Scientists from Belgium and the Netherlands are investigating whether natural bitter substances from chicory and chicory root can be used as an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic insecticides.As part of the four-year Sesquichic project, the researchers plan to isolate these substances, test their effectiveness in different doses and environments, and determine ways to produce them on a large scale for a new generation of biological insecticides.
“Circularity is important: current waste from chicory production can become a source of valuable components for plant protection,” added project coordinator Katrin Van Laere.The consortium of researchers includes the Flemish Institute for Agriculture and Fisheries, Ghent University, and Wageningen University. They combine knowledge of bitter substances, genetic pathways for their formation, and chemical analysis of plants. Chicory enterprises and producers as part of the stakeholder council will help to quickly implement the project results into practice.
Source: https://agrotimes.ua/ovochi-sad/vcheni-planuyut-zrobyty-bioinsektyczyd-z-czykoriyu/
