Advances in Bioprotection of Plants Against Diseases

Dr Shashi Sharma is President of the World BioProtection Forum and Adjunct Professor in the Harry Butler Institute at Murdoch University, Australia. Previous roles he has held include Professor and Chair in Biosecurity and Food Security at Murdoch University and Chief Plant Health Manager at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Government of Western Australia. Dr Sharma is recipient of several awards and fellowships including CGIAR’s (Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research) Excellence in Science Award. Dr Minshad Ansari is CEO of Bionema, a leading UK company developing new biocontrol products. He has over 25 years’ experience in bioprotection research, development and commercialisation, particularly in the area of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes. Dr Ansari is Founder and Chair of the World Bioprotection Forum (WBF). Dr Ansari is also an Honorary Research Fellow at Swansea University, UK.

Part 1 Advances in techniques for identifying and developing bioprotectants



1.Techniques for understanding and modifying microbial activity in the phytobiome to suppress disease/promote plant disease resistance: Angela Records, Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research, USA;
2.Improving biosafety testing of bioprotectants and other plant protection products (PPPs) and bioprotectants: Guy Smagghe, University of Ghent, Belgium;
3.Creating an effective regulatory regime for bioprotectants: Imme Gerke, IDRG, Germany;

Part 2 Advances in the use of bioprotection agents



4.The use of actinobacteria/actinomycetes as bacterial biocontrol agents to control plant diseases: Louise Thatcher, CSIRO, Australia;
5.The use of Clonostachys rosea to control plant diseases: Cameron Scott, Simon Fraser University, Canada;
6.The use of Pythium oligandrum as a biocontrol agent: Maofeng Jing, Nanjing Agricultural University, China;
7.Advances in the use of bioprotectants/biocontrol agents to control diseases in grapes/vineyards: Vittorio Rossi, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy;
8.Disease management in cereals using biocontrol agents: Sander Schouten, Wageningen University, The Netherlands;
9.Advances in the use of bioprotectants/biocontrol agents to control diseases in potato: Jianjun Hao, University of Maine, USA;
10.Advances in bioherbicides/biological control of weeds: Te-Ming Paul Tseng, Mississippi State University, USA;