Issue 10/2018 of the journal "Plant Protection"

See which topics are current in this issue.

For the topic of the last December issue of the magazine „Plant Protection” for 2018, our team selected the introduction of new plant pests, which are a consequence of global climate change and increased trade. Planting material, cut flowers, fruit and vegetables, timber and soil as a nutrient medium are the main pathways for the introduction of new pests, with the largest share being the imported planting material of ornamental plants.

During monitoring activities, invasive species have been detected such as Metcalfa prunosa (Say) on thuja plants imported from Hungary in 2004; Tuta absoluta in 2009; Drosophilla suzukii (Matsumura) in 2014; Aceria kuko (Kishida) in 2016 and many others which, due to the favourable climatic conditions in our country, have developed and become permanently established in certain areas of the country.

In this issue we will present in detail the leafhopper Metcalfa pruinosa, its origin, biology, damage and control. We will also focus on another already well-known pest – the Spotted Wing Drosophila, which is one of the few species of fruit flies of the genus Drosophila that feeds on healthy, ripening fruits while they are still on the plant. Prof. Dr. Olya Karadjova from the Institute of Soil Science, Agrotechnologies and Plant Protection „N. Pushkarov” in Sofia will share with the readers her experience in participating in the development of rapid risk analyses for potential pests on tomatoes for the region of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO).

In recent years, mass proliferation of invasive weeds has also been observed on the territory of Bulgaria. The single European market and travel without borders stimulate the constant flow of invasive species, including weeds. The Agricultural University in Plovdiv has prepared a detailed description of the types of invasive weeds on the territory of the country.

In this issue, special attention is also given to the conditions for successful control of pests in vegetable crops and to the new immune activator Softgard, which is a fertilizer with extremely beneficial effects on plants.

Another current problem in intensive agriculture is the deterioration of soil quality and health status; therefore, it is of primary importance to implement biocontrol and to induce plant resistance. According to Dr. Tsvetanka Dincheva from the Maritsa Vegetable Crops Research Institute in Plovdiv, this problem can be successfully solved with the help of compost.

In this issue you will find interesting information about the much-loved geranium of most flower growers. The plant is not demanding, but unfortunately it is attacked by various pests, which are described by the specialists from the Maritsa Vegetable Crops Research Institute in Plovdiv.

Since the topic of climate change is all-encompassing, besides the increased presence of new invasive species, in recent years there has been much discussion about plant stress caused by drought and large temperature amplitudes. The tolerance of agricultural plants to various stress factors can be successfully increased through two main approaches – breeding and technological. The latter includes the application of biostimulants. In this issue we will present protein hydrolysates, which are increasingly entering modern agriculture.

Enjoy your reading!

The Topic

M. Laginova – Global climate change and increased trade – a prerequisite for the introduction of new plant pests

B. Katinova, M. Laginova – Metcalfa pruinosa

I. Bozhilova, M. Laginova – Monitoring of Drosofila suzukii Matsumura

O. Karadjova – Risk assessment of tomato pests

Sht. Kalinova – Invasive weed species

PP Consultant

S. Misheva, V. Yankova – Conditions for successful control of pests in vegetable crops

D. Markova et al.  – Softgard – organic fertilizer with beneficial effect

In support of practice

Ts. Dincheva – Compost – a means of plant protection

Flowers

S. Misheva et al. – Diseases and pests of geranium

Flowers

A. Vasilev et al. – Protein hydrolysates

Traffic Light

S. Misheva, V. Yankova, D. Markova – Pests of root vegetable crops

H. Boteva – Cultivation of root vegetable crops

Events

*** Plant health – a key to building sustainable agriculture

*** Belchim – 5 successful years on the Bulgarian pesticide market!

School for specialists

Prof. Stoyka Masheva –  Downy mildews of vegetable crops

The magazine „Plant“ Protection Seeds and Fertilizers has no involvement with the information presented in the published advertisements and PR materials. Responsibility for their content lies entirely with the advertisers. The authors of the publications are responsible for the information in the authored materials.