ERA-NET C-IPM: Unification of IPM Forces to Control Mites in Berries, Soft Fruits and Woody Ornamentals (UNIFORCE)

• Research unit: FOAG
• Project number: 12.04_3

Key words (German)

Milben, Gartenbau, integrierter Pflanzenschutz

Key words (English)

mites, horticulture, integrated pest management

Key words (French)

acariens, horticulture, protéction des plantes intégrée

Short description (English)

Blackberry, currant, raspberry, strawberry and azalea are attacked by mites of the families Eriophyidae Tarsonemidae and Tetranychidae. These mites have similar life styles, they are tiny, often hidden and difficult to monitor until damage is conspicuous. An efficient, sustainable and integrated way to control these mites in-field is missing. As the target crops are minor crops in most countries, cooperation between multiple European research organisations will boost each country’s limited and separate capacities. UNIFORCE will tackle problems by combining the individual experience of each partner. The goal is to develop in-field solutions within the 2 year project term. UNIFORCE research structure will focus on the tritrophic interactions between plant, pest and beneficials. We will characterize harmful and predatory mites via experience, field surveys and literature. Sampling techniques will be optimized to allow fast early detection and monitoring. Besides predatory mites, other natural enemies found in association with pest mites will be identified as potential biological control agents. Direct and indirect plant defence in specific cultivars for each crop will be studied. Jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) pathways, as well as mite responses to plant volatiles related to these defence pathways will be characterized. Possibilities of integrating these natural defence mechanisms into biological-control based IPM programs will be explored. IPM programs including the use of predatory mites will be developed. Commercial and newly found predators will be evaluated. Efficiency and conservation of predators will be optimized based on knowledge of the pest life cycle, dose and timing of releases of predatory mites and methods to support them (e.g. pollen, mulch layers). Control methods with predatory mites will also be tested with selective pesticides (e.g. sulphur) or biopesticides that can potentially work synergistically. Furthermore, potential applications of plant volatiles will be studied. Part of this research will be elaborated in close collaboration with growers in different European countries to translate UNIFORCE research into directly applicable IPM strategies. Finally, project results will be summarized into a tool with practical advice for growers on how to identify, monitor and control the most important mites in the target crops.