The Flemish tomato crop has a new enemy. The tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta, originating in South America, is a pest whose caterpillar digs ‘mine tunnels’ in the leaves of the tomato plant. This leads to reduced photosynthesis and thus to lower production. The crawler can also inhabit the tomatoes themselves, making them unfit for consumption and sale. Infections in South America and the Mediterranean show that T. absoluta can cause true havoc.
Chemical control so far has been limited due to risk of immunity and its potential effects on beneficial insects already deployed. Additionally, it is important to comply with European directives on sustainable farming. The main objective of the project is the development of a sustainable, biologically based control strategy that is applicable in the Flemish tomato industry.
A consortium associated with the Research Station for Vegetable Production, the Laboratory for Agro zoology of Ghent University, the Research Centre Hoogstraten and ILVO, is busy dealing with two questions: which natural enemies can be effectively deployed to combat the moth? Can this exotic leaf miner hibernate in Flanders?
The combined effort aims to implement a series of sustainable control measures compatible with and complementary to the general pesticides currently used in tomato cultivation. Since this is a practical project, there is also much focus on the transition of applicable knowledge through classic communication channels. Given the global spread of the plague, the researchers will also liaise closely with various international research organization.
Research and knowledge are important for the innovative strength of the organic sector. The Network Research Organic Agriculture & food (NOBL) is also looking to set up a general platform for sharing information, ideas and experience.
Contact:
els.berckmoes@proefstation.be
Research units:
Proefstation voor de Groenteteelt, Sint-Katelijne-Waver
Laboratorium Agrozoölogie (Universiteit Gent)
Proefcentrum Hoogstraten
ILVO-Plant, onderzoeksdomein Gewasbescherming
Financing: Agentschap voor Innovatie door Wetenschap en Techniek (IWT)
Chemical control so far has been limited due to risk of immunity and its potential effects on beneficial insects already deployed. Additionally, it is important to comply with European directives on sustainable farming. The main objective of the project is the development of a sustainable, biologically based control strategy that is applicable in the Flemish tomato industry.
A consortium associated with the Research Station for Vegetable Production, the Laboratory for Agro zoology of Ghent University, the Research Centre Hoogstraten and ILVO, is busy dealing with two questions: which natural enemies can be effectively deployed to combat the moth? Can this exotic leaf miner hibernate in Flanders?
The combined effort aims to implement a series of sustainable control measures compatible with and complementary to the general pesticides currently used in tomato cultivation. Since this is a practical project, there is also much focus on the transition of applicable knowledge through classic communication channels. Given the global spread of the plague, the researchers will also liaise closely with various international research organization.
Research and knowledge are important for the innovative strength of the organic sector. The Network Research Organic Agriculture & food (NOBL) is also looking to set up a general platform for sharing information, ideas and experience.
Contact:
els.berckmoes@proefstation.be
Research units:
Proefstation voor de Groenteteelt, Sint-Katelijne-Waver
Laboratorium Agrozoölogie (Universiteit Gent)
Proefcentrum Hoogstraten
ILVO-Plant, onderzoeksdomein Gewasbescherming
Financing: Agentschap voor Innovatie door Wetenschap en Techniek (IWT)