July 13, 2015
The Fruit and Vegetable Interprofessional Andalusia (HORTYFRUTA) within the biological control campaign ‘I Love Bugs, Our Green Revolution’ was held at the Science and Technology Park of AlmerÃa (PITA) a talk focused on the tomato area Vega de AlmerÃa.
The main theme of the technical conference, which had the support of the European Union and the Government of Andalusia, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), focused on achievements and challenges of Biological Control in greenhouse tomatoes to enter later in the specific pest Tuta absoluta and Vasates.
David Meca, technical director of crops Palmerillas Cajamar Experimental Station was commissioned to do a chronological overview of the history and implementation of the Biological Control in Almeria, mentioning the achievements of the introduction of bumblebees in greenhouses as “the first green revolution “and the turning point occurred from 2007 with large-scale implementation of biological control and how this impacted favorably on exports. “The crops are protected from AlmerÃa a model and an example of integration,” said Mecca.
Regarding the challenges still facing the industry, David Meca mentioned the need to improve the biological control of certain pests such as red spider, or Vasates Whitefly on tomato. Outside agencies more employees in Biological Control, as Nesidiocoris, Swirskii or Orius, recalled that there are other options, such as ladybugs and lacewings, “which can also be helpful.”
Key Benefits
Among the main advantages it has brought the introduction of biological control crops Area Alquián and La Canada, José Francisco Ramos, a farmer, he stressed that it is “a tool that works, is profitable and effective”, although as with any other tool, “we must learn to use it properly.”
From the standpoint of producers, Juan Garrido added that there has been a substantial improvement Biological Control and specifically with Nesidiocoris, “from the moment they began to make its implementation from the seed.” Isidoro Carricondo, technical coordinator of Group One, “Almeria has business needs that customers demand on integrated control. Now the markets begin to demand zero waste, so we will have to adapt to your requirements and use new tools. ”
In general, the speakers discussed about the achievements and problems that are in the productive area of ​​El Alquián and La Canada, although as specified Angel Pina, technical coordinator of AgrupalmerÃa, SA, “Nesidiocoris works but conditions each greenhouse are different; you can not apply a standard dose. ”
When managing control Vasates tomato, it was alerted about the precautions to be taken with some implemented measures, such as the use of sulfur powder or wet, “because you can not compromise on product cleanliness “.
Source: HORTYFRUTA
