Izabella wins the Global Sustainability Award with pitch on cover crops

At the end of May, we had a live celebration of our graduating students and explored their degree projects at a digital poster exhibition. Izabella Lundborg won the global sustainability award for her pitch about her ongoing master project ”Cover crops in control of root parasitic and pathogenic organisms; Plasmodiophora brassicae, Prathylencus penetrans & Meloidogyne hapla”

– There has been no doubt that my future would be in horticulture. Since I was a child, I have been engaged in plant protection. I was the “protector” of our garden making sure aphids didn't get away with harming my mother’s plants and protecting bees from getting slammed. Since then, I have evolved my knowledge in my studies at Säbyholms agriculture gymnasium, University of Bologna Faculty Agriculture and at SLU in Alnarp, says Isabella.

Evaluating cover crops

Izabella’s thesis consists of a greenhouse trial where cover crops were evaluated in bioassays with respective parasitic or pathogenic organisms. Different cover crop species are evaluated for their ability to counteract plant pathogens/pests that cause severe crop loss. The cover crops have potential to be used as a tool for controlling plant parasitic nematodes and Plasmodiophora brassicae.

Conservation biological control and beehives

– My main interest is plant protection within means to work against a future sustainable food production. I'm especially interested in conservation biological control, plant and pathogen interactions, functional biodiversity in arable land and, of course, cover crops. Also, technological development in these areas interest me, I believe it will play an important role in efficient and extended usage in the future.

– My best professional qualities are that I am driven, flexible, curious, calm and have very good discipline. During my free time, I prefer to engage in outdoor activities, cook, cultivate and take care of my beehives.