The 3rd International BetaSol Forum will take place on September 1-2, 2026, in, serving as a leading European platform for addressing the growing threat of cicadas and their impact on agriculture. Around 300 participants from research, farming, consulting, industry, trade, and politics across Europe are expected to attend the event, which is held under the patronage of Federal Minister Alois Rainer of the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Home Affairs.
The focus of the forum is the spread of the reed-glasswing cicada, which has expanded across Germany and into other Central European countries. The insect transmits bacterial pathogens that cause serious crop diseases, including Syndrome de Basses Richesses (SBR) in sugar beet, bacterial potato tuber wilt (BKW) in potatoes, and bacterial vegetable wilt (BVW) in other crops, said the Association of Hessian-Palatinate Sugar Beet Growers. These diseases are already leading to significant yield losses, reduced quality, and challenges in processing and storage, making the issue increasingly relevant for European agriculture and policy.
The first day of the event will be dedicated to a field day at experimental sites near Worms, where participants can observe damage patterns, research results, and practical solutions. Twelve stations will present findings from long-term trials and demonstrate approaches such as variety selection, crop rotation, monitoring systems, and mechanical protection methods like netting. The day will conclude with the “Tuber Dialogue,” providing an opportunity for experts and participants to exchange experiences and discuss new developments in an informal setting.
On September 2, the conference will continue at the venue “Das Wormser,” beginning with keynote speeches from agricultural policymakers, including Christine Schneider, Agriculture Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate, and Daniel Köfer, Hesse’s State Secretary for Agriculture. The program will include contributions from European sugar beet and potato organizations, along with international experts presenting the latest research on pathogens, insect vectors, and control strategies.
The forum will close with a high-level panel discussion involving representatives from politics, science, agriculture, business, trade, and related industries. More than 27 experts will participate in the conference, supported by additional specialists contributing during the field day. The event will include simultaneous English interpretation to encourage international cooperation.
According to. Christian Lang, Managing Director of the Association of Hessian-Palatinate Sugar Beet Growers and Agrarservice Hessen-Pfalz GmbH, the reed-glasswing cicada has developed from a regional concern into a European agricultural challenge. The BetaSol Forum aims to unite researchers, farmers, policymakers, and industry representatives to develop coordinated solutions for managing this growing threat.
