Sustainable plant production systems are essential to address major global challenges – including climate change, biodiversity loss, food security, and social equity.
At SLU, this research area brings together interdisciplinary research to develop innovative solutions that reduce the environmental impact of agriculture, horticulture and forestry, strengthen ecosystem services, and support resilient and productive agroecosystems and forest landscapes.
The research spans technological innovations such as precision agriculture and digital tools, as well as biological solutions including alternative protein sources, new crop varieties, climate-resilient plants, and regenerative practices. Particular emphasis is placed on enhancing plant health, soil carbon sequestration, improving soil health, and fostering biodiversity.
Social science research plays a key role in understanding how policy instruments, economic incentives, and governance frameworks can enable a broader transition to sustainable production systems.
By integrating expertise in plant science, forest science, technology, ecology, economics, and social sciences, SLU contributes to a knowledge-driven transformation of plant production – towards systems that are more resilient, resource-efficient, and socially just.
Examples of research within this field
Researchers and external stakeholders visiting field experiments at one of SLU’s field research facilities. Photo: Janne Nordlund Othén, SLU
Evaluation and design of cropping systems
The research conducted at the Department of Crop Production Ecology spans from basic science to demand-driven collaborative projects with farmers, industry, authorities, and civil society. Taking a systems perspective, they conduct experiments in controlled environments, field and farm studies, interviews, and modelling work. Their work contributes to translating science into policy and practice at the local, national, and global scale.
Associate Professor Sajeevan Radha Sivarajan, works in the Resistance Biology Unit in Alnarp to understanding climate stress resilience molecular pathways in crop plants. Photo Erik Andreasson
Resistance biology
In a research group led by Professor Erik Andreasson the aim is to understand molecular mechanisms of stress and pathogen resistance in plants. One major approach is to identify new sensitivity genes (S genes) that can be used in the cultivation of future plant varieties and to develop methods to stimulate the plant defense through treatment with low-risk agents. The overall aim is to reduce the need for chemical control against diseases in crop plants without harvest losses and to minimize variations in yield due to abiotic stress in a world with climate change.
Sofie Johansson (front) and her colleagues Iftikhar Ahmad and Sonali Ranade (back) are studying somatic embryos at the Spruce Transformation Facility at Umeå Plant Science Centre. Photo: Anne Honsel, SLU
Understanding plant embryo development to accelerate conifer breeding through somatic embryogenesis
Traditional conifer breeding takes 20 to 30 years per tree generation - far too long to respond effectively to the challenges of climate change and rising tree mortality. Somatic embryogenesis, combined with genomic and biotechnological tools, enables faster development of climate-resilient tree seedlings but requires a better understanding of the processes controlling plant embryo development.
Many groups at the Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC) study the cell- and developmental biology of root, shoot, flower, and wood formation. At the Spruce Transformation Facility at UPSC, researchers investigate the development of somatic embryos and optimise technologies to produce, multiply, and genetically modify spruce somatic embryos. These innovations can shorten the breeding cycle of forest trees and contribute critical knowledge for future tree breeding and sustainable silviculture practices.
Innocent Byamukama and Klara Fischer looking down at Nyamusingiri and Kyashanduuka lakes, Rubirizi district, Uganda. Photo: Flora Hajdu, SLU
Environmental governance and agrarian change
Associate professor Klara Fischer studies the intersection of policy, technology and practice in environmental governance and agrarian change. Situated in the field of political ecology, Klara’s research pays particular attention to the perspectives and lived realities of marginalized groups. Her ongoing research projects concern for example the discursive dynamics that keep pollinator unfriendly practices in place and the knowledge politics of new genetic technologies in agriculture.
Professor Helena Hansson and PhD student Harold Opdenbosch are discussing Harold’s introductory chapter for his PhD thesis, at SLU in Ultuna. Photo: Anne Dietrich
Agricultural Economics in Support of a Resilient and Sustainable Food Future
Food systems need to transform to better align with sustainable development, adapt to a changing climate and to cope with disruptions. This involves changes in production as well as in food consumption.
In the Agricultural and Food Economics group, led by Professor Helena Hansson, we investigate key question such as: What are the economic synergies and trade-offs for agricultural producers when they adopt more sustainable production approaches? How can farmers maintain their economic viability and their ability to produce food and fibre over time, even when exposed to disruptions?
We also investigate the motivational factors and driving forces influencing both producers and consumers to adopt behaviours that support sustainability and resilience within the food system. Furthermore, we examine how public and private policies can facilitate this adoption. We work in well-established interdisciplinary collaborations, where agricultural economics is combined with natural sciences related to, for example, crop and animal production, and agricultural technology.
Meet Jaqueline Auer – PhD student in food structure and digestability
Jaqueline Auer – PhD student in structure and digestability of plant-based proteins at SLU
Jaqueline Auer's project "Structure and digestability of plant-based proteins in relation to processing" is a collaboration with the highly interdisciplinary research centre of PAN Sweden where the aim is to couple material science with food and medical science to clarify the relationship between processing, food microstructure, bioavailability, digestion and fermentation on health.
Meet Laura Grenville-Briggs Didymus – Professor of Integrated Plant Protection
Laura Grenville-Briggs Didymus
Laura Grenville-Briggs Didymus specialises in the biology and genetics of fungal-like organisms called oomycetes, many of which are serious plant pathogens. Her current research focuses on sustainable strategies for the control of potato late blight and other diseases that are caused by such "water moulds".
More about SLU Futures
We’re searching for the next generation of faculty members with vision, curiosity and courage. More precisely 9 associate senior lecturers / assistant professors to co-create sustainable life. How? You tell us.
