Publications
NIBIOs employees contribute to several hundred scientific articles and research reports every year. You can browse or search in our collection which contains references and links to these publications as well as other research and dissemination activities. The collection is continously updated with new and historical material.
2026
Abstract
Disease symptoms, sources of inoculum, and patterns of spore release of Mycosphaerella ribis, the cause of Mycosphaerella leaf spot, were studied over three years in an organic blackcurrant planting receiving no fungicide applications. In addition to typical foliar symptoms, also fruit lesions were observed on the cultivars included in the study. Ascospores from leaf litter on the ground were trapped from bud break in April to mid-to-late July, but 99% were released by one month before. Conidia formed in old fruit cluster stalks overwintering on the blackcurrant shrubs were present from bud break to early August, but 99% were trapped from late May to mid-July. Conidia were found in leaf litter but were never captured in the spore trap, and ascospores were observed in old fruit cluster stalks. Degree-day models (base = 0˚C) were used to estimate the proportion of mature spores. Extended periods of dry conditions slowed spore maturation in the field. Models halting degree-day accumulation after 4 or 7 days with no rain (< 0.2 mm) or leaf wetness of < 12 h per day, gave the best performance for release of conidia or ascospores, respectively, if validated by data from controlled conditions in the laboratory. Ascospore release was suppressed during night, and if rain and wetness started during night and continued the following day, very few spores were released before sunrise. The present investigation provides new information that may be used when planning sanitary measures to reduce primary inoculum and predict spore release patterns for Mycosphaerella leaf spot.
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
2025
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Cristina Micheloni Frank Willem Oudshoorn Maria Isabel Blanco Penedo Sari Autio Andrea Beste Jacopo Goracci Matthias Koesling Ursula Kretzschmar Eligio Malusá Maria Dolores Raigon Jiminez Bernhard Speiser Jan van der Blom Felix Wäckers Stéphane Becquet Johanna Döring Nagore Guerra Gorostegi Alessandra TrincheraAbstract
The Expert Group for Technical Advice on Organic Production (EGTOP) was requested to advise on the use of several substances with plant protection or fertilising effects in organic production. The Group discussed whether the use of these substances and methods is in line with the objectives and principles of organic production, and whether they should be included in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/11652. Recommendations with respect to Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2021/11652: • The Group recommends authorising calcium carbonate also for plant protection. It should be included in Part 2 of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2021/11652 with the restriction ‘Only of natural origin’. Recommendations with respect to the production (‘forcing’) of ornamental bulbs and chives on pure water or an allowed growing medium: • The Group recommends authorising the forcing of flower bulbs outside the soil in water or authorised substrates. Point 1.3 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2018/8481 as follows : ‘By way of derogation from point 1.1,the following shall be allowed: the obtaining of chicory heads including by dipping in clear water and the forcing of flower bulbs outside the soil in pure water or authorised substrates shall be allowed’. • The Group could not reach a common conclusion regarding the forcing of chives and therefore does not give a recommendation.
Authors
Micheloni, Cristina Oudshoorn, Frank Willem Blanco Penedo, Maria Isabel Autio, Sari Beste, Andrea Goracci, Jacopo Matthias Koesling Kretzschmar, Ursula Malusá, Eligio Speiser, Bernhard van der Blom, Jan Wäckers, Felix Capodieci, Luca Minguito, Pablo Molteni, RobertoAbstract
The Expert Group for Technical Advice on Organic Production (EGTOP) was requested to advise on the use of sulphur dioxide (SO2) in malting during the kilning process in organic production, on ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) as a processing aid for the production of ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin and on sulphuric acid (H2SO4) as a processing aid in the production of organic pea protein. The Group discussed whether the use of these substances is in line with the objectives and principles of organic production and whether they should therefore be included in Annex V, part A of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/11652. The Group recommends the following: • not to include sulphur dioxide as a processing aid in malting; • not to include ammonium hydroxide as a processing aid for the production of ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin; • not to include sulphuric acid as a processing aid in the production of organic pea protein.
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Micheloni, Cristina Oudshoorn, Frank Willem Raigon Jimenez, Maria Dolores Autio, Sari Beste, Andrea Blanco Penedo, María Isabel Bourin, Marie-Christine Goracci, Jacopo Matthias Koesling Kretzschmar, Ursula Malusá, Eligio Speiser, Bernhard van der Blom, Jan Wäckers, Felix Amador, Alberto Auranmaa, Kirsi Brugger, Harald Burkart, Crinna Cozzo, Riccardo Hansen, Max Milan, Marlene Molteni, Roberto Perez Calvo, Maria del Mar Raffaitin, Pauline Rauch, Thomas Sossidou, Evangelia Waidelich, AnneAbstract
Considering the most recent technical and scientific information available to the experts, the Group is requested: (5) to agree on the criteria for evaluation of substances for cleaning and disinfection to be applied to all fields of organic production where the use of such agents is necessary to maintain a high level of food hygiene. (6) to make a proposal for a negative list of substances with unwanted properties based on the above defined criteria. (7) to carry on some worked examples of evaluation of prioritized dossiers submitted by the Member States on products for cleaning and disinfection based on the criteria agreed: i. Hydrogen peroxide (DK) ii. Sodium percarbonate (hydrogen peroxide released from sodium percarbonate, DK) iii. Sodium hydroxide (NL) iv. Glutaraldehyde (SE) v. Chlorine dioxide (NO) vi. Calcium hypochlorite (FR) vii. Peracetic acid (FR) viii. Formic acid (FR) ix. Sodium hypochlorite (FR) x. Iodophors (FR) xi. Dipotassium peroxodisulfate + potassium peroxomonosulfate (SE) xii. Fatty acid potassium salt (SE) xiii. Methane sulfonic acid (probably GER, the request was made by BASF Ludwigshafen) (8) to schedule the work for evaluating the rest of the substances on the Commission priority list. For the preparation of its report the Group was invited to examine technical dossiers provided to the Commission by the Member States and suggest amendments to the Annex IV to the Regulation (EU) 2021/1165.
Authors
Micheloni, Cristina Oudshoorn, Frank Willem Raigon Jimenez, Maria Dolores Autio, Sari Beste, Andrea Goracci, Jacopo Matthias Koesling Kretzschmar, Ursula Malusá, Eligio Raigon Jimenez, Maria Dolores Speiser, Bernhard van der Blom, Jan Wäckers, Felix WAIDELICH, Anne AMADOR, Alberto AURANMAA, Kirsi BRUGGER, Harald BURKART, Corinna COZZO, Riccardo HANSEN, Max MOLTENI, Roberto PEREZ CALVO, Maria Del Mar RAFFAITIN, Pauline RAUCH, Thomas SOSSIDOU, Evangelia WÖLBITSCH-MILAN, MarleneAbstract
The Expert Group for Technical Advice on Organic Production (EGTOP, thereafter called ‘the Group’) was asked to prepare a technical advice about the applicability of detergents (referred to in the organic legislation as ‘products for cleaning’) and biocidal products (referred to in the organic legislation as ‘products for disinfection’) in organic production. The use of biocidal products and detergents in organic production must be compliant with the Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 and the Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 on Detergents.
Authors
Micheloni, Cristina Oudshoorn, Frank Willem Blanco Penedo, María Isabel Autio, Sari Beste, Andrea Goracci, Jacopo Matthias Koesling Kretzschmar, Ursula Malusá, Eligio Raigon Jimenez, Maria Dolores Speiser, Bernhard van der Blom, Jan Wäckers, Felix ROINSARD, Antoine ESKILDSEN, MariaAbstract
This report responds to the European Commission’s request for technical advice from EGTOP on the compliance of innovative building systems for pigs with organic farming principles and regulations, particularly those outlined in Regulation (EU) 2018/848 and implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/464 . These systems integrate indoor barns with covered outdoor areas but generally lack direct access to open air areas, preferable pasture. The Group assessed these systems in light of organic principles, animal welfare standards, environmental impacts, structural design, biosecurity risks, farmer working conditions, and consumer expectations. The assessment considered scientific literature, existing EU legislation, and the core values of organic production: health, ecology, fairness, and care. The Group acknowledges that these innovative modular systems may offer improvements in thermal comfort, increased outdoor area, manure management, and labor efficiency in confined conditions. In the system under assessment, the available indoor surface appears reduced compared to the requirements outlined in organic standards (Regulation (EU) 2020/464, Articles 11 and 12), while outdoor access would not be guaranteed during adverse weather conditions. The limited indoor area risks compromising animal welfare, falling below the minimum standards of organic production, as animals may be left without sufficient space or opportunities to express natural behaviours under such circumstances.
Abstract
Case study