Thrips control with predatory mite
Syngenta explores possibilities A. montdorensis mite in pepper crop
Three years ago, Syngenta gained admission for A. montdorensis and since then the product is used in cucumber, eggplant, peppers and various ornamental crops. For cucumber and eggplant cultivation, much research data was available. "For growing peppers we had some data, but we wanted more information and details coming from growers and companies directly," says Caroline van den Hoek from Syngenta. Therefore, the company intensively monitored cultivation on two pepper farms last year. Results were twofold. "The first is that the A. montdorensis very rapidly increases. After a slow start, we saw an explosive growth early in the season. These high numbers remain visible throughout the year, while the populations of other predatory mites decline in the summer," she says. "The second peculiarity of this predatory mite is that it eats thrips in both the first and second larval stage, while other predatory mites eat the thrips only in the first stage."
Thrip numbers are significantly lower with the predatory mite A. montdorensis. A. montdorensis eats the first and second larval stages of thrips.
Employing the A. montdorensis proved so efficient that Syngenta now explores if cultivation can do without the predatory bug Orius. "Normally you really need the Orius to counteract the thrips. We want to check whether we can guarantee proper thrip control using just the A. Montdorensis.” Trails at three different companies are already underway. “We look for the optimal system for each crop; we regard these tests as a way of optimizing specific cultivations. What we find here might not work with another type of crop,” Van den Hoek concludes.
Population numbers of mites on the leafs
For more information:
Syngenta
Vince van der Gaag
Telephone 06-10646271
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