We develop and examine treatments and strategies to control pathogens and pests in arable farming and grassland. Our main focus lies on preventative measures and on biological control of insects, as well as on regulation and direct control of plant pathogenic fungi with natural compounds of plant, microbial or inorganic origin. In order to improve food safety, we investigate the effect of different cropping factors on Fusarium attack and mycotoxin contamination in small-grain cereals and maize.
To identify, quantify and monitor organisms, we evaluate diagnostic methods and utilize them together with forecasting systems for the development of sustainable plant protection systems.