Center for Excellence in Biological Control

• Grant number: 18/02317-5
• Support type: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program
• Duration: February 01, 2019 - January 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy
• Cooperation agreement: Koppert Brasil
• Principal Investigator: José Roberto Postali Parra
• Grantee: José Roberto Postali Parra
• Home Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Company: Koppert do Brasil Sistemas Biológicos Ltda
• Co-Principal Investigators: Italo Delalibera Júnior ; José Maurício Simões Bento
• Assoc. researchers: Alberto Soares Corrêa ; Annette Bruun Jensen ; Carolina Reigada Montoya ; Celso Omoto ; Cláudia Pio Ferreira ; Dirceu Pratissoli ; Dori Edson Nava ; Gabriel Moura Mascarin ; Gilberto José de Moraes ; Lessando Moreira Gontijo ; Maria Izabel Souza Camargo ; Pedro Takao Yamamoto ; Regiane Cristina Oliveira de Freitas Bueno ; Sérgio Florentino Pascholati ; Wesley Augusto Conde Godoy

Abstract

The mission of the Center for Excellence in Biological Control (Fapesp-Koppert) is to develop research projects, products and technologies that result in the use and strengthening of biological pest control for sustainable agriculture in Brazil. This proposal envisages the creation of an international-level research center, focusing on the development of innovations and the dissemination of knowledge of biological pest control. The Center will rely on a team of highly qualified researchers who will conduct inter- and multidisciplinary activities involving projects in five lines of research: (I) Prospecting for new biocontrol agents; (II) Processes for production and automation of beneficial macro- and microorganisms; (III) New formulations of microorganisms (fungi, bacteria and secondary metabolites); (IV) Evaluation of the risks and benefits of Biological Control; and (V) Strategies for using Biological Control in IPM. The headquarters Institution of the Center will be at USP-ESALQ, which has a tradition of solving problems in the area of Biological Control and alternative control methods for agricultural pests, replacing conventional chemicals. The organization of the Center envisages the participation of a Director and Vice-Director, an Executive Committee and Managers for Education and for Technology Transfer, in addition to an International Advisory Board (IAB), which, together with the Koppert Company, a world leader in biological control, will follow the route to achieve the proposed objectives. (AU)