Optimising stone fruit production with biological control

By Zunel van Eeden

Stone fruit production is a vital component of South Africa’s agricultural landscape and features a diverse array of fruits, including peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines and cherries.

Today, the country produces around 350 000t of stone fruit annually.

This sector plays a crucial role in local and international markets. The production of this fruit is heavily influenced by the country’s climate, with the Western Cape emerging as the primary growing region due to its ideal conditions.

The province’s temperate climate provides the essential chilling hours required for stone fruit to bloom and set fruit.

Pest management

Despite the sector’s success, insect pests continue to affect production, impacting the yield and quality of South Africa’s stone fruit. For many stone fruit producers, chemical control is often the primary defence strategy when dealing with pests due to its immediacy and effectiveness in reducing pest populations.

However, this approach can have negative repercussions, such as the development of pest resistance, potential harm to non-target organisms, and environmental contamination.

Given these drawbacks, producers are encouraged to explore alternative pest management strategies, such as incorporating biological control methods into an integrated pest management (IPM) system.

Insectec is a leader in the production and application of natural enemies within IPM systems. Established in 2015 and located in Limpopo, the company operates the largest insectary in the Southern Hemisphere.

It leverages advanced technology and a dedicated local research and development team to deliver high-quality products tailored to its clients’ specific needs.

Insectec focuses on providing integrated and sustainable pest management solutions that enhance the health and productivity of agricultural systems.

According to Andriani Papa, Insectec’s technical field services and marketing representative in the Western Cape, South Africa’s stone fruit producers are faced with a long list of pests that cause different kinds of damage throughout every stage of fruit development, creating significant difficulties for them when it comes to effectively managing these threats and ensuring healthy crops.

The table below lists the main pests associated with stone fruit, the type of damage they cause, and the stage of plant development most vulnerable to these pests.

Papa says that by integrating biological control methods with other control strategies, such as cultural, physical and chemical control, farmers are able to manage orchard pests in a more sustainable way.

The most common biological control agents (BCAs) used in South Africa are predatory mites to control spider mite populations; parasitoid wasps to target moth larvae, borer eggs and mealybugs; and entomopathogenic nematodes to control weevil larvae.

Producers should not be misled by the immediate results granted by spraying chemical pesticides, as the long-term effects and advantages of incorporating BCAs into their fields are undeniable.

Biological control methods can be as effective as chemical pesticides, offering several additional advantages.

Benefits of biological control

BCAs are highly specific, targeting only the pest species and leaving non-target organisms unharmed. The use of biological control is also more sustainable, as it reduces the risk of pests developing resistance. Moreover, the implementation of biological control methods into fields reduces the risk of multiple harmful pesticide residues on the fruit.

In addition to the specificity and effectiveness, biological control methods offer notable environmental benefits. By reducing the use of chemical sprays, the impact on the environment and non-target organisms is drastically reduced, thus preserving natural ecosystem services.

These methods also contribute to improved soil health by avoiding the disruption of essential soil microflora and fauna. Furthermore, biological control supports biodiversity conservation by fostering a diverse range of beneficial species, which helps maintain ecological balance.

From an economic perspective, biological control can be as cost-effective as traditional methods, particularly when evaluating its long-term benefits. It often results in lower input costs due to a reduced need for frequent chemical applications. It can also help to enhance marketability, as export countries pay higher prices for fruit with minimal chemical residue.

Moreover, biological control contributes to sustainability by lowering the risk of pest resistance, which helps maintain more stable pest management costs over time.

Papa adds that Insectec works closely with producers, offering them comprehensive support to ensure the successful integration and establishment of beneficial populations after their release.

The technical team develops custom pest management plans unique to each farm, providing technical support to farmers by conducting regular field monitoring and offering on-site assistance and expert advice to help optimise pest control strategies.

Insectec also offers scout training, where individuals are educated on how to systematically monitor and assess crop health, pest presence and disease conditions in agricultural fields.

″Training sessions with scouts are crucial for effective integrated pest management and overall crop health,″ says Papa.

Fully biodegradable packaging used for the release of biological control agents.

The future of pest control

Looking ahead, she anticipates future advancements in pest management that may involve several promising developments.

Enhanced biopesticides are expected to feature more effective formulations and improved delivery systems that will increase their efficacy.

In addition, genetic engineering could play a crucial role in creating pest-resistant crop varieties and developing more robust beneficial organisms.

The use of biological, cultural and chemical methods through IPM will likely be further refined, offering a more comprehensive approach to pest management.

These innovations hold the potential to significantly improve pest control strategies and sustainability in agriculture.

Biological control strategies present significant environmental and financial advantages for stone fruit production.

These methods reduce reliance on chemicals, minimising ecological damage and promoting soil health while offering cost savings and potentially increasing the value of grown fruit.

Insectec’s comprehensive approach of integrating field monitoring, customised pest management plans, and scout training provides producers with essential support, enhancing the effectiveness of biological control.

As the industry looks forward to advancements in biopesticides and plant genetics, the integration of these innovative strategies promises to further bolster sustainable pest management.

Overall, the adoption of biological control, with Insectec’s assistance, positions stone fruit production for a future that is productive and environmentally responsible.

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