Centre for Biological Control, CBC

Soil microbes shape the future of crop breeding

A better understanding of the plant-microbe partnerships can lead to more resilient and sustainable agriculture. When breeding crops it is now time to consider both the plant and its microbial

How crops shape their microbial communities

With the help of microbes, plants can improve their growth, stay healthy, and endure stress. In a new study on finger millet, researchers show that plants play an active role in choosing which

Plant genotype-dependent biocontrol of wheat diseases

Genetic variation in plants can affect how efficiently biological control agents can reduce diseases. In this doctoral thesis, Sidhant Chaudhary has investigated this variation to bring us closer to

Sustainable tomato protection and the power of the microbiome

In his new thesis, Daniele Nicotra has uncovered mechanisms driving complex interactions within the plant microbiome. The goal is to develop new bioinoculants as sustainable alternatives to chemical

Smarter pest control for faba bean

Faba beans have the potential to replace imported soybeans for plant-based protein products. They are however, threatened by the broad bean beetle. Now, SLU researchers present a new promising,

Innovative biocontrol and gene silencing in Trelleborg

Ramesh Vetukuri was invited to share the latest advances in spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) and biocontrol with farmers and advisors in Trelleborg. – I was invited by Andreas Ekfrost, who is an

Different wavelengths of light can improve plant protection

Plant surfaces are not always a hospitable environment for beneficial bacteria that help protect plants from pests. However, in a new doctoral thesis, Maria Hellström has investigated how different

Beneficial bacteria help plants cope with drought stress

A synthetic microbial community affected both tomatoes and Arabidopsis plants positively when faced with drought. In addition, the treated plants had a richer and more diverse soil microbiome. In a

Transformative changes in agriculture through ecosystem services

Eirini Lamprini Daouti is one of the newest researchers at SLU Centre of Biological Control (CBC). In her research, she explores ways to sustain crop production both now and in the future. She does

Chloë works to promote biological pest control through crop diversification

Chloë Raderschall is one of the SLU Centre of Biological Control’s newest researchers. Chloë is an avid hiker, gardener and photographer who first got introduced to biological control methods through

CBC Highlights 2024

Over the past year, much has happened in research on biological control at SLU. Among other things, there are new findings on plant protection using nanotechnology, weed control, plant protection for

Maria Viketoft is the new Director of SLU Centre for biological control

As of January 1 2025, the SLU Centre for Biological Control (CBC) has a new Director. Maria Viketoft, a researcher at the Department of Ecology in Uppsala, takes over from Johan Stenberg. Maria