Vegetables

BASF is investing in integrated approaches to crop protection in vegetables, including the use of biological control.

Insect pests: What to look out for

The main insect pest in vegetables are aphids and caterpillars. Main species specifically noted are:

  • Cabbage white butterflies
  • Diamond-back moth
  • Mealy cabbage aphid
  • White flies

These pests can cause damage to the vegetables, directly reducing yield and marketability.

Pyrethroid insecticides are the main group of pesticides used. A resistance strategy is urgently needed as resistance to this group has become widespread.

Diseases in vegetables

In Brassicas, the main diseases are Alternaria, ring spot and Botrytis.

Resistance is a real issue so growers are urged to use a number of fungicides with different modes of action. Signum (boscalid and pyraclostrobin) has a strong position in this sector (Brassicas and carrots in particular) because of its broad-spectrum activity and its distinct mode of action.

Sclerotinia is a very widespread and serious disease of carrots:

  • It affects both yield and quality
  • Growers have the option of integrating cultural and chemical control methods
  • A carrot clipping tool has been developed to take off the crop canopy as it flops over and creates the right microenvironment for disease spread
  • BASF also offers a Sclerotinia germinating decision support tool for growers and advisors

Vegetables
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