Chair of Plant Health

The Agroecology Research Group focuses on the study, development, and promotion of sustainable, resilient, and environmentally friendly agricultural practices, particularly crop protection systems. Our goal is to identify and develop science-based solutions that support the conservation and enhancement of various ecosystem services, such as natural pest control and pollination, in agricultural landscapes. We are developing evidence-based pest control strategies by studying the population dynamics of key agricultural insects under changing climate conditions and exploring their control prospects using species-specific RNAi strategies. Additionally, we engage in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which through quantitative analysis allows us to assess and measure the environmental impacts of agricultural practices and identify areas for improvement.

The working group studies the biology, distribution, and impact of pests on crop yield. The focus is on developing novel, environmentally friendly, and sustainable pest control methods to assess their suitability for Estonian conditions, reduce environmental impact, and support biodiversity. Fieldwork and laboratory experiments are conducted, and collaboration with local producers is undertaken.

The goal of the phytopathology research group is to study plant diseases and their pathogens in field and horticultural crops, develop effective prevention and control methods, and promote sustainable plant protection solutions. The group focuses particularly on the biological control of plant diseases and the development of precision plant protection measures.

The research team is studying the structure of sensory organs and the neurophysiological responses to various external stimuli (volatile and non-volatile chemical compounds, temperature, humidity, mechanical stimuli) that underlie insect behavior. The knowledge gained will enable the development of novel plant protection solutions, such as through the use of behavior-modifying signaling substances.

The Pollinators Working Group studies the living environment of pollinating insects and the resulting threats. The main directions are: 

1. ecotoxicology, to clarify the effect of pollutants in the environment on different bee species;
2. questions related to habitat and pollinator diversity to explain whether and how human intervention affects it;
3. the honey bee diseases, to study the patterns of pathogen distribution in relation to the foraging area, environmental pollution and bee population density.

We study the impact of plant protection products on both beneficial and harmful insects. Ecotoxicological studies clarify the harmful effects of pesticides on pollinators, predatory insects, and parasitoids, contributing to the development of more environmentally friendly plant protection measures. We also investigate the effects of both chemical and biological plant protection products on the behavior of pest insects, such as wireworms, helping to develop more effective and nature-friendly control measures.

Keywords: pest insects, plant protection, plant protection products 

Counselling and training 

We offer high-quality know-how on pest identification and their biology. We provide recommendations for the prevention and control of pests. 

Keywords: Horticulture, field crops, plant diseases, biopesticide testing.  

Training and counseling  

We provide high-quality know-how for main horticultural and field crops. Laboratory analyses We conduct laboratory analyses to identify primary horticultural and field crop diseases from plant tissue and soil. We conduct laboratory and field trials testing the  effectiveness of biopesticides in suppressing  

Keywords:  

Training and counseling for:  

• the foundation of organic apiary;  

• using honey bees, bumble bees and solitary bees to increase the efficiency of crop pollination; 

 • using honey bee and bumble bee colonies for pollination in greenhouse conditions;  

• promoting the abundance of bumble bees and solitary bees in farmland to improve the pollination of crops;  

• conservation of bumble bee species; 

 • using honey bee and bumble bee commercial hives as teaching material in outdoor studies at schools and tourism farms.  

The offered knowledge will help to increase the yields and quality of the entomophilic crops (e.g. Fabaceae and Crucifera), fruits and berries. 

• The prevention and treatment of different bee diseases 
• Control of bee parasites 
• Control of bee pests 

Keywords: pests, natural enemies of pests, parasitoids, biocontrol, ecosystem services, conservative biological control, landscape elements in agroecosystems  

Training and counseling for 

Environmentally sustainable pest control measures  

Identification of beneficial insects, their biology and promotion methods 

Promotion of ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes and associated support measures 

Establishement of landscape elements and their impact on biodiversity in agricultural landscapes 

Enhancement of pest control and pollination services in fields through landscape elements 

Increasing biodiversity in agricultural landscapes  

Keywords: horticulture, agriculture, pest insects, pollinators, pesticides.  

Laboratory Studies and risk assessment 

We conduct laboratory experiments to clarify the impact of various plant protection products on both beneficial and pest insects. Where possible, we provide assessments based on the literature.