Bibliographic project to document the available methods to evaluate biopesticide impact on soil microorganisms

The effects of synthetic pesticides of human health and environment are growing concerns among consumers, farmers environmental managers and politicians. Thus, modern agriculture is pushed to promote the use of alternative environmentally friendly products, such as plant protection products containing microorganisms (biopesticides). Significant efforts are usually made to evaluate the effect of these products on plant protection. Nevertheless, the environmental fate of these microorganisms (mostly bacteria, fungi, oomycetes and viruses) and their potential impact on soil microorganisms are not (or very poorly) evaluated.

The aim of this research project is to overcome the lack of information cited above by carrying out a bibliographic review documenting the available methods to:

  • Assess the persistence and the fate of microorganisms from plant protection products
  • Analyze the effect of treatment on soil microbial community
  • Identify the microorganism(s) contained in the plant protection products based on microorganisms (quality control)
Project manager Dr. Thierry Heger Professor of Soil Sciences T +41 22 363 40 73

2017 – 2019

Funding: Federal Office of the Environment (FOEV)