Research into fungal diseases in Lyon
Fungal diseases are one of the greatest threats to global food production. They endanger crops, cause billions in damage every year and have always put farmers under pressure. A detailed report by RTS provides insights into Bayer's global research and development centre in Lyon, where new, environmentally compatible fungicides are being researched.
Monday, July 28, 2025
Opened in 2021, the centre is one of the most important locations for crop protection research in Europe. Around 150 scientists from the fields of chemistry, biology, toxicology and data science are working there to develop active ingredients against fungal pathogens. The focus is not only on efficacy, but also on environmental compatibility. Natural substances – such as those found in plants or microorganisms – that already have fungicidal properties in nature often serve as starting points. More than 200,000 substances are tested each year. Only a few of these pass all the test phases and are approved for market release.
Complex research – also with AI
Developing a new plant protection product is a complex process: it takes an average of over twelve years and costs around 300 million euros. In addition to their chemical efficacy, new products must pass strict environmental and safety tests – for example, to assess their impact on soil, beneficial organisms, water and human health. Artificial intelligence accelerates research by helping to identify promising molecules more quickly and assess their environmental risks more accurately. Collaborations with universities and start-ups also play an important role.
Targeted protection instead of broad impact
The new generation of fungicides is designed to combat pathogens in a targeted manner while minimising harm to beneficial organisms and the ecosystem. The trend is towards active ingredients that are effective in small quantities, break down quickly and leave few residues. For the environment, consumers and users, this means less pollution with the same effect. Fungal diseases such as late blight and downy mildew also pose major challenges for Swiss agriculture. At the same time, environmental and consumer protection requirements are increasing. Innovative solutions from research – such as those in Lyon – could help to secure yields while reducing environmental impact. The RTS report impressively demonstrates how modern plant protection works today: as an interplay between biology, chemistry, technology and environmental technology.
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