Sustainable Crop Management of Strawberries Needs and Possibilities

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1 Sustainable Crop Management of Strawberries Needs and Possibilities Karel Bolckmans & Anna Luczynski September 5, nd International Strawberry Conference Antwerp, Belgium

2 Strawberries Global Perspective 1. Grown world-wide in different climate zones 2. Different pest and pathogen species and/or pressure 3. Cultivated by many different methods History of Koppert and IPM in strawberries 1. Pioneer of biological control with natural enemies (1967) 2. Pioneer and over 30 years international experience with biological control in strawberries 3. Ongoing R&D work to expand biocontrol-based IPM of (straw)berry pests and pathogens

3 Contents 1. Drivers for Sustainable Crop Protection 2. Management of insect and mite pests 3. Management of foliar and fruit diseases 4. Management of soil pests & pathogens 5. Sustainable Intensification of Strawberry production with Biostimulants

4 Drivers for Sustainable Crop Management Residues & Retailers (food safety) Reports by EFSA and NGO s on pesticide residues (esp. fungicides) Consumers and Retailers demand residu-poor/free produce Extra-legal requirements by leading retailers, limiting Maximum Residu Limits and the number of different products that can be used. Regulations (environment and public health) Stronger regulatory requirements have lead to safer but less registered pesticides : - limited number of registered pesticides for strawberries - withdrawal of several soil desinfection products IPM has to lead to reduced and safer use of pesticides (Sustainable Use Directive National Action Plans) No emission of pesticides into the environment (Water Framework) No emission of nutrients (nitrates and phospates) into the environment Resistance Pesticide resistance! (spider mites and western flower thrips) Sustainable Crop Management : more production with less input and less impact.

5 Case study : Victoria, Australia 2008 Insecticide resistance of western flower thrips and spider mites. Regent (fipronil) residues discovered on strawberries. Threatening the economic viability of individual strawberry growers and of the entire Victorian strawberry industry. Victorian Strawberry Industry Development Committee (VSIDC) holds a Crisis Meeting at the offices of the Department of Primary Industries in Knoxfield. Start of IPM development and implementation project by Dr. Paul Horne & Jessica Page, IPM Technologies Pty. Ltd. (St. Andrews, Vic.) 2012 >50% of growers now succesfully use IPM to control western flower thrips and spider mites Combination of re-evaluating damage thresholds and implementing conservation biocontrol, augmentative biocontrol, cultural management techniques and selective pesticides. 80% reduction of the use of Lannate (methomyl) and Rogor (dimethoate), previously the mainstays of pest control in strawberries Similar stories can be told about California, Israel, the UK, etc.

6 Phenology of strawberry plant its pests & pathogens example Watsonville CA

7 Management of Spider Mites (SM) a success story

8 IPM of Spider Mites Pesticide resistance has been one of the main drivers for the uptake of biological control of spider mites in strawberries.

9 Common Spider Mite Species on Strawberries USA-North, Canada, Europe (temperate climate) Tetranychus urticae, : the most common pest mite on strawberries worldwide Panonychus ulmi and T. evansi CA, FL and Mexico: T. urticae: the most common pest- mite on strawberries T. cinnabarinus and T. pacificus: occasional pests Tetranychus evansi : an occasional pest in US and Mexico Eotetranychus lewisii : occasionally along the CA & Baja California coast.

10 Genus: Panonychus Genus: Eotetranychys Tetranychus Genus: Tetranychus Matching phytoseiid predators with SM species Mass produced phytoseiids known to effectively control the following pest mites: Spider Mites (Tetranychidae) Predatory Mites (Phytoseiidae) Type I: Phytoseiulus persimilis Type II: Neoseiulus fallacis, Galendromus occidentalis Type II/III: Neoseiulus californicus Type I: Phytoseiulus longipes Type II: Neoseiulus fallacis? Type II: Neoseiulus fallacis, Galendromus occidentalis Type II/III: Neoseiulus californicus Type III: Typhlodromus pyri

Bio-Control of Spider Mites (SM): Theory Know your phytoseiid predators: Use Type I or II predators to control early outbreaks of SM ( controllers ) Use Type II or III to suppress low populations of

11 Bio-Control of Spider Mites (SM): Theory Know your phytoseiid predators: Use Type I or II predators to control early outbreaks of SM ( controllers ) Use Type II or III to suppress low populations of SM later in the season ( stabilizers ) Know how to create an effective release strategy Be familiar with: a) Monitoring data: the level of pest infestation (% infested leaves) ánd population level of predators b) Seasonal temperatures: expected C weeks after releases c) Interaction time : # weeks after releasing predators to reach effective control or Damage Threshold Use a, b & c to decide on the release rate

12 Strategy for releasing phytoseiids Example CA General Timeline SM: breaking diapause Pper: start releases Damage Threshold SM: Duration of breaking diapause Pp & SM Interaction time Ncal & SM Interaction time Specific Timeline For CA N.californicus releases

13 Strategy for releasing phytoseiids Example Mexico General Timeline N.califonicus SM: on leaves Damage Threshold Pp & SM Interaction time Ncal & SM Interaction time P.persimilis Hot-spots Specific Timelines For Zamora and Vizcaino

14 Management of Western Flower Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)

15 Western Flower Thrips in strawberries, a viscious circle! Limiting dogma : action threshold 1-3 thrips per flower Leads to frequent pesticide applications Results in pesticide induced thrips problem by killing all natural enemies Often the problem becomes even worse: resurgence Ultimately results in serious problems with pesticide resistance Causes even more intensive use of pesticides (dosage and frequency) Results in MRL exceedances? Use of non-registered products?

Phenology of thrips, Orius and strawberries Example:

# of strawberry flowers/plant decline from mid June Critical

16 Phenology of thrips, Orius and strawberries Example: Watsonville, CA Background: Thrips colonize strawberry fields earlier than native Orius. Interaction Time is too short to provide effective control The # of strawberry flowers/plant decline from mid June Critical Period : thrips continue to increase while flowers decline Damage threshold > 10 thrips/flower Critical period

Breaking the viscious circle provide a standing army of BCA s

thrips Avoid non-selective chemical PPP s MeSa lures to recruit and

beneficial insects and predatory mites against thrips (A.

17 Breaking the viscious circle provide a standing army of BCA s Research in Israel and Australia has shown that much more thrips/flower can be tolerated! Native natural enemies need to be saved and enhanced to control thrips Avoid non-selective chemical PPP s MeSa lures to recruit and retain Orius and other BCA s into the field Bankerplants (e.g. Verbesina, Bidens, etc.) Further research is being done on conservation biocontrol Release beneficial insects and predatory mites against thrips (A. cucumeris, A. limonicus, T. swirskii) Enhance predatory mite populations by providing food (suitable pollen or special artificial diet) Further research into new BCA s and predator-in-first methods

18 Control of Western Flower Thrips : Summary 1. Know your real action and damage thresholds 2. Only use friendly chemicals (also fungicides!) to enable Conservation Bio- Control (CBC) by native natural enemies (outdoor) and Augmentative Bio- Control 3. Release Augmentation Bio-Control agents (ABC) (indoor and outdoor). 4. Use pollen or artificial diet to maintain and enhance populations of CBC and ABC agents ( standing army ) Compatible pesticides, if required

19 Management of Lygus bugs

20 Current practices 1. Vacuuming (Bug0Vacs): weekly vacuuming starting mid May (CA) 2. Generalist Native predators: Nabis, Orius, Geocoris spp., as well as spiders 3. Parasitoids (native & introduced): Anaphes iole and Peristenus spp. 4. Chemical control: sometimes combined with thrips control 5. Future: insect pathogenic micro-organisms (e.g. Metarhizium, Beauveria, etc.)?

21 Management of Cyclamen Mites (Phytonemus pallidus)

Managing Cyclamen Mite Commercially reared

They will prevent cyclamen mite outbreaks.

22 Managing Cyclamen Mite Commercially reared N. californicus, N. cucumeris and native N. aurescens establish and increase in response to growing populations of cyclamen mites. In areas where P. pallidus is a problem it pays off to establish healthy populations of N. californicus early in the season. They will prevent cyclamen mite outbreaks. Please Note: Organic growers burn infested areas to control and restrict spreading of the pest.

23 Management of Weevils (Othiorhynchus sulcatus and O. ovatus)

bacteriophora - Best option - Curative treatment - Need some what higher (soil) temperature - Grubs

24 Insect Pathogenic Nematodes to control vine weevils Right nematode species, right timing, frequent application and structure/humidity of soil/compost are crucial for control : Heterorhabditis bacteriophora - Best option - Curative treatment - Need some what higher (soil) temperature - Grubs discolour to red after infection Steinernema feltiae - Curative treatment - Likes lower temperatures - Grubs discolour beige/brown

25 Management of Aphids

26 IPM of Aphids Many different aphid species : Aphis fabae, Rhodobium porosum, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, Aphis ruborum, Aphis nasturtii, Acythosiphum malvae rogersii, Chaetosiphum fragifolii Mainly a problem in protected crops. Outdoors a typical pesticide induced problem. Augmentation Biocontrol : frequent releases of a tailored mix of parasitoid species, gall-midges (Aphidoletes), lacewings, hoverflies Conservation Biocontrol Only use selective pesticides Brown Lacewings, Green Lacewings, Hoverflies, parasitoids (hyperparasitoids), Gall-midges, Ladybugs, Damsel Bugs, etc. Recruit and retain with MeSa lures Bankerplants

27 Tying it all together : Phenology of strawberry plant & pests (Watsonville CA)

Management of Fruit Rot Caused by Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum acutatum. Mucor spp., Rhizopus spp. Biological control with micro-organisms, e.g. : - Trichoderma spp.

28 Management of Fruit Rot Caused by Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum acutatum. Mucor spp., Rhizopus spp. Biological control with micro-organisms, e.g. : - Trichoderma spp. - Aureobasidium pullulans - Meschnikowia fructicola (Shemer) - Beevectoring (requires the availability of registered biofungicides with a suitable formulation)

% damaged fruits in the field Vacciplant in a program against Botrytis VP added to the standard program and replacing the closest fungicide to the harvest 5 trials (2 Italy 2010 ; 3 Denmark 2011) :

30 % damaged fruits in the field Vacciplant in a program against Botrytis VP added to the standard program and replacing the closest fungicide to the harvest 5 trials (2 Italy 2010 ; 3 Denmark 2011) : Standard program : 4 fungicides; VP replaces the last one + 2 others VP 20% 14,5% 15% Untreated Efficiencies : Field : Storage : 10% 5% 3,6% 3,1% Standard (ABC) + VP (DEF) Standard (ABCD) 76 % 79 % 60 % 66 % 0% Average of 5 trials When sprayed until the last harvest, VP can replace the last fungicide allowing the same efficiency level in the field.

31 Management of Powdery Mildew Week 31 Week 32 Week 33 Week 34 Week 35 Week 36 Week 37 Week 38 1 Onbehandeld Water Water Water Water Water Water Water Water Water Week 39 2 Chemisch Fortress Candit Topaz Flint Signum Flint Signum Flint Systhane 3 Reductie chemie Fortress Water Topaz Water Signum Water Water Flint Water 4 Reductie chemie + PM1 (cur.) Fortress Water Topaz + PM1 (cur.) PM1 (cur.) Signum + PM1 (cur.) PM1 (cur.) PM1 (cur.) Flint PM1 (cur.) 5 Reductie chemie + Vacciplant Fortress+ Vacciplant Vacciplant Topaz + Vacciplant Vacciplant Signum + Vacciplant Water Water Flint Water 6 Reductie chemie + PM2 (prev.) Fortress + PM2 (prev.) PM2 (prev.) Topaz + PM2 (prev.) PM2 (prev.) Signum + PM2 (prev.) Water Water Flint Water

% Efficiency Vacciplant action on strawberry diseases % Efficiency against other strawberry diseases : 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 79% 66% 68% 50% 12 trials 3 trials 4 trials 2 trials Powdery mildiew

33 % Efficiency Vacciplant action on strawberry diseases % Efficiency against other strawberry diseases : 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 79% 66% 68% 50% 12 trials 3 trials 4 trials 2 trials Powdery mildiew Phytophtora Diplocaron Mycospherella 0% UTC disease preasure : 16,7% 11,9 % 8,8 % 60,4 % (leaf area intensity) (nb of fruits frequency) (nb of leaves frequency) (data coming from other trails than Botrytis trials) Plant self-defence mecanisms are not specific. VP also allows a protection against other various diseases.

34 Management of Root Diseases Phytophthora fragariae and P. cactorum Verticillium grafiek

35 Sustainable Intensification of strawberry production with Biostimulants bacteria, fungi or substances from natural origin Possible functions : 1. Plant Growth Promotion / Yield Enhancement

STRAWBERRY BM 86 on Strawberry BM 86 effect on fruits Nb of

USA trials) BM 86 effect on precocity Yield difference BM 86

(4 trials): Control BM 86 19,6 g 20,5 g + 5 % Sugar content

2,6 T/ha 3,2 T/ha BM 86 effect on total yield Control BM 86

36 STRAWBERRY BM 86 on Strawberry BM 86 effect on fruits Nb of fruits / plant (5 trials): + 21 % (Germany, Poland, France & USA trials) BM 86 effect on precocity Yield difference BM 86 / Control at the first picking (4 trials): Weight of fruits (4 trials): Control BM 86 19,6 g 20,5 g + 5 % Sugar content (2 trials): Control BM 86 6,9 % 7,7 % + 0,8 pt Control BM 86 2,6 T/ha 3,2 T/ha BM 86 effect on total yield Control BM 86 23,5 T/ha 25,6 T/ha + 2,1 T/ha + 9 % (Average of 6 trials) + 23 %

37 Sustainable Intensification of strawberry production with Biostimulants bacteria, fungi or substances from natural origin Possible functions : 1. Plant Growth Promotion / Yield Enhancement 2. Protection against abiotic stress - salinity - drought stress and Water Use Efficiency - heat stress 3. Nutrients - N-fixing - improve bio-availability of nutrients (P, K, Si, etc.) - improve uptake of nutrients - Nutrient Use Efficiency Often combinations of these functions

Conclusions 1. Retailers, Residues, Regulations, Resistance are driving change. 2. There will be no other choice anymore but IPM. 3. Biocontrol-based IPM is a proven and economic technique.

38 Conclusions 1. Retailers, Residues, Regulations, Resistance are driving change. 2. There will be no other choice anymore but IPM. 3. Biocontrol-based IPM is a proven and economic technique. 4. Acces to biopesticides will be determined by pesticide regulations and evaluation speed. 5. Biostimulants offer great possibilities for sustainable intensification of strawberry production.

39 Thank you for your attention Acknowledgements All collegues from Koppert Shimon Steinberg (Bio-Bee, Israel) Paul Horne (IPM Technologies, Australia)

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