Profit from pests

For testing and research activities, KWS's phytopathologists cultivate numerous pathogens and insects.

KWS is committed to sustainable agriculture and contributes significantly to achieving the EU sustainability goals of halving the use of chemical crop protection by 2030. Phytopathology, the study of plant diseases and their control, plays a very important role in this area.

The causes of plant diseases include fungi, nematodes, bacteria and viruses. A combination of different measures is usually required to combat diseases caused by these pathogens. In addition to biological and chemical pesticides, factors such as the choice of variety and the location, crop rotation and cultivation methods are also important.

Phytopathologists not only do research into disease and pest monitoring, disease diagnostics and breeding material tests, but also work on the development and establishment of new tests and methods as well as crop protection in greenhouse and field.

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Virus yellows, a leaf disease complex that is of economic importance in sugarbeet cultivation in many regions, is caused through viruses transmitted by aphids. The spread of aphids is favored by climate change and the accompanying mild winters.
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The difference between the healthy plants and virus yellows-infected plants is clearly visible. Virus infestation can lead to reduced sugar content in the beets and drastic yield losses.
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Using a fine paint brush, Monika Bartens, Research Technician Phytopathological Services, places single aphids on the bottom side of the leaves. After some time, the reproduction of the pests on beet plant can be examined.
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Brown rust plays an important role in cereal cultivation. For testing the resistance of different varieties to the fungal disease, Simone Lange, Research Technician Phytopathological Services, and Kerstin Krüger infect plants with the pathogen.
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Nematodes are important crop pests. Soil samples that Maren Kohlmorgen, Technical Assistant, evaluates in the laboratory, enable farmers to determine the infestation level of nematodes to make informed management decisions.