Plant-Production Systems
Economic circumstances are changing, and resources (water, nutrients, energy, soil, labour) are becoming increasingly scarce. Added to this are climate change, population growth, and the increasing demands of society such as the reduction of the use of plant protection products.
In order to meet these challenges, Agroscope is working on real-world problem-solving approaches:
- the sustainable intensification of arable and special crops: here, the aim is to use resources such as nutrients and water more efficiently.
- environmentally friendly cultivation systems: testing inter alia conservation agriculture, mixed crops, and the alternative control of accompanying flora in Swiss conditions.
- cultivation methods and post-harvest processes are being developed for arable and special crops that improve the quality and value-added of the products.
The findings obtained help with the formulation of agricultural best practices and best policies. The aim: to further improve the quality of plant crops and the competitiveness of the Swiss agricultural sector, whilst continuing to minimise the risks for humans and the environment.
Head
Deputy
Research Groups
Index
Field-Crop Systems and Plant Nutrition
Based on the principles of agroecology, the ‘Field-Crop Systems and Plant Nutrition’ Research Group aims to develop the scientific foundations to increase the efficiency of use of field-crop nutrients, encourage the use of recyclable products such as fertiliser and develop resilient systems for soil conservation practices, crop-rotation diversification and agroforestry systems.
Greenhouse Crops
Greenhouse vegetable production encompasses innovative and highly productive cropping systems. Agroscope works to develop growing techniques, energy efficiency and natural resources as well as greenhouse-crop protection. We work in collaboration with the professional sector to meet the expectations of producers and with academic stakeholders to develop innovative growing techniques for the future, as well as with the private sector to create commercial value-added in the greenhouse crops sector.
Berries and Medicinal Plants
The work of the ‘Berries and Medicinal Plants’ Research Group aims to ensure the sustainable production of berries and medicinal plants based on efficient methods of production, plant protection and post-harvest processes, which, in particular, increase product quality, improve competitiveness and minimise risks for the environment. Innovative production systems such as vertical farming and agrophotovoltaics are put to the test.
Fruit Crops in the Alpine Region
The activities of the ‘Fruit Crops in the Alpine Region’ Research Group are based on the development of innovative and sustainable fruit production and storage systems. The main research topics are (i) the creation of new varieties of apricots and pears to improve disease- and pest-resistance, fruit quality and productivity; (ii) the development of pest- and disease-control methods to reduce the use of pesticides; and (iii) determination of the factors influencing fruit quality pre- and post-harvest, to reduce the impacts of climate change.
Science in Arable Crops
The ’Weed Science in Arable Crops’ Research Group tests and develops effective and innovative weed management strategies based on agroecological principles. The Group participates in different projects at national and European level to support farmers in meeting herbicide reduction targets.
Viticulture
The aim of the ‘Viticulture’ Research Group is to breed disease-resistant varieties, to make the most of the clonal biodiversity of the traditional varieties and to test plant material (varieties, clones, rootstocks). The Group also develops growing techniques that allow for a significant reduction in the use of plant-protection inputs as well as the balanced management of soils and of water and mineral input with a view to maintaining or improving product quality, the economic viability of the proposed solutions and the sustainability of the viticulture sector.
Oenology
The main mission of the ‘Oenology’ Group is to provide the professionals of the winegrowing sector with solutions for allowing wines to express their terroir whilst guaranteeing their consistency and reducing the use of inputs, all within the context of a liberalised and competitive market. The optimisation of the vinification processes of the new fungal-disease-resistant grape varieties leads to the development of quality wines. Technical itineraries as well as natural resource-friendly, more-energy-saving cellar technologies are tested to meet the new regulatory and sustainability requirements.
Cultivation Techniques and Varieties in Arable Farming
The ’Cultivation Techniques and Varieties in Arable Farming’ Research Group is dedicated to researching sustainable production techniques and new climate-change-adapted varieties for the main field-crop species cultivated according to various production techniques (integrated production, quality labels or organic farming). To accomplish its mission, it is active in testing, mainly in the field, from Lake Geneva to East Switzerland.
Viticulture in German-Speaking Switzerland
The aim of the ‘Viticulture in German-Speaking Switzerland’ Research Group is to develop tools for winegrowers that promote sustainability. For this, plant-protection strategies and alternative products as well as new grape varieties and climate-adapted clones are tested. In addition, the Group deepens the understanding of soil quality parameters for high-quality grape production and optimises the development and marketing of new grape varieties. In doing so, the entire value chain from grape to wine is assessed.