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BBSRC CASE studentship: Use of `temporal synergism¿ to increase efficacy of pyrethrins against public-health pests

Reference	BBS/E/C/00004757
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Linda Field
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Dr Graham Moores
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	4,941
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/10/2005
End date	30/09/2008
Duration	36 months

Abstract

Pyrethrum is a plant oil that occurs in the pyrethrum daisy, Tanacetum cinerariaefolium, a member of the chrysanthemum family. It consists of 6 chemical esters (pyrethrins) that act as a natural insecticide. Pyrethrins are unusual amongst insecticides for their rapid action on a wide spectrum of insects coupled with the minimal hazard that the esters present to mammals under normal conditions. The chemical structure of pyrethrins were used as a template for the development of the synthetic pyrethroids, a group of insecticides that are generally more cost effective and stable. However, the intensive use of these synthetic chemicals has led to the development of insecticide resistance. This resistance may be target-site, i.e. knock-down resistance (kdr) but is often due to metabolic resistance conferred by enhanced detoxifying enzymes within the resistant insect. The most important metabolic enzymes capable of detoxifying pyrethroid esters are the microsomal oxidases and non-specific esterases. Recent research has demonstrated that with agriculturally-important crop pests pre-application of the synergist, piperonyl butoxide (POB), followed by an application of a synthetic pyrethroid several hours later is highly effective in overcoming pyrethroid-resistant insect biotypes. Objectives of the project :1) To further evaluate the use of PBO to enhance efficacy of natural pyrethrins against public health pests. 2) To investigate the use of biochemical and conventional bioassay methods before small trials to evaluate efficacy.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	Crop Science, Plant Science
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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