Abstract:
A fundamental shift to a total system approach for
crop management in greenhouses is
urgently needed to resolve escalating economic and
environmental consequences of long-
lasting undesired effects of synthetic pesticides u
sed in combating agricultural pests. The
aim of this study was to examine a potential new ap
proach i.e. Microbial-based
Production System (MPS) for greenhouse-grown pepper
s. For this purpose, a two-year
experiment in greenhouse was carried out in southwe
stern Turkey (Antalya) in 2011 and
2012, and only microbial-based products were used t
o suppress and control invertebrate
pests (insects, mites, nematodes, gastropods, etc.)
and diseases. In addition, biostimulants,
inoculants, and bioyield enhancers were used for pl
ant growth, being supported with
three macro elements (NPK: Nitrogen– Phosphorus–Pot
assium) that are considered to be
essential elements for plant growth and development
. A conventional plot, largely based
on the use of synthetic chemical inputs, such as fe
rtilizers and pesticides, was included as
the control. The efficacy of the MPS was evaluated
by monitoring the population
development of the key arthropod pests, such as the
cotton whitefly
Bemisia tabaci
(Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), the western f
lower thrips
Frankliniella
occidentalis
(Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) etc. and thei
r natural enemies
compared with that in a Conventional Production Sys
tem (CPS). The results showed
significantly lower numbers of the key pests, but h
igher numbers of natural enemies were
seen in the MPS of greenhouse-grown peppers compare
d with the CPS throughout the
study. Total yield was relatively higher in the CPS
than the MPS in both experimental
years.
Keywords:
Arthropod pests, Biostimulants,
C
onventional production system, Microbial
products.
