A new project sees the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) collaborating with other UK scientists and industry partners to improve national biosecurity. The Fera-led project will help protect plants and trees by developing better methods for detecting the growing number of alien pests and diseases which threaten the UK. These are currently identified by trained inspectors carrying out visual inspections of imported plants and products. However, given the sheer volume of inspections required and the fact that symptoms are often not present, this is a very difficult task to perform effectively. The project aims to provide better methods for detecting tree pests and pathogens, both moving through trade and the wider environment. It will look at new technologies for detecting changes in infected plants using either ‘sniffer’ technology, to identify volatile chemicals emitted by pests or diseased plants. Or hyper-spectral imaging techniques that can detect changes in infected plants beyond the range of human vision. The researchers will also look at developing new traps for capturing insects and DNA-based detection approaches to detecting and identifying pathogens in the environment; both known ones and new threats. A key feature of the project is that it is interdisciplinary, with social researchers, modellers and economists working alongside scientists and engineers to deliver effective solutions to help a range of end-users in their hunt for plant health threats. Fera will be working alongside the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Forest Research, James Hutton Institute, Rutherford Appleton Laboratories, and the Universities of Aberdeen, Oxford, Exeter, Greenwich, Hertfordshire, St. Andrews and Worcester. Website: http://www.fera.defra.gov.uk
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PGM replied to Gary R's discussion Does moss always = full renovation
"Thank you "
8 hours ago
Peter sellers replied to Gary R's discussion Does moss always = full renovation
"There is not anything to choose between them apart from Top Paddock has a higher sulphur content but you would not notice this in effectiveness, neither need watering in but the Suregrow does seem to disappear more quickly. If you asked me to choose…"
10 hours ago
PGM replied to Gary R's discussion Does moss always = full renovation
"Can I ask about those two fertiliser products please Peter? Do you have a preference for either? Also, what about the practicalities, such as do they need watering in quickly afterwards, do they stay on the lawn for ages or disappear fairly quickly,…"
10 hours ago
Peter sellers replied to Gary R's discussion Does moss always = full renovation
"Graham. These "all in one" products designed for joe public are crap they don't do anything well.  For moss buy pro kleen liquid iron - 2.5 lts in a 12 lt knapsack will do 200 sqmts it comes in a 5lt and is around £16 all in.
For fert we use an…"
14 hours ago
Graham Taylor replied to Gary R's discussion Does moss always = full renovation
"I think this will still come under repairing law and moss problems.  I've some lawns that are in a right state after winter... riddled with moss and lots of bare patches from the dry summer..I always use "Aftercut" weed, feed and mosskiller on…"
16 hours ago
Peter sellers replied to Peter sellers's discussion Ride on mower/ ride on plant are you covered?
"Your liability insurance should cover the hedgecutting,  However if you have drive your ride on across a pavement, road, private road or private/public car park your liability insurance will not cover you. We have just taken out cover at a cost of…"
17 hours ago
Fusion Media posted a blog post
Managing one of the busiest multi-sport facilities on the south coast is no small task – especially in a region increasingly defined by prolonged dry spells and intense seasonal wear. At Bournemouth University, Grounds Manager Alex McCombie relies…
20 hours ago
Tim Wallach replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Maybe I'm going to be looking to upgrade my old steel platform for an aluminum version...thanks"
21 hours ago
Tim Wallach replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Thanks...your comment appreciated!"
21 hours ago
Gary R replied to Gary R's discussion Does moss always = full renovation
"Thanks Peter"
22 hours ago
Peter sellers replied to Gary R's discussion Does moss always = full renovation
"Gary,
The method we use when the client does nor want a full renovation - spray pro kleen liquid iron at a dilution of 2.5 lts in 12lts water this will cover around 200 sq mts if you thoroughly wet the area. After 7 to 10 days repeat but with the…"
22 hours ago
John F replied to Peter sellers's discussion Ride on mower/ ride on plant are you covered?
"Interesting but not surprised . Makes we wonder about mowing a grass verge outside a customers property and cutting the pedestrian side of a hedge which is a public right of way . "
yesterday
John F replied to Gary R's discussion Does moss always = full renovation
"Not strictly the purists method but had customers who prefer not to use moss killer which discolours the lawn or just prefer an organic approach .
I have used dethatching tines on a Stihl mm56 machine which literally pulls the moss out and a great…"
yesterday
Gary R posted a discussion
Hi.Does a mossey lawn always equal a full lawn renovation? Once you kill (or control) moss the customer is left with brown / black dead moss all over their lawn. So then its needs scarifying to rake it up, then usually a preseed fert, seed and top…
yesterday
Honey Badger replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I have two tripod ladders, 8ft henchman and 12ft from orchard ladders, both have three extendable legs adding an extra foot and half. Been using them three years now, great ladders.
Ive cut a 10ft hedge with the 12th foot ladder. It not ideal the…"
yesterday
Billybop replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Yes that photo shows you would struggle to find anything less suitable to cut that particular hedge from. I have a large tripod and it only gets used several times per year, perfect for certain jobs but for day to day use more of a hindrance"
yesterday
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Does moss always = full renovation

Hi.Does a mossey lawn always equal a full lawn renovation? Once you kill (or control) moss the customer is left with brown / black dead moss all over their lawn. So then its needs scarifying to rake it up, then usually a preseed fert, seed and top…

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8 Replies · Reply by PGM 8 hours ago
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