Tomato growers in Antalya, the center for greenhouse production in Turkey, are battling against tuta absoluta. This disease had caused tons of tomatoes to be thrown away last year, and the growers still have not been able to find a complete solution for it. As the temperatures in April are lower this year compared to previous years, the disease started to spread within tomato greenhouses.
Turkish growers had encountered tuta absoluta for the first time in 2009 in Antalya, and regional tomato production suffered from it. The disease still continues to be a major headache for growers and officials, not only impacting quality and efficiency, but also presenting a potential threat for Turkish tomato’s position at export markets, as many growers are unable to fulfill export orders.
After years of efforts, last year there was some progress made in battling against this disease through biotechnical and chemical methods, however, the nightmare is back for growers, unfortunately.
Growers remark that they have cut down the use of agricultural chemicals due to residue problems, and the pheromone traps are proving to be inefficient in preventing this disease.
Aksu District Growers Association Chairman Turan Sahin: “We keep fighting against this disease, but it is now almost everywhere. We don’t have a licensed chemical in Turkey to stop this problem. We want the government to help us with this problem as it is causing major production losses for growers.”
Source: Aksam