Franco Weibel

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Current position at FiBL

Head of the Research Group Perennial Crop Production at FiBL. Responsibilities include

• Responsible for the research quality, work efficiency and also the financial acquisition of the group. The topics of the group cover research in fruit, berry, vegetables, wheat, life cycle assessment and corresponding extension activities (e.g. production of technical leaflets, organization of training courses etc.)
  
  
• Leadership of the research and advisory activities in fruit and berry growing of FiBL. Therefore initiating and co-ordinating the crop and problem oriented interdisciplinary research and extension activities between the different internal divisions but also with external partners (universities, extension offices, industry partners etc.).

Major achievements in commercial, social and environmental areas

• Science based practical recommendations for the site and situation adapted use of herbicide free weed control methods. Development of a sensor device and software to measure accurately real-time sap flow (transpiration) of apple trees growing in the field. Science based recommendations for variety choice in organic fruit production. Creation, introduction and evaluation of a new marketing concept to introduce unknown (scab resistant) apple varieties in a Supermarket chain. Creation and testing of new weed control concepts (Sandwich System) for non-chemical weed control in tree strips. Author of a scientifically acknowledged study to compare conventional and organic apple quality including holistic methods (resulting also in method improvements).
  
  
• Initiation of a national now smoothly co-operating interdisciplinary scientific and advisory network to solve flexibly and efficiently the various problems of organic fruit growing. Member of multinational research groups for EU-project grants. Initiator and presently chair of the "European Group of Researchers in Organic Fruit" EUGROF.
  
  
• Creation of and assistance for seven regional rings of organic fruit growers in Switzerland to increase knowledge transfer and professionalization. Co-author and author of six technical leaflets on the basic techniques etc. of organic fruit growing. Frequent articles in grower magazines. Regularly courses (theory and practical training) for growers, university and professional students etc.

Demonstration of relationships with end-users

• Consistent funding by industry and government agencies. Regular international invitations (including USA and Canada) as key note speaker on organic fruit growing or to carry out training courses. Regular refereeing is done for several international funding bodies.