dr.ir. JA (Johanna) Bac-Molenaar

My aim is to make the cultivation of crops more sustainable. I am working on the design and optimization of resilient cultivation system. I am involved project concerning the following topics:

- Strengthening the plant's natural defenses against diseases and pests
- How cultivation choices, such as type of substrate, fertilization, irrigation strategy, light spectrum, plant density, influence the natural defenses of the plant.
- Re-design of cultivation systems in such a way that pests and diseases can be avoided or that measures prevent them to become problematic.
- Smart combination of defense lines for resilient cultivation systems year-round.

Last, but not least: Strawberry cultivation is my specialty. Not only plant health issues have my interest in this crop, but also energy saving, plant physiology, and optimization of irrigation and nutrients.

Keywords: Plant Health, Plant induced defenses, Resilient Cultivation, Integrated Pest Management, Strawberry