Teagasc Research news

In this issue of Teagasc News, we feature topics including Integrated Pest Management (IPM), soil health and mushroom diseases.

In addition, we look at opportunities for Ireland's plant based sector, alternative uses for grass proteins and packaging solutions for fresh horticultural produce.

You can read these, among other articles from Teagasc's TResearch magazine in the links below.

Main image credit: Teagasc

Switching off the (b)lights

Pesticide resistance is an increasing challenge in crop production. The Teagasc-led project Horizon Europe-funded IPMorama seeks to drive crop resistance to mitigate issues around heavy pesticide use.

You can read the full article by Teagasc scientists Dan Milbourne and Steven Kildea at this link.

From the ground up: ten years of SIS

Ten years ago, the Irish Soils Information System (SIS) was launched. For this issue’s Back in Time feature, Réamonn Fealy , Karen Daly , Lilian O'Sullivan , and Karl Richards review its historical context, development and usage – and consider emerging demands for soil data and how these may be met by technology. Click on this link to read more about it.

Bubble trouble?

Joy Clarke , Teagasc Walsh Scholars , reports on the key results from her work on understanding how biocontrol and integrated pest management (IPM) approaches can support the mushroom sector in controlling disease outbreaks. You can read this article by Joy and co-authors Helen Grogan , Teagasc with David Fitzpatrick , and kevin kavanagh , Maynooth University at this link.

Planting the seeds

Key challenges and opportunities in Ireland’s plant-based sector were revealed in a recent stakeholder workshop, highlighting the potential for sustainable food production and the need for strategic interventions. Sithole Amanda , Maeve Henchion , and Seamus O'Reilly University College Cork report on the workshop in an article at this link.

Grass the green gold

Ireland is renowned for its abundant grass growth. Not only is grass the main source of feed for pasture-based animals, Teagasc scientists have demonstrated its potential for use in a multitude of products from pharmaceuticals to packaging. You can read this article by Rahel Suchintita Das , Marco García-Vaquero University College Dublin and Brijesh K. Tiwari at this link.

Industry Engagement Opportunity: PMA-MAP-based packaging solution for fresh horticultural produce

The latest technology offer (see this link) from Teagasc are novel packaging solutions for soft berries and herbs, based on perforation mediated active modified packaging (PMA-MAP) by Shivani Pathania and colleagues. If you are interested in finding out more please contact Miriam Walsh in the Engage@Teagasc office.

Events: my take-home message

Teagasc’s researchers attend many events throughout the year, sharing the findings from their research with national and international audiences. Here, we capture the take-home messages – key pieces of information that our researchers want people to remember – from recent events.

In this issue, we report on the 9th International Conference on the Welfare Assessment of Animals at Farm Level (WAFL) in 2024, which was organised by Laura Boyle (Chair), Keelin O'Driscoll and Amy Quinn (Co-chairs) of the Teagasc Pig Development Department with the European Association for Animal Production (EAAP).

We also report on ENTO 2024. ENTO is the Royal Entomological Society 's annual conference, highlighting current research in entomology from across the world. ENTO 2024 covered all aspects of entomological research from insect behaviour to genomics.

Of particular interest to Teagasc Oak Park’s Entomology and Virology group was the session on Pests and natural enemies and the session on Monitoring and controlling crop pests.

You can read about both events at this link.

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