Centre for Biological Control, CBC
The Centre for Biological Control, CBC, contributes to the development of new knowledge concerning the use of living organisms to control pests and diseases. CBC is a competence driven actor in biological control, both nationally and internationally.
Are pests adapting to the push-pull system?
Ecologically intensified farms in Kenya, where biodiversity is carefully managed, maintain successful pest control over time. That is the result of a research study published in 2023. The idea of
Small RNAs – the future of plant protection?
Small RNAs are common in fungi, including fungi that can be used as biocontrol agents in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry. In a new review, SLU scientists highlights the diverse function of
Chemical communication between plants, microbes and insects
Insect pests use chemical signals (semiochemicals) to find food, hosts and mates. Accordingly, chemical communication can be used as a target for pest control. The application of semiochemicals
Root and butt rot
The fungus Heterobasidion annosum is the most destructive pathogen in boreal and temperate conifer forests of the northern hemisphere. In Sweden, as much as 15% of Norway spruce trees present
SLU Centre for Biological Control's annual report 2023
“Year after year we see that biocontrol innovations provide better and better crop protection, in many cases matching or even surpassing chemical pesticides”, says Johan Stenberg, the Director of the
Bark beetles can’t hide from their natural enemies
Flies from the genera Medetera can sense and find the bark beetle Ips typographus that is a severe insect pest on Norway spruce. A synthetic blend of the compunds that the flies react to can
Goal for the future: Fields buzzing with insects
A wide variety of beneficial insects live in and on the soil of arable fields. Together they form a network of helpers that promote crop growth. In her thesis at the Swedish University of
Ramesh Vetukuri receives supervision excellency award
Ramesh Vetukuri received the Best Supervisor Award 2023 from the Faculty of landscape architecture, horticulture and crop production sciences. Part of the motivation was that Ramesh has a very
How does tillage affect weed regulation by seed eaters?
Carabid beetles are a group of beetles that eat weed seeds. In a new study, the abundance of carabid beetles has been shown to be correlated to weed seed regulation in directly seeded fields without
Lunch seminar SLU Plant Protection Network with Eirini Lamprini Daouti
katja.fedrowitz@slu.se Eirini Lamprini Daouti, Department of Crop Production Ecology;, gives a lunch seminar with the title "Effects of tillage on weed regulation by carabid beetles". This seminar
Developing beneficial microbes to products
Ramesh Vetukuri participated and was a panelist at the meeting Skåne Innovation Day that this year focused on investing in innovation. “I got a robust understanding of how to transition my research
SLU researchers from all over Sweden networked about plant health
We talk about plant health in forestry, agriculture, and horticulture, but the different areas are often compartmentalised. To increase cooperation in the field of plant health and plant protection,