Plant Protection Institute

Project acronym: PlantProCENTRE
Project full title: CENTER OF EXELLENCE FOR RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE-TRANSFER IN PLANT PROTECTION
Project coordinator: Ph. D. associate professor Olia Karadjova
Project duration: 01.05.2005 – 01.05.2008

Being a candidate – member of the EU at present, in 2007 Bulgaria will turn into a border country of the Union. This sets the urgent need for: (1) building an effective and flexible expert system for diagnosis and identification of agricultural pests by using simple and fast technologies, in close interaction with EU experts; (2) development of integrated and biological control methods sensitive to regional peculiarities and promoting organic agriculture.

The main project objective is to establish PPI as a Centre of Excellence for research and knowledge-transfer in the field of plant protection in the Balkans. This is considered also the way to enlarge possibilities for participation in FP6, thematic priority “Food quality and safety”.

With a 70-year tradition and scientific staff of 40 researchers with various scientific background and expertise, the Plant Protection Institute (PPI) is a leading one in the field of plant protection in Bulgaria. Its main research areas cover Pest, Disease, Weed and Bioagent (PDWB) Bionomy, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of agricultural crops.

Reinforcement of human potential
The reinforcement of PPI human potential will focus on three aspects: (1) extra qualification of the scientific staff; (2) providing for continuity of the school tradition; and (3) accomplishing the range of experts to relevantly cover the priority research fields of the institute.

Staff qualification courses
The focus on younger age groups will be provided by qualification of promising 13 PhD students and post-doc researchers both in Bulgaria and 6 EU scientific centers (4 MS countries). They will be trained in the implementation of fast and reliable diagnostics and identifications (histological, serological and genetic) of pests, diseases and bioagents; pest control methods; detection of pesticide residues and mycotoxins

Reinforcement of material resources
The upgrade and renewal of scientific and technical equipment is another essential step to apply modern diagnostic methods and to conduct research activities of a European standard. European standardized methods to be applied in the country from 2007 on, require scientific and technical equipment of new quality in order to apply fast diagnostic and identification methods of agricultural pests (in all stages of pest development) and to save time and money. Therefore, we plan equipment upgrade of the laboratories of mycology, virology, entomology and nematology, and establishment of a separate Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostic in order to extend and accelerate procedures for molecular methods implementation by all departments. The existing collection of pest, pathogens, weeds and bioagents will be accomplished with electronic database information.

Faster and more reliable scientific work will provide for the development of more efficient Integrated Pest Management systems and biological control methods and will be the base for improvement of competitiveness, safety and quality of the obtained plant products, which will contribute directly to the socio-economic needs of our country.

The application of new reliable technologies for diagnostics will prevent the introduction and spreading of quarantine pests and diseases, which will enforce the establishment of appropriate phytosanitary measures at EU border in 2007.

International Workshops and Conferences
PlantProCENTRE and EU scientists will present the results of their work at three annual workshops in order to diffuse and exploit research results. PlantProCENTRE together with NSPP will organize “Annual Balkan Week of Plant Health”.
Short study visits of PPI scientists to EU and Balkan research centers
In order to prepare cooperative activities and joint projects short study visits are planned. Personal contacts are the efficient manner to elaborate in details successive projects and joint activities.
Periodic refresher-courses for plant protection professionals
Periodic refresher-courses for plant protection professionals conducted by PlantProCENTRE will provide for building new quality of expertise by better demonstration of potential of advanced methods in pest detection and biocontrol, preparation of new issued and virtual materials (e.g. CD-ROM; programs, etc.), training in renovated laboratories.
International discussion meetings
Consultants from EU leading research centers have been contacted and preliminary agreements achieved. Discussions will be focussed upon: (1) defining the most important topics in the qualification programs of Bulgarian Ph.D. students and researchers in EU centers; (2) consultancy on laboratory renovation; (3) identifying possibilities for future collaboration in joint European projects (FP6, etc.); (4) collaboration with plant protection scientists from the Balkan region.

The renovated material base and the acquired specific skills and knowledge will provide for the high level of PlantProCENTRE qualification courses on the application of Integrated Pest Management systems, biological control, etc., for plant protection specialists. Better qualification and renewed S&T equipment will enhance participation in FP6 and will make PPI an attractive and reliable partner in future joint European research and practice in the field of plant protection.