Jonathan Garratt, a new member of the fruit team, completed his BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection and IPM. (Commercial Horticulture) in 2024. As part of his BASIS project, he investigated methods of woolly apple aphid control suitable for commercial apple orchards.
Batavia (spirotetramat) is the current industry standard plant protection product for woolly apple aphid control but, in preparation for the eventual withdrawal of this active substance, alternative forms of control need to be identified and assessed. Similar trials are also underway to find a replacement for Movento, also spirotetramat, which is the equivalent product used for aphid management in the field veg sector, where they are a prolific pest and virus vector.
At Agrii, we pride ourselves on staying abreast of the changes occurring in our industry, including how the withdrawal of established products or the introduction of new active substances is likely to impact crop production systems and our customers. Jonathan’s project formed part of this process while also serving as a valuable opportunity to deliver employee training. Such trials are essential to ensuring the advice we offer is the best growers receive. With the support of our agronomy team and the Agrii trials team, a protocol was developed to screen multiple products, both those already available and those yet to gain authorisation, as stand-alone treatments and in combination with suitable adjuvants. The results observed and the conclusions drawn from this trail, carried out at NIAB East Malling, will support the advice delivered in future seasons.
This is just one example of the work the R&D team performs as part of our commitment to ensuring the Agrii team is the most informed in the industry. The construction of a new glasshouse at Throws Farm will allow them to undertake further trials in support of this commitment.
