Control of tomato russet mite in tomato under organic growing conditions - Landwirtschaftliches Technologiezentrum Augustenberg | FISA - Forschungsinformationssystem Agrar und Ernährung

Control of tomato russet mite in tomato under organic growing conditions - Landwirtschaftliches Technologiezentrum Augustenberg

Project

Project code: 2819OE174
Contract period: 01.12.2022 - 31.10.2025
Budget: 156,960 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: knowledge transfer, networking, biological plant protection, horticulture, greenhouse cultivation/protected cultivation, animal pathogens, vegetable production, organic farming

The aim of the project is to develop effective strategies which require a minimum of plant protection products to prevent yield-relevant damage to plants and fruits of organically grown tomatoes by the tomato russet mite Aculops lycopersici. These strategies can also be transferred to other cultivation systems, e.g. integrated cultivation. In order to ensure that the results are relevant and can be applied in practice, exact trials are carried out both in experimental cultivation and on practical farms. In addition, the overall system is optimised with regard to the management of the tomato russet mite. A core objective of the project is to optimise the use of beneficial insects as well as broaden the range of beneficial insects applicable against the tomato rust mite. In addition to Amblyseius swirskii, predatory mite species of the genera Homeopronematus and Pronematus will be tested. A further goal of the project is to be able to give recommendations regarding tomato varieties for an optimised use of predatory mites. In addition, recommendations for tomato varieties that are less susceptible to russet mite damage are to be given. The project also aims to develop an improved climate control system under which mass infestation with russet mites is suppressed. To this end, various climate management and shading options are being tested in practice. In addition, physical barriers are being developed that are suitable for greenhouse cultivation in order to effectively prevent or reduce colonisation of tomato plants by the russet mite. Combined measures are also being tested in the project in order to make sure that the project results can and will be applied in practice. Further, an automated rust mite sampling technique, among others, is to be developed concerning the early detection of an infestation in the tomato crop. The aim is to find measures to prevent or minimise mass reproduction of the tomatoe russet mite in spring.

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