Institute for Biological Control

The Institute for Biological Control in Darmstadt is the only research institute in Germany where the full spectrum of disciplines in biological control is covered. Therefore, it plays a key role in the development and evaluation of plant protection methods based on the use of natural antagonists of plant diseases and pests (especially damaging insects and mites). We consider naturally occurring micro-organisms, viruses, insects, mites, and nematodes as antagonists. Another main focus of the Institute is the development and evaluation of natural products to combat plant pests, as well as the exploration of plant strengtheners that enhance the natural defense mechanisms of plants.

Biological plant protection is an important crucial component of integrated pest management, where biological, chemical, physical and cultivation measures are combined for an efficient and environmentally friendly pest  control. Biological control methods are of particular importance in organic production, where the application of chemical pesticides is not allowed. Furthermore, they can be used as an alternative to the closure of control gaps.

As part of the European efforts to reduce the use of chemical pesticides, biological control measures play an increasingly important role in plant protection practice.

Tasks and research:

Assessment of biological pest control agents and natural products (general)

• Evaluation of the usefulness and effectiveness of microbial pest control agents (fungi, bacteria and viruses)
• Evaluation of the benefits and effectiveness of macrobial control methods (use of parasitoids, predators and entomopathogenic nematodes)
• Evaluation of the benefits and effectiveness of natural products-based plant protection products and plant strengtheners

Ecology of pests and their natural enemies

• Study of the interaction of plant communities with pests and plant diseases
• Biology of natural antagonists of pests and plant pathogens
• Impact of climate change on the biology and occurrence of pests and pathogens of plants and their natural enemies

The use of beneficial insects

• Studies on the use of beneficial arthropods and entomopathogenic nematodes for controlling animal pests
• Development of methods for testing the impact of pesticides and natural products on beneficial and non-target organisms
• Study of the biology of non-resident beneficial organisms and the spread of introduced pests

Biological control of insect pests by means of micro-organisms and viruses

• Identification, development and testing of insect viruses, bacteria and fungi
• Biological and molecular characterization of microbial antagonists of insect pests
• Evaluate the importance of natural epizootics in the regulation of pest populations
• Optimization of production and formulation of microbial biological plant protection agents

Biological control of plant diseases and weeds

• Development of alternative methods for controlling plant diseases and weeds, with special consideration of microbial preparations
• Studies on mechanisms of alternative methods of disease control
• Combination of microbial products with other methods of disease control in the sense of an integrated pest management

Natural products and plant strengtheners

• Development of alternative methods for controlling plant diseases, insect pests and weeds and to reduce abiotic stress effects on the basis of natural substances
• Fundamental studies of the effects of natural products within the host-parasite relationships (induced resistance, induced tolerance, direct impact)
• Development of methods of integrated pest management involving natural-based products and the use of natural control mechanisms