Phytopathology for the future of crop health

In today’s agricultural landscape, plant diseases are an ongoing threat to both food security and the profitability of vegetable and flower growers worldwide. Takii, with nearly two centuries of seed-breeding expertise, is deeply invested in addressing these challenges through advanced research and development.

Vegetables, Flowers
We spoke with Tieme Helderman, phytopathologist at Takii Europe, to understand how his work in plant pathology is contributing to the creation of disease-tolerant varieties that meet the needs of growers and the changing environment. 

 

Phytopathology: A crucial pillar in breeding programmes 

While breeding programmes rely on several pillars—from market-driven characteristics like yield, appearance and longevity to climate adaptability — phytopathology remains an essential part of Takii’s overall breeding strategy. Without addressing disease resistance, even the most promising variety can fail under the pressure of pathogens. 

“Phytopathology is about understanding how plant diseases affect crops and how to make them more resilient to pathogens,” says Helderman. “My role is to work closely with our breeders to integrate disease resistance into our varieties, ensuring they remain productive even in the face of significant disease threats.” 

From fungi to viruses and bacteria, plant pathogens are constantly evolving. Helderman and his team focus on identifying and mitigating these threats early in the breeding process. “On one hand we have to scout for new strains or resistance-breaking diseases while on the other hand we also must identify novel resistance source to stop these new diseases. This work is key to maintaining both quality and reliable performance in Takii’s varieties.” 

Developing disease-resistant varieties: Combining science and tradition 

Phytopathology plays a vital role in breeding, but it doesn’t stand alone. “Phytopathology and breeding are tightly intertwined,” Helderman explains. “Disease resistance is one piece of a much larger puzzle, which also includes factors like yield potential for vegetables or flower quality and shelf life for ornamentals and bedding plants.” 

Takii combines traditional breeding techniques with modern approaches, such as marker-assisted selection, to develop varieties with enhanced disease tolerance. “We can now identify specific markers in a plant’s DNA that are linked to traits like disease resistance,” says Helderman. “This helps breeders target those traits more precisely, speeding up the development of stronger, more resilient varieties.” 

Diseases are never one-size-fits-all.
Tieme Helderman
Phytopathologist

Tailoring solutions for growers: A focus on regional diseases 

Growers around the world face different challenges when it comes to plant diseases, depending on their local climates and environmental factors. Addressing these regional disease pressures is a key priority for Takii’s breeding programmes. 

“Diseases are never one-size-fits-all,” Helderman points out. “What’s a top priority in one region may not even be relevant in another.” For example, downy mildew or Fusarium is a major concern for both vegetable and flower growers across Europe, while Stemphylium leaf blight (SLB) is a serious challenge for onion growers in parts of South of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Similarly, in the floriculture sector, diseases like powdery mildew or Botrytis can devastate both bedding plants and cut flowers if not managed effectively. 

Takii’s R&D teams collaborate closely with Portfolio Managers, Trials Managers, and Product Managers, who are in direct contact with vegetable growers, ornamental plant producers, and distributors. “We rely on their insights to tailor our breeding efforts and respond to specific disease challenges faced by different markets,” Helderman says. "This feedback loop helps ensure that Takii’s varieties are relevant and beneficial to the regions in which they will be grown, whether it’s a new vegetable variety for a specific climate or a flower variety with enhanced disease resistance for greenhouse growers." 

Helderman explains: "For example, Takii has developed fusarium-tolerant varieties of onion and cabbage for European markets, addressing a major disease concern for vegetable growers while allowing them to maintain consistent yields. On the floriculture side, Takii is also developing disease-tolerant varieties of bedding and pot plants, focusing on improving their resilience to fungal infections that affect not only growers but also the shelf life of flowers in the retail market." 

1
/
3

Phytopathology and sustainability: One part of the whole 

While disease resistance contributes to sustainable agriculture by reducing the need for chemical interventions, Helderman is clear that sustainability is just one aspect of Takii’s breeding objectives. “Our goal is to create varieties that offer the best of both worlds: improved resistance to disease and optimal performance in terms of yield, quality and marketability,” he says. 

By focusing on naturally disease-tolerant varieties, Takii can help both vegetable and flower growers reduce pesticide use, which not only meets regulatory requirements in many regions but also supports their broader sustainability goals.  

“Growers need seeds that deliver on all fronts—sustainability, yes, but also yield, market appeal and shelf life. Disease tolerance is a key part of that equation, but not the only one,” Helderman adds. For flower growers, this balance may be even more delicate, as disease resistance must complement traits like colour, petal shape and longevity—all critical for consumer-facing products.

Many diseases are spreading into areas where they weren’t previously an issue due to changes in environmental factors and overall reduction in pesticide usage.
Tieme Helderman
Phytopathologist

Bridging the gap: The importance of feedback from the field 

Phytopathology research may happen in the lab, but its impact is felt in the field. A vital part of Tieme Helderman’s work is ensuring that the disease resistance being developed at Takii aligns with the practical challenges growers face. 

However, Helderman’s team is not in direct contact with growers on a daily basis. Instead, they rely on feedback from colleagues such as Breeders, Portfolio Managers, Trials Managers and Product Managers. “These colleagues are the ones who hear firsthand from the growers—and their input is invaluable in shaping our breeding priorities,” Helderman explains. Besides invaluable information, they also often provide us with infected crops directly from the customers. This material is an excellent source to identify the causal pathogen and enables us to work with the latest strains of any given disease.  

Looking ahead: Preparing for emerging plant diseases 

As the climate continues to shift and agricultural practices change, plant diseases are emerging in new regions or break the currently employed resistances. For Helderman, this means constantly staying ahead of future threats. 

“Many diseases are spreading into areas where they weren’t previously an issue due to changes in environmental factors and overall reduction in pesticide usage,” he explains. “Our job is to not only address current threats but also to anticipate and prepare for future challenges.” 

This proactive approach ensures that Takii’s breeding programmes are forward-thinking, helping growers—whether they’re producing food or flowers—stay resilient in the face of evolving pathogen pressures. 

Related articles

All articles