IPM in Roses

Rose export is developing rapidly. Rose growers see an urgent need for implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). It will create a competitive market advantage. Characteristics of IPM are:
• A healthy crop.
• Combination of control strategies (sanitation, biological control).
• Pesticide use is the last step.
• Reliance on own observations and experiences at the farm level.
• Combination of informal and formal research using a “grower first approach”.
IPM has been successfully applied in floriculture in other countries (such as Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe).

Current Pest Control in Floriculture Currently pesticides are used, which causes concern:
• Pesticides account for 25% of expenditures.
• Export increasingly demands low residue levels.
• Pesticides are phytotoxic, and may reduce crop yield.
• Pesticides shorten the longevity of plastic cover.
• Pests develop resistance to pesticides.
• Pesticides may affect human health and environment.

Steps forward
First steps for the introduction of IPM have been taken:
• All sectors support IPM.
• Base-line surveys on flower pests have been conducted.
• Spider mites are the major problem.
• Applied rose-specific research has recently started at the Plant Protection Research Centre
• Higher education is possible at the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
• Growers interested in biological control as well as further on-farm research have been identified.
• A standard import protocol for beneficial insects is under development.