Implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Field Visit to Plastic Greenhouses for Insect Control

As part of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, fourth-year students in the Department of Plant Protection conducted a field visit to the plastic greenhouses belonging to the Department of Horticulture for insect control.
The students focused on the cultivated crops, which included Pepper, Tomatoes, Strawberries, and Eggplants. They first identified the existing pests and diseases within the greenhouses. Following this, a decision was made to begin controlling flying insects, specifically the Whitefly.
Colored sticky traps were used to attract the insects. These traps involved coating paper sheets with a mixture of Glycerin oil and Orange juice as an attractant. In addition, blue sheets coated with Glycerin oil and sugar were also used. The sheets were hung within the crop area and will be monitored daily to study the pest population density according to economic thresholds.
This method is considered one of the physical pest control methods, which is both safe and environmentally friendly, aiming to produce a natural organic product.
This practice represents a collaborative link between departments, adhering to the policy of Education, Training, and Application. It successfully transitioned theoretical concepts in pest control into a practical, real-world setting.