Free lectures on composting and pest prevention

MVCRI "Maritsa" and the Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology (CPSBB) invite you to take part in two free public lectures, part of the "Advanced Horticulture" initiative under the "PlantaSYST" project.

The lectures are intended to be of benefit to all who wish to learn more about the technology and application of composting, as well as about the integrated approach to plant protection against pests (aphids, thrips and whiteflies).

The lectures will be held in the Conference Hall of MVCRI "Maritsa", 32 Brezovsko shose, Plovdiv, as well as via the Zoom platform at the following address:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84974722374…

Date: 11 May 2023

Starting time: 10:00 a.m.

COMPOSTING – TECHNOLOGY AND QUALITY OF COMPOST. APPLICATION IN SEEDLING PRODUCTION

Lecturer: Dr. Tsvetanka Dincheva

The lecture will present the main technological elements for the production of high-quality compost: raw materials, their preparation for composting, process control and analyses of the final product. The aim is to provide guidance to farmers on how to utilize plant residues from agriculture and produce compost. Results from experiments in this field at the "Maritsa" Institute and the application of the organic product in seedling production of major vegetable crops will be presented.

PESTS – VECTORS OF VIRAL DISEASES IN VEGETABLE CROPS

Lecturers: Dr. Vinelina Yankova, Dr. Gancho Pasev

Sucking insects such as aphids, thrips and whiteflies, in addition to causing direct damage to plants, can also result in indirect losses as vectors of viral diseases. This group of pests are polyphagous and pose a significant threat to vegetable production. Frequently, the viruses they transmit lead to considerably greater losses than those caused directly by pest damage. Plants infected with viruses cannot be cured. Nevertheless, control measures can be used to prevent or reduce disease levels in crops by eliminating or avoiding sources of viral infection and minimizing the spread by these sucking pests. To limit the risk they pose, regular monitoring must be carried out and the necessary plant protection measures must be undertaken in a timely manner, following an integrated approach.