Damping-off

root system survives. On the border between air and soil or substrate the plant turns brown. A typical symptom of a Pythium infection is the easy stripping [...] General Pythium is considered a ‘weak pathogen’, meaning that it can usually only affect plants that are in a sub-optimal condition or suffer from stress [...] irrigation water. Pythium aphanidermatum mostly occurs in young plants and damage is more extensive in young crops. Damage symptoms Pythium affects roots, in

Beetles

species feed on growing tips and roots or chew and bore into stems, but in other species also feed on leaves. Adult beetles cause damage by feeding on fruits [...] and field crops by feeding on leaves, roots, or fruits, leading to reduced growth and yield loss. Effective beetle control is essential to maintain healthy [...] that are easily recognizable on account of their hard wing covers (elytra). With more than 350,000 known species, Coleoptera is the largest of all insect

Whitefly

moulds ( Cladosporium spp.) is encouraged. Such fruit is unsaleable. In serious cases the fruit will rot. Sooty moulds also develop on the leaves, reducing [...] the excess is excreted as honeydew, with larger larvae expelling large quantities. This can have the following consequences: If the population is very large [...] large, feeding on plant sap can affect the physiology of the plant, as a result of which growth is retarded. In full sunlight, leaves can wilt and drop.

Black leg of seedlings

root system survives. On the border between air and soil or substrate the plant turns brown. A typical symptom of a Pythium infection is the easy stripping [...] General Pythium is considered a ‘weak pathogen’, meaning that it can usually only affect plants that are in a sub-optimal condition or suffer from stress [...] seedlings Pythium belongs to the Oomycetes, a separate group of microorganisms and is therefore not a real fungus. It survives as oospores, resting spores which

Mealybugs and scales

mealybugs and scales is essential to maintain healthy and marketable crops. Biological control of mealybugs and scales relies on natural enemies and monitoring [...] scales feed mostly on leaves and twigs, causing discolouration of foliage, stunting, and in extreme cases eventual defoliation. However, it is mainly the great [...] of the sooty mould that grows on it. Ants are also attracted by the honeydew. In fact, the honeydew with its sooty mould is usually the first sign of the

Flies

indirectly. The type of damage depends on the species of the flies. Direct damage is the immediate result of larvae feeding on root hairs and tender roots as well [...] Frass deposited on leaves or flowers in ornamental crops, lettuce, and herbs also causes cosmetic damage, and sometimes this can occur on such a scale that [...] growing media, while adults can cause contamination. Effective fly control is essential to maintain healthy and high-quality crops. Biological control of

Fall Armyworm

host plant, depending on the crop, the stage of crop development, and the age of the larvae. On maize, young larvae usually feed on leaves, creating a c [...] General The fall armyworm is a polyphagous pest that is indigenous throughout the Americas. Recently, it has been found in Africa too. The caterpillars [...] They have a distinct white inverted Y-shaped mark on the front of the head and four large spots on the upper surface of the last segment. Pupae are reddish

Spidex Vital lives up to its promises

‘As the old crop is always cleared away, I start from scratch each time and have to build up the necessary populations three times. This is always a critical [...] tense moment on cucumber farms like mine. And as spider mites can cause real problems in this type of crop, an even better beneficial is always welcome [...] population develops more rapidly.’ A sense of calm on the farm The increased effectiveness of Spidex Vital is a major advantage for Sjaak van Dijk. ‘As already

Cotton bollworm

individually on young shoots near buds, flowers, fruits or on leaves. They are almost spherical with a flattened base and a diameter of about 0.5 mm. They [...] fruit crops. Among greenhouse crops, tomato is particularly affected. Damage symptoms First instar larvae feed on soft leaves, creating small holes. When they [...] 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

Pomegranate bacterial blight

Development of water-soaked spots which turns to dark black colour oily appearance on leaves results in premature defoliation. The pathogen also infects branches [...] causing girdling and cracking symptoms. Necrotic water-soaked spots appearance on the fruits which turn to dark brown colour slightly raised with oily appearance [...] are the main source of inoculum and wind splashed rains plays important role is spread of the disease. Intermittent rainfall followed by cloudy weather favours