SLU Plant Protection Network

Plant genotype-dependent biocontrol of wheat diseases
Genetic variation in plants can affect how efficiently biological control agents can reduce diseases. In this doctoral thesis, Sidhant Chaudhary has investigated this variation to bring us closer to

Sustainable tomato protection and the power of the microbiome
In his new thesis, Daniele Nicotra has uncovered mechanisms driving complex interactions within the plant microbiome. The goal is to develop new bioinoculants as sustainable alternatives to chemical

Smarter pest control for faba bean
Faba beans have the potential to replace imported soybeans for plant-based protein products. They are however, threatened by the broad bean beetle. Now, SLU researchers present a new promising,

Innovative biocontrol and gene silencing in Trelleborg
Ramesh Vetukuri was invited to share the latest advances in spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) and biocontrol with farmers and advisors in Trelleborg. – I was invited by Andreas Ekfrost, who is an

Vahideh gets award for her work on improving food security
Vahideh Rafieebanadaki has been recognized as an honorary member of the Jeanie Borlaug Laube Women in Triticum award by the Borlaug Global Rust Initiative for her contributions to wheat research and
14th Conference of the European Foundation for Plant Pathology
cajsa.lithell@slu.se The 14th European Conference of Plant Pathology, will take place on 3-5 June 2025 in Uppsala, and is arranged by the Swedish Society for Plant Pathology. We look forward to

Different wavelengths of light can improve plant protection
Plant surfaces are not always a hospitable environment for beneficial bacteria that help protect plants from pests. However, in a new doctoral thesis, Maria Hellström has investigated how different

She Stress-Tests Trees to Assess Their Resilience to Future Climates
By exposing seedlings to drought and heat in climate chambers, researcher Leonie Schönbeck aims to determine how trees will cope in the future. “The need to better understand drought and heat

Beneficial bacteria help plants cope with drought stress
A synthetic microbial community affected both tomatoes and Arabidopsis plants positively when faced with drought. In addition, the treated plants had a richer and more diverse soil microbiome. In a
Matchmaking workshop SLU Forest Damage Centre
Matchmaking-workshop SLU Forest Damage Centre katja.fedrowitz@slu.se In connection with the current call from the SLU Forest Damage Centre, a matchmaking workshop is being organised for researchers

Transformative changes in agriculture through ecosystem services
Eirini Lamprini Daouti is one of the newest researchers at SLU Centre of Biological Control (CBC). In her research, she explores ways to sustain crop production both now and in the future. She does

Chloë works to promote biological pest control through crop diversification
Chloë Raderschall is one of the SLU Centre of Biological Control’s newest researchers. Chloë is an avid hiker, gardener and photographer who first got introduced to biological control methods through