Members projects

PepsiCo has several ongoing projects to try to minimize fungicide usage in Russia, the UK and Egypt.

One of these projects provides online data that advises growers on the correct type, amount, and time to apply fungicides for effective control of the late blight pathogen. These tools increase fungicide use efficiency and often lower the amount of active ingredient applied. Pest management plans encourage the use of tools, such as weather
monitoring, to predict the arrival of plant pathogens, which result in targeted pesticide applications.

Morover, PepsiCo is actively engaged in basic and applied research to control “Zebra Chip” (ZC), a disease resulting from bacterial infection in potatoes. This disease causes significant quality defects in potato chips in several countries across the globe, and is transmitted by the potato psyllid, an insect which is challenging to control.

Frito-Lay, with the industry’s support, introduced new science-based solutions to replace organophosphates and more effectively control the potato psyllid. This targeted approach to pest management can reduce risk to non-target organisms, such as pollinators and other beneficials. Pest management plans have led to increased scouting programs to monitor for the arrival of the potato psyllid. Through effective surveillance of the potato psyllid population, the total number of insecticide applications has been reduced.

Crop rotation and other prevention tactics being used in the UK to control pests without the use of chemicals are now being shared across our global programs.