Steven Belmain
Professor of Ecology and field biologist working with rural farming communities throughout Africa and Asia, helping to resolve pest and disease problems by increasing understanding about underlying ecological issues and developing sustainable management solutions for various problems that are cost-beneficial and environmentally sustainable.
Phone: +44 1634883761
Address: NRI, UoG, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK
Phone: +44 1634883761
Address: NRI, UoG, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK
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Papers by Steven Belmain
To be effective plant materials need to show low animal and environmental toxicity at typical application levels but at the same time be effective against a wide range of target species, at low doses and with longevity. They must also be low cost, safe, compatible with other pest management technologies and stable and have no consequences for the stored products such as impairing flavour. Research should be targeted at optimising the efficacy of the pesticidal plants already known to have potential, and this should be supported by chemistry to fully understand spatial, temporal and phenotypic variability and nontarget impacts. Availability of plants is a limiting factor to uptake so propagation and cultivation of elite provenances would alleviate pressure on natural ecosystems and improve reliability of efficacy and supply when supported by improved harvesting techniques. The large-scale commercialisation of plants may not compete with synthetic products globally but local production may foster a mechanism to support and encourage uptake through local markets and value chains.