Research Group

1. Healthy Agriculture

The Healthy Agriculture (PeSe) research group focuses on developing sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural technologies. Its primary goal is to find alternative pest control methods that minimize pesticide residues, ensuring healthier agricultural products for consumers and a safer environment. Research in this group includes the development of botanical-based biopesticides, the utilization of biological control agents, and early detection technologies to prevent the spread of plant pests and diseases.

Beyond research, this group is actively involved in community engagement programs, providing training and outreach to farmers on healthy farming practices. These activities include reducing chemical pesticide use, improving soil quality, and integrated plant management strategies to promote sustainable agriculture.

2. Plant Disease

The Plant Disease research group specializes in the identification, characterization, and management of plant diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes. Research efforts in this group focus on developing faster and more accurate disease detection methods, utilizing both conventional techniques and molecular approaches. Additionally, this group explores various disease control strategies, such as the use of biological control agents, biofungicide formulations, and genetic engineering to enhance plant resistance against pathogens.

In the area of community service, the group actively works with farmers to help them identify and manage plant diseases more effectively. Through training and awareness programs, the group promotes ecological and biotechnological-based plant disease management, ensuring farmers adopt sustainable and effective plant protection practices.

3. Sustainable Pest Management

The Sustainable Pest Management research group is dedicated to developing integrated pest control strategies with an emphasis on environmental sustainability and agricultural efficiency. A key aspect of its research is the use of entomopathogenic microbes, natural enemies, and botanical pesticides to reduce the negative impact of synthetic pesticides. The group also conducts research on pest population monitoring, attack pattern analysis, and location-specific pest control methods.

As part of its community outreach, the research group collaborates with farmers to implement integrated pest management (IPM) programs. These programs incorporate digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance the efficiency of pest detection and management in the field.

4. Sustainable Weed Management

The Sustainable Weed Management research group focuses on the identification, ecology, and control strategies for weeds in various cultivated crops. Research activities in this group include developing Integrated Pest Management (IPM)-based weed control techniques, exploring botanical herbicides, and applying agroecological approaches to reduce the negative impact of weeds on agricultural yields.

Additionally, the group investigates mechanical, biological, and crop rotation-based weed control methods, aiming to reduce farmers' reliance on synthetic herbicides. In terms of community engagement, the group provides training for farmers on weed identification, effective control strategies, and the application of industrial-scale weed management technologies to improve productivity and sustainability in agriculture.