Reducing pesticides with new methods

The PestiRed project aims to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides in agriculture through preventative measures. The investigated measures include mixed crops, the use of varieties that are less susceptible to disease, mechanical weed control, push-pull techniques and the use of new precision technologies. The measures will each be tested on a trial area where the use of plant protection products is only permitted as a last resort and compared with a second trial area that is cultivated conventionally. The project will also investigate how this changed regime affects important soil organisms and soil functions. These support soil fertility.

To this end, several ecological and ecotoxicological bioindicators representing various soil organisms and functions will be tested. The aim is to record the effect of the measures on soil fertility. The bioindicators used are also suitable for monitoring the effect of pesticide residues as part of the pesticide action plan and can thus be validated. The investigations are being carried out as part of a dissertation by Gilda Dell'Ambrogio, who has moved from the Ecotox Centre to Agroscope for this purpose.