Safe and efficient application
for chemical and biological
pest management

The International Pesticide Application Research Consortium (IPARC)

Department of Biology, Imperial College, Silwood Park
Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, UK

| Activities | Projects | Staff |

The Centre

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 50 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).

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.

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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.
Staff carry-out 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).

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Facilities

The Centre maintains a capacity to carry out research evaluation and development, of whole sprayers, nozzles and active formulations. Facilities include:

  • collection of portable sprayers and other application equipment appropriate for developing countries
  • Malvern 'Spraytec' droplet / particle size analysers
  • 'Mardrive' linear track sprayer
  • biopesticide formulation laboratory
  • image and fluorimetric analysis equipment
  • sprayer testing suite, access to wind tunnels
  • an international network for pesticide and sprayer evaluation


Staff

Dr Roy Bateman – Research & Development Manager
Mr Hans Dobson – Participatory Training Manager (with Natural Resources Institute)
Emeritus Professor Graham Matthews
Professor Denis Wright

Students

Nick Jessop

Consultants, Associates and Alumni

Andrew Brown
Mr Evan Thornhill
Mr Terry Wiles

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(updated: 13/8/2009)