HLB leads the way in carrying out tests in open-field crops. We have several focus areas.
The monitoring of carrot flies and onion flies by sister company De Groene Vlieg keeps HLB informed of the regions and fields expected to be seriously affected by these insects. Armed with this information, we look for suitable locations to conduct tests with these insects. We also have ample experience in conducting trials to examine the effect of agents against the wireworm, various aphid species, Colorado potato beetle and caterpillars in arable crops.
You can come to HLB for studies into various moulds in arable crops, both in field trials and pot tests. HLB has small climate cells, in which we can test for germination inhibitors or storage diseases on harvested products. We have populations of several moulds and mould-like organisms that can infect tests, such as Phytophthora, Alternaria, Fusarium, Phoma and silver scurf. Depending on the mould, there are several species, physiognomies or pathotypes, varying in aggressiveness and pathogenicity.
Many plant-parasitic nematodes occur in sandy soils in the northeast of the Netherlands. In these soils, we carry out many trials each year to study the effect of agents or the resistance of crops to (among others) Globodera pallida, Globodera rostochiensis, Meloidogyne chitwoodi, Pratylenchus penetrans and Trichodoride nematodes. A test can also be carried out on contaminated sandy or clay soil for some nematode species.