Institute of Plant Protection - National Research Institute

 The scope of activities of the Department of Organic Agriculture and Environmental Protection covers issues related to organic farming and agroecology. The research conducted at the plant concerns the use and search for new means of protection and the improvement of cultivation methods, and the obtained results are a response to the needs of practice. The use of beneficial microorganisms and natural substances in research allows for the development of strategies for effective plant nutrition and reduction of crop losses.

 One of the main research areas of the Department is also the use and strengthening of the principles of agroecology in agricultural practice, which will allow for the sustainable use of local renewable resources and ensure the resilience of agricultural ecosystems.

Main research directions

• The use of means and methods consistent with the principles of organic farming, assessment of their impact on the health of crops, taking into account climate changes.
• The use of beneficial microorganisms and the development of rules for their effective use to nourish plants and strengthen their health condition.
• The use and strengthening of the principles of agroecology in ecological agricultural practice.
• Research on the development of an effective strategy for the use of alternative methods and natural products to reduce pests in organic farming, and on the use of bio-stimulants and beneficial microorganisms to enhance the health condition of crops and eliminate yield losses.
• Research in the direction of searching for new methods, agents, substances with a protective potential for organic farming, taking into account regional climatic conditions. Application research on adaptation to national conditions of new strategies developed in the EU, within the European Research Alliance towards a Chemical Pesticides-Free Agriculture.
• Research as part of the selection of agro-technical treatments and varieties of crops allowing for the sustainable use of local renewable resources to ensure the resilience of ecosystems.
• Research on the impact of field landscape infrastructure on the presence of pests and beneficial insects in organic farming, research on the implementation of agroecology principles and their use in the system of organic food production.
• Implementation of tasks related to the diversification of activities for the natural environment in order to increase the ecological and economic benefits of organic farms.
• Implementation of statutory activities, research projects – national and European.
• Obtaining funds under research grants, application and development projects. Conducting statutory research topics and commercial activities. Establishing and implementing research cooperation with scientific units in Poland and abroad in the field of research for organic farming.
• Implementation of IPP – NRI tasks for the purposes of the EU Green Deal. Scientific and administrative cooperation aimed at the development of organic farming in the country.
• Supervision and implementation of cooperation between the IPP – NRI with the Agricultural Advisory centre and National Agricultural Advisory Centres in the organic farming sector.
• Implementation of tasks for the National Centre for Ecological and Environmental Activities.
• Qualification of plant protection products for organic farming.
• Opinions on documents and preparation of expert opinions on new legal regulations under the cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in the field of organic farming.
• Conducting information activities for organic producers as part of the protection of organic crops.
• “Solutions that increase soil fertility and activity” (2017). Supervisor: dr hab. Jolanta Kowalska (IPP – NRI).