Our research focuses on sustainable cultivation of plants for food, feed, energy, and fibre
We aim to contribute to the cropping systems of the future, where higher quality and yields are combined with better use of ecosystem services and minimal negative impact on the environment.
Our courses cover the ecology and sustainable production of plants
You will gain knowledge about how production methods and cropping systems affect yield, quality, and the environment, knowledge essential for designing sustainable farming systems. We teach within SLU’s bachelor’s and master’s programmes, offer undergraduate courses, and provide postgraduate studies.
A department at the forefront of crop production research
The Department of Crop Production Ecology conducts research, teaching, and collaboration to support the agriculture of the future. As part of SLU’s internationally leading research community, we are a force in the transition to both productive and climate-smart farming. Through our research, collaboration, and education, we contribute to sustainable development.
Resources and collaboration
At the Department of Crop Production Ecology, several units and infrastructures serve as important resources, not only for the Department and SLU, but also for society at large. They support research, education, and collaboration, and contribute with expertise, data, and technical solutions. Here you find webpages with information about SLU Fältforsk, our field research stations, SLU Agricultural Long-Term Experiments and more.
News
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Mushroom alcohol makes some women more attractive to mosquitoes than others
That people vary in how attractive they are to mosquitoes is well known, but the chemical reasons have remained unclear. An SLU-led study now shows that menstrual cycle and pregnancy affect attractiveness, and that highly attractive people emit more “mushroom alcohol”. -
Landscape structure influences soil-borne pathogenic fungi worldwide
The structure of landscapes surrounding forests and grasslands influences the occurrence of pathogenic fungi in soils worldwide. A new study shows that landscape structure is a key factor in understanding soil biodiversity. -
Eleven new SLU professors give lectures
From ruminant nutrition and lame horses to the crops, forests and cities of the future. A wide range of topics will be covered when our new professors give their inauguration lectures on April 23–24 in Uppsala. The lectures can also be followed online.
Research projects
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ECOLINK - Linking plant traits and ecosystem services in tree stands
ECOLINK is a project hub with focus on the effects of species or genotype identity and diversity in tree stands on various ecosystem functions, tree biomass growth and yield stability. -
HeRo - Healthy roots: development of tools for the selection of robust cultivars in Swedish plant breeding, with focus on the root system
The aim of the project is to identify characteristics of plant root systems that can be used as a tool by plant breeders to select crop-resilient varieties, and to evaluate these traits from a cropping systems perspective. We identify genetic markers associated with these traits. -
RhizoLupin - Identification of rhizobia bacteria associated with narrow-leaved lupin in Swedish organic agriculture
In this project, we investigate the survival and adaptation of rhizobia introduced in Sweden when growing narrow-leaved lupin over recent years, to see if they are better adapted to Sweden’s growing conditions. -
DIVERSify - Designing InnoVative plant teams for Ecosystem Resilience and agricultural Sustainability
The DIVERSify project worked to optimise the performance of crop species mixtures, intercropping or ‘plant teams’ to improve yields, reduce pest and disease damage, and enhance stress resilience in agricultural systems. -
N2CROP - Legume innovation for future agri-food systems
N2CROP is an international hub for legume research and innovation, combining experience in plant genetics, agronomics, crop modelling, and molecular nutrition. The project brings together researchers from Aarhus Univ., Univ. of Copenhagen, Technical Univ. of Denmark, SLU, and LaTrobe University.
Research groups
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Plant ecology - Plant production in relation to genotype and environment
We conduct research to develop cultivated plants and their production systems towards the efficient use of the available resources. Main focus is on plant interactions with microbes, insects and the abiotic environment, especially the weather conditions becoming more common due to climate change. -
Crop production specialized in forage
The overall aim of the research group is to create knowledge that promotes sustainable and competitive agricultural systems that are based on forages, like leys, pastures and whole-crops, and ensures the supply of environmentally sustainable food from ruminants. -
Short rotation forestry
Fast-growing deciduous tree species can be used to replace fossil fuels and to diminish human impact on the climate. Our research contributes to a more efficient and environmentally sustainable cultivation of tree plantations for bio-energy purposes. -
Cropping systems
Our research contributes to the development of sustainable and ethical cropping systems. To achieve that goal, our team employ various interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research approaches from the crop level to the food system scale. -
Weed ecology and management
We study both basic and applied aspects of the ecology and management of weeds in agriculture.