The
International Pesticide Application Research Consortium (IPARC)
Department
of Biology, Imperial College, Silwood
Park
Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, UK
|
Activities
| Projects
| Associates |
|
The Consortium
Formerly known as the International
Pesticide Application Research Centre, IPARC has focused on application
methods for smallholder farmers. We
emphasise practical and cost-effective techniques to manage pests,
while reducing the use of chemical pesticides and promoting the efficacy
of natural processes and alternative biological agents. Based in Berkshire,
England, IPARC has been an integral part of pesticide
research at Silwood Park for more than 60 years. It has specialised
in the needs of small-holder farmers, application techniques for migrant
pest and vector control.
IPARC is a World
Health Organisation (WHO) collaborating
centre, and its activities have been endorsed by the Pesticide
Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES). IPARC has been awarded the BEST PESTICIDE RESEARCH & EDUCATION AGENCY - Europe 2017 by the Industry Insight Monthly journal
 |
|
 |
Droplet
size analysis of a rotary sprayer
for Controlled Droplet Application (CDA) developed in collaboration
with IPARC scientists. |
by spraying more efficiently
|
Spraying
cotton with a tail-boom, which both improves dose transfer to leaf
undersides and reduces operator contamination. |
The
centre is equipped to carry out research, evaluation and training on the
application of both chemical and biological pesticides. Staff often carry
out consultancy work for international organisations and commercial companies,
as part of IC Consultants.
Core expertise includes:
 |
IPARC
scientists are involved in improvement of application methods for
tree crops such as cocoa.
Our extensive data base of application equipment, spray nozzles
and ancillary equipment (such as the pressure regulating valve shown
here) has proved very useful for this work.
Research
is followed-on by training: we produce, or have participated in
the development of, a number of guides, books and other training
materials, such as the 10-point
guide to spraying cocoa.
|
To
top
Activities
and Projects
- application to tree and bush
crops (cocoa, coffee, fruit)
- development of rational pesticide
use systems for smallholder crops such as cotton and vegetables
- the Yaounde
Initiative: a Foundation for improving health and well-being of
communities in Africa, through the control of insect vectors of human
diseases and improved agricultural production.
- sprayer evaluation as a collaborating
centre for the World
Health Organisation (WHO)
- development of guidelines in
collaboration with FAO
(locust
control, sprayer use)
- biopesticide formulation
development e.g. Green
Muscle formulation for the international LUBILOSA
Programme
- assistance with the design,
development and evaluation of application equipment (e.g. several CDA
sprayers, pressure regulating valves for conventional sprayers)
- vegetable
IPM eastern and southern Africa
- monitoring of large scale control
operations (tsetse, locusts and other migratory pests)
- development
of training manuals, guidelines, on-line courses and participatory training
on safe and effective pesticide
use
|
IPARC
scientists have consistently promoted pest control that has minimal
impact on the environment. A substantial amount of biopesticide
development has been carried out here, including formulation
and application development of Green
Muscle for the LUBILOSA
Programme. This product is based on the fungus Metarhizium
anisopliae var. acridum, which effectively controls locusts
without affecting their natural enemies. In collaboration with ACIS
R&D, we are currently carrying out further development of
the 'Mycoharvester':
a device for extracting pure spores of beneficial fungi such as
Beauveria, Metarhizium and Trichoderma spp.
IPARC
participates in various initiatives for developing and promoting
a wide range of biological pesticides, including: COST-850
and SIP.
Current lines of research include:
|
 |
IPARC
was involved in a number of research projects related to the 'Electrodyn'
sprayer. Unfortunately due to commercial factors, the use of this
highly innovative system is now limited to insecticide applications
on tree saplings.
A project
has been carried out in IPARC to design and develop alternative
application systems for protecting saplings of Sitka spruce
and Scots pine, using conventional pesticide formulations. This
system may reduce the risk of operator contamination, both during
actual application and when refilling or cleaning the system. The
system must also be safe to use, complying with all health and safety
regulations. Another requirement is that the volume of waste pesticide
solution is kept to a minimum, to reduce disposal costs and risk
of environmental contamination.
|
 |
Participatory training on the safe and effective use of
pesticide application equipment. Here, trainees from Cameroon examine
a side-lever knapsack sprayer to see whether it conforms to FAO standards
(themselves developed in collaboration with IPARC).
|
 |
Pesticide Application Methods, is the standard textbook on this subject and now in its fourth edition; it was written using the extensive field and laboratory experience gained in association with IPARC and its collaborators. The chapters describe:
1. Chemical control in integrated pest management
2. Targets for pesticide deposition
3. Formulation of pesticides
4. Spray droplets
5. Hydraulic nozzles
6. Manually carried hydraulic sprayers
7. Power-operated hydraulic sprayers
8. Air-assisted sprayers
9. Controlled droplet application
10. Electrostatically charged sprays
11. Aerial application
12. Spray drift
13. Seed treatment, dust and granule application
14. Space treatment by fogging
15. Specialist application techniques (Injection, fumigation and other techniques)
16. Application of bio-pesticides
17. Maintenance of equipment
18. Safety Precautions
19. Equipment for laboratory and field trials
20. Selection of spraying equipment for chemical and biological pesticides |
To
top
Facilities
As a Centre, maintained a capacity to carry out research evaluation and development,
of whole sprayers, nozzles and active formulations. Many of these facilities will shortly be moved to Harper Adams University, including:
- collection of portable sprayers
and other application equipment appropriate for developing countries
- biopesticide formulation laboratory
- sprayer testing facilities, including the WHO test for compression sprayers
Roy Bateman
Hans Dobson (with Natural Resources Institute)
Graham Matthews
Keith Walters
Denis Wright
Obituary
Evan Thornhill
To
top
ver. 6/2/2017
|