In this newsletter, you read among other things about perennial flower strips that have been shown to strengthen ecosystem resilience without reducing yields, pollinators and intercropping that help field beans fix more nitrogen, and that the spruce tree’s own genes determine how well it resists root rot.
Ahead of 2026, we are gearing up with new insights and inspiration on sustainable plant protection!
Katja Fedrowitz and Cajsa Lithell Coordinator and communicator
for the SLU Plant Protection Network
Perennial flower strips benefit both pollinators and beneficial insects in farmland
Perennial flower strips along field margins can bring new life to agricultural landscapes. A new study shows that they not only attract more pollinators and beneficial insects but can also strengthen ecosystem resilience without reducing crop yields.
Spruce’s genes determine the spread of the root rot
The spruce tree’s own genes determine how well it resists root rot – and the outcome of the battle against the fungus is decided already in the early stages of infection.
Mushroom waste offers a sustainable path to cleaner water
Materials left over from mushroom cultivation could provide an environmentally friendly solution to cleaner, safer water for agriculture. This is shown in a new pilot study from SLU.
Pollinators and intercropping help faba beans fix more nitrogen
Faba beans growing in diverse, intercropped fields show more active nitrogen-fixing nodules and higher yields, thanks in part to pollinators and edge effects. A new study demonstrates how strategic field layouts can contribute to beneficial plant-soil interactions.
Here's where moose and deer find their food – SLU releases unique map
For the first time, there is now a map showing where the forage for deer and moose is located. The maps, produced by researchers at SLU, shows where key tree species for ungulates are found and how much is at grazing height.
Unmasking Hidden Diseases: A Case of Mistaken Identity in Swedish Wheat Fields
When a wheat field gets sick, farmers and scientists often diagnose the problem by looking at the symptoms -a spot on a leaf, a blemish on the grain head. But a new study reveals that what we see might be misleading. The culprits behind these diseases are more versatile and widespread than previously understood, sometimes hiding in plain sight.
Chantal is making crop production more sustainable in Rwanda
“Sweden is opening my eyes from different angles,” says Chantal Uwituze, a PhD student from the University of Rwanda currently visiting SLU. Her research focuses on how Rwanda’s crop intensification program can become more sustainable – both for people and the planet.
