Protecting plants is protecting life [08.05.22]
Following up on the International Year of Plant Health in 2020, the United Nation's General Assembly has proclaimed May 12 as International Day of Plant Health.
Novel Perspectives for effective and sustainable crop protection
Plant protection is synonymous with protecting our livelihoods. In order to provide the world's growing population with sufficient nutritious and safe food, highly effective and efficient agricultural management is a MUST. Most of the cultivation and production concepts developed over the last decades require large areas of arable land and also chemical crop protection, all of this being increasingly questioned in the light of planetary boundaries and chemically burdened food chains. The European Union has reacted with increased requirements for the authorization of plant protection products and also proposed in its "Farm-to-Fork" strategy to reduce the use of and risk from chemically synthetic plant protection products by 50% by 2030.
Research at the University of Hohenheim contributes to these goals.
At the Institute of Phytomedicine scientists investigate and develop novel concepts and measures to protect plants from disease-causing pathogenic microorganisms or other pests. Primary goals are to ensure efficient food production and a healthy environment in times of climate change and extreme weather events. In line with the OneHealth concept, research is being conducted across disciplines and Departments to elucidate the complex molecular basis and modulating factors of plant diseases, but also to develop new approaches and technologies for sustainable, effective and preferably nature-based plant protection - as envisaged by the European Commission and its "Green Deal". This includes, for example, new concepts for biological plant protection, RNA-based methods, crop diversification, new cultivation and crop management concepts, new methods for early detection and efficient monitoring of plant diseases, as well as precision intervention measures.
International trade of plant products also contributes to the spread of plant disease and pests. At the Institute of Agricultural Policy and Agricultural Market Theory at the University of Hohenheim, and here in particular at the Departments of Agricultural and Food Policy and Agricultural Markets, current practices and developments are analyzed to come up with more effective concepts and innovative approaches that mitigate such challenges and support plant and food safety for all.
Wanna read more? Here, you can get an overview on Hohenheim research for crop protection
