Plant disease epidemiology
Contact
Group members
Related researchprojects
Diseases in crops result in economic losses and account for a significant proportion of pesticide use in agriculture. We study the epidemiology of plant diseases to inform and support the implementation of sustainable management strategies.
Plant disease epidemiology is the study of the spatial and temporal dynamics of diseases in plant populations. These dynamics are shaped by complex interactions among pathogens, host plants and environmental conditions. Gaining deeper insights into these relationships is essential for developing sustainable crop production systems - a key priority in the face of global change and a growing human population, both of which pose significant challenges to food security.
Our research
Our research focuses on understanding the principles, mechanisms and processes underlying plant disease development. We investigate host-pathogen interactions, population genetics, host immunity and pathogen adaptation to inform the development of sustainable plant disease management strategies.
Our key research activities include:
- Designing integrated and sustainable disease management strategies
- Assessing impact of climate change on plant health
- Predicting and preventing disease outbreaks and developing improved disease surveillance systems
- Monitoring and mitigating emerging plant diseases
- Management of mycotoxins in food and feed
- Supporting national and international plant and soil health policies
- Conducting risk assessment to guide the management of invasive and emerging plant pests
Our research addresses critical and timely challenges related to ensuring a sustainable, secure and safe food supply. We maintain strong, well-established collaborations with industry partners and other stakeholders beyond academia, both nationally and internationally. Plant pathology and disease epidemiology are scientific disciplines in which basic and applied science are closely connected.
Know your enemy
In plant pathology, we often emphasise the importance of knowing your enemy, meaning that we need to understand our most important plant pathogens and their weaknesses in order to develop efficient strategies for preventing and controlling the diseases they cause.
Our methods
We employ a wide array of modern, state-of-the-art experimental and analytical tools to investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics of pathogens and their interaction of with biotic and abiotic environments.
Our methodologies include:
- Experimental evolution to study pathogen adaptation over time
- Genomics and transcriptomics to explore pathogen populations, microbial communities and plant - pathogen interactions
- Advanced statistical analyses and modelling technics
- Image analysis for disease assessment
- Systematic reviews to synthesise existing knowledge
- Transdisciplinary approaches and co-designed research projects in collaboration with key stakeholders beyond academia
Our teaching and supervision
Teaching is a highly prioritised activity within our group. We teach plant pathology and crop protection in courses at all levels, from bachelor's to PhD education. Each year, we welcome students to conduct their bachelor's or master's thesis projects within our group, often in collaboration with ongoing research initiatives. Several recent thesis projects have been carried out in collaboration with our industrial partners, which strengthens students' networks for future careers in academia or industry.
