The focus of the Tomato without Sulphur trial is on how the natural enemies, such as Trichogramma and Macrolophus, deal with the eggs and caterpillars and how this pest and other pests evolve. In recent weeks, Sergio Harinck of Vertify carried out two introductions of Turkish moth adults (from Vertify's own internal breeding) in the two departments of the pilot for this purpose.
Four moths per ward were introduced in week 33, followed by five moths per ward in week 34. The PATS-C system was able to directly observe whether the moths were active the nights after each introduction. This gave an indication of the success of the introduction.
Observations in the wards
Greenhouse department 8: Here, the moth population did not seem to catch on as only a few flight movements were observed here. This is possibly caused by the age or health of the introduced adults, which is difficult to determine upon introduction. Nevertheless, a caterpillar was observed in week 34. This indicates that the moths from the first introduction were still able to reproduce.
Greenhouse division 9: The adult moths showed more activity. This indicates higher pest pressure in this section. No caterpillars were found here as yet.
Monitoring and forecasting with PATS-C
The PATS-C camera system closely monitors the activity of flying insects every night. The images collected are then analysed and various characteristics of the insects recorded are measured. Based on these characteristics and models of insects, the type of moth can be determined. Due to the very active flight movements of moths, this gives a representative sample, which over time gives insight into the population and thus the development of the pest. This allows the industry to visualise the development of successive generations of moths.
Based on the increase in activity, it is also increasingly possible to predict when which phase of the moth will occur. Especially the phases when many eggs are deposited and when the caterpillars hatch are crucial for the use of biological crop protection. The smaller the caterpillar, the more sensitive it is to treatment with natural enemies or biological preparations. This is essential for an effective biological system; the more precise the deployment, the greater the effect of biological control and the better the pest can be controlled without larger outbreaks. In the trial, these critical moments are also expected to be communicated to researchers so that they can respond to them with natural enemies in a targeted way.
Next steps and expectations
A new generation of adults is expected within 4-5 weeks, depending on the effectiveness of the natural enemies. At that time, it will be easier to predict how the population is developing, and whether biological control needs to be adjusted. The PATS-C system plays a crucial role in monitoring and predicting pests, enabling targeted and sustainable pest control.
Financing of this pilot
The pilot is being carried out by Vertify as part of the Greenhouse as Ecosystem programme. It is funded and coordinated from the innovation programme The New Doing in Plant Health of Knowledge in your Greenhouse (KijK) and half by the crop cooperative Tomato. In addition, there is a significant in-kind contribution from the parties involved (Biobest, Bioline and Pats). The trial is intensively monitored and supervised by growers.
Source: Glastuinbouw Nederland