Pest management at Stockbridge has traditionally focused on both outdoor and glasshouse crops.
An area where research efforts are increasingly being directed is in the development and implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) across a range of crops. This allows the continued reduction in the use of conventional pesticides and a drive towards sustainable methods of production.
Areas of work cover a range of crops and pest species. STC staff are highly trained in undertaking field and glasshouse trials, the identification of parasitoids and insect predators of pest species and have extensive experience in the maintenance of pest cultures for experimental work.
Areas of work are split into field and protected crops.
Field crops • Evaluating new insecticides for their efficacy and crop safety. • Developing pest control strategies that minimise pesticide use, whilst maintaining effective control (e.g. Damage thresholds and trapping techniques). • Evaluating cultivars for their susceptibility to selected pests
Current projects include: • Evaluating foliar applied insecticides for lettuce aphid, cabbage aphid, cabbage caterpillars, onion thrip and cutworm control. • Evaluating novel insecticides for potential use as seed treatments. • Evaluating novel mulching techniques for weed suppression and pest control
Protected crops • Development and evaluation of biological control options as a component of integrated pest management systems. • Evaluating the effects of novel growing systems on insect pest and predator dynamics. • Identification of new biological agents for the control of glasshouse crop pests. • Close liaison with the industry to develop methodologies that help minimise pesticide use and promote sustainable solutions.
Current research activities include: • Biology and control of spidermites on tomato crops. • Control of mealybugs. • Evaluation of alternative technologies (e.g. for approved use in organic systems) that possess pesticidal properties. • Efficacy testing for home and garden pesticide products. • Development of IPM solutions for pesticide free lettuce production. • Monitoring and modelling pest behaviour to support biological control applications.
Diglyphus larvae on leafminer
Leafminer adult
Yellow sticky traps for monitoring Orius (used to control thrips) in a Tomato crop.
For more information contact: Stockbridge Technology Centre Ltd Cawood, Selby, North YorkshireYO8 3TZ Tel: +44(0)1757 268275 Fax: +44(0)1757 268996 Email:enquiries@stc-nyorks.co.uk
