PLANT BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY / Biotic and Abiotic Stress
Research Interests
Biocontrol, Biopesticides, Bioprotection, Integrated Pest Management, Pesticide Residue Mitigation, Regulation
Description
Biopesticides are pest control products derived from animals, plants, bacteria, and certain minerals. While a significant number of biopesticides have been developed over the years, their use remains relatively limited. 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, development and adoption of biopesticides. Given its approach, the Group does not host PhD fellows. It, however, supports postdoctoral fellowships focussing mainly on policy and regulatory aspects of relevance to biopesticide research and development.
The Group has recently identified certain microbes that have the potential to be developed into biopesticides for control of the Fall Armyworm. In addition, the Group identified, and made recommendations on elements of the Nigerian biopesticides regulations that may need to be revised to enhance regulatory effectiveness (Ashaolu et al., in press, Sustainability).
Projects
Identifying-IPM-measures-for-given-pest-crop-combinations-to-improve-plant-health-and-decrease-dependency-on-chemical-pesticides
STDF Enhancing trade through regulatory harmonisation and biopesticide-based residue mitigation in the SADC region
DSI/NRF: Promoting biopesticides: a sustainable pest control strategy for climate change adaptation
NRF: Biocontrol options for fall armyworm control in Southern Africa
Recent Publications
Ashaolu, C.A., Okonkwo, C.O., Njuguna, E., Ndolo, D. 2022. Recommendations for effective and sustainable regulation of biopesticides in Nigeria. Sustainability. 14: 2846.
Njuguna, E., Nethononda, P. Maredia, K., Mbabazi, R., Kachapulula, P., Rowe, A., Ndolo, D. 2021. Experiences and perspectives on Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) management in Sub-Saharan Africa. J. Integr. Pest Manag. 12: 1–9
Ndolo D., Njuguna E., Adetunji C.O., Harbor C., Rowe A., Den Breeyen A., Sangeetha J., Singh G., Szewczyk B., Anjorin T.S., Thangadurai D. & Hospet R. 2019. Research and development of biopesticides: Challenges and prospects. Outlooks on Pest Management 30: 267-276.
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
ICGEB Biopesticides Group and SDG13
Promoting biopesticides: a sustainable pest control strategy for climate change adaptation
Donor
South Africa National Research Foundation
ICGEB Biopesticides Lab Cape Town, D. Ndolo
Duration: 2021-2023
