Protection against cherry fruit fly species (Rhagoletis cerasi and Rhagoletis cingulata) is a great challenge for organic farmers since no selective and really effective pesticides are available, which could be also used under organic conditions. Farmers often use oil based products against pests in practice, but these can have phytotoxic effects if applied during the vegetation period due to the stress caused by the oil.
In foreign countries the agent of microfungus Beauveria bassiana is used, which parasites and kills the imago during the time of swarming. In order to test the effectiveness of the agent against cherry fruit flies in Hungary we conducted an on-farm experiment with the participation of four organic cherry production farms between 2012 and 2015. According to the results, the agent of Beauveria bassiana seems promising also in Hungary against cherry fruit flies in organic production systems. The analysis of the agent was finished in 2015, and we forwarded the results to the distributor and the relevant authorities, requesting for the extension of permits beyond the current small-scale application level.
The on-farm experiment did not only provide new information on the agent of Beauveria bassiana but also provided important experience on cherry fruit fly species and organic cherry production, which are described in detail in the research summary of the four-year-long experiment.
Read our publications:
- Possibilities of protection against cherry fruit flies by using the agent of Beauveria bassiana – results of a four-year-long on-farm experiment (2012-2015)
- Residue-free and environmentally sound possibilities of protection against cherry fruit flies – article in the Őstermelő magazine
- Plant protection in organic stone fruit production
- Research summary 2014
Possibilities of protection against cherry fruit flies by using the agent of Beauveria bassiana – results of the third year of the experiment - Research summary 2013
Possibilities of protection against cherry fruit flies by using the agent of Beauveria bassiana – results of the second year of the experiment - Research summary 2012
Possibilities of protection against cherry fruit flies by using the agent of Beauveria bassiana
