IOBC-WPRS - Integrated Control in Protected Crops-Mediterranean Climate

The Mediterranean region is one of the world most important and dynamic agricultural areas, especially for protected crops. Climatic conditions, hot and dry summers with mild winters, allow growing crops all year round in unheated greenhouses, though determining pest and disease problems. The control strategy is mainly based on pesticide applications, however  there is a clear trend to increasingly reduce their use due to environmental issues, consumers’ concerns and pesticide resistance.

Biological control has been recognized as the most desirable alternative strategy for its well-known benefits. However, it is a complex strategy that has to be developed by trained experts in all aspects of crop ecology, and needs to be adapted to the specific conditions of each crop, area and/or pest/disease combinations. This strategy has to be the core of IPM programmes that integrate all compatible solutions for the complex of pests and diseases affecting the crop. As new pests or diseases occur, the system needs to be updated and new solutions have to be developed. For instance, the currently applied IPM programmes had to be adapted in order to effectively control the tomato borer, Tuta absoluta, new pest for the Mediterranean basin. Sharing expertise in the different areas and disciplines is a cornerstone for the progress and implementation of sustainable crop protection strategies.

Italy is one of the world leaders in vegetable and ornamental production. Most of the protected cultivation is concentrated in the South of the country and especially in Sicily (approx. 7000 Ha). Biological control and IPM strategies attract rising interest by the farmers and they are applied on an increasing area.

The aim of the meeting is to provide a common forum for researchers and technicians from public and private sectors, to address the challenges of biological and IPM strategies against the main pests and diseases of vegetable and ornamental crops.

Cristina Castañé
Convenor

WG "Integrated Control in Protected Crops, Mediterranean Climate"

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