Main fields of research

Basic and applied research on ecological, behavioural and physiological aspects of Acari and insects, including trophic relations to enhance pro-ecological integrated pest management in greenhouses, structures and fields. Physiology and chemistry of infested plants, plant resistance and influence of urbanisation on condition of selected species of plants, insect and their natural enemies. The effect of enhanced biodiversity by various ecological infrastructures on pests and their natural enemies. Methodology of risk assessment and monitoring of GM crops. Evaluation of farmers” knowledge, attitude and practices in the fruit and vegetable plant protection as referred to the UE Directive 2009/128/WE of 25th Nov, 2009.

Abstracts of major research projects

CZAPLA A.1, KIEŁKIEWICZ M.1, ZAGDAŃSKA B.2 Effect of water deficit and two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) attack on antioxidant enzymes activity in leaves of transgenic maize

Department of Applied Entomology1, Department of Biochemistry2, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Warsaw, Poland

Crop plants respond to both, biotic and abiotic stresses by oxidative ‘burst’ due to production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present study transgenic maize plants expressing cry 1 Ab gene were used to examine the results of water deficit and/or mite–attack on protective enzymatic system scavenging ROS. Six week old plants of maize MON-810 expressing Bt toxin (MON) and non-Bt control (ISO) with ten well-developed leaves were submitted to water deficit and/or two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch, Acari: Tetranychidae) feeding for 4 days under greenhouse conditions.

Doctoral (Ph.D.) theses submitted and accepted in 2010

JULIA GÓRECKA, M.Sc. Ocena niezamierzonych efektów uprawy odmian transgenuicznych na wybrane niedocelowe gatunki stawonogów i na systemy trójtroficzne [The evaluation of unintended effects of growing genetically modified varieties on chosed non-target arthropod species and tri-troophic relations].

- Dr. Zbigniew T. Dąbrowski, Full professor

PIOTR SZAFRANEK, M.Sc. Wybrane elementy bionomii i ekologii drapieżnego gatunku roztocza Parasitus bituberosus (Acari: Parasitidae) z uwzględnieniem jego wpływu na produkcję pieczarek. [Some elements of bionomy and ecology of the predatory mite Parasitus bituberosus (Acari: Parasitidae) and effects of its population on the mushroom production].

- Dr. Stanisław Ignatowicz, Full professor

KRZYSZTOF WOŹNIAK, M.Sci. Wykorzystanie metody alternatywnej w zwalczaniu owocówki jabłkóweczki (Cydia pomonella L.) w celu wzbogacenia stabilności ekologicznej sadu jabłoniowego [Application of the alternative method in codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.) control to enhance ecological stability of apple orchard].

- Dr. Zbigniew T. Dąbrowski, Full professor