Modern Methods in Crop Protection Research

This handbook and ready reference highlights a couple of basic aspects of recently developed new methods in modern crop protection research, authored by renowned experts from major agrochemical companies. Organized into four major parts that trace the key phases of the compound development process, the first section addresses compound design, while the second covers newly developed methods for the identification of the mode of action of agrochemical compounds. The third part describes methods used in improving the bioavailability of compounds, and the final section looks at modern methods for risk assessment. As a result, the agrochemical developer will find here a valuable toolbox of advanced methods, complete with first-hand practical advice and copious examples from current industrial practice.

Peter Jeschke gained his PhD in organic chemistry at the University of Halle/Wittenberg (Germany), after which he moved to Fahlberg-List Company (Germany) to pursue agrochemical research before going to the Institute of Neurobiology and Brain Research, German Academy of Sciences. In 1989 he joined Bayer as lab leader in animal health research and eight years later he took a position at the Bayer Crop Protection Business Group, where he is currently Head of Research Pest Control Chemistry 2. Since 2011, he is honorary professor at the University of Dusseldorf (Germany). Prof. Dr. Jeschke has more than 180 patent applications and scientific publications to his name.


Wolfgang Kramer gained his PhD in organic chemistry from the TU Stuttgart (Germany) in 1968, after which he joined the Institute of Textile Chemistry at Stuttgart University, before moving to Bayer Plant Protection as lab leader in plant protection research in 1970. Between 1984 and 1990 he was Head of Global Chemistry Fungicides, and Head of Insecticide Chemistry thereafter. Retired since 2005, Dr. Kramer has over 250 patent applications and publications to his name.

Ulrich Schirmer received his PhD in organic chemistry from Stuttgart University (Germany) in 1973, and worked subsequently postdoctoral as a researcher at Paris-Orsay (France). He joined BASF in 1974, eventually becoming Senior Vice President responsible for plant protection research for chemical synthesis, process development and biological R&D. Since 2003, he has been working as a freelance consultant to start-ups in the fields of biotechnology, chemistry and agriculture. Dr. Schirmer is author and co-author of more than 100 patent applications and scientific publications.


Matthias Witschel received his PhD in organic chemistry in 1994 at the University of Erlangen-Nurnberg (Germany). After his post-doctoral stay at Stanford University, California (USA), he started in 1996 at BASF in herbicide research, where he is now Principal Scientist in the Global Research Herbicides, Agricultural Products, based in Ludwigshafen (Germany). Dr. Witschel is the author and co-author of over 160 patents and scientific publications.