Laimburg Research Centre
Pests and Plant Diseases Research Area
Pests and Plant Diseases Research Area
The Pests and Plant Diseases research area is where new harmful organisms are identified and diagnosed, and their biology and diffusion mechanisms are studied.
The Pests and Plant Diseases research area performs detailed research into ecology, analysing the specific habitats of pests and plant diseases, and taking significant environmental conditions into account.
Aims of the Pests and Plant Diseases research area
This information is added to phenological and epidemiological research to form the base for forecasting and risk assessments, which are essential for the development of prevention and control strategies.
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Entomology Working Group
The Entomology working group performs research on the biology and ecology of harmful and useful arthropods. It also studies the onset of new harmful and invasive species in different crops.
Scope of activities:
- Morphological analysis and application of molecular methods for the identification of insects and mites.
- Study of the biology and ecology of harmful arthropods, their natural enemies and their antagonists.
- Creation of life tables and studies on fitness, phenology and diapauses in harmful arthropods.
- Development of breeding protocols for harmful arthropods and their natural enemies.
- Research into the influence of biotic and abiotic factors within host plant complexes.
- Analyses of food networks, host plants, and the relationships between the main plant-feeding insects and mites (functional biodiversity).
- Study of the relationship between plant stress and infestation by insects and mites.
- Development of digital methods for the recognition and monitoring of parasite infestation and damage using new digital technologies (e.g., automatic learning) and their practical application.
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Projects
All the projects of the Entomology working group
![[External link] Projects](https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/9b4df8e2-acc0-0145-4bdd-558666d926a2/56efb6e8-ab0c-4630-a737-bab56f895c2e/thumbnail_Icona_Lavagna1.png?w=80&fit=crop&fm=webp&lossless=0&q=75)
Publications
All the publications of the Entomology working group at the Plant Health Institute
![[External link] Publications](https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/9b4df8e2-acc0-0145-4bdd-558666d926a2/bf5b0195-0fff-4598-9d3b-68e49f267c7c/Publikationen.png?w=80&fit=crop&fm=webp&lossless=0&q=75)
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)
Further information on the BMSB
Phytopathology Working Group
The Phytopathology Working Group performs essential studies into the biology of fungi and plant pathogens, for the purpose of increasing the understanding of plant disease.
This research lays the foundation for new knowledge that can contribute to the development of more effective, targeted and sustainable strategies for crop protection.
Scope of activities:
- Research into the biological bases of plant diseases, and specifically, emerging harmful organisms in South Tyrol
- Research into the development of diseases (pathogenesis) and into the environmental factors that foster the onset and spread of disease
- Assessment of the efficacy of main fungicidal active substances in the laboratory and under semi-field conditions, with particular attention on innovative principles such as biocontrol agents (BCAs)
- In vitro studies into the development of fungal plant pathogen resistance to active substances
- Support in the development and adaptation of crop protection strategies to practice
Contact
Projects
All the projects of the Phytopathology Working Group
Publications
All the publications of the Phytopathology Working Group at the Plant Health Institute
Glomerella Leaf Spot
More information about the fungal disease Glomerella Leaf Spot (GLS)