European Fund for Agriculture and Rural Development agreement No. 22-00-A01612-000019
The aim of the project is to develop and practically test a new protective agent for conifer seedlings that is harmless to nature and humans (hereinafter – repellent) and its application method for protection against damage by dendrophagous insects.
The project will be realized as interdisciplinary cooperation, including the scientific specialists from the fields of chemistry, forestry, woodworking, forestry machinery, and engineering and a group of six project partners, including scientists and potential producers of repellent as well as forest owners from both the state and the private sector (potential users of repellents).
Efficient forestry plays a crucial role in the development of products as raw materials, climate change mitigation, recovery and substitution effect in the development of the bioeconomy. In the areas regenerated with conifers (> 80% of the area certified annually), the most significant damage is caused by insects, more precisely – the pine weevil (Hylobius abietis L.), which may lead to the need to replenish or replant the regenerated areas. Damage can be reduced by leaving the felled area unplanted for at least 3 years, but such approach creates significant additional costs – for harvesting and soil preparation (forestry), as well as hinders logging work in adjacent areas (logging) and weakens the positive impact of forestry on climate mitigation.