Deeside based Russell IPM set to benefit from share of £5 million UK Government funding.
Biological controls specialist Russell IPM and Keele University and have been awarded Knowledge Transfer Partnership funding to design improved traps for the control of thrips and whiteflies which have a massive impact on global food production.
Whiteflies (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) – Wikipedia®
Western flower thrips cause extensive financial losses to soft fruit growers, while
whitefly attack vegetables grown in greenhouses and open field crops.
There are around 57 whitefly species that are damaging to crops through feeding and the carrying of disease-causing viruses.
Economic losses caused by these two insects alone run into hundreds of millions of pounds each year.
The development of traps as a form of control will reduce the need for insecticides and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Keele scientists – led by Dr William Kirk and Professor Gordon Hamilton in the School of Life Sciences – will work with Russell IPM Ltd to transfer knowledge and skills to the company to improve traps for the control of thrips and whiteflies in greenhouse crops during the two year partnership.
Universities, Science and Cities Minister Greg Clark said:
“Investing in agricultural technology today will bring commercial rewards tomorrow, taking the critical steps from lab to marketplace. It’s all part of the UK Government’s long term economic plan to create more jobs and promote growth through industrial strategy.”
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