Archives: Meetings

Meeting Description

XVIII Meeting of the IOBC-WPRS WG “Biological and Integrated Control of Plant Pathogens”

Towards a holistic understanding of biocontrol systems

Welcome to the XVIII meeting of the IOBC-WPRS Working Group “Biological and Integrated Control of Plant Pathogens”!

The general goal of the Working Group is to promote cooperation among scientists, facilitate the exchange of expertise on biological control against plant diseases caused by plant pathogens, and support its implementation in agriculture across the West Palaearctic Region and beyond. 

The XVIII meeting, “Towards a holistic understanding of biocontrol systems”, will explore biocontrol from a systems perspective, moving beyond the characterization of individual biocontrol agents to better understand their interactions with the plant, the pathogen, the native microbiome and the surrounding environment. Despite the large number of promising biocontrol agents identified, achieving consistent performance under field conditions remains a major challenge. Understanding the agro-ecological context in which biocontrol agents are introduced—including their establishment, persistence and interactions within the receiving ecosystem—is therefore essential for developing more reliable biocontrol strategies.

The meeting will address this challenge across scales, from molecular interactions and chemical ecology to microbiome-based approaches, multi-omics and predictive tools, formulation and field application. It will also consider emerging and complex plant diseases, integration of biocontrol into crop protection systems, new genomic technologies, and the economic, regulatory and adoption challenges associated with future biocontrol solutions.

Main topics:

  1. Biocontrol for resilient cropping systems under global change

  2. Biocontrol of emerging or complex plant diseases

  3. From single strains to microbiome-based biocontrol

  4. Mechanisms underlying successful biocontrol: from molecular interactions to chemical ecology

  5. From discovery to field performance: formulation, delivery and application

  6. New tools to unravel and predict biocontrol mechanisms and efficacy: multi-omics, modelling and AI

  7. Establishment, persistence and ecological fate of biocontrol agents

  8. Integrating biocontrol into crop protection: IPM, organic farming and plant breeding

  9. New genomic technologies in biocontrol: opportunities, applications and ecological risks

  10. Economics, risk assessment and adoption of biocontrol solutions

XVIII Meeting of the IOBC-WPRS Working Group

Meeting website: https://iobcfrance2027.sciencesconf.org

Biostimulants Europe 2027

ACI’sBiostimulants Europe 2027 will take place on 27th–28th January 2027 in Barcelona, Spain, bringing together senior representatives from across the European biostimulants industry to explore the scientific, commercial and regulatory developments shaping the future of biological crop inputs. As growers face increasing pressure to improve productivity, reduce dependence on conventional fertilisers and adapt to changing environmental conditions, biostimulants are becoming an increasingly important part of modern crop production.

The programme focuses on the practical realities influencing the successful adoption of biostimulants across European agriculture. Discussions will explore how manufacturers are demonstrating measurable return on investment, improving farm profitability and integrating biological products into modern crop management programmes. Sessions will also examine advances in microbial technologies, soil health, climate resilience, artificial intelligence and predictive agronomy, highlighting how scientific innovation is accelerating product development and supporting more sustainable, resilient farming systems.

Alongside these themes, the conference examines the evolving regulatory and commercial landscape shaping the European biostimulants market. Delegates will gain insight into developments under the EU Fertilising Products Regulation, approaches to demonstrating efficacy and substantiating product claims, and the factors influencing product registration and market access.

Website: https://www.wplgroup.com/aci/event/biostimulants-europe/

For more info & registration:
Rohan Baryah – Marketing & Delegate Sales,
Phone: +48 (0)61 646 7022, Email: rbaryah@acieu.net

Plant Protection and Plant Health International Symposium (12th PPPHI)

From Biocontrol Products to Biocontrol Systems - Strategies for Sustainable Crop Protection

The 12th Plant Protection and Plant Health International (PPPHI) Symposium is jointly organised by DPG and JKI on 23-24 February at the Julius Kühn-Institut in Braunschweig, Germany.

Preliminary Program:

  • Session 1: Drivers of change – Why do we need to move from products to systems?
  • Session 2: From products to systems – What does a systems approach mean for plant protection?
  • Session 3: Future plant protection systems – How can innovation enable future plant protection systems including biocontrol?
  • Session 4: Research for sustainable cropping systems – How do we translate systems thinking into research and practice?

Symposium website: https://ppphi.plant-protection.net

 

EWRS workshop “Next generation of sustainable herbicide use”

The EWRS Working Group “Sustainable Use of Herbicides” is pleased to announce its upcoming 3-days workshop. This event serves as the premier meeting point for European researchers, agronomy experts, and industry leaders to shape the future of herbicide use in crop protection.

Featured Highlights

  • Innovation Showcase: A dynamic presentation of context-specific results from major EU projects and herbicide smart technologies, featuring either live field trials or interactive case-study sessions, depending on availability.
  • B2B Networking: To bridge the gap between academic research and industry needs.
  • WG Future Directions: This session will also outline the future strategic direction and leadership goals of the Working Group.

Workshop website: https://ewrs.org/en/info/Events/EWRS-workshop-ldquo-Next-generation-of-sustainable-herbicide-userdquo

Download: First Announcement (pdf)

11th Meeting of the IOBC-WPRS WG “Integrated Protection of Olive Crops”

Olive cultivation is deeply rooted in the history, economy, and culture of the Mediterranean region, and continues to face significant challenges in the context of climate change, emerging pests and diseases, and the need for more sustainable production systems.

The 11th Meeting of the IOBC-WPRS WG “Integrated Protection of Olive Crops” aims to provide a dynamic forum for scientists, early-career researchers, advisors, and stakeholders to share knowledge, present recent findings, and discuss innovative solutions for the biological and integrated control of pests, diseases, and weeds in olive crop.

The scientific program will focus on, but is not limited to, the following themes:

  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in olive orchards
  • Biological control and conservation of natural enemies
  • Agroecological olive protection strategies for sustainable agriculture
  • Olive pests, diseases, and weeds
  • Impact of climate change on olive pests and diseases 
  • Emerging pests and diseases
  • Precision agriculture and digital tools in crop protection
  • Resistance management and reduced-risk strategies
  • Biodiversity and ecosystem services in olive agroecosystems
  • The olive microbiome: challenges and opportunities
  • Improving soil health to enhance fitness, production and food quality of the olive holobiont


Download: Welcome Message (pdf)

Meeting website: https://iobc-olives2027.org

16th Workshop of the IOBC-Global MRQA Working Group

Innovations in rearing high-quality invertebrates

Joint meeting of the IOBC Global Working Group on Mass Rearing & Quality Assurance (MRQA) and the Association of Natural Biocontrol Producers (ANBP)

We are pleased to announce tentative dates for the 16th Workshop of the IOBC-Global Working Group on Mass Rearing & Quality Assurance (MRQA). It will be in Tucson, Arizona USA during the first week of March 2027.

The workshop objective is to explore opportunities for advancing the rearing of high quality entomophagous and phytophagous insects and mites, entomopathogenic nematodes, and other invertebrates for plant and animal pest management, human and animal food, and a variety of other uses. The program will consist of symposia on current “Hot topics,” invited and submitted presentations, and posters on selected aspects of invertebrate rearing and quality assurance as they relate to production and quality control. Presentations will serve as a basis for discussion and exchange, with the final aim of improving collaboration among scientists and practitioners. Accommodation for remote presentations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

The program will include sessions on:

  1. Mass rearing and evaluating biological control agents for pests
  2. Mass rearing for SIT and other autocidal pest control
  3. Methods for assessing the quality of biological control products
  4. Mass rearing insects for food and feed
  5. Mass rearing and evaluating pollinators
  6. Open session on rearing invertebrates


Download: Invitation – Save the Date! (pdf)

More information on IOBC-MRQA: https://www.mrqa.eu

Joint EWRS working group meeting of the working groups “Weed Vegetation and Biodiversity” and “Biological Weed Control”

What to expect: To share the latest knowledge on the role of weed species and communities in the provision ecosystem services (for example through their position in food webs), the diversity of weed communities, the use of natural enemies for weed regulation, the response to global changes.

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to the meeting co-organized by the EWRS working groups ‘Weed Vegetation and Biodiversity’ and ‘Biological Weed Control’.

The meeting will be held from 27 to 29 October 2026 at INRAE Burgundy-Franche-Comté center in Dijon, France. It is locally organized by the Agroecology research unit of the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment.

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME

This meeting will be held in the context sustainable weed management. Its aim is to share the latest knowledge on:

  • The role of weeds in the provision ecosystem services, for example through their position in food webs
  • The diversity of weed communities: its importance in promoting the balance between services and disservices, and its response to management practices
  • The use of natural enemies and ecological mechanisms for weed regulation These topics may be addressed in relation to global changes (including climate change).

The meeting aims to bring together scientists from different disciplines: Agroecology, Ecology, Agronomy, Biology, Genetics, Weed Biological Control etc.

In addition to keynote presentations, the meeting will provide an opportunity to exchange knowledge through oral presentations and posters. Interaction between participants and networking opportunities within the EWRS community will be encouraged during field trips (visit to the CA-SYS platform https://eng-plateforme-casys.hub.inrae.fr/) and a social event organized around the heritage of the Burgundy region.

Registrations will be opened in June 2026 (with a reduced fee for students). The maximum number of participants is 40.

 

IOBC-WPRS WG “Integrated Protection of Fruit Crops”, Joint Meeting of Sub-Groups “Pome Fruit Arthropods”, “Soft Fruits” & “Stone Fruits”

15th International IOBC-WPRS Workshop on Pome Fruit Arthropods
12th International IOBC-WPRS Workshop on Soft Fruits
10th International IOBC-WPRS Workshop on Stone Fruits

The goal of the joint meeting of the Sub-Groups “Pome Fruit Arthropods”, “Soft Fruits” and “Stone Fruits” within the IOBC-WPRS WG “Integrated Protection of Fruit Crops” is to bring together the latest advances in research of pome fruit pest and soft and stone fruit pests and diseases, to provide an opportunity for exchange of information and ideas and to stimulate common research and collaboration. The workshop program includes oral and poster sessions, plenary discussions, a meeting with growers and advisors and a one-day excursion.

Preliminary program

  • Sunday 19th March: Arrival, Registration and Welcome Drinks
  • Monday 20th March: Platform presentations
  • Tuesday 21st March: Field trip & Workshop and Conference Dinner
  • Wednesday 22nd March: Platform presentations
  • Thursday 23rd March: Platform presentations (morning),  Departure

Further information about session topics and practical information will come soon.

This workshop will be organized by the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (Sergio Angeli).


Download: Save-the-Date Announcement (pdf)

XVII International Agriculture Symposium (AGROSYM 2026)

AGROSYM is, since seventeen years, an annual platform for international scientific discussion on agriculture, food, rural development, environment and forestry. AGROSYM represents a good opportunity to exchange ideas, to strengthen existing and to create new academic networks, and to foster dialogue between the academia, public institutions, the private sector and civil society organizations on the recent global and regional trends in the agro-food sector.

AGROSYM covers the following thematic areas: plant production, plant protection and food safety, organic agriculture, environment protection and natural resources management, animal husbandry, rural development and agro-economy, and forestry and agroforestry.

Multidisciplinary results reported during AGROSYM will contribute to the dissemination of knowledge and good practices to all actors of the agro-food chain (e.g. farmers, extension agents, researchers, policy makers) as well as the general public about the importance of agriculture and food science, one of the most important strategic areas of many national research strategies.

XXI International Plant Protection Congress (IPPC 2027)

The XXI International Plant Protection Congress (XXI IPPC) will be held from November 1-5, 2027, at the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand. Organized by the IAPPS (International Association for the Plant Protection Sciences), this event represents the 78th year of the congress and is the first to be hosted in the Australasian region.

The event follows the XX IPPC held in Athens in 2024, continuing the 4-year cycle of scientific exchange intended to protect global plant resources and enhance food security.

Theme & Goal:
The congress aims to integrate modern indigenous knowledge with global scientific and private sector efforts, focusing on sustainable, effective, and environmentally safe plant protection.

Significance:
It serves as a unique global platform for researchers, practitioners, and students to discuss key plant health challenges, including climate change impacts, emerging pests, and food security.

Key Focus Areas:
The 2027 event will heavily emphasize the incorporation of indigenous insights into plant protection science, featuring field trips and a multidisciplinary approach encompassing plant pathology, entomology, and weed science.

Website: https://www.ippc2027.com

 

Workshop of the IOBC-WPRS WG “Plant Protection Products and Beneficial Organisms”

The next meeting of the IOBC-WPRS Working Group “Plant Protection Products and Beneficial Organisms” will take place from 15–17 September 2027 in Kraków, Poland.

The event will be hosted by the Jagiellonian University, Institute of Environmental Sciences, and will be organised as an extended format combining a conference and a workshop.

The 2026 workshop in Berlin marked an important step in reactivating and redefining the role of the Working Group. Discussions highlighted the increasing complexity of pesticide risk assessment, the need to integrate new scientific tools and data sources, and the importance of strengthening links between research, regulation, and practical IPM implementation.

The preliminary programme foresees:

  • Day 1 (Wednesday): conference session (oral presentations and posters)
  • Day 2 + half Day 3 (Thursday–Friday): workshop sessions and group discussions

The meeting will take place at the university campus:
https://eko.uj.edu.pl/en_GB
https://kampus.uj.edu.pl/en_GB

A hotel is available directly on campus for participants:
https://convictus.pl/en

Participants are encouraged to already consider potential contributions aligned with the main  identified thematic areas, including:

  • Development and harmonisation of testing methodologies
  • Data integration, databases, and digital tools in ecotoxicology
  • Pesticide risk assessment in realistic and landscape-level contexts
  • Sublethal and long-term effects on beneficial organisms
  • Integration of biocontrol and system-level IPM approaches

A formal call for abstracts, including detailed submission guidelines and deadlines, will be announced in due course.

Save the date!

10th International Entomopathogens and Microbial Control Congress (EMC 2026)

“Ancient Wisdom, Modern Science, Sustainable Pest Management”

The congress aims to bring together researchers working on pathogens and natural enemies of agricultural, forest, urban, and household pests. It will cover a broad range of topics, from the isolation, identification, and characterization of microbial control agents to advanced studies including genomics, transcriptomics, gene expression, product development, and laboratory and field applications.

Over its nineteen-year history, the congress has attracted strong international interest and continues to contribute significantly to the advancement of environmentally friendly and sustainable pest management strategies. Entomopathogens are increasingly recognized as key components of integrated pest management and represent a rapidly expanding field of research.

Congress website: https://emc26.com

21. International Conference on Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology (ICPPPMB 2027)

The International Research Conference Aims and Objectives
The International Research Conference is a federated organization dedicated to bringing together a significant number of diverse scholarly events for presentation within the conference program. Events will run over a span of time during the conference depending on the number and length of the presentations. With its high quality, it provides an exceptional value for students, academics and industry researchers.

International Conference on Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology aims to bring together leading academic scientists, researchers and research scholars to exchange and share their experiences and research results on all aspects of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology. It also provides a premier interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners and educators to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, and concerns as well as practical challenges encountered and solutions adopted in the fields of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology.

Conference topics:

  • Endosymbiosis
  • Plant microbial interactions
  • Phytoplasma and nematodes
  • Plant diseases epidemology
  • Fungal-plant interactions
  • Molecular and genetic basis of plant-insect interaction
  • Oxidative stress in plants
  • Plant virology
  • Plant immune system

Conference website: https://waset.org/plant-pathology-and-plant-microbe-biology-conference-in-january-2027-in-istanbul

Entomology 2026

Get ready for Entomology 2026, ESA’s 74th Annual Meeting! From November 8-11, 2026, Columbus, Ohio, will be buzzing with excitement as thousands of insect-science professionals gather for this unmissable event.  

In 2026, our goal for every attendee is to “Connect Your Science. Expand Your Net.” Together, we can strengthen our community’s bonds, build meaningful partnerships, and weave together different perspectives to amplify the impact of entomology. With educational sessions, career development, networking, student and early career programming, and more, ESA’s Annual Meeting has something for everyone! 

Explore what Entomology 2026 has to offer:

  • Innovative Ideas: Dive into the latest research and cutting-edge technologies that are shaping the future of insect-science.
  • Passionate Community: Connect with a vibrant network of professionals who are as enthusiastic about insects as you are.
  • Networking Opportunities: Forge meaningful connections with colleagues that could lead to future collaborations.

Meeting website: https://entsoc.org/events/annual-meeting

Entomology 2026 (Ento26)

Invitation: Ento26, the Royal Entomological Society’s annual meeting dedicated to insect science.

Join the global entomological community, with opportunities to present your work, meet new contacts and build collaborations.

If you work with insects or care about the future of food, ecosystems and sustainability, Ento26 should be on your radar – Ento26 brings together the global Insect Science community for three days of research, collaboration and real conversation.

Conference website: https://www.royensoc.co.uk/ento-conference

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