Research project
Self Defense: Mimicking natural deterrent strategies in plants using adhesive spheres and volatiles
How can we make agricultural production systems more sustainable as the worldwide demand for healthy, safe food continues to grow? How can we develop healthy new food crops that have higher yields while requiring fewer harmful chemicals?
- Duration
- 2020 - 2025
- Contact
- Eelco Hoogwout
- Funding
-
NWO
- Partners
Description
Many insects are pests to food crop production which has in turn caused the synthesis and widespread usage of chemical pesticides. While pesticides are crucial to increased quality and yields of crops, the use of chemical pesticides comes with many unintended and dangerous consequences such as human poisoning, habitat destruction, reduction in biodiversity, and pollinator reduction including bees. In addition, invasive insect species continue to develop resistances. The reduction of the societal dependence on harmful pesticides in food production has far-reaching consequences and implications: not only for crop production here in the Netherlands, but globally.
Publications
- van Zwieten, R., Bierman, T. V., Klinkhamer, P. G., Bezemer, T. M., Vrieling, K., & Kodger, T. E. (2024). Mimicking natural deterrent strategies in plants using adhesive spheres. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121(21), e2321565121.
- Bierman, T.V., Vrieling, K., van Zwieten, R. et al. Adhesive droplets made from plant-derived oils for control of western flower thrips. J Pest Sci (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-024-01755-4
