ALTIFAST

France is Europe’s leading producer and the world’s leading exporter of seeds. However, the sector faces major challenges, particularly the management of beetle pests, which has already led to a decline in certain crops. Pest infestations can result in crops being downgraded from food-grade to industrial-grade, leading to significant economic losses for the entire sector.
 

In this context, the ALTIFAST project, which is partly a continuation of the plan to phase out phosmet on rapeseed, is one of the projects resulting from the PARSADA Call for Proposals (Strategic Action Plan for Anticipating the Potential European Withdrawal of Active Ingredients and the Development of Alternative Techniques for Crop Protection). 

This initiative, developed in collaboration with the sectors and supported by public authorities, aims to develop a range of operational solutions to address potential deadlock situations
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The research will focus on flax flea beetles (Aphtona euphorbiae and Longitarsus parvulus), the winter flea beetle (Psylliodes chrysocephala) on rapeseed, crucifer flea beetles (Phyllotreta sp.) on seed radish, and the hemp flea beetle (Psylliodes attenuata) on seed hemp.
  

The ALTIFAST project aims to improve our understanding of flea beetles and provide practical solutions for controlling these insects, tailored to the needs of the field. To this end, it plans to:
- study the biology of these pests to develop new management strategies,
- gather more data on alternatives to synthetic insecticides, used alone or in combination, at the plot or regional level. 
- to collaborate with stakeholders in research and development (public and private research, experimental development practitioners, and agricultural advisors) to develop appropriate combined management strategies and support farmers and their advisors in changing their practices.
 

• Improve knowledge of pests and their natural enemies:
-Understanding the factors that influence pest abundance and damage
potential -Development of risk prediction models.
-Characterization of pest population dynamics within the field and in the
environment-Identification and characterization of natural enemies of pests
.-Knowledge of insecticide resistance levels in the region and the mechanisms
involved-Management of breeding programs to support research efforts.

• Development of plant-scale solutions:
-Identification and optimization of direct control
solutions-Development of an effective selective suction tool usable on multiple pest species
.-Identification of effective volatile organic compounds.

• Development of solutions at the plot and regional scales:
-Identification of beneficial plants and characterization of their effects
.-Development of “Attract and Kill” strategies based on the use of beneficial plants and chemical mediators.
-Development of multi-pronged strategies.

• Dissemination and adoption of solutions: Project
progress will be communicated on an ongoing basis through all available channels: press, website, webinars, technical meetings in the field or in meeting rooms…Strong links will be established with other projects already underway or submitted under the PARSADA framework (COLEOFAST, TAUPIFAST, ASAP, ARDECO, METASERV, IPSEELON, etc.) as well as with the Dephy Expe CONCERTO project.