| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/N27972/01 |
| Title: |
SELECTED WAVELENGTH SPECTRAL FILTERS FOR HORTICULTURAL CROP PROTECTION |
| Principal Investigator: |
Davis, Dr FJ |
| Other Investigators: |
|
| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
|
| Project Partners: |
|
| Department: |
Chemistry |
| Organisation: |
University of Reading |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 October 2000 |
Ends: |
30 September 2003 |
Value (£): |
143,130
|
| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Bioprocess Engineering |
Materials Characterisation |
| Population Ecology |
|
|
| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Manufacturing |
Environment |
| Food and Drink |
|
|
| Related Grants: |
|
| Panel History: |
|
|
Summary on Grant Application Form |
|
Commercially important developments in crop protection and control will arise following the solution of a fundamental scientific problem; namely the production of polyethylene films containing light-stable dyes with defined spectral properties. Such films can provide a cheap and environmentally friendly alternative to the use of plant growth regulators and/or pesticides. Chromophores which absorb in the near uv and fluoresce in the visible will be prepared, and their stability in polymer films established. Selected chromophores will be further modified to improve solubility in commercial polymers (specifically polyethylene). Additional chromophore stability will be achieved using alternative polymeric solvents. Selected films will be studied in real horticultural environments and the stability related to laboratory experiments. The efficacity of such films in pest control will be monitored with particular reference to white fly, aphids, and thrips, the three major greenhouse pests. Establishment of the mechanism for pest control in these examples will allow optimisation of the level of control through modification of the action spectrum of the polymer film.
|
|
Key Findings |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Potential use in non-academic contexts |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Impacts |
|
| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
|
| Date Materialised |
|
|
|
|
Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
| Project URL: |
|
| Further Information: |
|
| Organisation Website: |
http://www.rdg.ac.uk |