Human Practices
Understanding the Agricultural Need
From the very beginning, our goal was to support farmers around the world by developing an accessible and practical biotechnological tool.
As a team, we wanted to ensure that our project addressed a real need in agriculture, while meeting the iGEM criteria of using synthetic biology as a foundation.
With this in mind, we set out to design a CRISPR/Cas12a-based diagnostic tool to detect Arsenophonus pythopathogenicus, a bacterium that is an emerging threat especially to potato.
Through our Human Practices work, we aimed to understand how such a technology could be developed, accepted, and applied in the agricultural context.
Collaboration with Bioreba
What do they do?
As a company specializing in agricultural diagnostics, they routinely perform diagnostic services and also detect Arsenophonus pythopathogenicus using PCR, which directly connected to our research focus.
Our Connection
Bioreba was an important contact, especially during the early stages of our project when we were still defining its scope, goals, and direction. We first got in touch with them through HAFL, starting with a simple email exchange.
They provided us with essential information on sampling methods and the biology of the organ-ism, and generously supplied us with isolated potato DNA samples that had tested positive for Arsenophonus pythopathogenicus and such that did negatively, so we had a control for our tests. In addition, our team had the opportunity to visit Bioreba’s laboratory, where we discussed potential collaboration and gained first-hand insight into their diagnostic processes.
Learning from Farmers
We spoke with Chantal Weber, a farmer from Neuhof in Liestal, CH, about her daily life, pest control practices, and her opinion on new diagnostic tools. We wanted a perspective of the current agricultural situation and where their needs lay. She underlined the importance of affordable, user-friendly diagnostic methods that could help identifying infections early and minimize crop losses.
“We are always open to new technologies that can generate savings and provide great benefits.”
Interview with Chantal Weber
Q: How do you detect the presence of pests and how do you identify them?
A: Through regular crop inspections. The crop is checked repeatedly throughout the season and examined for pests or diseases.
Q: What criteria do you use to decide on a type of pest control and what methods do you currently use?
A: Whenever possible, we try to take preventive measures. One method that has been used for years and is common practice in Switzerland is crop rotation on a field of land. This makes it more difficult for pests to establish themselves when different crops are grown on the same field. Soil cultivation also plays an important role. We are a conventional farm, which means we also use chemical pesticides to control pests. However, we only use them when necessary, i.e., when pests are present and when they get out of hand. We also participate in various federal government-sponsored programs to reduce the use of chemical pesticides or switch to biological pesticides.
Q: Which pest control have proven to be particularly effective and which ones less?
A: Preventive measures always prove to be effective, but they are never sufficient to completely replace direct control measures. Due to political pressure, not many plant protection products (PPPs) are permitted in Switzerland anymore. This makes pest and disease management difficult. As there are fewer and fewer PPPs available and no new (biological or chemical) PPPs are being approved, we are currently caught in a gap. As a result, less effective PPPs are being used and there is not much scope for switching between PPPs. This means that crop protection is no longer always guaranteed and there is currently a high risk of resistance developing. Mechanical solutions are not always available and usually require a lot of time and more human resources. However, it always depends on what needs to be controlled.
Q: Are there any pests that you find difficult to fight effectively?
A: Fortunately, we have fewer problems in this regard, as we are located in a less intensive area. We are the only ones in the area who grow potatoes, onions, and beetroot, which tends to keep the pressure from pests and diseases at a lower level. However, there are also more and more new pests, such as owl moths, which are becoming increasingly prevalent due to warmer temperatures and can slowly cause significant damage. We don't have much experience with these pests yet, but as far as I know, it is possible to control them.
Q: What obstacles are there to implementing pest control measures and identifying pests (cost, availability, effectiveness)?
A: At the moment, the effectiveness of various methods or PPPs is probably the most difficult issue. Much also depends on politics, which probably creates the most obstacles. Costs are another factor, because it must not be too expensive, or it will soon no longer be cost-effective. Availability is sometimes also a problem, but not yet to such a significant extent. Above all, practicality, cost, and effectiveness are the most decisive criteria for a farmer to be able to control a pest.
Q: How do you deal with the risk of pests in everyday life?
A: As a farmer, you are exposed to risks on a daily basis. Above all, the weather plays a major role in whether a harvest turns out well or fails. The weather also significantly influences pest pressure. That’s why we deal with the risk of pests in everyday life quite normally, since it’s simply part of the job for us.
Q: Are there any measures you would like to see from research or politics?
A: Yes, especially from politics. At the moment, it is difficult to protect crops. Effective plant protection products are needed on the market, and above all, we are extremely behind when it comes to the approval of such products. Quick solutions are necessary, otherwise we will run into even bigger problems.
Q: Would you be open to trying out new technologies (e.g., CRISPR-based diagnostics)?
A: Yes, we are always open to new technologies that can generate savings and provide great benefits.
Q: Which characteristics are most important to you in crop protection solutions (price, simplicity, safety, sustainability)?
A: For us, a mix of all of them would be most important. But since we are currently in a situation where effectiveness is lacking, that is probably at the very top. However, the other factors also play an important role for us.
We thank Chantal Weber and her team for giving us an insight into her daily life and coping with real-world problems regarding plant protection. Also, we thank them for letting us film the promotional video on their farm.
Engaging the Public
To bridge the gap between biotechnology and society, we organized a research seminar at our university and use social media to share our journey with a broader audience.
Looking Ahead
Our long-term vision is to further develop our rapid test to achieve a stable visual readout that can be easily interpreted in the field by any farmer. Our vision is adapting the modular system to detect any bacteria, enabling it to become a universal and standardized diagnostic tool for early detection in agriculture.