He is developing this tool through a Baekeland mandate with Bayer CropScience. Together they want to use more micro-organisms as biological pesticides, reduce chemical crop protection and thus give the environment a boost.

Leaf sensors

Professor Kathy Steppe's lab recently developed a leaf clip. This allows the research team to determine the physical environment actually perceived by the leaf. This so-called microclimate of leaves is determined, among other things, by relative humidity, temperature and leaf moisture. The leaf clip can be easily attached to leaves of all kinds of plants and measures in real time. Data is collected and sent wirelessly via a data logger.

Collaboration Ghent University – ​​​​Bayer

In September 2021, Professor Kathy Steppe and Bayer CropScience started a joint collaboration to realize a new application of this leaf clip. In the project 'MicroScan, a leaf microsensing approach for sustainable crop production', ir. Seppe Top will investigate how the leaf sensor can reliably make predictions about favorable micro-meteorological conditions on the leaf. This would make it possible to maximize the effectiveness of micro-organisms as biological crop protection agents. Ghent University and Bayer CropScience hope to develop a tool for growers to reduce chemical crop protection and maximize the effectiveness and reliable use of biological pesticides. The results of this project will contribute significantly to the objectives of the European Commission's 'From Farm To Fork' strategy.

• As a researcher, do you also want to carry out a PhD in close collaboration with a company? Submit your application before March 22.
• Lotte Van Peteghem, graduated industrial engineer in biochemistry from Ghent University, also took up the challenge and started a Baekeland mandate in collaboration with ArcelorMittal. Discover how she makes the world's second largest steel producer dream of climate neutrality.