plantbeschermingsmiddelen

Plantbescherming (Dutch for plant protection) is the multidisciplinary science and practice of safeguarding cultivated plants from harmful organisms and conditions. It encompasses protection against pests such as insects, mites, fungi, bacteria, and viruses, as well as weeds and abiotic stresses like drought and salinity. The field includes monitoring, risk assessment, and the development and implementation of strategies to minimize crop losses while protecting people, animals, and the environment.

A central approach is integrated pest management (IPM), which emphasizes prevention and the use of multiple complementary methods. These include cultural practices (crop rotation, sanitation, resistant varieties), physical and mechanical controls, biological controls (predators, parasitoids, microbial agents), pheromone traps, and carefully selected chemical pesticides when necessary. The aim is effective protection with the lowest possible environmental impact and residues within legal limits.

Regulation and policy shape plant protection through product approvals, usage guidelines, and phytosanitary rules for trade. Ongoing research seeks sustainable solutions, such as biopesticides, genetic resistance, and precision agriculture that targets inputs where needed. Plant protection is essential for food security, crop quality, and ecosystem health in modern agriculture.