Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

DEFRA wishes to commission a research project to further develop non-chemical control strategies for Western Flower Thrips on protected crops.
Likely approaches, which could be used alone or in combination, include:
1. Developing novel biological control strategies to (preferably) replace, or work in conjunction with, agrochemicals
2. Developing chemical and non-chemical traps for use in the glasshouse (including trap plants)
3. Manipulating cultural practices and the glasshouse environment to reduce pest incidence.

The biological control agents that will be considered include arthropods, nematodes, fungal pathogens, bacterial pathogens and viruses. However, given current consumer concerns about the release of genetically modified (GM) organisms, research to develop GM biological control agents is most unlikely to be funded.

Full details here
Contact: Dr Emma Hennessey
Address: DEFRA
Cromwell House
Dean Stanley Street
London SW1P 3JH
Email: emma.hennessey@defra.gsi.gov.uk