Pests are one of the problems that concern farmers the most. Precisely for this reason, finding a working solution is essential to guarantee that our crop will not be affected by an harmful insect. Basictec is a basic substance a formulation capable of controlling pests such as aphids, mites and other insects, as well as diseases such as mildew. In one of our most recent agricultural trials, we actually demonstrated that Basictec is an effective solution against greenhouse pepper mites.
Specifically, our trial is focused on verifying the effectiveness of this zero residue agricultural phytobiotic against the attack of the Tetranychus telaririus mite, belonging to the Tetraniquid family. The so-called ‘red’ or brown spiders develop a web of cobwebs on the surface of youngest leaves of plants in which the colonies of mites settle. They bite the leaf and suck the juices of the plant, decrease the activity of the plant and eventually cause its death if the infestation is very serious.
The Basictec trial, an effective solution against pepper mites
Like all our agricultural trials, the objective was to demonstrate the effectiveness of phytobiotics, biostimulants or biofertilizers to give natural solutions and zero residue to the farmer. In this case, in addition, we wanted:
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the product when it is mixed with other MAFA products as wetting agents.
- Evaluate the compatibility of these mixtures.
- Verify the effect of the product on the auxiliary fauna.
The test was carried out in collaboration with one of our distributors, who provided us with access to a greenhouse located in Torre-Pacheco (Cartagena, Murcia) with the cultivation of alcudia peppers.
The products that were used were Basictec, Frutoil, Oleosoap k and Citromazinc.
Eight different tests were performed with different products and proportions. And they were carried out throughout the morning of June 4, 2020 in the rows where the highest incidence of the pest was observed by leaving at least one row between trials. A second visit was made in the afternoon of the same day, with clear and positive results within a few hours of application. The third visit was made at the following day, which confirmed the results.
Curious facts about plant mites
Mites are the most important group within the species that cause pests on cultivated plants, after insects.
In fact, according to data from agricultural organizations, they represent between 15 and 20% of the pest species with the highest economic impact on crops.
Within the pest mites, we can find highly polyphagous species (in herbaceous and fruit crops) and monophagous or oliphagous species.
What were the conclusions of our trial?
- Better results are obtained with a wetting agent or oil than without their use. The adjuvant products we use, enhance or improve the effect of Basictec. The one that gave the best results by far was the mixture with the organic extract Frutoil. Thanks to a vegetable oil, the application was much more homogeneous. With this mixture, 90-95% of the population of tetranychus telarius was eliminated
- The effectiveness of different doses of Basictec was the same (the doses of 3 cc / 1000 cc. and 4 c.c./1000 c.c.)
- Despite the high temperatures, mixing with Frutoil oil, mixtrue does not harm or produce harmful toxic effects.
- The Basictec application alone also managed to control a zone with black aphid.
- Finally, regarding the mixtures of the products, none of them gave any problem of miscibility.
THIS WAS THE UNTREATED PEPPER PLANTS
The infestation can occupy the crown of the pepper plants, seeing the accumulation of mites at the tips of the leaves.
BASICTEC WITHOUT FRUTOIL
By not using the mixture of Basictec and Frutoil, drops are formed throughout the leaf, with the risk that the product falls to the ground and the effectiveness is not enough.
BASICTEC WITH FRUTOIL
The homogeneity of the application is better with Frutoil + Basictec. The leaf is completely covered, making it more effective.
