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Tomato

Map icon Spain (South)
Arthropod Pests

Control of Aculops lycopersici using alternatives to standard chemicals

Partner(s) : AgroBio

Performance assessment

The aim was to achieve a successful control of Aculops lycopersici and other pests of tomato crops, such as Tuta absoluta, using alternatives to standard chemicals that are currently used in the IPM programs. The ultimate objective was to use zero or minimal chemical applications, and to guarantee zero chemical residues

Common name Scientific name Pest type

Tomato russet mite

Aculops lycopersici

Arthropod pests

South American tomato moth (tomato leaf miner/moth)

Tuta absoluta

Arthropod pests

Whitefly

Bemisia tabaci

Arthropod pests

Thrips

Frankliniella occidentalis

Arthropod pests

Aphids

Myzus persicae

Arthropod pests

The IPM package consisted of two tomato varieties: Ramyle (one strain with trichomes and one without trichomes) and Pizarro (one strain with trichomes, one without trichomes and one with half trichomes). No conventional pesticides were used but one application of soft soap and one Bt application was made early in the early season.Biological controls released were as below:

  • Two types of predatory mites (Phytoseiids and Transeius montdorensis)
  • 2 releases of a mix of aphid parasitoids
  • 20 individual Eretmocerus eremicus were released per plant, along with a parasitoid for white flies (20 release capsules)
  • 11 Orius laevigatus a generalist predator (newly develped cold Tolerant strain) released /m2)
  • 1.4 Nasidiocoris tenuis/m2
  • 7 applications of Agrobío Powerfood 3.0

An experimental trial was conducted in the south of Spain (El Ejido, Almería) in an experimental greenhouse (700 m2) with the typical ‘parral’ structure of the area, with a flat roof, with zenithal and lateral windows to offer ventilation, all covered with insect proof nets, and without active climate control, which are the structures comprising 80% Almeria’s greenhouses.

Overall Performance

Packages are compared by their Performance (displayed in the bar charts and summarised by the Utility score) and their Pesticide Load Index (PLI). Higher Performance/Utility and lower PLI indicate more favourable results.

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Package Utility Pesticide Load Index

Baseline

79%

-

Adopt-IPM

87%

-

Summary

The ADOPT IPM package overall performed better than Current Commercial Practice (Baseline). Losses were lower which gave the package a higher utility score despite slightly higher Direct Costs and greater Time and Management requirements

Performance by indicator

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Package Utility

Baseline

74%

ADOPT-IPM

98%
Notes
Current commercial practice works effectively with very high confidence however, for the ADOPT IPM package, there were no losses in quality or yield.

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Compare Packages
Package Utility

Baseline

98%

ADOPT-IPM

95%
Notes
Non-pesticide based negative H&S impacts are very low and well understood for the CCP. For the ADOPT-IPM package, very similar impacts are also expected however possible allergenic responses to Powerfood 3.0 and/ predatory mites are unknown though very unlikely.

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Package Utility

Baseline

74%

ADOPT-IPM

50%
Notes
The Costs of CCP pest management are well understood and acceptable For the ADOPT package, costs of the technologies are higher than current control practices but trials to optimise costs are planned for the next growing season

Compare Packages
Package Utility

Baseline

95%

ADOPT-IPM

98%
Notes
For CCP, physical and other health risk (not associated with pesticides) were considered to be highly acceptable with high confidence. In the ADOPT system, natural predator/parasitoid population enhancement through feeding and companion planting resulted in very low environmental impact.

Compare Packages
Package Utility

Baseline

74%

ADOPT-IPM

50%
Notes
Current system (CCP) in terms of staffing and expertise are tailored to current production requirements. In the ADOPT system, releasing BCAs and applying supplemental diets increases labour requirement but since no greater knowledge or certification is required for BCA applications this results in greater workforce flexibilty.

Compare Packages
Package Utility

Baseline

74%

ADOPT-IPM

74%
Notes
In Current Commercial Practice, pesticide based pest management is less reliant on timing and delivery than biologicals, i.e. pesticides can be stored. For the ADOPT package, there is also a small internal coordination dimension to ensure Powerfood 3.0 applications are not removed with old foliage

Pesticide Load Index (PLI)

PLI Sub-Indicator Baseline ADOPT-IPM Notes
Human Health - -
Ecotoxicity - -
Environmental Fate - -