Category: Working Group

Coordination of research activities is accomplished at biennial meetings of the group. The main research thrusts and interests are:

• Estimation, isolation and identification of microbial agents for pest and disease control
• improvement of bioassay tests for determination of control efficacy
• technology designed to increase efficacy
• biology and mode-of-action studies
• mass rearing and formulation development
• risk assessment
• understanding the holistic nature of soil suppressiveness
• management of the antagonistic potential in soils
• solutions to industrial production of antagonists
• integration of biological control agents into integrated management

The meetings are attended by a broad spectrum of scientists representing the fields of mycology, bacteriology, nematology and entomology along with scientist interested in soil organic matter and soil ecology. Industrial partners have been active at all the meetings. The meetings are also a platform for the development of collaborative projects for submission to the EU and with other funding agencies.

The WG

• organizes bi-annual meetings (usually in October odd years) (until 2003 annual ones)
• develops and optimizes standard methods according to a sequential scheme (laboratory to field) to evaluate the side-effects of pesticides on important beneficial organisms
• generates accurate data on pesticide selectivity on a wide range of beneficials with standard methods
• compiles knowledge about side-effects on beneficial organisms through pesticide selectivity database and transfer the information to the practice
• ring tests and validates methods with the objective to achieve global recognition of IOBC standard test methods, especially in the context of pesticide registration
• stimulates cooperation between scientists, regulatory authorities and industry
• exchanges ideas and expertise among group members with EPPO, EU and BART and stimulate international collaboration, also with other IOBC WGs