Improving sEed QUality In the Post-plant protection Product Era (EQUIPPE)

The withdrawal of many approved pesticides has led to the search for alternative plant protection products which leave no residue. This project employs a novel approach to seed treatment combining two strategies, laser treatment and a novel bioactive compound, to disinfect vegetable seeds of seed-borne pathogens, improve germination, seedling establishment, growth rate and yield. Two of the pathogens are fungi; _Itersonilia_ on Parsnip, _Septoria_ on Celery, the third a bacteria, _Pseudomonas_ on Coriander. The outcome would benefit the vegetable seed industry and vegetable production both field grown and in vertical farming.