The activity of the research group becomes a fundamental pillar of the integrated crop protection (ICP), a scientific specialty with extensive research experience at the University of Lleida (UdL). ICP is determinant in the crop production at European and National level, being regulated by different European Directives and National Regulations. The group from UdL has achieved high specialization in these main topics: a) weed ecology in agroecosystems, b) integrated weed management, especially of herbicide resistant weeds, and c) analysis of the ecosystems services provided by weeds in agricultural systems. These fields of research offer a diversified analysis of weed ecology and control according to the sustainability of crop production. This activity has been possible thanks to numerous international projects (Eranet IPM, Eranet biodiversity, Spanish-German Integrated Action) and national projects (MINECO, Grupos Operativos, RIS3) in the last 10 years. As a result, more than 100 articles JCR have been published.

The Research group consists of two professors, one RyC fellowship, one Beatriu de Pinós fellowship, two postdoc, three PhD, two master students and one technician.  The group is leading the research cluster “Malherbología”, which brings together researchers from 3 Campus Iberus universities: University of Lleida, University of Zaragoza and University of La Rioja.

Since 2005 the group is recognized with the mention of Quality Research by Catalan Government.

The group accredits 25 years of transfer of knowledge and agreements with public and private institution on weed seedling identification, weed ecology and integrated weed management.

 In 2008 the research group has been recognized by Spanish Ministry of Agriculture to carry out official recognized assessments (Ensayos EOR) for chemical companies.

The group keeps a close relationship with chemical companies (Corteva, Bayer, Syngenta, BASF, FMC, SIPCAM, Ascenza) and stablished different agreements (more than 700.000€ in the last 10 years). Additionally, the group has also collaborated in research with numerous international institutions, especially in the last 5 years resulting in over 30 joint publications

In June 2021 it is expected the approval of a UdL-Spin-Off based on a technological platform on decision support system for advice on efficiency use of herbicides.

The research activity has been awarded in 5 congresses of the Sociedad Española de Malherbología and awarded in 2018 with the Best Spanish Scientific Article on Agriculture by Fira de Lleida.

The group has organized in UdL more than 40 training courses for technicians belonging to chemical companies, and other more than 50 courses in different places of Spain and Portugal.

Raventós – Codorniu

North Carolina State University (USA).

University of Aarhus (Denmark).

Julius Kuehn-Institute in Braunschweig (Germany).

University of Rostock (Germany).

BAGAP-INRA Rennes (France).

Université Paul Valérie Montpellier (France).

Rothamsted Research Station (UK).

North CSCR Laboratory from USDA-ARS (Minnesota – USA).

University of Pennsylvania (USA).

Universidad Nacional del Sur (Bahía Blanca – Argentina).

A secondment for 5 months is offered at Raventós Codorniu S.A. The company is one of the leaders in the country in issues of sustainability of vineyards production, accrediting a long history in issues of efficiency in the use of resources and optimization of inputs in crop management. The scientific component will be strengthened through the fellow’s integration in the viticulture team of Raimat vineyars (Lleida) as well as with the technicians of the Associació de Defensa Vegetal. The purpose of the secondment is related to: i) innovation, improvement and transfer for technology applied in vineyards in the search of alternative weed control methods b) training on the use of cover crops and mulches as a way to improve the sustainability of crop production and c) propose and stablish a network of collaborative activities inside the new national and EU experimental projects. He/she will collaborate with Agropixel (cofounded by Joan Esteve) to participate in vine vigor monitoring methods through flights and in their interpretation through aerial images. This knowledge should be related to their experience on covers-crops, sustainable agriculture practices, organic agriculture and agroecology.

In addition, a research stay will be possible at the main campus of North Carolina State University, located in Raleigh, NC (USA), where the fellow will be exposed to modern techniques used for studying weed biology and to optimize weed management. These include: machine learning, image analysis, development of forecasting models for optimizing weed management strategies and timing of weed control using the national weather networks. Furthermore, Research Triangle Park is located at less than 30 minutes from campus, where some of the most important Agrobiotech companies have R&D operations, so he/she will have the opportunity to visit them and build collaborative partnerships.

The postdoctoral researcher will be introduced in the academic activity of the research group and linked to the Co-supervision of PhD, TFM and TFG of different students.

He/she will be included in the staff of invited/associated professors who will teach in advanced topics in weed science, especially in the master’s degree on Integrated Crop Protection. Furthermore, he/she will be involved in the organization of seminars, debates, conferences and transfer courses that the research group annually organizes with social sectors, administration and industries.

The post-doc researcher will be also involved in the new activities of the Chair University –Company on Weed Science that the research group planned to carry out.

According with the research activity developed, the creation of new agreements with external (public and private) entities will be promoted.