Global food supply chains face significant pressures from complex challenges, such as a growing population, an unpredictable climate and political uncertainty, all of which are threatening the resilience and sustainability of UK food supply.
Within this blog we explore the progress of two research projects established as part of Fera’s collaborative R&D model, Enigma, which show how technology is being used to develop solutions to some of the UK supply chain’s most significant threats.
Enigma I - The Issue of Wireworm Control
Wireworm continues to challenge supply chains across the fresh produce and arable sectors.
The extent of damage caused by wireworm has risen significantly over the last few years, with the pest now affecting crops on land never used for grass before. The pattern of damage has also shifted, occurring earlier in the season – making it impossible for farmers to mitigate the issue by lifting root crops early.
To consider the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the reduction and prevention of wireworm damage, it is essential for the industry to understand what is driving changing patterns by monitoring pest populations.
However, there is currently no sampling or identification methods reliable enough to support predictions around where and when wireworm damage will occur in crops. There is also little understanding of the impact climate change and varying crop rotations have on population levels of different species.
To address this industry challenge, our Enigma I research is exploring varying patterns in wireworm damage to potatoes by using molecular technology to identify population levels and determine which species are causing the most significant crop damage.
Using these vital insights, on-farm pest management strategies can then be tailored to target the species and damage patterns identified.
Enhanced Wireworm Identification Progress
Since its launch, our Enigma I research has successfully produced sixteen DNA sequences, and a photographic key, to help identify wireworm species causing damage on-farm.
Addressing key gaps in existing reference databases, Fera scientists generated sequences using morphologically identified adult beetles collected from field or reared from larvae, or, depending on the condition, have used specimens from insect collections.
With this information, the scientists have produced a visual key for the main species of concern in the UK.
This was presented to our Enigma I project partners – many of whom have experienced wireworm issues themselves on-farm – in a workshop. Partners were upskilled in identification of wireworm, including how to differentiate these from similar insects and how to identify different wireworm species.
The next stage of the Enigma I project will use the identification insights to build bespoke risk assessments for each grower, aimed at reducing the risk of crop wastage and ensuring a more sustainable supply of potatoes, root crops and salad vegetables.
Enigma V – How Technology is Supporting Sustainable Oilseed Rape Supply
The industry is therefore concerned for UK self-sufficiency of the commodity. Figures from United Oilseeds’ ‘OSR Reboot’ campaign suggesting national food security for OSR has dropped from 40% to 20% since 2016/17, as farmers lose confidence in crop profitability and imports increase to meet domestic demand.
OSR is a hugely important crop to the UK – providing consumers with not only cooking oil, but also a key ingredient for many other household food items such as mayonnaise, crisps, cereal bars, spreadable butter and biscuits.
The need for a sustainable oilseed rape supply chain is therefore crucial and innovation in the supply chain is needed to tackle its biggest pest and meet market demand.
How is Chemical Technology Being Used for Research Against CSFB in OSR?
Since the ban of neonicotinoids, producers have relied heavily on pyrethroid insecticides leading to a developed resistance in CSFB populations, caused by heightened activity of detoxifying enzymes.
This has reduced the overall effectiveness of insecticides and the profitability of growing OSR.
However, research has shown botanical biopesticides, derived from natural plant oils, can inhibit these enzymes and restore insecticide efficacy.
As the sector seeks alternative methods of managing the pest, scientists at Fera, in collaboration with industry partners, are trialling combined use of pyrethroids with botanical oils to reduce the amount of pesticide needed to control CFSB and counteract resistance.
Initial Research
Using chemical technology, Enigma V research has demonstrated that botanical compounds can help to restore the efficacy of conventional insecticides in a laboratory environment by suppressing the activity of detoxifying enzymes.
Initially, adult CSFB populations were collected from fields and tested in a laboratory, with field-rates doses (FRD) of pyrethroids.
The application of FRD proved largely ineffective in inducing mortality, demonstrating a high resistance to the insecticide.
The pyrethroids were then combined with botanical oils using chemical technology, to create a botanical biopesticide, and applied again in the same environment, which saw the mortality rate increase by 2.4 to 3.8 times.
Fera is now moving this research to glasshouse trials, to test the efficacy of these laboratory results in a controlled, more natural growing environment.
Based on the results from glasshouse trials, the most successful biopesticide and pyrethroid chemical combinations will be selected for field testing.
_______________________________________________________________________________________Enigma explores innovative supply chain solutions to the most prominent issues affecting food production, including looking at how technology can be used to develop a more sustainable food supply chain.
Learn more about Enigma, our strategic R&D model, the benefits to project partners, and how to get involved here.