ISHS Acta Horticulturae 659: VII International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates: Production, Pest Management and Global Competition
INTEGRATED PRODUCTION AND PROTECTION IN GREENHOUSE TOMATO IN MOROCCO |
| Authors: | A. Hanafi, W.H. Schnitzler |
| Keywords: | Morocco, tomato, greenhouse, Integrated Production and Protection (IPP). |
| Abstract:
The development of IPM tactics in greenhouse crops in Morocco has evolved quickly over the last ten years, showing impressive reductions in pesticide use while improving crop quality and yield. Unfortunately, the introduction of TYLCV from neighbouring Spain in 1998 has significantly increased the need for pesticide applications and impacted the ability of many growers to grow disease free crops in many areas of Morocco. Several stimuli are pushing Moroccan tomato growers to use fewer pesticides and to adopt more sustainable ways to protect crops from pests and diseases, as world marketing is becoming more global. Consumer concern about chemical residues is a general stimulus for growers wishing to adopt integrated production and protection (IPP) systems, but it is particularly relevant in fresh-consumed products like the majority of tomato grown in greenhouses. European consumers, not only demand high quality products, but are also concerned with how these products are grown, so they can judge them from the environmental aspects and this has been at the origin of such labels as EUREPGAP. The change in pest and disease status, as a result of accidental introductions of new pests and diseases, constitutes a challenge to IPP implementation. For instance, the recent introduction of TYLCV to Morocco has disrupted existing IPM programs by increasing the number of insecticide applications against the vector; (from 9 to over 34 insecticide applications per tomato crop cycle). As a consequence, insect screens (50 mesh) have been adopted in over 90% of tomato greenhouse area. The insect screens (50 mesh) have proven to be an efficient mechanical barrier to the introduction of the whitefly vector Bemisia tabaci. In addition to the use of insect screens, the introduction of TYLCV has urged more farmers to use TYLCV tolerant cultivars and to adopt healthy seedling material. As a consequence, less acreage is planted with transplants produced locally and more acreage is planted with plantlets produced by certified nurseries. Over the last decade the number of certified vegetable nurseries went up from 0 to 6 and today, over 50% of tomato acreage under greenhouses uses certified seedling material. Yet, production of tomato under protected cultivation is not without serious challenges. This paper presents the production and protection management techniques specific to tomato, as applied by farmers in the Souss Valley. | |
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