Protect The Strawberries
Strawberry blossom weevil, apple leaf curling midge, raspberry cane midge… there are still lots of pests around which destroy crops common in the UK and Europe.
Now scientists at the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) at the University of Greenwich at Medway have teamed up with East Malling Research, a fellow centre for horticultural research, to tackle the pests with pheromones.
Pheromones are chemicals secreted by animals – especially insects – to influence the behaviour of other members of their species. Called ‘molecular messengers’, they transmit information like ‘enemy approaches: come and fight’ or ‘follow this trail to the food source’ or ‘it’s time to mate’.
Professor David Hall of NRI says: “We have been able to detect and use pheromones in new ways to monitor and control pests. Basically the pheromones attract the pest and then it can be destroyed.” The research, affecting a wide range of crops, has generated international interest. The pest control methods are being patented and sold commercially.
Now Professor Hall and his team have been honoured with a Research & Enterprise Award, a new prize given by the university for outstanding examples of applied research and business activity. The award was given on Tuesday by the university’s Pro Chancellor, Mrs Anne-Marie Nelson CBE, at the NRI graduation ceremony in Rochester Cathedral.
Dr Steve Woodhead of the university’s Research & Enterprise office, says: “These new awards celebrate our success in forging partnerships with business, and our ability to provide services which make enterprises in the region more competitive.”
Also honoured are Dr David Wray and Lorna Dyer of the School of Science for developing an analytical service which brings in thousands of pounds of business to the university every year. Called chemostratigraphy, it investigates a sample of rock, soil or other material from the ground, providing a unique chemical fingerprint or identification. It is of particular use to the petroleum industry when investigating new oil and gas reservoirs. The same technique is also used in forensic work in high profile crime cases, providing unique chemical profiling of earth or rock found at a crime scene or on a piece of evidence.
Dr Wray says: “We have developed a substantial business, handling around 10,000 samples a year. A comprehensive quality management system has been developed in parallel, providing clients with a professional and dependable service.”
For images of some of the award winners or strawberries or further information please contact:
Hester Brown
Press Officer
University of Greenwich
Tel: 020 8331 7663
hester.brown@gre.ac.uk