7th June 2014 pod cast on Newcastle University trying to solve aphids that infest many crops. Rothamsted have also been trying to solve this problem for 50 years.
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio4/farming/farming_20140606-0951a.mp3 (starts at 3.0 minutes in)
They are trying to make a bio pesticide by combing spider venom with a carrier molecule from snowdrops.
Howard’s science was simple: If a plant has enough properly synthesized protein in its system it will not be attractive to pests or disease. This synthesized protein is obtained through healthy soil and healthy soil is created with a 1 inch (25mm) annual dressing of HH-4 compost/fertiliser. Result: no aphid infestations.