The Dutch horticulture sector is at the forefront when it comes to green solutions in crop protection. Yet it is dangerous to become complacent with success, with just a small amount of resources to rely on. This is the warning from Jeannette Vriend, Coordinator Effectief Middelenpakket (resource efficiency) for the greenhouse horticulture. "There needs to be more expertise in the greenhouse. Take action."
What do you think will happen in the coming years?
"With an integrated approach to crop protection, there is also a helpful resource. You want to be able to make adjustments, if necessary. But the range of crop protection products will become even smaller than it already is. A range of active substances is currently going through the European reassessment and it's expected not all of them will reach the finish line. If the authorization of an active substance is not extended, more than one product can be affected. In addition, the resources that remain are applied fewer times per crop or per year. As a result, options for growers are decreasing and the chance of resistant diseases developing is increasing. In short, the puzzle is becoming more complex. I definitely do not want to be negative, but gardeners should not act as if everything is fine. The approach to diseases and pests must be correct from start to finish and must also be feasible in the long term."
Where is the main challenge?
"Actually it's across the entire spectrum. But if you look at the list of challenges in greenhouse horticulture, the problems with pest insects are the greatest. This has been the case for years, despite the great successes with using natural predators. Many problems with the spider mite are tackled, but keeping for example whitefly or thrips under control is still difficult. What you want is a cultivation system in which there is a biological balance between eating and being eaten, while the number of pest insects remains below the damage threshold. But if a pathogen gets out of hand, you must be able to intervene. You need selective means for this, which will save biological controllers as much as possible. The broader-working products that still are available cannot simply be missed by the sector. Often they are part of an integrated cultivation system, because you have to be able to get a clean start early in the cultivation season or at the end."
Where do you think growers should take steps?
"The whole cycle from crop change to cultivation change has to be right. That requires a different way of thinking than in the past. What we need is more knowledge in the greenhouse. More knowledge of biology, damage thresholds and the complete picture that comes with an integrated approach is needed. Not only with yourself or the person responsible for crop protection, but preferably among all employees. Early detection of pests is essential, so the more eyes that know what to look for, the better. You don't only need people who can properly operate the spray equipment, good feedback on the spray results is just as important. Growers will also have to share more knowledge with each other, in order to refine or advance their approach. Why does one grower have good experiences with the removal of a certain parasitic wasp while the other does not? What were the circumstances? How did you remove them? Those kinds of questions. Crop protection will become much more knowledge intensive than it already is."
What role does the Coordinator Effectief Middelenpakket see for the green resources?
"The number of green resources is growing, so we hope that this role can soon become bigger. What we notice with green resources is that the registration process, so the admission to Europe, takes far too long. It is also difficult to get a broad label. It is unfortunate if new green resources can only be used in a select few crops, especially because there is such a great need. With broad labels you can quickly develop effective control strategies. Our supporters want to start using green resources as quickly as possible. That is why we are constantly talking to the admission holders."
How fast is innovation going in the field of crop protection?
"From the grower's perspective it's never fast enough. There are promising techniques, such as closed cultivation systems, hydroponics and better climate control. The developments continue on the biology side and breeding. We will have to continue to invest money as a sector to further optimize the IPM system. You can do this through your crop cooperatives, but where there is overlap, you can do that much better together. As LTO Glaskracht, we are working on the innovation program KIJK (Knowledge in your Greenhouse) and we hope that growers will support us in the coming years. We have to do something. Take action."
View the list of the current ten challenges in Dutch here.Source: Bayer Glastuinbouw Koerier