Nick Birch

Honorary Associate
Ecological Sciences
T: +44 (0)344 928 5428 (*)

Prof. Nick Birch is an Honorary Associate with expertise on Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPM) research at the James Hutton Institute.

For details of ongoing IPM research areas and projects, please visit the IPM@Hutton website.

Long-term research goals

Policy led environmental research with practical outcomes for global agriculture:

I develop and use a multi-disciplinary, ecosystems approach to optimise key ecological services (Integrated Pest Management/IPM, biocontrol) for Scottish, UK and international crop protection, conserving and utilising on-farm biodiversity.

By understanding the role of biodiversity in agro-ecosystems, key functional groups of predators and parasitoids are being enhanced using novel biocontrol techniques, to reduce the need for pesticides under policy  91/414 EEC.

On-farm floral biodiversity is also being enhanced in agro-ecosystems to promote both biocontrol and pollination of crops. A raspberry-legume on farm research platform has been set up for long-term studies with Dr P. Iannetta and Dr G. Begg (The James Hutton Institute), Dr N. Sotherton (Game Conservancy and Wildlife Trust),  and Prof S. Wratten (Agriculture and Life Sciences Faculty, Lincoln University, New Zealand).

Current research contracts and grants:

I coordinated the James Hutton Institute IPM research for two new EU and one new Defra Hortlink funded projects, starting 2010-11. Total grant award value is > £10 million.

I led and managed several externally funded projects (Scandinavian, EU and UK) with a total value to the James Hutton Institute of > £1.4 million (2005-2016).

  • EU PURE: I coordinated the James Hutton Institute's scientific inputs on development of IPM for major crops in Europe. Total project value £12 million.
  • AHDC SCEPTRE: I co-led the UK entomology inputs on development of IPM for fruit and vegetable crops. Total value to the James Hutton Institute £100K 
  • I co-led IPM research in the EU project AMIGA, developing novel ways to assess the biosafety and use of GM crops more sustainably within Integrated Pest Management systems. Total value to the James Hutton Institute £400,000.
  • TSB (breeding soft fruit with new pest resitance traits based on physical barriers): I am a specialist entomology advisor on raspberry pests and related IPM for this project.
  • Defra Hortlink: Developing Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) for Protected Raspberries. Role: The James Hutton Institute entomology leader. Total value £1.3 million.
  • Bioforsk, Norwegian Government: Developing sustainable IPDM for vegetable crucifers.  Role: The James Hutton Institute chemical ecology leader. Total value £1.7 million.
  • AHDB/HDC: SAC and James Hutton Institute PhD. Developing novel control strategies for cabbage root fly. Role: Consultant The James Hutton Institute. Total value £113,000.
  • IP development and technology transfer: One of first SCRI patent holders (natural product pesticides from wild legumes; 13 regional and worldwide patents with BTG, 1988-94).
  • Co-developer of first SCRI comercial IPM technology for raspberry growers (raspberry beetle trap; first SCRI commercial IPM product, launched 2009 for growers and 2010 for gardeners).

Honorary positions

  • Honorary Associate, James Hutton Institute
  • Nominated expert for EU European Innovation Partnership ‘Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability’ focus group on Integrated Pest Management: Brassica field vegetables (from January 2014)
  • Visiting Professor and International Scholar, Division of Entomology, University of Idaho, USA
  • Panel member for EFSA (GMO biosafety; non-target impacts)
  • Fellow of Royal Entomological Society, London
  • Fellow of Linnean Society, London
  • Lecturer, Dundee University
  • Science Ambassador, Scotland
  • Co-Convenor, International Organisation for Biological Control
  • Committee Member, LEAF Scotland Advisory Group

Research

Agroecology systems studies (fundamental to applied)

Sustainable use of functional biodiversity (ecological services – focus topic biocontrol as part of Integrated Pest Management) to meet challenges of climate change, environmental impacts of new crop protection strategies (reducing pesticide usage, developing more durable pest-resistant crops, semiochemicals, enhanced biocontrol of pests) and changing food security issues.

My research delivers practical outcomes and policy aides for sustainable agriculture which is faced with challenges of climate change, food security and pesticide reductions.

Examples include:

a) Novel IPM for soft fruit and field vegetables Integrated Pest Management) tools for minimising pesticide applications and promoting functional biodiversity in agro-ecosystems  (biocontrol agents, pollinators, soil health). I now lead and coordinate a major EU funding bid for The James Hutton Institute  (12 million euros) as part of an international consortium to develop new IPM strategies for major crops in Europe. This is the largest single EU agriculture project, because IPM is now central to the EU’s crop protection policies under 91/414/EEC.

b) GM environmental risk:benefit asessment methods for EU and developing countries. A multi-disciplinary approach centred around chemical ecology has been developed at The James Hutton Institute, involving international collaborations in UK, Norway, France, Switzerland, Brazil, Kenya and Vietnam.

The ecological methods underpinning this GM research over more than 10 years have more recently been generalised to study multi-trophic interactions in food webs (raspberries grown in fields versus protected tunnels) and also to optimise IPM strategies for major crops including vegetable crucifers, soft fruit and cereals.

Approach and implementation:

Chemical ecology of insect-plant interactions leading to ecosystem services for sustainable agriculture (Scottish Government WP 1.3., 1.7).

My IPM expertise and experience  includes research on legumes, vegetable brassicas, maize (GM with Bt gene), potato, tomato and  soft fruit (blackcurrant, raspberry, strawberry).

  • Crop protection systems based on IPDM: High value and health-promoting soft fruit (Scottish Government WP 1.3, Defra Hortlink); Potato (CPC germplasm evalauation for pest resistance; chemical ecology with SLU); Arable / biodiversity interactions (Scottish Government WP 1.7, LEAF).
  • Multi-trophic interactions, focussing on  climate change and novel crop protection strategies: Plant metabolic responses to insect attack, linking above-below ground interactions, genetic resistance to pests  and biocontrol (Scottish Government WP 1.7, Bioforsk collaborations, 2007-2013). Model crops studied: Soft fruit, crucifers.
  • Developing strategies for Integrated Pest Management (Scottish Government WP 1.3, Defra Hortlink, LEAF Scotland and UK, Bioforsk).
  • Lead SCRI Hortlink research ‘Integrated Pest and Disease Management for High Quality Protected Raspberry Production’ (Defra).
  • IOBC convenorships of International Working Groups:  (i) ‘Breeding for Pest and disease Resistance’ (IOBC wprs); (ii) ‘GMO Environmental Risk Assessment’ (IOBC Global).
  • GM environmental risk:benefit and biosafety policy formulation: EU Legal Department, EU Plant Sciences Committee, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (GM crop case studies in Kenya, Brazil, and Vietnam – three CABI books and invited Royal Society of Chemistry  review; resulting in eight policy-related  refereed reviews and book chapters; see below).
  • Member of Scottish Steering Committee, LEAF  (Linking Environment and Farming).
  • Lecturer for Dundee University: BSc Hons (final year): ‘Sustainable Pest Management’.
  • PhD examiner for Dundee University, Durham University, Caridiff University, SLU Uppsala, Lincoln University, New Zealand.
  • Science Ambassador and Techfest Scotland presenter: Schools (nursery-Advanced Higher, university, public understanding of science, agriculture policy, knowledge transfer.
  • Technology transfer: Developing and promoting sustainable IPDM strategies for UK, EU and developing country farmers.

Past research

  • Soft Fruit Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) – Plant Breeding for Pest Resistance; Use of semiochemicals in IPDM; Biocontrol agents; Sustainable Crop Protection with minal pesticides.
  • Insect-plant ecology – Above-below ground interactions utilising molecular ecology, chemical ecology and insect behaviour (model cropping systems: raspberry, crucifers).
  • Tri-trophic modelling for optimal deployment of pest-resistant GM crops (Defra).
  • GM crop biosafety: Co- coordinator of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation / ETH, Zurich / University of Minnesota ‘GMO Guidelines Project’ : Section leader: Non target Impacts Assessments in Kenya, Brazil, Vietnam.
  • EU Consultative Expert on Bt and other pest-resistant GM crops.
  • EU Scientific Evaluator (FP5,6,7).
  • International collaborations with ETH Zurich; University of Minnesota; ICIPE, Kenya; EMBRAPA, Brazil; Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Vietnam; National Environmental Research Institute, Denmark; INRA, France; Bioforsk, Norway; Agroscope Switzerland.

Publications

The following Publications have not yet been migrated to the James Hutton Institute's Pure service and relate to the research outputs from the two legacy organisations: The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute and The Scottish Crop Research Institute.

Journals

Books / chapters

  • Williams, R.N.; Birch, A.N.E.; Gordon, S.C. (2009) Raspberry fruitworm., In: Ellis, M.A., Converse, R.H., Williams, R.N. & Williamson, B. (eds.). Compendium of Raspberry and Blackberry Diseases and Pests, American Phytopathological Society, USA
  • Andow, D.A.; Van, Tuat, N.; Hilbeck, A.; Underwood, E.; Birch, A.N.E.; Tam, D.Q.; Fitt, G.P.; Giband, M.; West, J.J.; Lang, A.; Quyen, L.Q.; Hong, LT.T.; Lovei, G.L.; Nelson, K.C.; So’n, N.H.; Huan, N.H.; Hai, N.T.; Cuc, N.T.T.; Huynh, N.V.; Uyen, N.V.; Van Lam, P.; VanToan, P.; Sujii, E.R.; Hao, T.A.; Hoa, T.T.C.; Quang, V.D.; Wheatley, R.E.; Wilson, L.J. (2008) Challenges and opportunities with Bt cotton in Vietnam: Synthesis and recommendations., In: Andow, D.A., Hilbeck, A. & Van Tuât, N. (eds.). Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Modified Organisms, Volume 4, Challenges and Opportunities with Bt Cotton in Vietnam. CABI International Press, Wallingford, Chapter 13, 330-344.
  • Hilbeck, A.; Arpaia, S.; Birch, A.N.E.; Chen, Y.; Fontes, E.M.G.; Lang, A.; Hong, LT.T.; Lovei, G.L.; Manchini, B.; Cuc, N.T.T.; Van Huynh, N.; Van Tuat, N.; Van Lam, P.; Van Toan, P.; Pires, C.S.S.; Sujii, E.R.; Lai, T.K.; Underwood, E.; Wheatley, R.E.; Wilson, L.J.; Zwahlen, C.; Andow, D.A. (2008) Non-target impacts and biological diversity risk assessment., In: Andow, D.A., Hilbeck, A. & Van Tuât, N. (eds.). Environmental Risk Assessment of GMO’s, Volume 4. Challenges and Opportunites with Bt cotton in Vietnam. CABI, Wallingford, Chapter 5, 115-137.
  • Van Huynh, N.; Birch, A.N.E.; Songa, J.; Van Dynh, N.; Lam, T.T. (2008) Potential effects of transgenic cotton on non-target insect parasitoids in Vietnam., In: Hilbeck, A., Andow, D.A. & Van Tuât, N. (eds.). Environmental Risk Assessment of GMO’s, Volume 4. Challenges and Opportunites with Bt cotton in Vietnam. CABI, Wallingford, Chapter 8, 212-235.
  • Andow, D.A.; Fontes, E.M.G.; Hilbeck, A.; Johnston, J.; Capalbo, D.M.F.; Nelson, K.C.; Underwood, E.; Fitt, G.P.; Sujii, E.R.; Arpaia, S.; Birch, A.N.E.; Pallini, A.; Wheatley, R.E. (2006) Supporting risk assessment of Bt cotton in Brazil: synthesis and recommendations., In: Hillbeck, A., Andow, D.A. & Fontes, E.M.G. (eds). Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Modified Organisms. Volume 2: Methodologies for Assessing Bt Cotton in Brazil. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, Chapter 13, pp346-361.
  • Pallini, A.; Silvie, P.; Monnerat, R.; Ramalho, F.; Songa, J.M.; Birch, A.N.E.; (2006) Non-target and biodiversity impacts on parasitoids., In: Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Modified Organisms, Volume 2: Methodologies for assessing Bt cotton in Brazil (eds. A. Hilbeck, D.A. Andow and E.M.G. Fontes). CABI Publishing, Wallingford, pp200-224.
  • Hilbeck, A.; Andow, D.A.; Arpaia, S.; Birch, A.N.E.; Fontes, EM.G.; Lovei, G.; Sujii, E.; Wheatley, R.E.; Underwood, E. (2006) Methodology to support non-target and biodiversity risk assessment., In: Hillbeck, A., Andow, D.A. & Fontes, E.M.G. (eds). Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Modified Organisms. Volume 2: Methodologies for Assessing Bt Cotton in Brazil. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, Chapter 5, pp108-132.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Wheatley, R.E. (2005) GM pest-resistant crops: Assessing environmental impacts on non-target organisms., In: Hester, R.E. (ed.). Sustainability in Agriculture. Royal Society for Chemistry, London, pp31-57.
  • Monerat, R.; Ramalho, F.; Pallini, A.; Songa, J.; Birch, A.N.E. (2004) GMO Guidelines Project., In: Contana Capalbo, D.M. & Fontes, E.M.G. (eds.). Parasitóides. Embrapa Publication, Documentos 38. Brazil, pp28-30.
  • Hilbeck, A.; Andow, D.A.; Birch, A.N.E.; Fitt, G.; Johnston, J.; Nelson, K.; Osir, E.; Songa, J.; Underwood, E.; Wheatley, R.E. (2004) Risk assessment of Bt maize in Kenya: Synthesis and recommendations., In: Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Modified Organisms Volume 1: A Case Study of Bt Maize in Kenya (eds. A. Hilbeck and D.A. Andow, D.A). CABI International, Wallingford, pp251-269.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Wheatley, R.E.; Anyango, B.; Arpaia, S.; Capalbo, D.M.F.; Getu, Degaga E.; Fontes, E.M.G.; Kalama, P.; Lelman, E.; Lovei, G.; Melo, I.S.; Muyekhof, F.; Ngi-Song, A.; Ochieno, D.; Ogwang, J.; Pitelli, R.; Schuler, T.; Setamou, M.; Sithanantham, S.; Smith, J.; Van Songa, J.; Sujii, E.; Tan, T.Q.W.; Hilbeck, A. (2004) Biodiversity and non-target impacts: a case study of Bt maize in Kenya., In: Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Modified Organisms Volume 1: A Case Study of Bt maize in Kenya (eds. A. Hilbeck and D.A. Andow). CABI International, Wallingford, Chapter 1, pp117-185.
  • Hilbeck, A.; Birch, A.N.E. (2003) The GMO Guidelines Project: Development of International Scientific Environmental Biosafety Guidelines for Transgenic Plants., In: Ehler, L.E., Sforza, R. & Mateille, T. (eds.). Genetics, Evolution and Biological Control. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, Oxon, Chapter 10, pp207-218.
  • Chudek, J.A.; Geoghegan, I.E.; Hunter, G.; MacKay, R.L.; Majerus, M.E.N.; Moritz, S.; McNicol, R.J.; Birch, A.N.E. (1998) MRM, an alternative approach to the study of host/parasitoid relationships in insects., In: Blumler, P., Blumich, B., Botto, R. & Fukushima, E. (eds.). Spatially Resolved Magnetic Resonance; Methods and Applications in Material Science, Agriculture and Biomedicine. Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, Weinheim, Germany, Chapter 44, pp467-471.

Technical / contract reports

  • Birch, A.N.E.; Shepherd, T. (2010) Integrated pest and disease management for high quality raspberry production., Defra Horticulture LINK Annual Report, 85pp.
  • Shepherd, T.; Birch, AN.E. (2010) Fooling the bugs – using plant volatiles as chemo-attractants in integrated pest management schemes., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2009, pp41-42.
  • Wheatley, R.E.; Hawes, C.; Daniell, T.J.; Birch, A.N.E. (2006) Management impacts on arable diversity and function., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2006, pp40-41.
  • Griffiths, B.S.; Birch, A.N.E.; Caul, S.; Thompson, J. (2004) Belowground effects of transgenic maize., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2003/2004, pp162-163.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Boag, B.; Newton, A.C.; Gordon, S.C.; Fenton, B.; Malloch, G.; Hallett, P.D.; Iannetta, P.P.M.; Stephens, S.E.; Neilson, S.; Wright, G.M.; Marshall, B.; McKenzie, B.M.; Squire, G.R.; Gill, P.; Wheatley, R.E. (2004) The SCRI LEAF Innovation Centre: Agro-ecosystem research which develops and promotes sustainable agriculture strategies and policies for Scotland, UK and Europe., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2003/2004, pp107-114.
  • Fenton, B.; Birch, A.N.E.; Clyne, C.; Kasprowicz, L.; Malloch, G.; Mitchell, C.; Gordon, S.C. (2004) No sex please – we’re British aphids., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2003/2004, pp164-166.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Hillier, J.; Squire, G.R. (2003) A generic mathematical model for the integrated management of a crop containing anti feedant transgenes., DEFRA Project Report.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Begg, G.S.; Brennan, R.M.; Fenton, B.; Gordon, S.C.; Griffiths, B.S.; Griffiths, D.W.; Hillier, J.; Malloch, G.; Squire, G.R.; Wheatley, R.E. (2002) Developing sustainable pest management strategies for a changing future., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2001/2002, pp184-189.
  • Fenton, B.; Malloch, G.L.; Brennan, R.M.; Birch, A.N.E. (2002) Evolution and adaptation of insects and mites to vegetation systems., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2000/2001, pp144-147.
  • Shepherd, T.; Robertson, G.W.; Griffiths, D.W.; Birch, AN.E. (2000) Plants and aphids: the chemical ecology of infestation., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 1999/2000
  • Gordon, S.C.; Woodford, J.A.T.; Williamson, B.; Birch, A.N.E.; Jones, A.T. (2000) Progress towards Integrated Crop Management (ICM) for European raspberry production., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 1998/99, 153-156.
  • Hillier, J.; Hawes, C.; Squire, G.R.; Birch, A.N.E. (2000) Production and diversity in multi-trophic systems., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 1999/2000, pp176-179.
  • Birch, A.N.E. (1999) Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Plants on Bt-resistance monitoring., Technical Report for European Commission DGXXIV Consumer Policy and Consumer Health protection Committee on Plants.
  • Cooke, D.E.L.; Birch, A.N.E.; Birch, P.R.J.; Duncan, J.M.; Griffiths, D.W.; Lyon, G.D.; Trudgill, D.L.; Williamson, B.; Wilson, T.M.A.; Hillman, J.R. (1998) Are diseased and blemished foodstuffs good for you? The need for plant pathology., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 1997/98, pp54-60.

Conference papers

  • Begg, G.S.; Hawes, C.; Birch, A.N.E.; Iannetta, P.P.M.; Squire, G.R.; Young, M.W. (2011) Managing landscape cropping patterns in support of arable biodiversity., Association of Applied Biologists – Agricultural Ecology Research: It’s Role in Delivering Sustainable Farm Systems, Dundee, 15-16 June 2011 (Talk).
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Begg, G.S. (2011) Agroecology research and crop protection: How integrated pest management can help to deliver more sustainable farming systems and increase global food security., Aspects of Applied Biology, Agricultural Ecology Research: Its role in delivering sustainable farm systems, Dundee, 15-16 June 2011, 109, pp19-23.
  • Gordon, S.C.; Williamson, B.; Birch, A.N.E. (2010) Midge blight., Compendium of Raspberry and Blackberry Disease and Insects, American Phytopathological Society, USA
  • Hall, D.; Shepherd, T.; Fountain, M.; Vetek, G.; Birch, A.N.E.; Jorna, C.S.; Farman, D.; Cross, J. (2010) Investigation of attraction of raspberry cane midge, Resseliella theobaldii, to volatiles from wounded raspberry primocanes., IOBC Working Group: Integrated Plant Protection in Fruit Crops, Subgroup: Soft Fruits, 7th Workshop on Soft Fruit Production, Budapest, Hungary, 20-23 September 2010 (Talk). In: Cross, J. & Linder, C. (ed.) Integrated Plant Protection in Fruit Crops, IOBC/wprs Bulletin 70, 1-9.
  • Begg, G.S.; Birch, A.N.E.; Iannetta, P.P.M.; Young, M.W.; Squire, G.R. (2010) Engineering arable landscapes to balance the pros and cons of weeds., IOBC/wprs Working Group Meeting – Landscape Management for Functional Biodiversity, Cambridge, 22 June – 1 July 2010.
  • Derridj, S.; Elad, Y.; Birch, A.N.E. (2009) Sugar signalling and a new way for vegetable and fruit induced resistance against insects, pathogens and nematodes., IOBC/WPRS Working Group ‘Induced resistance in plants against insects and diseases’, Granada, Spain, 12-16 May 2009.
  • Birch, A.N.E. (2009) IPM in ecological engineering: using pest-resistant crops with sustainable biocontrol., ISBCA 09, 3rd International Symposium on Biological Control of Arthropods, Christchurch University, New Zealand, 8-13 February 2009.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Gordon, S.C.; Shepherd, T.; Griffiths, D.W.; Robertson, G.; Woodford, J.A.T.; Brennan, R.M. (2009) Development of semiochemical attractants, lures and traps for raspberry beetle, Byturus tomentosus at SCRI; from fundamental chemical ecology to testing IPM tools with growers., IOBC Working Group, Lund, Sweden, 9-14 September 2007, IOBC Bulletin, Pheromones and other Semiochemicals in Integrated Production, 2009, 41, 75-78.
  • Mitchell, C.; Johnson, S.N.; Birch, A.N.E.; Hubbard, S.F. (2008) Tri-trophic interaction changes as herbivores start adapting to host plant resistance., British Ecological Society Annual Meeting 2008, Imperial College, London, 3-5 September 2008.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Gordon, S.C.; Brennan, R.M.; Jennings, S.N.; Mitchell, C. (2007) Breeding for durable resistance to the large raspberry aphid, Amphorophora ideai, in field and protected raspberry plantations: Co-evolution and IPM., IOBC Working Group: Integrated Plant Protection in Fruit Crops, East Malling Research, 24-25 September 2007.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Gordon, S.C.; Shepherd, T.; Griffiths, D.W.; Robertson, G.; Brennan, R.M. (2007) Development of semiochemical attractants, lures and traps for raspberry beetle, Byturus tomentosus at SCRI; from fundamental chemical ecology to testing IPM tools with growers., IOBC Working Group: Integrated Plant Protection in Fruit Crops, East Malling Research, 24-27 September 2007.
  • Andow, D.A.; Birch, A.N.E.; Dusi, A.N.; Fontes, E.M.G.; Hilbeck, A.; Lang, A.; Lovei, G.; Pires, S.; Sujii, E.; Underwood, E.; Wheatley, R.E. (2006) Non-target and biodiversity ecological risk assessment for GM crops., International Society for Biosafety Research – 9th International Symposium on Biosafety of Genetically Modified Organisms, Jeju Island, Korea, 24-29 September 2006.
  • Mitchell, C.; Hubbard, S.F.; Gordon, S.C.; Birch, A.N.E. (2006) Making sure your prey eat well: parasitoids prefer aphids that feed on good host plants., British Ecological Society AGM. Glasgow, 10-12 September 2006.
  • Scott-Fordsmand, J.; Griffiths, B.S.; Caul, S.; Birch, A.N.E.; Krogh, P.H. (2006) Separating the effect of pesticides from Bt corn effects – testing strategy and risk assessment., 10th International Conference on Agricultural Biotechnology: Facts, Analysis and Policies, Ravello, Italy, 29 June – 2 July 2006.
  • Griffiths, B.S.; Caul, S.; Thompson, J.; Birch, A.N.E.; Cortet, J.; Andersen, M.N.; Krogh, P.H. (2006) Microbes and microfauna in cropping systems with genetically modified plants., 10th International Conference on Agricultural Biotechnology: Facts, Analysis and Policies, Ravello, Italy, 29 June – 2 July 2006.
  • Caul, S.; Griffiths, B.S.; Birch, A.N.E.; Thompson, J.; Krogh, P.H. (2006) Ecotoxicological testing of single species of nematode and protozoa in the laboratory., 10th International Conference on Agricultural Biotechnology: Facts, Analysis and Policies, Ravello, Italy, 29 June – 2 July 2006.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Griffiths, B.S.; Caul, S.; Thompson, J.; Heckmann, L.; Krogh, P.H. (2006) A review of the utility of multispecies testing of GM plants in mesocosm experiments., 10th International Conference on Agricultural Biotechnology: Facts, Analysis and Policies, Ravello, Italy, 29 June – 2 July 2006.
  • Krogh, P.H.; Griffiths, B.S.; Caul, S.; Birch, A.N.E.; Neumann-Andersen, M.; Sausse, C.; Demsar, T.; Debeljak, M.; Holmstrup, M.; Heckmann, L.; Cortet, J. (2006) Effects of Basta tolerant and Bt corn with normal tillage and reduced tillage on earthworms in a field experiment., 10th International Conference on Agricultural Biotechnology: Facts, Analysis and Policies, Ravello, Italy, 29 June – 2 July 2006.
  • Gordon, S.C.; Birch, A.N.E.; Mitchell, C. (2006) Integrated pest management of pests of raspberry (Rubus idaeus) – possible developments in Europe by 2015., IOBC/WPRS Bulletin, Stavanger, Norway, 5-8 October 2005.
  • Gordon, S.C.; Birch, A.N.E.; Brennan, R.M.; Graham, J.; Barker, H.; Dolan, A.; Jennings, S.N. (2006) Predicted developments in cane and bush fruit pest and disease management in Europe, with special reference to high health planting stock, genomics and plant breeding., Cost 863 Euroberry, Zagreb, Croatia, 19-22 April 2006.
  • Mitchell, C.; Gordon, S.C.; Birch, A.N.E.; Hubbard, S.F. (2004) Developing a “lure and kill” system for raspberry beetle, Byturus tomentosus, in Rubus production., Bulletin IOBC/WPRS, 27, 113-118.
  • Griffiths, B.S.; Birch, A.N.E.; Caul, S.; Thompson, J.; Krogh, P.H.; Cortet, J. (2004) Soil microbes and fauna under Bt maize or an isogenic control, with and without additional insecticide., SETAC Europe 15th Annual Meeting, Lille, France, 22-26 May 2005.
  • Arpaia, S.; Birch, A.N.E.; Lovei, G.L.; Setamou, M.; Sithanantham, S.; Wheatley, R.E.; Hilbeck, A.; Andow, D.A. (2004) Selection procedure to study ecological impact of GM plants: a case study of Bt-maize in Kenya., Proceedings of the 15th International Plant Protection Conference, Beijing,11-16 May 2004.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Gordon, S.C.; Fenton, B.; Malloch, G.; Mitchell, C.; Jones, A.T.; Griffiths, D.W.; Brennan, R.M.; Graham, J.; Woodford, J.A.T. (2004) Developing a sustainable IPM system for high value Rubus crops (raspberry, blackberry) for Europe., Acta Horticulturae, 649, 289-292.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Jones, A.T.; Fenton, B.; Malloch, G.; Geoghegan, I.; Gordon, S.C.; Hillier, J.; Begg, G. (2003) Resistance-breaking raspberry aphid biotypes plant breeding., Bulletin OILB/SROP 26.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Jones, A.T.; Fenton, B.; Malloch, G.; Geoghegan, I.; Gordon, S.C.; Hillier, J.; Begg, G.S. (2002) Resistance-breaking raspberry aphid biotypes: constraints to sustainable control through plant breeding and integrated crop management., Proceedings of IOBC Host Plant Resistance Workshop, Sweden, 8-12 December 2001.
  • Hillier, J.; Birch, A.N.E.; Crawford, J.W.; Squire, G.R.; Hawes, C.; Maule, M.M. (2002) A tri-trophic model to explore insect community response to the introduction of a pest-resistant GM crop., Proceedings of IOBC Host Plant Resistance Workshop, Sweden, 2001.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Jones, A.T.; Fenton, B.; Malloch, G.; Geoghegan, I.; Gordon, S.C.; Hillier, J.; Begg, G.S. (2002) Resistance-breaking raspberry aphid biotypes: constraints to sustainable control through plant breeding., Acta Horticulturae, 585, 315-317.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Hillier, J.; Squire, G.R.; Crawford, J.W. (2001) Impact of GM Crops on non-target species: Development of a generic mathematical model to predict potential ecological outcomes of using insect-resistance traits, leading to optimised deployment strategies within an IPM framework., European Science Foundation Workshop: Environmental Implications of Genetically Modified Plants with Insect Resistance Genes, Berne, 29-30 September 2000.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Hillier, J.; Squire, G.R.; Crawford, J.W. (2001) Potential effects of insecticidal GM crops on non-target organisms: from laboratory to field scale experimentation – development of temporal and spatial modelling for optimised deployment in IPM., Proceedings of the International Symposium of Insect Pathology, Guanajuato, Mexico, September 2000.

Conference posters / abstracts

  • Birch, A.N.E.; Shepherd, T.; Hancock, R.D.; Goszcz, K. (2010) Sugar sensing in inducible plant defence against multiple pest types., Scottish Plant Biology Meeting, University of Dundee, 22 April 2010.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Shepherd, T.; Hancock, R.D.; Goszcz, K. (2009) Understanding sugar sensing in induced plant defences and stress tolerance., International Society of Chemical Ecology, Neuchatel, Switzerland, 23-25 August 2009.
  • Shepherd, T.; Birch, A.N.E.; Jorna, C.S.; Mitchell, C.; Cross, J.; Hall, D.; Farman, D. (2009) Profiling of raspberry cane wound volatiles using a combination of SPME and GC-TOF-MS., Metabomeeting 2009, Norwich, 5-8 July 2009.
  • Mitchell, C.; Shepherd, T.; Birch, A.N.E.; Gordon, S.; Cross, J.; Hall, D. (2008) Are females attracted by wound volatiles to cane splits? Early stages in the development of a plant derived attractant for raspberry cane midge., 23rd International Congress of Entomology, Durban, South Africa, 6-12 July 2008.
  • Gordon, S.C.; Mitchell, C.; Birch, A.N.E.; Griffiths, D.W.; Casagrande, E.; Jones, O. (2005) Use of natural plant derived chemicals to monitor and the prospects of managing raspberry beetles (Byturus tomentosus) in open field production., Workshop Pest and Weed Control in Sustainable Fruit Production, Poland (Abstract).
  • Gordon, S.C.; Barker, H.; Graham, J.; Brennan, R.M.; Dolan, A.; Birch, A.N.E.; Mitchell, C.; Cross, J.; Berrie, A.; Fitzgerald, J.; Allen, J. (2005) Integrated crop management related cane and bush fruit research in the UK., WG3 1st Meeting Sustainable Berry Production (COST 863 Euroberry), Wageningen, 7-9 July 2005 (Abstract).
  • Griffiths, B.S.; Krogh, P.H.; Cortet, J.; Birch, A.N.E.; Caul, S.; Thompson, J. (2004) A comparison of fauna in soils planted with Bt toxin-expressing transgenic maize and an isogenic control, with and without additional insecticide, in a glasshouse study., Abstract for Soil Zoology Colloquium, France, September 2004.
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Gordon, S.C.; Fenton, B.; Malloch, G.; Mitchell, C.; Jones, A.T.; Griffiths, D.W.; Brennan, R.M.; Graham, J.; Woodford, J.A.T. (2003) Developing a sustainable IPM system for high value Rubus crops (raspberry, blackberry) for Europe., COST 836 Final Workshop, Ancona, 9-11 October 2003 (Poster).
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Gordon, S.C.; Woodford, J.A.T.; Griffiths, D.W.; Robertson, G.; Mitchell, C. (2003) Raspberry beetle monitoring and enhanced trapping using plant-derived volatile compounds from host flowers., Symposium on Raspberry, Cacak, Serbia and Montenegro, 28-30 October 2003 (Poster).
  • Gordon, S.C.; Birch, A.N.E.; Woodford, J.A.T.; Mitchell, C. (2003) Managing pests of raspberry using IPM techniques – European experience., Symposium on Raspberry, Cacak, Serbia and Montenegro, 28-30 October 2003 (Abstract).
  • Birch, A.N.E.; Jones, A.T.; Malloch, G.; Fenton, B.; Gordon, S.C. (2003) Resistance-breaking raspberry aphid biotypes: a challenge for plant breeding., Proceedings of Integrated Protection of Fruit Crops (Soft Fruits), Dundee, 18-21 September 2001, 26, 51-54.
  • Gordon, S.C.; Birch, A.N.E.; Brennan, R.M.; Graham, J. (2003) Alternative control strategies for managing pests of cane and bush fruits in Europe., Advances in European Crop Protection, John Innes Centre, Norwich, 19-20 May 2003 (Abstract).

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