Dr Johanna (Jessica) de Bruijn

I have a love for both fundamental and applied research, with a specific interest and expertise in parasitoids, biological control, insect chemical ecology and insect foraging behaviour. I believe nature is an incredible teacher from whom we have much to learn. It is my goal to find ways to make agrochemicals, particularly broad spectrum (organic) pesticides and herbicides, redundant by using crop diversity and natural elements in cropping systems. Think of intercropping, undersowing, companion plants, push-pull systems, woody vegetation, but also concepts from agroforestry and permaculture. Such elements will draw in a wide array of natural enemies to create sustainable agricultural ecosystems where pest damage remains underneath the economic threshold for chemical intervention.

In order to create such cropping systems, both fundamental and applied research is necessary. I believe we need more insights on how natural ecosystems function in terms of trophic interactions, chemical communication and the role and function of species diversity. At the same time we need to account for climate zones, climate change and the practical and economic feasibly of proposed solutions. While working on these concepts, I hope to expand my expertise by learning more about compatible disease, nutrient and weed management strategies, together with farm practices such as reduced tillage and crop rotation.

Not an easy puzzle to make, but I love the challenge to explore some of these concepts in the ökoZuG-BB project and support the development of ecosystem-based plant protection.