Exosect Awarded Defra Sustainable Arable Link Grant For Research Into Charged Powder Spray Technology

Dow AgroSciences, IPARC and Micron Sprayers Team With Exosect To Improve Spray Efficacy, Reduce Drift and Minimise Environmental Impact

(PRWEB) May 2, 2007 -- Exosect, a leading provider of environmentally conscious insect pest control today announced that it has been awarded a grant from Defra. This project is sponsored by Defra (Pesticide Safety Directorate) through the Sustainable Arable LINK Programme. The award will facilitate a joint research project with IPARC, Dow AgroSciences and Micron Sprayers into a commercial development of a spray technology that uses charged powders developed by Exosect to enhance adherence to both foliage and the target pest.

Sponsored by the UK government's Department for Food Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra), the project utilises the combined expertise of the pesticide application specialist International Pesticide Application Research Centre (IPARC); Exosect for the development of the electrostatic particulate technology; Micron Sprayers as experts in the manufacture and design of spray application equipment and Dow AgroSciences who will provide the analytical capabilities for active ingredients.

"The stigmatic surface of a flower is a common entry route for pests that cause floral infection," explains the Managing Director of Exosect, Martin Brown, "The development and commercial exploitation of this novel spray technology will improve overall efficacy, whilst at the same time reducing spray drift and pesticide application rates. It will lengthen required spray intervals, minimise the pesticide burden in the environment and potential exposure risk to operators."

The project is due for completion in September 2007.

About Exosect
Exosect Limited was formed in 2001 to commercialise innovative pest control technology developed at the Southampton University's School of Biological Sciences. Focussing primarily on R&D, Exosect has developed a range of delivery systems based on the concept of attractants and active ingredients formulated with patented powder carrier systems. Specialising in IPM based, environmentally acceptable pest control products, markets include crop protection (agriculture and horticulture), stored product, amenity landscape and public health. More on Exosect: www.exosect.com

Editor's Notes
Further information on Exosect - including interviews, demonstrations, users stories and site visits - is available from:

Graham Thatcher / Spencer Butt
Exosect Press Office at MCC International Ltd
Tel: 01962 888 100 / Fax: 01962 888125
Email: exosectpr @ mccint.com   
URL: www.mccint.com

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