The grapevine moth, vine mealybug or the Mediterranean fruit fly are pests which have been causing problems to table grape producers for decades, but the company Suterra currently offers a combination of three products that can help us improve the value of our production by controlling these phytosanitary problems with an environmentally sustainable approach.
Its sponsorship in the next edition of Grape Attraction underlines its interest in providing new solutions to the development of this crop, one of the most important for Spanish and European agriculture.
Magnet MED, is consolidating its position as the product of choice for the control of Mediterranean fruit flies. It offers greater comfort and ease of installation than classic traps. Magnet MED also provides protection to the crops beyond the sensitive harvest period and thus contributes to decreasing the pest populations in the treated area.
Furthermore, Suterra has a broad range of mating disruption under the CheckMate label. Currently, the company is making a significant commitment to the promotion of active pheromone diffusers in spray form, commonly known as Puffers.
CheckMate Puffer LB provides multiple advantages over traditional diffusers designed to control the spread of grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana). This technology is getting a great reception from the sector, which particularly appreciates the reduced need for labour to apply the technology. Moreover, thanks to the Puffer Service program, with its collection and recycling system, no waste is generated, thus helping cut costs.
CheckMate® VMB-XL is marketed as the first product using mating disruption to control vine mealybug (Planococcus ficus). The effectiveness of this product is twofold, as it improves both the fruit yield and the crop quality.
Use of the 3 technologies, reduction of active ingredients
"We have managed to reduce the use of chemical treatments, allowing us to consider the use of biological control," explains Pepe Olivas, head of the technical department of the group El Ciruelo, which has named the combination of these three products as the "trio-pack".
Regarding Checkmate Puffer , Pepe mentions its easy installation and the reduced need for labour it involves, but stresses its constant and uniform release over a period of 6 months.
Referring to Magnet MED, he stressed that thanks to this product it will no longer be necessary to perform any additional treatments to control fruit flies in table grapes during the campaign. In the interview, Pepe also made some very positive comments about Checkmate VMB-XL, which is being used from the first year of production on 1 year old plantations.
"We believe it is the best option for a satisfactory control of the vine mealybug," he says, insisting that this product is a safe bet for the future.
