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Warwick Crop Centre The AMBER project

The AMBER project

  • Helping growers get the best from biopesticides

    Our research helps growers make better use of biopesticides. We work with professional growers of protected edible and ornamental crops.

  • Biopesticides and IPM

    AMBER scientists are investigating the best ways to use biopesticides for managing plant pests and diseases in Integrated Pest Management programmes.

  • Independent advice and training

    We are sharing our knowledge with growers to help make crop protection more effective and sustainable.

  • World class expertise

    Our team of internationally-recognized scientists are experts in biocontrol, entomology, plant pathology and pesticide application.

The AMBER project

  • Biopesticides are safe crop protection products based on micro-organisms, plant extracts and other natural compounds.
  • AMBER is a research project to identify practical ways for growers to improve the performance of these products in their crop protection programmes.

About AMBER

Application and Management of Biopesticides for Efficacy and Reliability is funded by the UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (project code CP158) using levy funds from UK growers.

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Current research

  • We're working to improve biopesticide spray applications.
  • We're investigating how biopesticides affect pest population growth.
  • We're studying biopesticide persistence on crop plants. This will help growers plan their spray programmes better.

Latest publications

You can access the AHDB research project page for AMBERLink opens in a new window for summaries of the research and reports.

See our articles about AMBER in AHDB grower:

    News and Events

    AMBER webinar: "From amber to green: the next phase in using bioprotectants for Integrated Pest Management in horticultural crops"

    We ran a webinar on the 30th June 2022 to explain some of the latest outputs from the AMBER project. The webinar consists of a series of presentations by team members on the following topics: (1) Incorporating bioprotectants into IPM programmes, theory into practice (Rob Jacobson, RJ Consultancy); (2) A systematic approach to improving spray application of bioprotectants (Clare Butler Ellis, Silsoe Spray Applications Unit); (3) How a new 'boxcar' model of insect pest population growth will help inform bioprotectant application strategies (Elysia Bartel, ADAS Boxworth); (4) Why improved recording of trials data leads to better results with bioprotectants (Erika Wedgwood, ADAS Boxworth); (5) The latest view from the bioprotectants industry (Roma Gwyn, Rationale Biopesticides Strategists).

    You can access the webinar here: AMBER webinar 30th June 2020

    Please note that all presentations are subject to the authors copyright.

    Field Vegetable workshop

    A bioprotectant workshop was held at Warwick Crop Centre on the 5th February 2020. Presentations currently available (All presentations subject to the authors copyright):

    AMBER IntroductionLink opens in a new window

    IPM in field vegetables:- what is it and why do we need it?Link opens in a new window

    Delivering new tools for managing invertebrate pests in field vegetablesLink opens in a new window

    Potential for biopesticides in field vegetable IPMLink opens in a new window

    Getting integrated disease control to work in the fieldLink opens in a new window

    Potential for using real time crop data in IPMLink opens in a new window

    Integrated control of plant diseasesLink opens in a new window

    IPM in field vegetables - the way aheadLink opens in a new window

    Spray application workshop

    An ornamental biopesticide spray application workshop was held at Bordon Hill Nursery on the 23rd October 2018. See linkLink opens in a new window

    Lectures and presentations

    Importance of biopesticides and IPM

    Importance of water volumes

    Preparing for application

    Case Study 1- Bordon Hill Nurseries

    Contact the AMBER project

    For more information please contact:

    Dave Chandler

    Gill Prince