The research groups are led by teachers of the department in different specialties in the areas of Entomology, Plant Pathology, Apiculture, Biotechnology and Management and Conservation of Grains.

Groups and research laboratories have the essential participation of the interns and scholarship holders of undergraduate and postgraduate training and developing skills in scientific research. The projects are financed by both public agencies to promote research and training as CNPq, CAPES, FAPERGS and by private sector companies.

In several research projects there is a strong collaboration and exchange with researchers from educational and research institutions in the country as universities, Embrapa, IRGA, FEPAGRO and foreign institutions.

RESEARCH LINES

BIOECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF ORGANISMS ASSOCIATED TO AGROECOSYSTEMS

Study of the aspects of trophic interactions at different levels, involving insects, pathogens, natural enemies and plants, in the agricultural systems aiming the management of these organisms.

ETIOLOGY AND EPIDEMIOLOGY OF PLANT DISEASES

The studies are aimed at identifying new diseases and agents thereof; quantification of disease and mathematical modeling intended for description and comparison of epidemics; analysis of biotic and abiotic factors that affect the spread of infectious agent and the development of epidemics in time and space; and evaluation and prediction of the risk of plant diseases.

BIOTECHNOLOGY, GENETIC RESOURCES AND VEGETAL IMPROVEMENT

Study of genetic, biochemical and molecular mechanisms in response to biotic and abiotic factors.Studies of inheritance of characteristics of agronomic importance and use of biotechnology techniques for the creation and commercial launch of germplasm with superior features.