110 years of research for biological control – Achievements and future challenges at the Julius Kühn-Institut

Abstract

Biological plant protection employs living organisms and biological ingredients to control disease agents and pest populations. They are considered as highly environmentally friendly and obtained utmost importance in recent European and national strategies to reduce the use of chemical pesticides. First research activities on the use of parasitic wasps in Germany date back to 1911. From the 1950s, further systematic research and development were carried out at the Institute for Biological Control in Darmstadt. Multiple achievements and repeated throwbacks mark the long path of biological control since these early pioneering days. Today, many biological control measures are an indispensable component in the plant protection practice. Their role in future plant production systems will be even more decisive.