This project develops innovative solutions for controlling the most important pests in arable production, thereby contributing to the further development of sustainable plant protection.
Increased global trade and ongoing climate change mean that the Swiss viticulture sector is increasingly confronted with new pests and pathogens. The aim of this project is to provide winemakers with the necessary knowledge to face the new circumstances and respond appropriately and sustainably to new pests.
Modern genetic diagnostic methods not only allow the reliable identification of agriculturally important organisms; they also enable the genetic characterisation of relevant traits, such as pesticide- and antibiotic resistance. In this project, methods of this sort are developed for on-site use, opening up new possibilities for modern plant protection.
‘Good’ microorganisms can promote plant growth and/or protect plants from pests, serve as an indicator of soil quality, or ferment milk in cheese production. Bioinformatic data analysis is a key requirement for comprehensively describing complex microbiomes and for making targeted use of individual, functionally relevant microorganisms.
Exploring protection against damage caused by plant-parastic nematodes. The aim is to develop and implement new concepts for prevention, diagnosis and integrated control.
