The battlefield in plant roots
Insect pests cause major crop damage and yield losses. ETH Zurich researcher Anna Spescha shares her work with beneficial soil organisms to control insect pests.
Up to 20% of global crop yields are lost to insect pests every year. In the past, pesticides, specifically insecticides, were used to control these pests. But they have many negative effects on the environment and consumer health, and many were therefore banned in Europe. Farmers may then have limited options to control insect pests
Research at ETH Zurich explores the use of natural plant beneficial organisms like bacteria or fungi, as a sustainable and organic way to fight insect pests below ground. In this new video, Anna Spescha highlights which beneficial soil organisms are most effective and how combining different organisms can even improve the results.
