• Plant Health

  plant-soil interaction Understanding how plants interact with their environment is crucial. Photosynthesis, the source-sink dynamics between leaves and fruits/roots [...] balanced metabolite profile, comprising primary and secondary metabolites, is essential for resilience against environmental stresses. Fostering plant [...] Defense mechanisms through complete compounds The degree of plant resilience is linked to its ability to form structurally complete compounds, such as ca

• Codling moth

  moth ( Cydia pomonella ) is a notorious, worldwide pest of apple and also occasionally of pear, quince, peach and other fruits. It is very common in Europe [...] small cavity just under the skin. The entry hole can be seen and is usually plugged by dry frass. The larva then burrows towards the core and eats a large [...] flesh, leaving behind brown frass. The entry point is then greatly enlarged as the tissue beneath is eaten away. Infested fruits usually ripen prematurely

• Predatory insects

  featuring the ladybug species Adalia bipunctata , is a good solution aphid control. Another notable species is the predatory beetle Cryptolaemus montrouzieri [...] larvae. Macrolophus pygmaeus (Mirical, Mirical-N), a species of predatory bug, is particularly skilled in controlling whitefly and caterpillars but also contributes [...] helping to control their populations and protect crops from the damage caused by these pests. Gall midges Gall midges play a beneficial role in natural pest

• Grapevine powdery mildew

  (Erysiphe necator) is closely synchronized with the vine growth stages and environmental conditions. Understanding its lifecycle is essential to implementing [...] Grapevine powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator) is a widespread fungal disease that poses a serious threat to commercial viticulture worldwide. The pathogen [...] conidia. These spores are highly adapted for aerial dispersal, distributed by wind and atmospheric turbulence throughout the vineyard. These secondary

• Oleander aphid

  the milkweed aphid, is a common pest of several important ornamental plants in the families Apocynaceae and Asclepiadaceae. It is commonly found feeding [...] easily be seen on the shoots of the host plants. The damage caused by the aphid colonies is mainly aesthetic due to the large amounts of sticky honeydew produced [...] feeding on oleander and milkweeds ( Asclepias sp.). The oleander aphid is cosmopolitan, and can be found in tropical to warm temperate regions throughout the

• Corn earworm

  Overview The corn earworm is a major pest affecting over 100 crops, of which the most prominent varieties are corn, sorghum, cotton, aubergine, pepper

• Tobacco aphid

  East and is a key pest of tobacco crops in both the United States and South America. The tobacco aphid ( Myzus persicae subsp. nicotianae ) is also encountered [...] through the crop by walking. The tobacco aphid tends to form denser colonies, closer to the top of the plant, than the peach potato aphid . It is not known to [...] and disturb the balance of growth hormones. As a result, the plant’s growth is retarded giving rise to deformed leaves or, if the infestation occurs early

• Experience Centre

  Berkel en Rodenrijs, the Netherlands. Practical info Our Experience Centre is aimed at target groups linked to agriculture and horticulture. Opening hours: [...] (Mon - Fri) from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A tour takes an average of 1,5 hours and is suitable for groups of up to 15 visitors. In the case of bigger groups, the [...] programme can be adapted in consultation. The Experience Centre may be visited by appointment only. Interested? Please fill in the request form below. Make

• Potato aphid

  stripe is dark green, while in pink specimens it is dark red. This longitudinal stripe is specifically characteristic of the potato aphid and is particularly [...] aphid ( Macrosiphum euphorbiae ) is of North American origin, but is these days distributed throughout the world. It is a highly polyphagous species with [...] reproduction is asexual, the young aphids are born as developed nymphs. They immediately start to feed on plant sap and grow rapidly. When reproduction is sexual

• Cotton bollworm

  development, the caterpillars damage most fruits by mining. All fruits can be damaged, although the preference is for smaller specimens. The fruits stop growing [...] to reddish-brown with dark spots. In later instars the head is mottled, and the body is marked with three prominent longitudinal dark bands with numerous [...] tobacco, sunflowers and various fruit crops. Among greenhouse crops, tomato is particularly affected. Damage symptoms First instar larvae feed on soft leaves