Integrated management of diseases and pests on ornamental geophytes: challenges and progress

Abstract

The development and implementation of cost effective long-term production practices that rely on an integrated pest management (IPM) approach to managing diseases and arthropod (insect and mite) pests is important in enhancing the efficiency of producing field and greenhouse-grown ornamental geophytes. Numerous presentations at previous International Symposia on Flower Bulbs and Herbaceous Perennials and the scientific literature clearly demonstrates the importance of plant protection/pest management in the production of high quality bulbs, cut flowers, and potted plants. In addition to direct damage associated with quality and yield, the presence of quarantine arthropod pests and pathogens limits access to certain export markets. While a variety of approaches are generally used, pesticides have played a dominant role in ornamental geophyte disease and arthropod pest management programs. However, concerns regarding the safety and environmental impact of some pesticides have resulted in increased restrictions and the loss of some widely-used, effective pesticides. In addition, problems affiliated with pesticide resistance have resulted in an urgent need to develop improved plant protection strategies. This presentation will provide a historical perspective on the changes in pest management strategies, highlight challenges growers encounter, and include an overview of recent advances in the plant protection of disease and arthropod pests of geophytes.