Biopesticides

PLANT BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY / Biotic and Abiotic Stress

Research Interests

Biocontrol, Biopesticides, Bioprotection, Integrated Pest Management, Regulation

Description of Research

Biopesticides are pest control products derived from animals, plants, bacteria, and certain minerals. While a significant number of substances with potential for use as biopesticides have been identified over the years, very few have been developed and registered for commercial use. This is attributable to several factors, including: i) concerns regarding potential risks associated with their application; ii) regulatory hurdles due to, inter alia, over-reliance on chemical pesticide approval regimes which are not sufficiently evolved to effectively regulate biopesticides; iii) a paucity of information relevant for their evaluation, registration and commercial release, and; iv) technical constraints relating to viability, cost, scale of production, and bioefficacy. The Biopesticides Group supports the discovery, development, formulation, commercialisation and use of biopesticides. This is achieved through a programmatic approach, which involves strategic engagement with relevant stakeholders to address the challenges confronting research and development of biopesticide products.

Pupae of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, infected by Beauveria bassiana (a fungal pathogen that has been widely developed into a commercial mycoinsecticide).
Pupae of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, infected by Beauveria bassiana (a fungal pathogen that has been widely developed into a commercial mycoinsecticide).  

Recent Publications

Ndolo, D.O., Songa, J.S., Lovei, G.L. 2018. Tri-trophic impacts of Bt-transgenic maize on parasitoid size and fluctuating asymmetry in native vs. novel host-parasitoid interactions in East Africa. Insects 9, 38 PubMed link

Ndolo, D.O., Wach, M., Rüdelsheim, P., Craig, W. 2018. A curriculum-based approach to teaching biosafety through eLearning. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 6, 42 PubMed link

Craig, W., Obonyo, D.N., Tepfer M. 2017. A strategy for integrating science into regulatory decision-making for GMOs. In: Genetically Modified Organisms in developing countries: Risk analysis and governance. A. Adenle, D. Murphy, J. Morris (eds), Cambridge University Press, UK.

Racovita, M., Obonyo, D.N., Craig, W., Ripandelli D. 2015. What are the non-food impacts of GM crop cultivation on farmers’ health? A Systematic Review: Environ Evid 4, 17 PubMed link

Racovita, M., Obonyo, D.N., Craig, W., Ripandelli, D. 2014. What are the non-food impacts of GM crop cultivation on farmers’ health? A Systematic Review Protocol. Environ Evid 3, 1 PubMed link

Obonyo, D., Racovita, M., Ripandelli, D., Craig, W. 2014. Biosafety issues in food and agricultural systems in Africa. In: Biosafety in Africa: Experiences and Best Practices. D.P. Keetch, D. Makinde, C.K. Weebadde, K. Maredia (eds), Michigan State University, USA.