Investigating the variables influencing the application of nonchemical pest control methods in cucumber greenhouses (case study: Pishva County)

Abstract

Scientific investigations indicate that the technology expansions and the increases in the uses of additives, pesticides, antibiotics and hormones in the production of foodstuff in the developing countries have been accompanied by adverse and undeniable effects on the humans’ health during the recent decades. The present study aims at investigating the variables influencing the application of nonchemical pest control methods in cucumber greenhouses in a case study of the conservatories in Pishva County. The study population included all the Pishva County greenhouse owners who had been solely raising cucumber in 2016 reaching in number to 87 greenhouse owners. According to the limited number of the study population, they were all selected as the study sample volume based on a census sampling method; out of the study population, 83 individuals were at hand. The study instrument was a questionnaire the validity of which was confirmed through inquiring ideas from the university professors and its reliability was also verified based on Cronbach’s alpha coefficient within a 79% to 86% range. The results obtained for the collective effectiveness of the independent variables on the dependent variable through taking advantage of multiple regression tests signify that such variables as economic, informational and cognitive and promotional barriers have contributed to greenhouse owners’ lack of interest in making use of nonchemical pest control and plant disease management strategies.