About the research
Away with bare boxwood bushes! The infamous boxwood moth went on a rampage in Flanders in recent years 🐛🌳 But don't panic! Meet Japanese holly, a robust alternative that is immune to these voracious caterpillars. The catch? The soil in many Flemish gardens is not acidic enough for this shrub to grow well. Bioengineer Esther Geukens (ILVO - KU Leuven) is therefore going to tinker with the plants and the soil so that Japanese holly can thrive here. Her mission? To ensure that we, and not the boxwood moth, can enjoy our green gardens!
Agriculture
Environment