In March 2025, the Excalibur Project took part in two prominent international forums, sharing cutting-edge research on sustainable soil pest management and crop health solutions with industry leaders and researchers.
13th International Blueberry Conference (Ożarów Mazowiecki, Poland | 6–7 March 2025)
Hosted by Hortus Media, this conference brought together blueberry cultivation experts to address critical sector challenges. Dr. Małgorzata Tartanus from the National Institute of Horticultural Research in Skierniewice (Poland) delivered a keynote lecture on soil-borne pests in blueberry plantations, highlighting Excalibur’s innovative approaches, including:
- Entomopathogenic fungi as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical controls.
- Rapid detection methods for bioinoculants in soil.
- Soil health improvements and their impact on crop productivity.
The findings sparked lively discussion among attendees, underscoring the project’s potential to shape future integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.
Forest Protection and Management Workshop (Nagórzyce, Poland | 5 March 2025)
In collaboration with the Regional Directorate of State Forests in Łódź, Dr. Tartanus presented Excalibur’s research on pests affecting both fruit crops and forest trees, such as the cockchafer beetle.
Her talk emphasised the project’s work on beneficial microorganisms for pest control, demonstrating their dual application in agriculture and forestry. The session prompted engaged debate, reinforcing the value of cross-sector research for sustainable ecosystem management.
These events underscored Excalibur’s commitment to knowledge exchange and science-based innovation in addressing global agrifood challenges.
