A smart combination of different crops, such as beans and
maize, can significantly cut the use of crop protection agents and at the same
time reduce the need for fertilizers. Integrating ecological knowledge from
nature with knowledge of crops opens up the prospect of a sustainable strategy
that will increase yield per hectare at reduced environmental costs. This was
the assertion of Prof Niels Anten in his inaugural speech upon accepting the
post of Professor of Crop and Weed Ecology at Wageningen University, part of
Wageningen UR, on Monday 22 April.