Control of Ornamental Crop Pests and Diseases
David Kerr, Ornamental Crops Adviser, Greenmount Campus, CAFRE
Ornamental horticulture growers were updated at a recent workshop, organised by Greenmount Campus, on a range of new plant protection products which act in a more biological friendly manner to control pests and diseases.
Mr Alan Hogan, Technical Officer for Certis Europe outlined the latest environmentally friendly pesticides for use in ornamental plant production.
He also described in detail the life cycles of the major plant diseases such as mildew. By improving your understanding of the conditions which favour disease spread, growers can plan disease control programmes more accurately and thereby optimise control programmes offered by pesticides. Alan also emphasised the importance of good hygiene throughout the nursery in reducing pest and disease pressure. All plant material bought in for production should be checked for pests and diseases routinely.
More information on training workshops in ornamental horticulture can be obtained from David Kerr, Ornamental Crops Adviser, Greenmount Campus ,CAFRE Tel :028 37515645 Or Mobile 07899 864343
Mr Alan Hogan, Certis Technical Officer and David Kerr, Ornamental Crops adviser,Greenmount Campus, College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise
Mr P.Smyth, Smyths Nurseries, Lurgan talking to George Pollock, James Pollock and son, Ballymoney, agents for Certis products