Integrated Pest Management in the Fruit and Vegetable Sector
Pest and disease management in Portugal's fruit and vegetable sector is an increasing challenge. The high incidence of these issues may compromise crop productivity and quality, leading to significant economic losses for producers. When a crop is affected by pests or diseases, costs can be substantial—not only in controlling the outbreak but also in potentially lost production. In response, producers recognize the need of adopting preventive measures that enhance pest and disease management.
The primary objectives of these practices are to increase crop productivity and enhance fruit quality, ensuring a more competitive final product, by preventing and closely monitoring pest and disease occurrence.
Additionally, they aim to reduce dependence on plant protection products, fostering a more balanced and cost-effective production model.
To achieve these goals, several measures have been implemented:
- Pruning and preventative treatments help mitigate the risk of pest infestations and disease outbreaks. Ensuring the temperatures and relative humidity in the orchard are not optimal for pest and disease development is a preventive measure that has a high impact.
- Promoting biodiversity is another effective approach, achieved through the creation of ecological strips, the sowing of biodiverse plant mixtures between orchard rows and the installation of artificial habitats for beneficial insects and auxiliary organisms. These actions support ecosystem balance and enhance natural biological pest control.
- Regular crop monitoring is also essential for timely and effective intervention. Systematic observation and the counting of pests and beneficial organisms enable more precise and efficient responses, reducing waste and optimizing resource use.
By adopting these best practices, the fruit and vegetable sector can enhance sustainability while strengthening the competitiveness of Portuguese producers ensuring high-quality and environmentally responsible products.
Climate Farm Demo
Ongoing | 2022-2029
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Serbia