Fusarium wilt

General Fusarium is a group of soil-borne fungi with many different species. Fusarium is widespread and can infect a range of host crops. Many species are considered weak pathogens and can only infect wounded or stressed host plants. Damage symptoms Fusarium fungi cause vascular wilt, root rot, foot and stem rot, leaf lesions, fruit rot, head blight in cereals and post-harvest decay. Fusarium oxysporum is the species causing vascular wilt. First

Early blight

General The only known stage in all Alternaria species is the asexual stage. Conidia and mycelium overwinter in the soil and on crop residues and cause primary infection of the leaves. Survival can be several years, up to eight years for several Alternaria spp. Typically, Alternaria causes early blight of potato and early blight of tomato, which presents itself as spots on leaves, petals and stems. These spots can be distinguished by the dark and

Damping-off

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, caused for example by too much water, too high or low temperatures or sudden fluctuations in temperature. Pythium aphanidermatum mostly occurs at higher temperatures in the soil or irrigation water. Pythium aphanidermatum mostly occurs in young plants and damage is more extensive in young crops.

False codling moth

General False codling moth ( Thaumatotibia leucotreta ) is native to sub-Saharan Africa and is found in all citrus production areas in Southern Africa. It also occurs on some of the Indian and Atlantic Ocean islands, such as Mauritius and Cape Verde. False codling moth was previously known as Cryptophlebia leucotreta . The reason for this pest’s high pest status is its quarantine status and is not due to the economic losses. Damage and symptoms

Persea mite

General Persea mite ( Oligonychus perseae ) a key pest in avocado production worldwide. It lives and feeds on the undersides of avocado leaves, where it forms small webbed feeding colonies that cause significant leaf damage and can reduce photosynthesis, fruit yield, and tree health when left unmanaged. Damage symptoms Persea mite feeding causes characteristic damage on avocado leaves, primarily on the underside where the mites form small, web-covered

Beetles

Biological control of beetles Beetles can cause serious damage in many greenhouse 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 and productive crops. Biological control of beetles combines preventive monitoring with targeted interventions using natural solutions: Beneficial nematodes Insect traps Pheromone traps Beneficial nematodes actively

Bugs

What are bugs? Heteropteran bugs form a group in the order Hemiptera , a highly diverse group of insects, containing both harmful and beneficial species. Heteropteran bugs are insects which have flattened bodies and fold their wings flat over their body when at rest. The wings overlap each other exposing the scutellum, a prominent triangular region of the thorax between the wing bases. This distinguishes them from beetles , which have hard, leathery

Knowledge

Psyllids

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Leafhoppers

Biological control of leafhoppers Leafhoppers are highly mobile, sap-sucking pests that feed on plant leaves, causing discoloration, stippling and leaf curling. Their feeding reduces photosynthesis, weakens plant growth and can lead to reduced yield and lower crop quality. In addition, leafhoppers can transmit plant pathogens, increasing the risk of disease spread within greenhouse and field crops. Effective leafhopper control is therefore essential