Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
Federal Research Centre
for Cultivated Plants
Head
Prof. Dr. Johannes A. Jehle
Address
Schwabenheimer Straße 101
69221 Dossenheim
Office
Ms Christine Fuchs
Tel: +49(0) 3946 47-4900
Fax: +49(0) 3946 47-4805
E-mail: bi@ julius-kuehn. de
Download
Institute Flyer
Institute booklet
For the biological control of plant diseases (caused by fungi, bacteria and viruses), the cultivation of robust or resistant varieties should be considered as a basic option. However, depending on the crop, there is often not a sufficient choice of resistant varieties available. In order to reduce the use of chemical-synthetic agents, the use of alternative, biological products can be the method of choice.
Microbial antagonists, i.e. bacteria or fungi that show disease-suppressing effects, can be applied. They can differ in their mode of action and in their specificity. For example, their suppressive effect can be caused by a strong growth, or they directly form active substances (metabolites) that suppress pathogens. Depending on the mode of action, intact microorganisms or their metabolites are used. Only few microbial preparations are registered as pesticides. We are working on the possible uses of microbial antagonists to substitute or supplement chemical-synthetic agents. Alternative active ingredients can originate from the field of natural substances. We are investigating new approaches for plant protection and plant strengthening agents that can be used in practice to regulate plant diseases.