Larisa Gustavsson

I have been employed at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) since 2002, initially at Balsgård and since 2007 at Alnarp. I am currently responsible for the subject area Plants and the Environment at the Department of Plant Breeding.

My undergraduate education is in general and molecular genetics (1991), and I received my PhD in genetics and plant breeding in 2008. My doctoral thesis focused on the molecular characterization of genetic diversity in horticultural crops. I have held the title of Associate Professor (Docent) in Biology with a specialization in plant breeding since 2015.

My research centers on plant genetic diversity, molecular genetics and disease resistance in horticultural and crop species, particularly apple and other fruit crops.

I am especially interested in genetic resources characterization in horticultural and crop species and their enhancement through breeding.

The main interest and a significant focus of my work is on improving resistance to diseases, especially in apple. Currently I lead research on resistance to Neonectria ditissima, the fungus causing European canker in apple, using integrated approaches (genetic mapping, metabolomics etc.).

I am also interested in other traits important for breeding of climate-resilient crops for cultivation in a range of climatic conditions.

Beyond apple, my research extended to breeding-related topics in other crops, e.g., wheat and potato.

I teach in the undergraduate programme in Horticultural Management: Gardening and Horticultural Production and in the Master's programme in Horticultural Science, and I supervise and examine bachelor's and master's theses.

I am responsible for three courses:

BI1367 'Plant Breeding and Plant Physiology'

BI1395 'Postharvest - Biology and Technology'

TD0008 'Food in today’s and tomorrow’s society - an introduction' 

I am teaching on the following courses:

TD0015 'Pomology - harvest, post harvest and plant breeding' 

TD0016 'Pomology - cultivation, propagation and plant protection' 

TD0010 'Crop management and quality of horticultural products' 

BI1143 'Horticultural Production Systems

BI1407 'Advanced Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources'

BI1296 'Plant Biology for Breeding and Protection' 

I also teach, supervise and act as a member och examining committes at the postgraduate level.

I am a Deputy Head of Department for basic education at the Department of Plant Breeding