Agronomy and Crop production
Agronomy and Crop production (Veerle Derycke, Geert Haesaert, Kevin Dewitte, Sofie Landschoot, Greet Verlinden)
Research focuses on crop production and crop protection at field level, with a strong emphasis on integrated, agroecological and data-driven strategies that support resilient agricultural systems. The work builds on and contributes to European research on crop diversification, protein crops, and sustainable intensification, while developing new approaches to address emerging challenges in agriculture.
The overarching objective is to reduce dependency on external inputs (fertilisers, pesticides, imported protein sources) while maintaining crop productivity and ecosystem service delivery, including soil health, biodiversity, and natural regulation processes. Particular attention is given to functional agrobiodiversity, crop diversification (e.g. legumes in rotations and mixtures), and nature-based solutions such as biostimulants and biological control.
Current research is embedded in a portfolio of European and regional projects focusing on crop diversification, protein crops, and sustainable crop protection. These activities combine field experimentation, laboratory research, and co-creation approaches, in close collaboration with farmers, industry, and policy stakeholders.
Key research activities include:
- development and evaluation of diversified cropping systems, including legumes and mixed cropping
- optimisation of integrated crop protection strategies, including biologicals and biostimulants
- assessment of crop performance, disease resistance, and ecosystem services under field conditions
- development of data-driven tools and models to support decision-making
- integration of crop and feed systems to improve protein self-sufficiency
Research activities are closely linked to the Experimental farm Bottelare , the UGent–HOGENT co-managed experimental farm, which functions as a Living Lab for co-creation with farmers, industry, and other stakeholders.