Objective
Among the most acute challenges that many producers of fruit and vegetable crops currently face are a subset of arthropod pest species - namely aphids, whiteflies, thrips and mites - that are extremely difficult to control (the “super pests”). These issues have been caused, in part, by the over reliance on synthetic insecticides and novel methods of control are urgently required. The SuperPests project aims to meet this need by developing and evaluating a suite of innovative products, tools and concepts, and integrating these with existing approaches in data driven Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. These control strategies will ensure the effective and sustainable control of the “super pests”, with substantially reduced use of pesticides. To achieve this SuperPests will develop multiplex and automated sample-to-answer diagnostics (biotypes, infection status and insecticide resistance profile), evaluate biopesticides (green chemistry – plant extracts & metabolites, synergists, RNAi and bio-stimulants), study host plant resistance to pests and compatibility with biological control, select natural enemies better suited to certain crops and IPM, and develop predictive mathematical models, iteratively validated against experimental data, to determine optional combinations for IPM. Successful completion of the deliverables of SuperPests will create opportunities for the commercial exploitation of the new tools and products. The previous experience of the consortium members with a whole range of multi-actor and multidisciplinary approaches and cutting-edge translational technologies, the extensive synergies with parallel large international programs, and the inclusion of appropriate companies places the SuperPests team in a strong position to generate knowledge and create smart tools and practices which ensure pest control while protecting the environment and human health.
Fields of science
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagricultureagronomyplant protection
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturefruit growing
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturevegetable growing
- natural sciencesbiological scienceszoologyinvertebrate zoology
- natural sciencesmathematicsapplied mathematicsmathematical model
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation action
Coordinator
11855 Athina
Greece
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Participants (13)
40121 Bologna
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9000 Gent
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EX4 4QJ Exeter
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79098 Freiburg
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75007 Paris Cedex 07
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
75116 Paris 16
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1840 Londerzeel
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
11145 Athina
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1012WX Amsterdam
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28006 Madrid
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30202 Cartagena
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2260 Westerlo
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N6A 3K7 Ontario -London
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