[Biological control of aphids on cucumber grown in greenhouses using banker plants]
1997
Fischer, S. (Station federale de recherches en production vegetale de Changins, Nyon (Switzerland)) | Leger, A.
The paper presents a biological control method for Aphis gossypii Glov. on cucumber by means of banker plants. The method is based on the early establishment of the parasitoid Aphidius colemani Vier. parasiting bird-cherry aphid Rhopalosiphum padi L., which lives on finger millet Eleusine coracana Gaertn. This tropical cereal shows a far better adaptation to greenhouse conditions than wheat, barley or maize, usually used as banker plants. Results of experiments carried out in 1995 and 1996 in commercial greenhouses near Geneva (Switzerland) proved that this method is technically and economically reliable. Aphicide treatments are avoided and the rates of A. colemani to be released on banker plants only are as low as 0.3 to 0.8 individuals per square metre, i.e. about one tenth of generally recommended introduction rates. In the reported experiments the additional use of the ladybeetle Harmonia axyridis Pallas did not enhance the efficacy of the biological control of A. gossypii
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