Travelling across Egypt’s governorates, Ayther Amr—a young phytopathologist and Master’s researcher at Cairo University—is pioneering the use of biological solutions combined with precision agriculture to transform sustainable farming in Egypt. As part of the plant pathology team at the Agricultural Research Center and collaborating with Project Future Egypt, Amr focuses on beneficial strains of Trichoderma, eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides.
In greenhouse trials, Amr tested two strains of Trichoderma on tomato plants infected with Botrytis cinerea, the fungus causing grey mould, using both liquid and powder applications. The trials employed an IoT-powered climate control system to monitor humidity, temperature, and ventilation in real time, replicating mild and advanced infection scenarios.
The results were promising: fungal activity was completely halted in mildly infected plants, while advanced infections showed a disease severity reduction of over 60% compared to untreated controls. “Technology alone isn’t the solution — but it creates the optimal conditions for nature to act,” Amr explains.
Following greenhouse success, field trials across five Egyptian regions (Beni Suef, Minya, Sohag, El Sadat, Mansoura) demonstrated consistent results. This convinced farmers from diverse backgrounds that healthy soil, supported by precision agriculture and beneficial microbes, is essential for a safer, more sustainable future.
Looking forward, the team plans to partner with Chinese collaborators to extend the approach across Africa and Asia, developing advanced bioformulations tailored to different climates and refining technology for large-scale open-field application.
