PROJECT PARTNERS – QKIS network

University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland

University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland is a multi-profile higher education institution with over 65 years of teaching tradition. It integrates agricultural, biological, veterinary, technical, economic and social sciences. Research conducted in modern and good equipped laboratories and the workshops, clinics and experimental farms are valuable contribution to the development of sciences. We maintain a variety of relations with scientific and educational institutions around the globe, promoting academic and student mobility, joint projects and study programs. The educational offer includes a few dozen courses and specializations of the first and the second-cycle studies. The Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture covers all aspects of horticultural production techniques (fruit-growing plants, ornamental plants, vegetables, herbs and medicinal plants) and development of innovative methods of plant protection against pathogens and pests while caring for the natural environment on by conducting research and incorporating its results into practical projects. Implementing effective innovations and engaging science in precise and sustainable agriculture has always been one of its main goals.

ULS TEAM:
• KATARZYNA GOLAN - PROJECT COORDINATOR, ENTOMOLOGIST, RESEARCHER
• EDYTA GÓRSKA-DRABIK - ENTOMOLOGIST, RESEARCHER
• KATARZYNA KMIEĆ - ENTOMOLOGIST, RESEARCHER
• IZABELA KOT - ENTOMOLOGIST, RESEARCHER

Biosad, z.s. – Association of fruit growers in the Czech Republic supporting organic fruit production

Address: Mayerova 784, 664 42 Brno-Modřice, Czech Republic; www.biosad.cz; e-mail: biosad@atlas.cz

Main activities:
• Monitoring of disease and pest development in the Czech Republic
• Workshops for fruit growers
• Technical excursion abroad
• Learning of innovative technics on application of products in orchards
• Measurements to control diseases and pests
• Transfer knowledge and experience to practice

Role of Biosad in project QKIS; Quadraspidiotus Knowledge Information System network:
• Monitoring and current status of SJS in Czech Republic
• Management and innovations in control San José scale
• Training for fruit growers, horticultural advisors & other stakeholders
• Strengthen the relationships between the partners and contribute to efficient cooperation on the topic

Biosad team:
• Radek Vávra - chairmen of Biosad, researcher
• Kamil Holý – entomologist, researcher
• Vladan Falta – entomologist, researcher
• Kateřina Bagarová – entomologist, specialist in plant protection products

RESEARCH AND BREEDING FRUIT INSTITUTE HOLOVOUSY s.r.o.

Address: Holovousy 129, 508 01 Holovousy, Czech Republic; www.vsuo.cz; e-mail: info@vsuo.cz

RESEARCH AND BREEDING FRUIT INSTITUTE HOLOVOUSY s.r.o. (VSUO) is divided into five research departments:
• Gene Pools Department
• Department of Fruit Crop Protection
• Technology Department
• Department of Genetics and Fruit Crop Breeding
• Laboratory complement department

Main activities:
• Diagnostics of the main pathogens of fruit crops
• Monitoring of invasive species
• Healing of promising varieties of pome and stone fruits with modern biotechnological methods with subsequent transfer of virus-free primary resources to the user sphere
• Innovation of fruits growing technologies with new knowledge from integrated production, organic systems and fruit storage, especially in the field of varietal and rootstock composition or protection against harmful factors
• Reducing the input of contaminants into the orchard ecosystem and the environment
• Specializing of agrotechnical interventions in newly established market plantings of fruits with a focus on soil care and its effective use, research of modern methods of fertilization and nutrition
• Clarification of the method for determining the optimal harvest maturity for fruits and finding the optimal storage conditions to extend the use of domestic production on the market
• Formulation of propagation and cultivation technologies, including ecological systems for small fruits and neglected fruit species in an effort to promote their integration into the agricultural sector.
• Selection of breeding-promising varieties and genotypes of fruits based on the use of new effective laboratory methods in order to intensify the use of gene markers that have a direct link to important economic traits
• Implementation of contract research in fruit growing to address specific topics in the areas of testing of plant protection products and auxiliary products (GEP station), innovation of processing technologies, testing of new materials for use in plantings
• Transfer of knowledge gained from R&D to the professional public through organizing of professional seminars and workshops to school students through involvement in OP Education for Competitiveness projects
• Production of certified propagation material (technical and spatial isolates – insect proof greenhouses)

VSUO team:
• Jana Ouředníčková – head of Fruit Crop protection department, entomologist, researcher
• Michal Skalský – entomologist, researcher
• Radek Vávra – researcher

The HUN-REN Centre for Agricultural Research, Martonvásár, Hungary

The HUN-REN Centre for Agricultural Research (HUN-REN CAR) was established in 2012 through the merger of storied research institutes. Its research portfolio covers a wide range of fields within agricultural science, environmental management and environmental protection. Within its comprehensive scientific program, HUN-REN CAR seeks to create an organic unity between exploratory, targeted, methodological and applied research, as well as activities related to development and innovation. It participates extensively in domestic and international scientific collaborations with a wide range of partners, including higher education institutions and research institutes. HUN-REN CAR also engages in science communication and popularization activities, in which the unique scientific information center “Agroverzum” plays a key role.

HUN-REN CAR TEAM:
• ÉVA SZITA - ENTOMOLOGIST, RESEARCHER
• KORNÉL GERO - ENTOMOLOGIST, RESEARCHER

Plant Protection Institute, Budapest, Hungary

Plant Protection Institute (PPI) was established in 1880. Its activities include the biology of pathogens and pests, intra-species communication between arthropod pests, the mechanisms of plant resistance to diseases and abiotic stressors, interactions between pathogens and arthropod pests and their natural enemies, and agro-ecosystem research. NÖVI is also involved in research on issues of plant protection in forestry, nature conservation and the inhabited environment. Its profile is primarily concerned with basic research using morphological, molecular and ecological methods, though it also contributes to the development of new plant protection strategies for agricultural and other cultivated crops.

PPI TEAM:
• ÉVA SZITA - ENTOMOLOGIST, RESEARCHER
• KORNÉL GERO - ENTOMOLOGIST, RESEARCHER

University of Belgrade – Faculty of Agriculture

University of Belgrade is the oldest and the largest University in Serbia, founded early in the 19th century. It comprises 31 faculties grouped into four major domains: social and humanistic sciences, medical sciences, natural and mathematical sciences, and technical and technological sciences. Established in 1919, the Faculty of Agriculture in Belgrade serves as a cornerstone in both education and research. Its scope spans the entirety of agricultural production and food technology, covering fields such as crop science, fruit science and viticulture, animal science, soil management, phytomedicine, agricultural engineering, food technology, and agricultural economy. Offering undergraduate as well as postgraduate (master’s and doctoral) academic programs, the faculty remains committed to fostering a comprehensive educational experience.
Faculty of Agriculture is structured across 8 Institutes, 31 Departments, variety of accredited, specialized and well-equipped laboratories and experimental farm „Radmilovac”. As the most significant higher education institution in the field of agriculture and food technology, Faculty of Agriculture in Belgrade has a leading role in the development of education and science in Serbia and south-eastern region of Europe.
With a primary focus on formulating and executing high-end academic study programs across all levels, the faculty aims to develop relevant scientific research and apply the resulting knowledge and skills in agriculture, food technology and associated industries, thereby contributing to the advancement of society as a whole.

UB TEAM:
• DRAGA GRAORA - ENTOMOLOGIST, RESEARCHER
• MARIJA SIMONOVIĆ MILOŠEVIĆ - ENTOMOLOGIST, RESEARCHER