The research will be done by a multidisciplinary team of researchers from AgResearch, Lincoln University and Plant and Food Research working together in the Bio-Protection Research Centre at Lincoln.
The six-year project has received $1.8 million a year in the latest Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment science funding round.
Biopesticides, sometimes referred to as microbial pest control agents, are bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and nematodes and/or bioactive compounds produced directly from these microbes, which are used to suppress populations of pests, including insects and plant diseases. The project is being led for AgResearch by Lincoln-based soil microbiologist Maureen O’Callaghan.
“We will develop next generation biopesticides for the most production-limiting pests and diseases as identified by pastoral, horticultural and arable sector representatives and our industry partners,” she says.
“Use of these novel biopesticides in mainstream agriculture will result in more high-quality and chemical residue-free whole-foods and ingredient exports, with high international market access acceptability.”
