Restructuring of the IR-4 Biopesticide Grant Program

Transcription

1 Restructuring of the IR-4 Biopesticide Grant Program Michael Braverman and Bill Barney IR-4 HQ, Rutgers University

2 PROPOSAL BASED PROGRAM since 1995 Advantages of Proposal based Program- 1.Great creativity in products and scope. 2.Some researchers have specific skills in areas of research design

3 PROPOSAL BASED PROGRAM since 1995 Disadvantages of Proposal based Program- 1.Getting more difficult to encourage good researchers to apply for small grants and no increase in funding over the last 10 years. 2.Delays in funding has caused cash flow problems for researchers 3. Top priority areas not always addressed. 4. Doesn t necessarily provide adequate information nationwide. 5. Not all proposals had an integrated approach. BP vs conventional. 6. Long period between proposal receipt and approval.

4 Directed Program Advantages to a Directed Program Aligns the biopesticide grant process with the process used in the food and ornamental programs. Allows the program to be more responsive to grower needs. CONCLUSION: SHIFT FROM A PROPOSAL TO DIRECTED PROGRAM

5 Restructuring the Grant Program Proposal based program- Directed based program based around known or prioritized needs. 1. Process for ranking pest management needs- Biopesticide Workshop. 2. Process for selecting treatments- BP Manager, discipline coordinators, BP researchers and industry. 3. Process for placing trials- Regional Coordinators.

6 Restructuring the Grant Program Biopesticide Workshop 2014 Food Use Workshop 2/3rds day 1. Background and Presentations a. Biopesticide company(large and small) product presentations. b. Researcher result presentations- successful programs. c. EPA? Others? 2. Identification of research focus areas. a. Integration of biopesticides into conventional programs. Resistance issues, export residue concerns, need for short PHI products, pollinator safety, etc. b. Specific high priority pest areas- Problems without solutions. c. Organic pest management. 3. Ranking of research priority areas

7 Biopesticide-Directed Program 1. Survey of needs(crop(or site)/pest) and potential solutions (In addition to listing in the last call for proposals). 2. Nomination of priorities through regional meetings and online voting. 3. Discuss needs based on priorities and determine which priorities have potential biopesticide products to evaluate at the Biopesticide Workshop. (Successful project versus priority?)

8 Biopesticide-Directed Program 4. Prefer to maintain one priority for organic production. 5. In addition to prioritized research, allow for one priority upgrade or project nomination per IR-4 region(funding and number of projects?). 6. Discuss potential projects with Regional Coordinators during the National Planning Meeting. 7. Determine in January of next year.

9 Workshop Planning Develop external steering committee- Commodity groups, Research and Registrant community representatives.(underway) Committee Functions Develop structure pest management needs survey. (Spring 2014 probable launch late Spring) Develop a timeline for the survey and nomination process. (Spring 2014) Help propose and recruit speakers for the Biopesticide Workshop. (Late Spring early Summer 2014) Develop a workshop evaluation for future planning. (Summer 2014)

10 Biopesticide-Directed Program 1. Survey of needs(crop(or site)/pest) and potential solutions (In addition to listing in the last call for proposals). 2. Ranking of priorities through regional meetings and online voting. 3. Discuss needs based on priorities and determine which priorities have potential biopesticide products to evaluate at the Biopesticide Workshop.

11 2014 Priorities Listed in Biopesticide Grant NEW Green mold (Trichoderma) in mushroom houses. NEW Weed and insect management, cactus species, Opuntia and Hylocereus. NEW Weed management, liverworts, bittercress, oxalis in greenhouses and nurseries. NEW Algae (Noctoc spp.) in greenhouse and nurseries. NEW Products for aflatoxin caused by Aspergillus flavus in nut and dried fruit crops.

12 2014 Priorities Listed in Biopesticide Grant Public Health Pests such as mosquitoes, ticks, bed bugs, etc. Control of laurel wilt on avocado Fungicides for the disease and insecticides against the vector (Asian ambrosia beetle) RNAi based pest management technologies Septoria leaf spot on parsley

13 2014 Priorities Listed in Biopesticide Grant Greenhouse grown vegetables - Biopesticides with zero day PHI All thrips ( especially chilli thrips) management with bioinsecticides and Whitefly (Q-biotype and others) management. Phytophthora capcisi and Phytophthora infestans (late blight) control with biofungicides Citrus canker, greening and Septoria citri, Asian psyllid.

14 2014 Priorities Listed in Biopesticide Grant Southern blight- Sclerotium rolfsii on tomato and pepper and timber rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) on tomato Brown Marmorated Stink bug, Plant bugs- Lygus, bagrada bug, other Stink bug, etc. with bioinsecticides Flea beetles on eggplant Wireworms in potato and soil dwelling pests of root crops Spotted wing Drosophila Fly management in mushroom houses.

15 2014 Priorities Listed in Biopesticide Grant Potato tuber moth management Integrated biopesticide systems for replacement of Azinphosmethyl. Weed management in organically grown crops. Management of varroa mite, colony collapse disorder and tracheal mite in honeybees. Postharvest pest management to solve export residue concerns. Black Rot in Eastern grapes that are grown organically.

16 2014 Priorities Listed in Biopesticide Grant Ascochyta complex fungal diseases, Sclerotinia or white mold in peas, lentils, and chickpeas. Downy mildew control on cucurbits, basil and other crops with biofungicides Thousand Cankers Disease, Emerald Ash Borer, Impatiens Downy Mildew, Boxwood Blight and Armored Scale in ornamentals Biopesticides to deter birds from consuming blueberries, cherries and other food crops. Developing short PHI products for the control of Multi-colored Asian Lady Beetles (MALB), especially in vineyards

17 Capitalizing on our Knowledge Base Maintaining some of the advantages of proposal based program- 1.Great creativity in products and scope. Goal is to capture this in the needs survey process and in future priority setting processes. 2.Some researchers have specific skills in areas of research design. Goal is to utilize our experience with specific researchers that have those researchers involved in the product selection and experimental design process as well as place trials with those researchers. We need to keep stakeholders input through these researchers that have routinely been involved in the proposal based program.

18 How can Regional Coordinators Help? Provide feedback concerning the timeline, needs survey, workshop program, potential speakers for consideration by the Steering Committee. Encourage growers, previous grant applicants, SLR and others to submit requests, nominate or suggest products. Encourage growers, previous grant applicants, SLR and others to participate in the Biopesticide Workshop. Start thinking about which researchers could potentially conduct research(previous grant recipients. Specialized-Pheromone, biotechnology, certain crops) Other ideas??

19 Mark Your Calendar BIOPESTICIDE WORKSHOP September 10, 2014 JW Marriott Buckhead, Atlanta Georgia