The Lab Talks

Invisible pathogens can destroy entire harvests. But what if microbes themselves are also the solution?

Can you control pests and diseases in agriculture without chemical pesticides, but with microbes instead? These so-called biopesticides may sound like something from the future, but they are already being used today. From bacteria and fungi to nematodes and viruses: microbes are increasingly being used to control insect pests and plant diseases.

But what makes biopesticides so special? Unlike chemical pesticides, which often affect other organisms as well, they usually work very specifically. They target only the pest or pathogen. As a result, important pollinators such as bees and bumblebees are spared, and it is better for the environment and our health.

This month, The Lab Talks focuses on microbes that can destroy entire harvests, but also on the invisible helpers that can actually protect us from diseases and pests. Come visit!