BioReplace: Innovative Biological Solutions for Replacing Chemical Plant Protection Products in Integrated Vegetable and Fruit Production

Project description

The project aims to develop and validate innovative, practice-based biological plant protection technologies for integrated vegetable and fruit production in Latvia, focusing on potatoes, apples, and raspberries. The research will evaluate combinations of naturally derived biostimulants and microbial preparations in order to reduce the use of chemical plant protection products by at least 50%, while maintaining crop yield, phytosanitary status, and economic performance.

Field trials and demonstration activities will be implemented over two growing seasons under real farming conditions in cooperation with commercial farms and sector partners. The project will assess biologically based solutions for the control of major crop diseases, including late blight and early blight in potatoes, apple scab and fruit rot in apple orchards, as well as grey mould and raspberry cane blight in raspberry plantations. 

The project also includes targeted microbiological monitoring and soil analyses to evaluate pathogen dynamics, soil microbial activity, and the interaction between biological preparations and plant health. Based on the obtained results, practical biological protection schemes, technological guidelines, and early-warning-based recommendations for integrated plant protection will be developed and adapted to Latvian agro-climatic conditions. 

In addition to improving sustainable crop protection practices, the project contributes to climate and environmental objectives by reducing dependency on synthetic pesticides, promoting soil health and biodiversity, and supporting lower greenhouse gas emissions through biologically active microbial systems. The project results will be disseminated through field demonstrations, seminars, advisory materials, and scientific publications, ensuring broad knowledge transfer to farmers, advisers, researchers, and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector.