Working group on effects of global changes in the multitrophic interaction plants: natural enemies

• Grant number: 11/51227-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2011
• End date: October 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy
• Agreement: University of Southampton
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Antonio Polanczyk
• Grantee: Ricardo Antonio Polanczyk
• Principal researcher abroad: Guy Poppy
• Institution abroad: University of Southampton, England
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 10/12438-2 - Plutella xylostella: populational viability and susceptibility to control tactics, AP.R

Abstract

This research aims to establish an important collaboration between Dr. Polanczyk (UNESP), Dr. De Bortoli (UNESP) and Prof. Poppy and Dr Jackson from University of Southampton. The research will focus on determining the effects of global climate change on the key ecosystem service of pest regulation by investigating the multitrophic interaction between plants - pests - natural enemies. It is recognized that to obtain food security, other ecosystem services need to be managed alongside the service of food production. This research will improve our understanding of an important service in agriculture and allow biodiversity in agroecosystems to be improved compared with classical intensive use of synthetic insecticides. The initial project is being designed to test the "Effect of CO2 in the interaction between Plutella xylostella and their natural enemies Bacillus thuringiensis, Trichogramma pretiosum and Orius insidiosus". A larger and very important proposal will be developed from the establishment of a successful collaboration. This will address "Enhancing sugar cane production whilst optimizing other ecosystem services in a future world of global cJimate change". The first one is an initial standard research project which will establish expertise and the collaboration whereas the second one is a thematic project. The initial focus will be exchanging knowledge via a series of visits and workshops in order to plan future exchange visits by postgraduate. This working group will insert the UNESP and the São Paulo State in an important reseach area of global importance as Food security and energy security (sugar cane is very important in this context) become major issues alongside the need to manage ecosystem services to ensure sustainability. Both the Brazilian and UK teams will benefit from joining forces in this growing area, which has been little explored in Brazil. (AU)