillium wilt of tomatoes
11/01 New results on pepino mosaic of tomato
05/01 Glasshouse whitefly and leafhoppers in protected herbs: options for control within IPM programmes
25/00 Mealybugs on protected tomato crops
20/00 Tomatoes: effective use of pipe-rail boom sprayers
12/00 Pepino mosaic, a new disease of tomatoes
08/00 Early seasons control of tomato leaf miner
Protected Edibles Crop Walkers’ Guide
Lean manufacturing – Achieving efficient use of labour in protected edible crops
Micro-Turbine CHP Units – Their application in protected horticulture
Aphids commonly found in protected lettuce
Herb Pest and Disease Cards
Creating champion employees – Out of Stock
Keeping it clean – assessing the risk of microbial contamination - Out of Stock
Health & safety in horticulture - an awareness DVD in ten languages (plus English)
‘Seize the opportunity’ A DVD-based programme aimed at increasing the awareness of the public procurement
sector as a customer for UK growers
Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus in Pepper
CO2 Optimiser (includes guide) - programme for CO2 enrichment for greenhouse tomatoes (applicable to natural gas boilers or Combined Heat and Power (CHP) units)
HDC Irrigation Calculator and factsheet - A graphical tool to improve irrigation water distribution
Crop Walkers’ Guides
Guides
DVD’s
Posters
Identification Cards
Computer Programmes
Please fill in the form and return it to: Louise Arculus, HDC, AHDB, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2TL, or
email to: [email protected].
Name…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Address………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Email…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Tel No …………………………………………………………………………………………………HDC Levy payer/Associate No………………………………
Your Order
Over recent years HDC has produced a wide range of factsheets and publications which you can order by putting
a tick next to the publication(s) you require and returning this form to the address below.
21/13 Onion Variety Trials 2012/2013
14/13 Asparagus Nutrient Management
08/13 Nitrogen recommendations for optimising yield and minimising nitrate levels in baby leaf salad crops
07/13 Cucurbit fruit rots
06/13 Carrot cavity spot – An HDC research update
03/13 Bean seed fly
02/13 Asparagus viruses
38/12 Parsnip Variety Trials 2012
37/12 Brassica Variety Trials 2012
35/12 Minor pests of Brassicas
32/12 Nitrogen requirements for leeks
31/12 Onion variety trials 2011/2012
24/12 Management of Stemphylium purple spot on UK asparagus crops
23/12 White blister on vegetable Brassicas (Part of the 12 pack Brassica Diseases factsheets)
22/12 Spear rot on calabrese (Part of the 12 pack Brassica Diseases factsheets)
21/12 Sclerotinia on vegetable Brassicas (Part of the 12 pack Brassica Diseases factsheets)
20/12 Ringspot on vegetable Brassicas (Part of the 12 pack Brassica Diseases factsheets)
19/12 Rhizoctonia diseases on vegetable Brassicas (Part of the 12 pack Brassica Diseases factsheets)
18/12 Powdery mildew on vegetable Brassicas (Part of the 12 pack Brassica Diseases factsheets)
17/12 Phoma on vegetable Brassicas (Part of the 12 pack Brassica Diseases factsheets)
16/12 Light leaf spot on vegetable Brassicas (Part of the 12 pack Brassica Diseases factsheets)
15/12 Dark leaf spot on vegetable Brassicas (Part of the 12 pack Brassica Diseases factsheets)
14/12 Downy mildew on vegetable Brassicas (Part of the 12 pack Brassica Diseases factsheets)
13/12 Clubroot on vegetable Brassicas (Part of the 12 pack Brassica Diseases factsheets)
12/12 Black rot on vegetable Brassicas (Part of the 12 pack Brassica Diseases factsheets)
09/12 Soil Nitrogen Supply for Field vegetables
05/12 Broad bean variety trials 2010/2011
04/12 Silver Y moth in vining peas & green beans
Publication Order Form
Field Vegetables
Factsheets
03/12 Pea aphid control
02/12 Irrigation in vining peas
25/11 Control of bruchid beetle on broad beans
21/11 Virus diseases of carrots
19/11 Control of Sclerotinia disease on carrots
14/11 Leek Rust
10/11 Leafminers of cruciferous salad crops
09/11 Control of thrips in Allium and Brassica crops
08/11 Downy mildew of basil
26/10 Green manures – implications of economic and environmental benefits on rotational management
25/10 Green manures – species selection
24/10 Green manures – effects on soil nutrient management and soil physical and biological properties
22/10 Control of flea beetles and other key insect pests of leafy salad Brassica crops
16/10 Coriander bacterial blight
15/10 Septoria blight of parsley
13/10 Monitoring microbial food safety of fresh produce
11/10 Turnip sawfly: biology and control
03/09 Biobeds for treatment of pesticide waste and washings
02/09 Slug control in field vegetables
19/08 Iris Yellow Spot Virus: A potential threat to the onion industry
18/08 New diseases on UK carrot crops
18/07 Management of Stemphylium purple spot on UK asparagus crops
17/07 Control of volunteer potatoes in vegetable crops
08/06 Spinach leaf spots and their management
28/05 Swede midge control in brassica crops
22/05 Interpretation of allium leaf nutrient analysis
21/05Interpretation of brassica leaf nutrient analysis results
07/05 Securing your water supply for the future
21/04 Control of bean seed fly in Allium crops
11/04 Internal disorders of stored white cabbage
09/04 Management of celery leaf spot
08/04 Interpretation of carrot and parsnip leaf nutrient analysis results
07/04 Managing rabbit problems associated with horticulture
06/04 Management of Phytophthora rot on UK asparagus crops
08/03 Phloeospora leaf spot of parsnips
03/03 Cavity spot of carrot
Field Vegetable Review Magazine 2012
Field Vegetable Review Magazine 2013
Sector Review Magazines
Asparagus Crop Walkers’ Guide
Outdoor Salads: Lettuce & Celery Crop Walkers’ Guide
Weed Identification Guide
Herbs Crop Walkers’ Guide
Carrot & Parsnip Crop Walkers’ Guide
Brassica Crop Walkers’ Guide
Pea & Bean Crop Walkers’ Guide
Alliums Crop Walkers’ Guide
Outdoor Cucurbits Crop Walkers’ Guide
Creating champion employees – Out of Stock
Keeping it clean – assessing the risk of microbial contamination - Out of Stock
Health & safety in horticulture - an awareness DVD in ten languages (plus English)
‘Seize the opportunity’ A DVD-based programme aimed at increasing the awareness of the public procurement
sector as a customer for UK growers
Nutrient deficiencies of Brassicas
Common Pests & Diseases of Brassicas
Outdoor Cucurbits: Nutrient deficiencies and physiological disorders
Common diseases and pests of Alliums poster
Post harvest disorders of peas
Post harvest disorders of beans
Please fill in the form and return it to: Louise Arculus, HDC, AHDB, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2TL, or
email to: [email protected].
Name…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Address………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Email…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Tel No …………………………………………………………………………………………………HDC Levy payer/Associate No………………………………
Crop Walkers’ Guides
DVD’s
Posters
Your Order
HDC is a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)
