Use of different biological pest control methods and products in organic plantings/sowings in different regions of Latvia Project leader Regīna Rancāne Team of project Laura Ozoliņa-Pole Edīte Jākobsone Regīna Rancāne Duration 2019 - 2021 Research focus 4. Development and adaptation of technologies for obtaining high-value agricultural and forest products, as well as in veterinary medicine Source of funding Knowledge transfer Project partners Latvian Organic Farming Association (LBLA) Description of project The aim of research To demonstrate in practice the use of different biological pest control methods and products in an organic apple orchard. The tasks of project: To set up two demonstration plotsEvaluate the effectiveness of the pest control methods appliedTo keep records of the labour input for monitoring pests and applying control methods in order to assess the economic performance of the methods Results Two demonstration trials have been established in different regions of Latvia, the demonstration plots have been monitored for pests and plant protection measures have been taken according to the results of the monitoring. It was found that there is still a lack of plant protection products for the successful control of apple sawfly and apple weevil in organic apple plantations. Currently available plant protection products can successfully control aphids as well as bud and foliage-damaging butterfly caterpillars, while the control of fruit-damaging insects such as codling moth and apple fruit miner is limited. In order to be economically viable, insecticides and acaricides should only be applied when monitoring results indicate that effective control is possible, otherwise the cost of plant protection increases disproportionately to the yield benefits. Over the course of four years, six field days were organized (one per year at each farm) to share insights with farmers.
