This spring, from March 8th to 12th 2026, the JKIs subinstitute for Plant Protection in Fruit Crops and Viticulture organized „Pherosphere 2026“, a conference of the IOBC-WPRS-Working Group „Pheromones and other Semiochemicals in Integrated Production“. This international group connects scientists that work with pheromones and other so called volatile infochemicals which might prove useful for integrated pest management or customized plant protection strategies. The sucessful meeting, which take place every 3-4 years brought 57 researchers from 17 contries to the Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI) in Dossenheim, a city in southern Germany close to Heidelberg. The Dossenheim Institute has a long history of excellence in agricultural research, with a focus on pest and disease management in fruit crops, and plays a leading role in developing and testing innovative approaches that support the reduction of pesticide use and strengthen biological and ecological methods in crop protection. In 2022, the institute moved into a new, state-of-the-art building in Dossenheim. This modern research facility combines high-tech laboratories, controlled-environment chambers, and advanced greenhouses with inspiring office and meeting spaces. The building was designed with energy efficiency and sustainability in mind, its architecture is both functional and welcoming, offering an excellent environment for international collaboration and scientific exchange.
During the Pherosphere-meeting the important posts of convenor and deputy of the IOBC-working group were put to a vote and newly assigned. In the future Dr. Jannicke Gallinger of the JKI will serve as convenor and her fellow colleague Dr. Bruna Czarnobai de Jorge as deputy of this international working group of the IOBC-expert society. Both scientists work currently under Dr. Juergen Gross at the JKI-Dossenheim. Prof. Dr. Jürgen Gross himself as an expert in chemical ecology has lead and coordinated the IOBC-working-group for the last 14 years. For this longstanding and dedicated leadership and service Gross was commanded by the attending members at the conference.
Read more about the IOBC-WPRS Working Group: https://iobc-wprs.org/expert-group/pheromones-and-other-semiochemicals-in-integrated-production/
Learn more about “Pherosphere2026” conference: https://tagung.julius-kuehn.de/pherosphere/
