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Pest and diseases in agricultural systems reduce the yield and quality of available food and feed worldwide. To meet the global growing demand for these products, losses should be reduced, preferably in a sustainable way. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a sustainable method that aims to minimize economic losses due to pests and diseases. IPM is generally based on eight steps: 1) prevention, 2) monitoring, 3) Decision‐making based on monitoring and thresholds, 4) use of non‐chemical methods, 5) pesticide selection, 6) reduced pesticide use, 7) anti‐resistance strategies, and 8) evaluation. With these steps, it is possible to prevent and control pests and diseases whilst deploying pesticides only as a last resort, thus reducing issues with pesticide contamination and resistance. Implementation of IPM by farmers increases when it is clear that it is compatible with existing farm processes and that it results in benefits for them. Successful IPM is most commonly applied against pests and diseases in crop production. When comparing the number of research articles on IPM in crop production with the number of research articles on IPM in animal production, it becomes clear that a paucity of scientific papers have been published on the latter. In laying hen facilities, for example, the application of all but basic IPM is still rare, even though the benefits of IPM have been described for poultry pests and disease vectors. In laying hen facilities Dermanyssus gallinae (PRM=poultry red mite), an hematophagous parasite, is common in many parts of the world. This mite is hard to control and negatively affects hen health, ‐welfare and farm economics, with estimated costs of infestation reaching 130 million euro per year in Europe. Currently, implementation of IPM for D. gallinae in laying hen facilities is limited to some combination of cleaning between flocks, limited preventive measures, and application of chemically or physically acting products. Implementation of more advanced IPM programmes for D. gallinae should therefore be considered to improve control prospects for this pest in laying hen facilities. This thesis focuses on the knowledge necessary for advancing IPM for D. gallinae in laying hen facilities. More specifically it focuses on prevention, monitoring and population modelling of this significant pest, with preventive measures and monitoring being key in advancing IPM per se. Knowledge assessment. To develop IPM for D. gallinae in laying hen facilities, biological and ecological knowledge of D. gallinae and knowledge of the effects of biotic and a‐biotic factors on this pests’ population development are required (Chapter 2). Therefore, a seminar was organized with eighteen D. gallinae researchers, from eight different European countries, with the aim of amassing existing expertise. This seminar gave insight into the current knowledge and knowledge gaps, regarding D. gallinae, also informing future perspectives and required developments for improving control of D. gallinae in laying hen facilities. During four sessions, the researchers present discussed lifecycle issues, effects of D. gallinae on hen and egg production, monitoring methods for D. gallinae infestations in laying hen facilities and control methods for D. gallinae in laying hen facilities. It was concluded that, where the D. gallinae lifecycle is concerned, a lot is still unknown about the mites feeding behaviour and preferences, mating behaviour, survival and conditions required for reproduction, host finding, aggregation cues, and attractant and repellent substances. When focusing on the effects of D. gallinae on the hen and on egg production it was agreed that a D. gallinae infestation is likely to result in higher water intake, lower egg production, lower feed conversion, increase of the immune response and reduced feather quality. It was also suggested that these effects may be hen genotype dependent, and further noted that effects are rarely quantified and need further investigation. Though monitoring was considered to be most important to improve control of D. gallinae, it was concluded that the available monitoring methods only indicate trends and a robust monitoring plan is lacking. The participants considered heating the hen house combined with a chemical treatment to be the most promising control method. Future promising developments for control of D. gallinae were considered to be use of vaccination, predatory mites and entomopathogenic fungi. The effects of D. gallinae on human health were not extensively discussed, but it was concluded that D. gallinae can be of medical significance, either directly via reaction to mite bites, or indirectly via human exposure to the chemicals used to control D. gallinae. Prevention. To acquire knowledge on the routes of introduction and spread of D. gallinae in laying hens facilities, the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system was used (Chapter 3). The structure of this system allows the user to identify the risk factors and the critical control points for the introduction and spread of pathogens and parasites. This method was further used to identify preventive and corrective actions against D. gallinae. Four experts identified 41 hazards for introduction and spread of D. gallinae in laying hen facilities. To prevent these hazards, these experts made several suggestions for corrective actions. The risks of 41 hazards were calculated by multiplying the likelihood (1= occurring seldomly/theoretically; 2= occurring approximately once a year; 3= occurring repeatedly/more than once a year) by the severity (1 = low / single place in the facility becomes infested with D. gallinae; 2= moderate/ facility becomes infested at more than one location; 3= high/ D. gallinae infestation occurs at almost all places within the laying hen facility) of infestation. Hazards with a risk above 3, or with a severity of 3, were regarded as Critical Control Points (CCP’s). The CCP’s with the highest risks (risk of 6 and higher) for introduction of D. gallinae in laying hen facilities were: introduction of new flocks, containers and crates, the farmer and their employees. The CCP’s with the highest risks (risk of 6 and higher) for spread of D. gallinae between laying hen facilities were mice, rats and flies, wild birds, the feeding system, shared material and equipment, the egg conveyer belt, manure aeration pipes, removal of cadavers, visitors and external personnel, the farmer and their employees. The critical limits, a procedure step of the HACCP system which will be followed by a corrective action when the limit is exceeded, could not be determined as a result of lack of knowledge about thresholds. Subsequently, suggestions were made for monitoring the mite population and for documentation and validation. A checklist was devised using the corrective action from the CCP’s with the highest risks. This management tool for layer farmers was evaluated by UK and Dutch layer farmers as feasible and useful. Monitoring. The approach of Reflexive Interactive Design (RIO) was used to design an automated monitoring tool for D. gallinae, including an automated mite detection sensor (Chapter 6). The approach generated effective and technically feasible solutions for the key functions of the automated mite detection sensor, these being 1) the assessment of the D. gallinae population, 2) localizing the location and assessing the time of detection and 3) removal of mites from the detection area. Three different design concepts were designed using these solutions. As an additional, albeit proven essential step to the RIO approach, the main solutions were tested with live mites ensuring the alignment of solutions with the biology and behaviour of D. gallinae in vivo. A combination of the best solutions were developed in two different prototypes. These prototypes were subsequently tested in the laboratory and on farm. The prototype situated under the perch, with a through beam sensor and a pump to remove mites from the sensor after recording, was the most successful model. The designed automated mite detection sensor, or automated mite counter, for D. gallinae was subsequently validated in experimental laying hen cages with live birds and a growing population of D. gallinae (Chapter 5). The study resulted in 17 data points, each being a combination of ‘number of mites counted’ by the automated mite counter and the ‘number of mites present’ in the experimental laying hen cages. The regression line between the ‘number of mites counted’ and the ‘number of mites present’ demonstrated that the automated mite counter was able to track the D. gallinae population effectively. Population modelling. Step 2 of IPM describes not only pest monitoring in the field, but also ‘scientifically sound warning, forecasting and early diagnosis systems, where feasible, as well as the use of advice from professionally qualified advisors’. To advance this step for D. gallinae we developed and demonstrated an operational model, forecasting the mite population dynamics and evaluating and forecasting the effect of a treatment application for D. gallinae in laying hen facilities. For IPM this model and the required inputs need to be 1) labour‐extensive with minimal staff input, preferably automatically implementing “real time” measurement data into models; 2) operational, providing easily interpretable data, forecasting pest population dynamics and the moment a threshold will be exceeded; 3) able to compensate for different locations and time‐specific‐interactions and variables (e.g. management and temperature), enabling the handling of variability of the parameters of interest; 4) able to identify pest hotspots; 5) able to estimate and forecast treatment efficacy; and 6) applicable for different monitoring methods and therefore able to correct for monitoring measurement errors. Prior to the development of the population dynamics model a high variation in population growth was found which could be only partly explained by temperature, flock age, treatment, and compartment/laying hen facility. A substantial part of the total variation remained unexplained, or was found to be temporal. As a result of this partly temporal variation, a dynamic approach was suggested to improve the forecasting quality of a population dynamics model. With the input of population monitoring data, temperature data and information of the dates of any D. gallinae treatment interventions, the developed model was able to forecast the population dynamics of D. gallinae post treatment and without treatment while compensating for location and time specific interactions, handling the variability of the parameters. Moreover, this population dynamics model was able to forecast the D. gallinae population using data from different monitoring methods. Together with the models compatibility with different housing systems and its ability to forecast the mite population dynamics (requiring only three relative easy obtainable parameters), this model is an improvement over existing approaches for forecasting D. gallinae that could contribute to steps 2 and 8 of IPM for D. gallinae in laying hen facilities. The results from this study directly facilitate advanced IPM programmes for D. gallinae in laying facilities. The new ‘products’ developed are tools for prevention, monitoring, forecasting population dynamics and evaluating treatment effects, representing the requirements of IPM steps 1, 2, and 8. Indirectly the results may accelerate the development of new control measures, with knowledge acquired through use of the developed products it also is likely to contribute to IPM steps 3, 4, 6 and 8 in the future; e.g. the determination of an action threshold, and a tool advising farmers on the most effective and economic time for applying a corrective action or hotspot treatment for D. gallinae. With the obtained knowledge and new products implemented to control D. gallinae in laying hen farms, major advances can be made in IPM for this pest. More specifically, as a result of this work IPM for D. gallinae in laying hen facilities can be advanced by the identification of preventative control measures, the development of an automated monitoring tool and a model forecasting mite population dynamics and evaluating applied treatments. Consequently, the results of this study can be expected to improve hen health, welfare and farm economics for the egg production industry. In the future, advances in other IPM programmes can be expected when the obtained knowledge, tools and methods are transferred to other pest species in multiple sectors.

Within a project Sustainable control strategies Wageningen University & Research Greenhouse Horticulture literature screening to develop an integrated pest management strategy to control airborne fungi. This project was funded by the former Dutch Horticultural Production Board and accompanied by the Dutch growers association, LTO Glaskracht Nederland. In 2016 two greenhouse trials were performed with pot tomato, Petunia and pot gerbera. Additionally, a greenhouse test was performed at a commercial greenhouse with pot gerbera. Goal was to test the side effects of synthetic elicitors which stimulate systemic acquired resistance against biotrophic fungi on disease resistance against nectrotrophic fungi like Botrytis. A commercially available synthetic elicitor, Fado (Nufarm) was able to reduce the Botrytis infection in pot tomato and in flowers of pot gerbera. Effectivity was supported by a combined treatment with Jiffy mineral (soil addition) and Serenade. Two experimental products of BASF and Nufarm were effective in reducing Botrytis in pot gerbera. Botrytis infection was not only related to light and relative humidity, but was also correlated with nutrients and chlorophyll content. Based on this knowledge, prediction models for Botrytis can be improved. Wageningen University & Research Glastuinbouw heeft binnen het project Duurzame teeltstrategie een brede kennisinventarisatie uitgevoerd om een geïntegreerde systeemaanpak voor beheersing van kasluchtschimmels te ontwikkelen. Dit project is gefinancierd door het voormalige Productschap Tuinbouw en begeleid door LTO Glaskracht Nederland. In 2016 zijn twee kasproeven bij WUR Glastuinbouw uitgevoerd om nieuwe teeltstrategieën te testen in pottomaat, potgerbera en Petunia. Daarna is een praktijkproef in potgerbera uitgevoerd bij de JHL group in Pijnacker. Doel was om de nevenwerking te testen van synthetische elicitors die de salicylzuurroute tegen biotrofe schimmels activeren op het verminderen van de gevoeligheid voor necrotrofe schimmels, zoals Botrytis. Zowel in optimale als in suboptimale groeicondities met relatief lage lichtniveaus. In proeven met een commercieel beschikbare elicitor die de salicylzuurroute activeert, Fado (Nufarm), werd in pottomaat de gevoeligheid voor Botrytis verlaagd en in potgerbera werden bloemen minder gevoelig voor smet in de naoogstfase na een preventieve gewasbehandeling. De werking neemt toe in combinatie met Serenade en Jiffy mineral (toegediend in potgrond) en blijft goed zowel in lage als in hoge lichtcondities (stralingssom 4, 15 en 30 mol/dag). Twee gewasbeschermingsmiddelen die nog niet toegelaten zijn in gerbera (BASF exp.1 en Nufarm exp.1) werken effectief tegen Botrytis. De gevoeligheid voor Botrytis was niet alleen afhankelijk van de stralingssom en luchtvochtigheid, maar toonde ook een relatie met voedingsstoffen van plantsapanalyses en bladgroenwaardes. Deze kennis kan bijdragen aan verbetering van voorspellingsmodellen voor Botrytis.

Greenhouse trials were carried out in order to test the efficacy of different seed treatments as alternatives to chemicals against Colletotrichum lindemuthianum cause of anthracnose on bean and Ascochyta spp. cause of Ascochyta blights on pea, respectively. Resistance inducers, commercially formulated microorganisms, non-formulated selected strains of different microorganisms (fungi, bacteria and yeasts) and plant extracts were applied as dry or liquid seed treatments on naturally infested seeds. Seedling emergence and disease incidence and/or severity were recorded. Almost all seed treatments turned out to be ineffective in controlling the Ascochyta infections, which is in line with the literature stating that these pathogens are difficult to control. The only alternative treatments that gave some control of Ascochyta spp. were thyme oil and a strain of Clonostachys rosea. The resistance inducers tested successfully controlled infections of bean by C. lindemuthianum. Among the formulated microorganisms, Bacillus subtilis-based formulations provided the best protection from anthracnose. Some strains of Pseudomonas putida, a disease-suppressive, saprophytic strain of Fusarium oxysporum and the mustard powder-based product Tillecur also proved to be effective against bean anthracnose. However, among the resistance inducers as well as among the other groups, certain agents caused a significant reduction of plant emergence. Different alternative seed treatments can therefore be used for the control of C. lindemuthianum on bean, while on pea only thyme oil and a strain of Clonostachys rosea showed some effectiveness against Ascochyta spp.

In de laanboomteelt in de regio Opheusden wordt al jarenlang gewerkt aan verduurzaming van de teeltmethoden. Het verantwoord toepassen van gewasbeschermingsmiddelen is daarvan een belangrijk onderdeel. Door strengere regelgeving wordt het chemische middelenpakket steeds verder beperkt en komen boomkwekers in toenemende mate voor knelpunten te staan. Uit oriënterende gesprekken in de regio blijkt dat een deel van de boomkwekerijbedrijven zich inmiddels toelegt op het gebruik van groene middelen om zo de afhankelijkheid van chemische middelen te verkleinen. Volgens de definitie van het Ctgb zijn dit gewasbeschermingsmiddelen van natuurlijke oorsprong (planten, dieren, microorganismen) met een laag risico voor mens, dier, milieu en niet-doelorganismen. In dit project wordt geïnventariseerd wat de mate van gebruik is van groene middelen door laanboomkwekers in de regio Rivierenland én wat hun ervaringen zijn met deze middelen. De uitkomst kan de sector in de regio benutten om de kennisuitwisseling voor duurzaam telen te bevorderen, zowel tussen kwekers als naar de burgers.

SAGCOT, the ‘Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania’, is a coordinated initiative to boost agricultural output in southern Tanzania through public and private investment, to improve food security, reduce rural poverty and sustain the environment. The ‘Sustainability and Inclusion Strategy for Growth Corridors in Africa’ (SUSTAIN-Africa) programme by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) develops and demonstrates climate resilient solutions for water security and inclusive land resource and agricultural development in growth corridors and areas of intensive economic development in Africa. To develop an efficient, competitive and sustainable agricultural sector in SAGCOT, possible adverse effects of pesticide use need to be addressed and minimized. For this purpose a scoping study was conducted, consisting of a literature survey, a scoping mission and a stakeholder workshop. The study revealed that there are many issues related to pesticide management and pesticide risks that need attention when the SAGCOT is further developed and pesticide use increases. The most important recommendations of the study are (1) better implementation and enforcement of current rules and regulations for pesticides, (2) training and awareness creation for pesticide users, (3) creation of a multi-stakeholder platform for exchange on best pest and pesticide management practices in the SAGCOT, (4) a regulatory body at the local government authority level to enforce/monitor pesticide management and life cycle, and (5) development of a monitoring and evaluation framework on pesticides for the SAGCOT.

The project Sustainable rose cultivation aimed to achieve a sustainable and energy efficient rose cultivation by a controlled use of assimilation lighting, an optimum use of the cooling and an integrated control strategy for mildew. The production came to 320 stems.m-2 average weight 54 grams. The branch length and bud size varied through the season. There was no saving on electricity. There was a significant saving on heat. The improvement of the energy efficiency was totally determined by the reduction of the heat consumption. The light utilization efficiency was 2:44 g.mol-¹ and increased compared to the previous year. Cooling and forced ventilation had a positive effect on the stem elongation in the autumn. The installation with forced ventilation from above combined with the screen had a favourable effect on the climate, especially in the humidity control under a largely (95-98%) closed screen. The payback period of the investment in airconditioning is within 3 years.

The control of greenhouse pests in ornamental crops is getting more difficult because of the decreasing number of available pesticides. Alternative methods of pest control, based on biopesticides and natural enemies is promising, but not yet robust and reliable enough. In this project we developed and evaluated several methods to enhance the biological control of western flower thrips, Echinothrips americanus, whiteflies and mealybugs. Most studies were focused on preventive control measures that promote the establishment and efficacy of natural enemies by using top layers, alternative food, artificial domatia and a banker plant system. Furthermore we studied the interaction between parasitoids and predatory beetles for curative control of mealybugs. Finally, a number of (bio)pesticides was evaluated for their potential use as a correction tool against western flower thrips. De bestrijding van plagen zoals in de sierteelt onder glas wordt met het smaller wordende pakket van chemische gewasbeschermingsmiddelen steeds lastiger. Alternatieve manieren van bestrijding met biologische middelen of natuurlijke vijanden biedt perspectief, maar is vaak nog onvoldoende robuust en betrouwbaar. In dit onderzoek is daarom gekeken naar diverse manieren om biologische bestrijdingssystemen van californische trips, Echinotrips, wittevlieg en wolluis te verbeteren. Daarbij hebben we vooral gekeken naar de ontwikkeling van preventieve maatregelen die helpen om de vestiging en effectiviteit van natuurlijke vijanden te verhogen met toplagen, alternatief voedsel, artificiële domatia en een bankerplantsysteem. Verder is de interactie tussen sluipwespen en roofkevers bij curatieve bestrijding van wolluis bestudeerd. Tenslotte is een aantal correctiemiddelen voor trips beoordeeld.

The project Sustainable rose cultivation aimed to achieve a sustainable and energy efficient rose cultivation by a controlled use of assimilation lighting, an optimum use of the cooling and an integrated control strategy for mildew. The production came to 320 stems.m-2 average weight 54 grams. The branch length and bud size varied through the season. There was no saving on electricity. There was a significant saving on heat. The improvement of the energy efficiency was totally determined by the reduction of the heat consumption. The light utilization efficiency was 2:44 g.mol-¹ and increased compared to the previous year. Cooling and forced ventilation had a positive effect on the stem elongation in the autumn. The installation with forced ventilation from above combined with the screen had a favourable effect on the climate, especially in the humidity control under a largely (95-98%) closed screen. The payback period of the investment in airconditioning is within 3 years. In opdracht van Kas als Energiebron heeft Wageningen UR Glastuinbouw samen met Delphy en Lek Habo tussen april 2015 en maart 2016 bij Delphy Improvement Centre onderzoek gedaan naar Duurzame rozenteelt. Het project had als doel het ontwerpen en testen van een duurzame en energiezuinige rozenteelt door gerichte inzet van de belichting, optimaal gebruik van de koeling en een geïntegreerde strategie voor meeldauw bestrijding. De productie kwam op 320 stuks.m-2 van gemiddeld 54 gram. De taklengte en knopgrootte varieerden door het seizoen. Er is niet op elektriciteit bespaard, op warmte is veel bespaard. Hierdoor wordt een teelt op duurzame elektriciteit haalbaar. De verbetering van de energie efficiëntie komt geheel van de verlaging van het warmtegebruik. De lichtbenuttingsefficiëntie was 2.44 gram/mol; dit was hoger dan die in een proef een jaar eerder. De koeling en geforceerde ventilatie hebben een positief effect gehad op de taklengte in het najaar. De installatie met geforceerde ventilatie van boven het scherm heeft een gunstig effect gehad voor het klimaat, vooral op de vochtbeheersing onder een grotendeels (95-98%) gesloten scherm. De terugverdientijd van de investering is minder dan 3 jaar.

Plaagpopulaties zijn vaak kleiner in mengteelten dan in monocultures. Met mengteelten kan daarom worden geprobeerd plaagproblemen in agro-ecosystemen te verkleinen. Een grotere vegetatiediversiteit kan plaagorganismen onderdrukken doordat waardplanten minder goed zichtbaar of van geringere kwaliteit zijn en doordat natuurlijke vijanden meer voedsel vinden. Helaas is de respons op mengteelten van zowel plaaginsecten als van hun natuurlijke vijanden. Vaak moeilijk te voorspellen en er is nog onvoldoende kennis om in concrete gevallen de plaagpopulatieverschillen tussen mengteelten die plagen onderdrukken vereist daarom meer studie. In dit artikel laten we zien dat recent verworven kennis van het gedrag en de ecologie van plant-plaag-natuurlijke vijand interacties een nieuw beeld oplevert van het verschil tussen mono- en mengcultures

Spinnen vormen een soortenrijke groep van predatoren. In vrijwel geen terrestrisch habitattype ontbreken soorten uit deze orde. Door hun kolonisatiesnelheid en de diversiteit aan prooivangsttechnieken kunnen spinnen van groot belang zijn voor plaagbestrijding op akkers. In deze bijdrage behandelen wij de levenscyclus van spinnen, het voorkomen op akkers en hun aandeel in plaagbestrijding op basis van recente literatuur. Daarnaast doen we enkele suggesties voor het beheer van de directe omgeving, waardoor het voorkomen van spinnen op akkers gestimuleerd kan worden

Dit artikel richt de aandacht op één van de projecten binnen het nieuwe LNV gewasbeschermingsprogramma, namelijk het project "Bodemgezondheid binnen bedrijfssystemen". Dit project richt zich op maatregelen ter onderdrukking van ziekten en plagen, bij verschillende bedrijfssystemen. De maatregelen die hiervoor geselecteerd zijn: biologische grondontsmetting, teelt van afrikaantjes, compost, chitine, niet-biologische grondontsmetting, teelt van gras-klaver, fysische grondontsmetting, teelt van biofumigatiegewas

IPM 2.0 – Towards future-proof crop protection in Europe was een groot success. Het congres dat begin oktober 2012 in Wageningen werd gehouden was het tiende congres van de European Foundation for Plant Pathology (EFPP) en werd georganiseerd door de KNPV.

Het ontstaan van fruitmotaantasting op Conference verloopt anders dan op Elstar. Dit heeft te maken met de overleving van de jonge rupsen. Voor fruitmot op Conference geldt : hoe dichter bij de oogst, hoe meer rupsen er overleven. De bestrijding van fruitmot op Conference gaat dan ook anders dan de bestrijding op appel.

Resultaten van drie jaar ontwikkeling van een geintegreerd prei-kropsla bedrijf. De gestelde streefopdrachten, kwaliteitsproductie, verliesnormen (MINAS) voor droge zandgronden en onkruidbestrijding staan in tabellen weergegeven

Resultaten van drie jaar ontwikkeling van een geintegreerd prei-aardbeibedrijf. De gestelde streefopbrengsten, kwaliteitsproductie, verliesnormen (MINAS) voor droge zandgronden, en onkruidbestrijding staan in een figuur weergegeven.

Bonenspint is te bestrijden door roofmijten in te zetten. Een demo op twee bedrijven maakt duidelijk dat de kosten van een geïntegreerde bestrijding weinig verschillen met die van een chemische aanpak. Nieuwe methoden van inzetten kunnen ertoe bijdragen dat deze vorm van geïntegreerde bestrijding nog aantrekkelijker wordt

Resultaten van een bedrijfssystemenonderzoek van 1990 tot 1996 op de locaties Zwaagdijk, Westmaas, Breda en Meterik

Resultaten van een toets van geintegreerde teeltsystemen op praktijkbedrijven door PAV en DLV

Resultaten van een zesjaring bedrijfssystemenonderzoek naar het beperken van de inzet van gewasbeschermingsmiddelen en meststoffen door een geintegreerde aanpak van de teelt

De gekoelde teelt van aardbei leent zich uitstekend voor een manier van telen met behoud van opbrengst en kwaliteit

Resultaten van een bedrijfssytemenonderzoek in de periode 1990-1996 op de locaties Meterik, Breda en Westmaas