Biointeractions and Plant Health: focusing on the interaction between the plant and its enemies
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Pests and diseases are causing large yield losses. Control is diminishing such losses but often has negative effects on man and environment. The Business Unit Biointeractions and Plant Health is developing strong cultivation systems with an inherent resilience to pests and diseases. This holds prospects for a sustainable food production worldwide. |
Our research focuses on the interaction between the plant and its pests and diseases. We are studying harmful as well as beneficial insects, viruses, bacteria and we are analysing their effects on plant damage, belowground as well as aboveground. We are also developing refined methods for the detection of organisms, during production as well as further down the chain.
We are bringing this knowledge together into - what we call - robust cultivation systems. A wide variation of measures is preventing pests and diseases from hitting the crop; these measures include early detection of a pest with molecular techniques, development of organisms than can be used for biological control, or measures that are protecting the natural enemies of pests and diseases. This reduces the use of chemical pesticides to virtually zero with a good yield security.
Unique in our research is the umbrella approach: we are tackling pest or disease problems through intensive collaboration between fundamental and applied research and between researchers and sector. This results in new knowledge rapidly being picked up by farmers and growers.
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