"Preventive use of californicus works to control thrips"

In this period the disease pressure in pepper cultivation is still low. Nevertheless, it’s advisable to start with the release of predatory mites (preventive) against thrips as soon as possible. But predatory mites can also be deployed against spider mites: a popular and preventive combatant here is A. californicus.

“The first traces, extremely small and barely visible to the naked eye, of reddish or greenish spots on leaves and stems, are now starting to show,” says John van Eijk, advisor at Biobest Nederland. “We’d recommend all growers to start hanging the sachets of californicus along the walls. These sachets last for several weeks."

In case the spider mites are still observed, and the disease pressure is thus significantly increased, growers can best respond by deploying additional means like the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis or galgmug Feltiella acarisuga.

"We’re currently also working with predatory strategies involving A. degenerans," says John. "This mite is a strong thrip fighter but at the same time helps keep spider mites under control. With our dietary Nutrimite ™, the population can be built more quickly. As we gain more experience here, I think that this will be a very popular strategy."

More information:
Biobest Nederland BV
Annemiek Looije
Tel: +31 (0)6 517 172 53
E-mail: annemiek.looije@biobestnl.nl
www.biobestnl.nl

Publication date: Fri 24 Apr 2015