LBTU researchers from the Institute of Soil and Plant Sciences launch International project on monitoring the spread of plant diseases
To explore the possibilities of identifying plant diseases in field conditions using information technologies and molecular-genetic methods, researchers from the Institute of Soil and Plant Sciences at the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Technology at Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) – Lead Researcher Biruta Bankina, Lead Researcher Gunita Bimšteine, Researcher Jānis Kaņeps, and Lead Researcher Agrita Švarta, alongside colleagues from the Baltic States, launched a new international project titled “Improving Resilience to the Spread of Plant Diseases via Regional Pest Common Data Space” in late 2024.
The main goal of the project is to monitor the occurrence of plant diseases in the region, taking into account globalization and climate change, which contribute to the spread of new and less-known pathogens. Innovative monitoring methods will help develop more effective strategies to limit the spread of diseases and enhance agricultural productivity.
At the first meeting held on March 31 at the University of Tartu, project participants clarified the planned tasks and familiarized themselves with the software and databases that will be used in the project. This collaboration network will ensure efficient information exchange among partners, promoting the application of scientific findings in practice.
In early April, field trials were set up, where 10 field pea (Vicia faba var. minor) varieties were planted. These trials were established at the Agro Resources and Economics Institute’s Stende Research Centre, the Agricultural Institute, and SIA "MK Agro". The trials will provide data on plant responses to various pathogens and will offer insights into the most effective disease management methods.
In addition to LBTU’s Institute of Soil and Plant Sciences, the project involves the Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge Centre, Vytautas Magnus University, Warsaw University, the Plant Genetics Institute (Polish Academy of Sciences), the University of Helsinki, the Finnish Natural Resources Institute, and SIA "Selekcijas stacija Smolice".
The project is supported by: LPKS LATRAPS, the Agricultural and Agribusiness Promotion Agency "APRA" (Poland), the Pomeranian Agricultural Advisory Centre (Poland), SIA "Innvigo" (Poland), Väätsa Agro (Estonia), the Plant Health and Seed Inspection Central Laboratory (Poland), Aarhus University (Denmark), and the ProAgria Centres Association (Finland).