Managing Pest Populations Through Prophylactic Measures
Presentation
Technique characterization
Technique description :
Information originally from the Practical guide for designing vegetable cropping systems that are economical in phytopharmaceutical products (2014) / Technical sheet T3.
Principle
Set of measures aimed at preventing or discouraging the establishment and development of a pest in a defined area. Here, the focus is on managing the initial pest population. Various techniques can be used at different stages of the crop, as well as during the intercrop period.
Example of implementation :
Examples of available levers
- Early detection : spotting inoculum foci early in the plot or nearby allows intervention under
optimal conditions and/or in a localized manner (hoeing, leaf removal, release of beneficials…) to stop the development of the
pest. Training and involvement of employees is essential.
- Regular cleaning and maintenance of surroundings, equipment, greenhouses and shelters helps limit contamination risks
- Crop succession : introducing crops and/or intercrops that are non-hosts limits the increase of pest populations
associated with a given crop and helps maintain biodiversity in the soil, which can reduce parasitic pressure for some fungi living in the soil.
- Climate management : depending on the targeted pest in the greenhouse or shelter, avoid climatic conditions favorable to its
development by promoting ventilation, climate uniformity in the greenhouse or shelter, and using techniques such as misting, heating…
- Water and mineral input management : meeting plant requirements to avoid stress
linked to excess or lack of water or fertilizer contributes to lower crop sensitivity to pest attacks.
Uniformity of inputs across the plot and the sanitary quality of irrigation water are important.
- Soil work : performing soil preparation work under optimal moisture conditions results in good
structure and prevents the formation of a "hardpan." This hardpan impedes proper root development and favors the development of soil-borne pests. Work the most contaminated plots last to avoid any new contamination.
- Sowing/planting : dates should be defined according to the type of crop (shelter, open field…), equipment
(type of shelter, caterpillars…) and, if possible, the risks of pest presence. Not respecting sowing/planting schedules increases the sensitivity of crops to pests.
- Choice of plant material : resistant varieties, grafting, disease- or pest-free plants.
- Crop maintenance : cultural operations (pruning, trellising, hoeing…) can cause wounds, open doors
to certain pests. Therefore, they must be carried out under good conditions. Cultural practices such as pruning or trellising affect the canopy architecture. Pruning removes the first organs affected by aerial pest(s) or eliminates the most sensitive organs. Trellising and pruning improve canopy aeration, creating a microclimate less favorable to pest development : reduced humidity, increased light penetration and temperature.
- During the crop : remove affected plants and in some cases neighboring plants (e.g., Coryne bacterium of tomato…), which represent a high risk of spread. In the presence of soil-borne pests, uproot the plant with as many roots as possible. Special attention must be paid to managing waste piles (buried, covered…) to prevent pest survival. Work the most contaminated plots last to avoid any new contamination.
Implementation period During intercrop
On established crop
Spatial scale of implementation Plot
Farm
Application of the technique to...
All crops : Easily generalizable
Easily generalizable
Technique recommended and applicable to all crops under greenhouses, shelters, and open fields.
Regulations
No specific regulation for this technique.
Effects on cropping system sustainability
Environmental criteria
Effect on air quality : Increasing
phytosanitary emissions : DECREASE
Effect on water quality : Increasing
pesticides : DECREASE
Effect on fossil resource consumption : Decreasing
fossil energy consumption : DECREASE
Other : No effect (neutral)
Comments
Air and water quality : reduced risk of water and air pollution with decreased treatments.
Fossil energy consumption : presumably lower if treatment applications are reduced.
Agronomic criteria
Soil fertility : Increasing
Increasing
Better soil functioning in the case of diversified successions.
Economic criteria
Social criteria
Peak period : Variable
Variable
Possible work reorganization
- to limit the frequency of trips between plots or shelters and avoid contamination.
- for plot preparation and maintenance
- to modify cultural operations
Observation time : Variable
Variable
Possible increase in working time.
Favored or disadvantaged organisms
Disadvantaged pests
| Organism | Technique impact | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| weeds | weeds | ||
| bacteria | pathogen (pest) | ||
| insect (pest) | pest, predator or parasite | ||
| fungal disease | pathogen (pest) | ||
| vegetable crop flies | pest, predator or parasite | ||
| nematode (pest) | pest, predator or parasite | ||
| Rhizoctonia solani | pathogen (pest) | ||
| virus | pathogen (pest) |
For more information
- Controlling pests in organic farming : prophylaxis, cultural methods and indirect control
- -Mazollier C. et al.
RMT DévAB, Technical brochure, 2009
RMT DévAB, 4 p.
To access the brochure see link
- Protection of vegetable crops under shelter and open field, Prophylaxis and indirect control methods, Case of tomato and carrot.
- -Trottin-Caudal Y. et al.
CTIFL, Technical brochure, 2006
Infos-CTIFL n° 224, 36-42.
To access the brochure see link
Keywords
Pest control method :
Mode of action : Action on initial stock
Type of strategy regarding pesticide use :
Appendices
S'applique aux cultures suivantes
Défavorise les bioagresseurs suivants
