A Pests and Diseases Committee within the CTPS Service Plants Inter-Sections Commission (CISPS)
The CTPS Inter-Sections Commission on “Service Plants” (CISPS) met in Paris on Thursday 19 March, attended by the new CTPS President, Fabrice Marty.
During this plenary session, several topics were discussed, including a report on the initial work of the new Pests and Service Plants Commission.
This body brings together VSCU experts and emerging specialists in nematology. Its mission is to:
- assess and validate the results of pest trials conducted as part of VSCU variety evaluations of service plants;
- propose changes to trial protocols and decision-making rules;
- select the control treatments used in the trials (prior to validation by the CISPS);
- monitor pests affecting service plants;
- contribute to other CISPS working groups by providing specialist expertise.
For 2026, the stated priority is to conduct in-depth work on nematode testing (cyst and gall nematodes): defining validity criteria, improving protocols, reviewing decision rules and class limits, as well as analysing the use of raw results in registration decisions.
The committee also noted the need to compare the CTPS protocol with those of other European countries, and to consider the claims associated with service plants in relation to the service they provide (soil remediation versus varietal resistance).
