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Collaborative project: Definition of functional climatic conditions for a successful application of entomopathogenic nematodes - subproject B (Nema-Sens)
Project
Project code: 2818806B19
Contract period: 15.12.2021
- 14.02.2025
Budget: 209,739 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: crop protection, plant health, organic farming, fruit production, biological plant protection, horticulture, pome, data collection, greenhouse cultivation / protected cultivation, forecast
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) are roundworms of < 1 mm in size that are used worldwide with great success against pest insects in the soil. E-nema GmbH is a leader in the production and marketing of these biological control agents. The potential of EPN is particularly high in aboveground pest insects, as these have rarely been exposed to EPN during evolution and have therefore not developed strong defense mechanisms. The application on the plant surface often fails because precise information on functional climatic factors and the reaction of the EPN to changing parameters are missing. The project aims to define optimal application conditions for use against overwintering codling moth larvae in the trunk area and against the invasive tomato leaf miner in the greenhouse, in order to expand the use of EPN and reduce the use of chemical insecticides. The aim is to define parameters like air humidity, leaf wetness and temperature at which EPN can find the host insects and kill them. In addition to temperature, the duration of leaf wetness plays the most important role and is determined by rain, dew, irrigation and application water, but also by evaporation-regulating, atmospheric parameters such as wind speed and global radiation. On the leaf, parameters such as transpiration and leaf structure must be taken into account. In modern greenhouses today, climate control computers are available that enable suitable control of environmental factors in order to successfully use EPN against the leaf miner. Meteorology can provide relatively reliable weather forecasts 3 days in advance. This period is sufficient to deliver EPN and apply them against the codling moth in the open air under optimal climatic conditions. The definition of the environmental conditions, control strategies and weather data should serve to enable an optimal use of the nematode potential.
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Protection
- Arboriculture
- Vegetable Gardening
