Innovative biological solutions to replace chemical plant protection products in integrated vegetable and fruit growing

Project aim: 

To develop and validate a new, practice-based innovative technology for potatoes, apples and raspberries that combines using of commercially available biostimulants of natural origin and microbiological preparations, with the aim of reducing the use of PPPs by at least 50%, while not worsening the yield, phytosanitary conditions of plants and economic profitability.
 

Project tasks:

1. To identify biologically active products available in Latvia, containing Trichoderma spp., Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Polyangium spp. etc., to evaluate their synergistic effect in combinations and to select the optimal test schemes in field crop and fruit growing.
2. To develop a methodology for field trials, including phytosanitary assessment, crop quality parameters, cost accounting and microbiological activity in the soil and on the plant surface (phytosphere).
3. To conduct field trials for two seasons at Ltd “Tēraudiņi”, farm “Jaunbrēmeles” and the homestead “Mūsu avenes”, comparing biologically based technology combinations with integrated cultivation method control schemes.
4. To conduct a microbiological assessment – correlation of innovative product technologies with the phytosanitary condition of plants and yield indicators.
5. Conduct an economic efficiency and cost-benefit analysis, comparing biological technologies with the integrated plant breeding method, evaluating the unit costs of the crop.
6. Analyze microbiological indicators as early predictors of the impact of the technology, linking them to the spread of diseases and the need for plant protection.
7. Develop practical recommendations for farmers and consultants, including technological maps and their adaptation options for different types of farms.
8. Organize knowledge transfer events: at least two field days, a final seminar, prepare informative materials and ensure the dissemination of information in the networks of LBTU, KAPS, Institute of Horticulture (LatHort), as well as in the channels of Latvian Rural Advisory Centre (LLKC).
    

Project partners: 

1. Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) – project lead partner
2. Ltd. “Tēraudiņi”
3. Farm “Jaunbrēmeles”
4. Farm “Mūsu avenes”
5. NGO ‘’Kartupeļu audzētāju un pārstrādātāju savienība’’ (KAPS)
    

Amount of Funding

Total budget: 299 999,68 EUR

LatHort budget: 29 999,94 EUR