Dr. Aruppillai Suthaparan is a researchscientist at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), where he alsoearned his PhD in Horticulture. His research focuses on lighting strategies forhorticultural crops.
At What’s Growing, Suthaparan will presenthow UV-light can be used as a non-chemical method to control fungal diseases inplants. Fungal pathogens pose a major threat to global food production, andthere is an increasing demand for alternatives that reduce the use of chemicalfungicides.
Research shows that optimized use of UV-light,combined with red light and specific timing of application, can effectivelycontrol diseases such as powdery mildew in crops like cucumber, tomato, andstrawberry. The method has also shown promising results in post-harvesttreatments, particularly when combined with cold storage.
This highlights the potential of light-basedsolutions as a sustainable alternative to chemical fungicides, although furtherresearch is needed before large-scale implementation.
