Projects
NIBIO is a project driven research institute and collects approximately 400 million NOK annually in project funding from both national and international sources. A lot of activity is carried out through EU and EEA-projects and we also participate in research projects in Asia, Africa and Latin America. NIBIO coordinates several large international projects with a particular focus on food security and climate change. The list of projects is not complete.
Division of Biotechnology and Plant Health
ImpACT of nematodes in Carrots
ImpACT aims to tackle an increasing challenge in carrot production namely plant parasitic nematode (PPNs) that are emerging as problematic in todayʼs intensive cropping practices. Norwegian carrot production has doubled in the last 20 years and impressively covers 94% of the market. Carrot production practices face different biotic challenges,carrots for storage struggle with storage diseases, whereas fresh produce suffer directly from PPNs and other pests. Plant parasitic nematodes are neglected due to unspecific crop symptoms and the cryptic nature of nematodes that urgently needs attention. ImpACT of nematodes aims to map the extent of nematode occurrence and damage incarrot production through surveys and questionnaires, and provide advice on management options filling the gap indealing with nematodes. Soil steaming is a tool to knock down nematode populations. We aim to evaluate this technology and assess the long-term effects on soil health. Biochar, organic fertilisers, and bio stimulants are possible tools for combatting nematodes, however there is lack of evidence, certainly under Nordic conditions. ImpACT will evaluate soil amendments under controlled conditions and test the best bet in field trials. Furthermore, to understand interactions between nematodes in the soil and their host plant(s), studies in the rhizosphere will be conducted to elucidate the mode of infection/attraction/repellence to plant roots, in the long-term leading to novel management options. In field-based observations we will investigate the cause of storage damage on carrots, suspected to be initiated by nematodes. To generate much needed knowledge on this neglected pest of carrots our applied and basic research will create new insights on tools for nematode management as well as nematode-host interactions that can be developed further into sustainable management strategies.
Division of Environment and Natural Resources
Sinograin III: Smart agricultural technology and waste-made biochar for food security, reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, and bio-and circular economy
The Sinograin III project’s overall objective is to contribute to the UN SDGs by widely implementing precision agriculture technologies and application of “waste-to-value” biochar products to achieve sustainable food production with minimized GHG emission, improve soil fertility and promote green growth/zero waste in modern agriculture in China.
Division of Food Production and Society
Visions and the consequences - analysing visions for Norwegian agriculture and its consequences for food security
In the FOSIP project (Visions and the consequences - analysing visions for Norwegian agriculture and its consequences for food security) we will assess and evaluate the foundation, support, opportunities, and limitations for the goal of increased agri-food self-sufficiency in Norway and assess how far an increase will contribute to improved national food security.