Nematode application
PEST CONTROL WITH NEMATODES IN ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE
Nematodes are used in ornamental horticulture both outdoors and in greenhouses. They can be applied via Dosatron fertilizer mixes, drip irrigation and overhead irrigation.
Pests in protected cultivation - fungus gnats, thrips, butterfly caterpillars, and root borers.
The main pests in protected ornamental cultivation are fungus gnats (Bradysia spp.), thrips (F. occidentalis, T. tabacci, T. parvispinus) butterfly caterpillars (e.g. Duponchelia fovealis, Opogona sacchari) and the small rootworm (Pharmacis lupulina).
OUR EXPERT: MICHAEL ORTMANN
I am happy to advise you on the use of nematodes in ornamental plant cultivation. Please feel free to contact me personally.
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NEMATODES AGAINST CATERPILLARS
The product nemaflor® C contains nematodes of the species Steinernema carpocapsae and was specially developed for use against caterpillars in ornamental plant cultivation.
The caterpillars feed on the above-ground plant parts and develop several generations per year. nemfaflor® F should therefore be sprayed every 10-14 days, 4-5 times per season.
The application rate is 125,000 - 250,000 nematodes per m² or 1 million nematodes per liter of spray broth. Ideally, plants should be sprayed in the evening hours until just before dripping. Air temperatures should be above 14 °C during the day.
NEMATODES AGAINST THRIPS
California flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) is one of the most dangerous greenhouse pests. It attacks almost all greenhouse plants and especially flowering ornamental plants. Direct damage is caused by sucking activity and resulting deformations, and indirect damage is caused by the spread of viruses.
For pupation, 95% of the penultimate nymphal stage (commonly referred to as the prepupa) migrates to a soil depth of 1.5 - 2 cm. The presence of predatory beneficial insects active above ground increases the proportion of prepupae migrating into the soil. Thrips spend 1/3 of their development in the soil.
This is also where the nematodes come into play. 125,000 - 250,000 nematodes are applied per m² with at least 100 ml of water. The application is done by drip irrigation or with a foliar application without wetting agent, so that the drops can roll off the leaves. The nematodes attack the thrips present in the soil, but hardly reproduce in them, so this application must be repeated every 10 days, because new thrips are constantly migrating into the soil.
FUNGUS GNATS
The fungus gnat belongs to the family Sciaridae and is a common pest in ornamental plant cultivation.
Fungus gnats are very small black gnats, only about 3 mm in size. They are easily identified by their two long wings and sluggish, lurching flight. Their larvae are about 5 mm long, legless, slender, glassy translucent with a dark head.
Fungus gnats or fungus gnat larvae can be well controlled with nematodes of the species Steinernema feltiae. The nematodes must be applied into the top of the substrate. The dosage is based on 10,000 nematodes per litre substrate or 500,000 nematodes per m². As a rule, it is recommended to repeat the treatment after 10 days. Preventive nematode use has proven particularly effective for poinsettia young plants.
FIELD CROPS
Weevils, leather jacket larvae, root borers.
The main pest in field crops is mainly the black vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus). It is susceptible to nematop® or nematodes of the species Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. In addition to weevils, larvae of the genera Tipula paludosa and Tipula oleracea can also cause problems in field crops. They are well controlled with nemastar® or nematodes of the species Steinernema carpocapsae. Against the larvae of the common swift moth (Pharmacis lupulina), nematop® or nemaplus® can be used.
DOWNLOADS
Nematodes of the species Steinernema feltiae against fungus gnats (Bradysia spp.)
product information sheet nemaplus®
Application note nemaplus® for professional users
Application note nemaplus® for home and garden users
Nematodes of the species Steinernema carpocapsae against leatherjackets (Tipula spp.), Mole crickets (Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa), cutworms (Agrotis spp.), Flat-Headed Root Borer (Capnodis tenebrionis) and harmful caterpillars.
product sheet nemastar® Capnodis
poduct sheet nemastar® Leatherjacket
Application notes nemastar® for professional users
Nematodes of the species Heterorhabditis bacteriophora against black vine weevil larvae.
product information sheet nematop®
Application note nematop® home and garden users
Application note nematop® professional users
Nematodes of the species Steinernema feltiae in a gel formulation.
Application instructions nemaflor® F
Technical Data Sheet nemaflor® F