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
★
★
★
★
★
Votes: 0
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of Landscape Juice Network to add comments!

Join Landscape Juice Network

Open forum activity

Mjc replied to Mjc's discussion Battery secateurs
"Wow that sounds nasty, hope you've recovered. I had heard that about some of them, I would have thought in these days of elf and safety that the blades would only close whilst the trigger is pressed. "
6 minutes ago
Peter kermarrec replied to Mjc's discussion Battery secateurs
"I have a pair of the Stihl ones and they are excellent you can cut quite thick stuff with ease and it definitely takes the stress out of your hands,the battery life is good as well, just one word of caution and this was down to my stupidity while I…"
31 minutes ago
PGM replied to Mjc's discussion Battery secateurs
"Currently thinking of getting some myself. The Kebtec ones are well reviewed by various gardeners on YouTube, but then so many of them get sent stuff for free it's hard to believe everything they say. I heard the Stiga ones were pretty good too.…"
43 minutes ago
Mjc posted a discussion
Good morning. Thinking of getting some battery secateurs, initially for my wife as she has some arthritis. Have any of you tried and tested any ?  Prob looking at Stihl but then came across Kebtec which I've never heard of before, or maybe Makita…
1 hour ago
Piers Dixon replied to Piers Dixon's discussion Advertising garden maintenance services
"Thanks for your response. Have you actually tried this??"
yesterday
trimmora updated their profile
yesterday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
After 26 years at Radley College, Adam King has seen grounds management evolve dramatically. Weather patterns have become less predictable, playing surfaces are under greater pressure than ever, and flexibility has become one of the most valuable…
yesterday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
GroundsFest has welcomed Christina Walker to its sales team as preparations continue for the 2027 exhibition.Christina joins the award-winning team with an extensive background in publishing and exhibitions spanning more than two decades. She began…
Friday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
When freezing temperatures threaten the pitches at Forest Green Rovers FC, speed is everything. Protecting the stadium and training ground with frost covers can be a race against the weather, but thanks to Kress battery-powered blowers, the club's…
Thursday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
The GroundsFest Academy has confirmed TLS as its newest Platinum Sponsor, adding further industry strength to the Academy's range of sponsors and partners as it continues to expand its training offering for the groundscare sector. The sponsorship…
Thursday
Peter sellers replied to William Baker's discussion Winter Services
"Hi William, I would avoid working as a sub contractor if you can. Yes they will not pay a realistic rate as they will try to keep their profit as high as poss, in my experience getting paid was always an issue. We had a long and profitable…"
Wednesday
Billybop replied to William Baker's discussion Winter Services
"Thanks William, yes a bit like being a retained fire fighter I suppose. Monthly payments for a 12 month contract, knowing that worst case scenario only 6 months or so might require visits. Which could be very few and far between, or more numerous…"
Wednesday
William Baker replied to William Baker's discussion Winter Services
"Hi Richard, thank you for your reply. I've not approached either of these companies as yet, would you suggest Outco and Nurture are good companies to contact, and do you have any experience with either?"
Tuesday
William Baker replied to William Baker's discussion Winter Services
"Hi Peter, thank you very much for such a detailed response, and I'm sorry to hear of your ill health, I do hope you are well. Both of my existing clients that I'm looking to bring on board should be manageable, so they can hopefully help me to dip…"
Tuesday
William Baker replied to William Baker's discussion Winter Services
"Hi Billy, that's a really good idea, even if the contracts are a mix of 'subsciption' and ad-hoc, it at least covers the expense in a worst case scenario. "
Tuesday
Billybop replied to Rob's discussion Best professional battery hedge trimmer at present?
"Hi Tim i wear basic disposable ear plugs with either model if using for any extended period... not so much the volume per se, but it takes the edge off that irritating metallic sound... I think these are being sold for below cost, but heart warming…"
Tuesday
More…

Battery secateurs

Good morning. Thinking of getting some battery secateurs, initially for my wife as she has some arthritis. Have any of you tried and tested any ?  Prob looking at Stihl but then came across Kebtec which I've never heard of before, or maybe Makita…

Read more…
3 Replies · Reply by Mjc 6 minutes ago
Views: 10