From the end of 2023 to the spring of 2024, researchers from Dutch research centre Vertify, in collaboration with Glastuinbouw Nederland and Kennis in je Kas (KijK), conducted a screening to assess the condition of starting materials at the beginning of cultivation. The study aimed to determine whether diseases and pests were present in the starting materials, which could potentially serve as sources of infection. This research was part of the Precision Crop Protection Glasshouse Horticulture pilot project.
The increasing importance of a clean start
When starting a new crop, growers strive to ensure the environment is as clean as possible to prevent early infections from diseases and pests. Beyond cleaning and possibly disinfecting greenhouses, gutters, tables, and floors when changing crops, other potential sources of infection are being scrutinized more critically. Measures like the use of window netting and strict hygiene protocols can help keep diseases and pests out of the greenhouse. Preventing the entry of these threats is advantageous since dealing with infections at the start of cultivation can hinder the establishment of a biological control system and make it challenging to manage diseases and pests later in the cultivation process.
Healthy starting material essential
Starting materials can also pose a risk of introducing diseases and pests. Plants may become infected during propagation or transport. Although efforts are made to ensure the cleanest possible starting materials, maintaining crop health throughout production remains a challenge. Currently, there is insufficient understanding of the status of starting materials. Could they be a potential source of infection? Are there differences in the risk of infection among various crop groups, such as vegetables, cut flowers, or potted plants? To gain insight, samples of starting materials were taken from several farms. However, it's important to note that these results are not representative of the entire sector, as they are based on a random and small sample.
Known results
At several companies producing vegetables, ornamentals, and potted plants, starting materials were placed in insect cages with thrips netting immediately upon delivery. Vertify first conducted a visual assessment of these samples. No diseases, pests, or damage were visually detected. However, after rinsing the samples, pests were found in the starting materials in eight of the 17 samples, including thrips and spider mites. The highest numbers were found in cyclamen, and pests were detected in all chrysanthemum samples. At some farms, plants were also placed in insect cages with catch plates for a fortnight to capture hatched eggs. Using the DNA multiscan, fungi and bacteria were found in three samples, but at very low concentrations, making it impossible to determine their effects.
Based on these reconnaissance results, it appears beneficial to broaden the investigation to other crop groups and collaborate with the breeding industry to develop solutions.
Taking your own samples for better insight
The results suggest that in some cases, starting materials are not clean and could serve as sources of infection. By taking samples from the batch of plants delivered at the start of cultivation, growers can gather more information about the presence of diseases and pests and adjust their strategies early if necessary.
A sample can easily be set up by, for example, placing starting materials in a cage with a catch plate or having the plants washed by a research institute.
Funding for this pilot
The pilot is part of the Greenhouse as Ecosystem pilot program and is funded by the innovation program, The New Doing in Plant Health, of Knowledge in Your Greenhouse (KIJK).
The report "Screening for the presence of diseases and pests in starting material" can be viewed here.
Source: Glastuinbouw Nederland