0000000001253731
AUTHOR
Elsa Ballini
Bestim network : stimulating plant health in agroécological systems
The evolution of agriculture is facing strong societal expectations. One of them is to drasticallyreduce the use of synthetic inputs and in particular of plant protection products (PPP). In response,farmers and professionals in charge of agricultural development must invent a so-called "agroecological" agriculture, by ensuring profitability and sustainability of production systems and byimplementing a combination of many levers. The BESTIM network is part of this logic and proposes theconcept of "agroecological immunity" which aims to optimize the stimulation of plant health in efficientagroecological systems. We’ve adapted the concept of ecological immunity initially described in theanimal…
Which potential of service plants for ‘multi-pest’ regulation in agroecosystems? An integrative conceptual framework highlighting complementarities in mechanisms and traits
International audience; Alternatives to synthetic pesticide use are required to increase the sustainability of crop protection strategies. Identifying technical options based on the biological regulation of pests (pathogens, animal pests and weeds) is a promising and complex challenge. Among the options to be developed are ‘service plants’, also called ‘cover plants’, ‘companion plants’ or ‘biocontrol plants’. The principle is to sow these plants, either in association or in rotation with cash crops, to provide different ecosystem services, among which pest regulation. Past studies demonstrated the usefulness of service plants for regulating one category of pest, i.e. either pathogens, anim…