Tuesday, 5th November, 4pm to 5pm (UK time) - in Microsoft Teams.

Regulations may change, aimed at solving one issue, which may have unintended consequences leading to challenges emerging elsewhere. Generally, changes in pesticide regulation are driven either by public health concerns, or concerns about adverse environmental impacts, usually through non-target impacts, such as negative effects on pollinators or other beneficial insects. However, many key virus-vector aphids have resistance to other insecticide chemistries The removal of some chemistries, allied to vector resistance to the remaining arsenal of insecticides, may be contributing to a re-emergence in epidemics of aphid transmitted plant viruses, especially those with a persistent mechanism of transmission. This phenomenon is being observed in range of crops including potatoes, brassicas, cereals, and field vegetables, such as carrots. Additionally, agronomic and land use practices may also play a role in these outbreaks. Effective management of vector borne virus epidemics depends on understanding the relative influences of these different elements, and the limitations of current control measures.

Viruses infecting carrot limit yield and quality of carrots in the United Kingdom. The talk will describe a 10 year programme of research which has determined the viruses of concern in UK carrots, their respective key vector species, the relative influences of agronomic practice on pathogen prevalence, and trials on the impact of timing of chemical controls on yield and virus transmission, with a view to formulating improved management advice. The potential influences of policy and agricultural practice on these networks will be discussed.

To attend please register below and a Teams link will be forwarded prior to the event.

BASIS points have been applied for.