Sustainable crop control: efficacy of bioinsecticides from lab to field

BugBiome has **harnessed crop-associated microbes** to develop an **innovative bioinsecticide** aimed at **combating aphids and the viruses they transmit**. This project will **leverage the first asset** from BugBiome's core platform, which integrates microbiology, entomology and engineering biology to discover safe and effective alternatives to conventional chemical insecticides.

The project is in **collaboration** with the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (**NIAB**), experts in **field trial design and implementation**.

The primary objective of this project is to **validate the effectiveness** of BugBiome's first bioinsecticide against aphids, focusing on its application in **both controlled environments and field settings** with economically important British and global crops. Specifically, the project aims to evaluate **pest protection of oilseed rape crops from aphid infestations and yellow viruses**, thereby enhancing **crop productivity and sustainability.** BugBiome's approach is deeply rooted in sustainable principles.

By **understanding natural microbial communities**, BugBiome has **discovered potent bioinsecticides** from crops against aphids. The project will involve rigorous testing of BugBiome's aphid bioinsecticide and **improvements to its formulation** ensuring the bioinsecticide is both **effective and adaptable** to varying agricultural conditions and standard farming practices for pesticide application in the South East and beyond.

The anticipated outcomes of this project include:

* **Validated Performance**: Demonstrating the bioinsecticide's effectiveness in protecting crops under both controlled and field-based production systems.

* Product Development: **Advancing the formulation** of the bioinsecticide to improve field performance, cost of production and suitability for end users.

* Viral Transmission Quantification: Assessing the **impact** of the bioinsecticide **on the transmission of viruses** by aphids between treated and control plants.

BugBiome bioinsecticides represent a significant **advancement in agricultural productivity**. By harnessing the **power of microbes in a targeted and sustainable manner**, BugBiome aims to establish a **new standard in crop protection**. This approach aligns with the needs of modern agriculture while remaining committed to ecological balance and biodiversity conservation to provide farmers with an effective crop protection tool against aphids.