As part of a major project on sustainable floriculture, the Indian Institute of Rose Research (ICAR-DFR) and Bayer CropScience signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to initiate joint bioefficacy trials of pesticide formulations for the control of major pests in rose cultivation.
This agreement marks the launch of a joint research program entitled “Toxicity Evaluation of Spidoxamate 36 g/L + Abamectin 18 g/L OD against Pink Thrips and Mites in Outdoor Conditions.” This two-year contract research project, led by ICAR-DFR, will thoroughly evaluate the product’s effectiveness in pest and disease control, as well as its environmental safety, under real-world crop cultivation conditions.
The memorandum of understanding was signed by Dr. K. V. Prasad, Director of the Indian Centre for Rose Research, on behalf of the institute, and Dr. Prafull Malthankar and Dr. Sangram Wagchaure signed the memorandum of understanding on behalf of Bayer CropScience Ltd. The field trials will specifically evaluate the efficacy of Bayer’s proprietary formula (a combination of speedoxamate and abamectin) against persistent pests such as thrips and mites, which are a persistent problem for commercial rose growers across India.
The project is unique in its dual focus: controlling pest populations and protecting beneficial arthropods and natural enemies in floral ecosystems. This ecological balance is increasingly recognized as the cornerstone of next-generation plant protection strategies, especially in valuable horticultural sectors such as cut flower production.
Dr. Prasad noted: “The global floriculture market is demanding cleaner and more sustainable growing practices, and this collaboration aims to provide science-based knowledge on how targeted formulations can protect crop health without harming biodiversity.”
Bayer representatives echoed this view, noting that data-driven innovation is critical to developing integrated pest management (IPM) solutions that are both effective and environmentally friendly.
Given the growing attention of consumers and exporters to pesticide residues and sustainability certification, such collaboration between public research institutes and agribusinesses is expected to play a key role in shaping the future of India’s floriculture industry. This project is not only an important scientific milestone but also a step toward creating a sustainable, knowledge-based value chain for ornamental crops.
Post time: Sep-22-2025