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Protecting Plants From Pests & Diseases: Strategies for Prophylaxis in Greenhouses

Learn how to create optimal conditions and implement preventative measures to combat pests and diseases in greenhouse plant production. Understand the environmental factors conducive to infection and spread, and discover effective hygiene, medium, climate, and fertilization practices for prophylaxis.

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Protecting Plants From Pests & Diseases: Strategies for Prophylaxis in Greenhouses

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  1. “SEX in THE GREENHOUSE”R 21 SNV Paddy de Vries Intens Agri Hydro (Pty) Ltd

  2. Nurserymen women ……do it Under Cover …as do the goggos & nunnus

  3. CENSORED

  4. Why is there a problem? • With “Modern” farming techniques we attempt to produce plants at their optimal conditions…… within structures that often cannot . • Market expects better, faster, stronger, more productive products (at a static price!) • Monoculture • Less arable land: Urban creep • Economic pressure • Production “under cover”: Difficult / impossible crop rotation • Attempt to create optimal conditions for… • PLANT PRODUCTION / GROWTH ? • STRONG SURVIVABLE PLANTS • PESTS & DISEASES ?

  5. INSECTS & PATHOGENS: Multiplying/breeding in my greenhouses?WHY? • Unless “virgin” structure: Diseases & Insects are endemic • Personnel / visitors are vectors • Other vectors & contaminants • Conditions created for plant production conducive to insect & disease “breeding” (Structure, climate often marginal) • … e.g.: Low light, wet plants, > RH, warm/cold plants • Discussion measurement? Environment? Plants?

  6. Conditions conducive to Insect “breeding”? • Environment • Basic greenhouse conditions • “Host” • Susceptible Plants • Leaf litter/ damp medium

  7. Insects (some) Aphids Aphids Whitefly Broadmite TSWV ToCSV/ TYLCV/ TICV PVY TSWV Virus-like symptoms

  8. Understanding the Enemy: Fungus Gnat

  9. Fungus Gnat Larvae spread diseases

  10. Understanding the Enemy:Leaf miner Loss of chlorophyll, lesions, dead tissue: entry point for disease Damp soil / Medium / Leaf litter Re-infection

  11. Understanding the Enemy: WFT TSWV

  12. Understand the enemy: WhiteflyBemesia tabaci BPYV CYSDV CVYV TYLCV ToCSV TICV

  13. Conditions conducive to pathogen “breeding”? • Plant damage = infection • Light • Low light, thin cuticle, “stress”, • RH, Temp • Poor Air movement • Plant wetting period • Overwatering / “Dense” Medium ….. Low AFP • Nutrition e.g.: • Excessive N (& insufficient Ca): Thin cell walls, large soft cells • Excessive NH4+ (e.g. predisposition to Fusarium) • Weak plants

  14. Understanding the enemy: Pathogens • Too many case studies: • Sexual & asexual stages • Infection/dissemination favour many conditions • High or Low Humidity (dry or wet) • Root Zone: Temp, pH, Salinity, Anaerobic conditions, Exudates • Low or high Temp (Mostly perfect greenhouse conditions) • Light

  15. QUO VADIS: Prophylaxis Know & understand the environmental conditions conducive to infection & spread of insects / pathogens in the structures Know & understand the source, life cycle and importance / ramifications of insects / diseases in your structure. SWOT:Identify strengths / weak points of the structure, medium, irrigation system etc.Identify pests’ strengths & weak pointsWhat can be done, not done, preventative actions

  16. Prophylaxis?HYGIENE • Personnel / Visitors • Structure, Tables, floors • Trays, Lugs etc. • Discarded plants, medium • Dust control • Environment around structure • Free standing water • Weeds • Roads

  17. Prophylaxis?MEDIUM • Medium • Hygiene: Pathogens, Insects, weeds • Composted • Mineral / Toxin content? • AFP • Effect of time • Effect of fertigation on medium

  18. Prophylaxis?CLIMATE • Light: Polyethylene / Shade • Effect of climate control on: • Light • RH • Temp: Ambient, plant, roots • Dew point T  Leaf wetting • Transpiration

  19. Prophylaxis?FERTIGATION • Water quality • Mineral content • Biotic content • Water treatment • Flocculation, Filtration • Disinfection • Cl, H2O2, O3 • Nutrition • Frequency

  20. Prophylaxis? GENERAL • Insect trapping / prevention • High quality plant material (phyto’ cert’) • Program of disinfection • Tanks, Irrigation lines, filters • Plants, Clothing, hands, shoes, tools, floors, dust prevention … • Preventative spray program: Cocktails, additives Phyto’, Act36/1947, Act29/1947 • Regular water analysis: Biotic / Abiotic • Prevention is better than cure – ASK THE POPULATION REGISTER & DEPT HEALTH

  21. Thank You

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