AMBER

AMBER is a five-year project to help improve the application and management of bioprotectants for efficacy and reliability.

What is a bioprotectant?

Bioprotectants are an alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides, which are gradually being withdrawn from use. Formerly known as biopesticides, bioprotectants are a useful part of integrated pest management strategies as they don’t harm the environment, are safer for spray operators and don’t build up pesticide resistance.

A bioprotectant is any biologically-based crop protection agent based on living micro-organisms, botanicals or semiochemicals.

Bioprotectants can be more complicated to use than traditional chemistry, as there are a range of factors, such as the humidity, temperature or pest population numbers, that can impact the level of pest or disease control you can achieve.

Biocontrol agents consist of predators and nematodes.

What is the AMBER project?

The AMBER project is looking at four main areas:

1. How to making spray applications more efficient
2. Integrating bioprotectants with environmental monitors and data
3. Understanding the compatibility of bioprotectants with conventional pesticides and natural enemies
4. Looking at pest population models to know when to time your applications