Learn here how Surround® WP Crop Protectant, a natural insecticide, is used in organic crop protection against pear leafhoppers. This article provides insights into effective methods to naturally protect your pears from this pest.
Imagine walking through your plantation at the beginning of spring and surveying your crop. The first rays of spring sunshine are already warming the air, and as you walk through the rows of your pear trees, you know exactly what that means.
It is not only the time of awakening and new growth, but also the time when the first insect pests, especially the common pear leaf sucker (Cacopsylla pyri), are getting ready to awaken from their winter torpor.
The females overwintering in the bark are capable of producing several generations a year and can cause considerable damage to your stock.
The pear leaf sucker - a pest rarely comes alone
In Austria and southern Germany, the pear leaf sucker is considered one of the most dangerous pests in our latitudes. Why?
The three species of pear leaf sucker - the common pear leaf sucker (Cacopsylla pyri), the large pear leaf sucker (Cacopsylla pyrisuga) and the small pear leaf sucker (Cacopsylla pyricola) - can cause considerable crop losses.
The pear leaf sucker multiplies explosively and infests entire crops. It not only causes great damage to the trees and shoots, but also to your most valuable asset - the harvest.
The strong excretion of honeydew strongly favors fungal infestation with sooty mold, which can often result in high losses of the harvest.
But fortunately it doesn't have to come to that. Surround® WP Crop Protectant is an effective means of controlling and containing this pest in pear crops!
Larval stages © Obstbauberatung LK Steiermark
Effective protection for your pears: the benefits of Surround® WP Crop Protectant
In view of the challenges posed by the pear leaf sucker and black fungi, Surround WP Crop Protectant offers an effective and environmentally friendly solution for crop protection. This product is based on the natural mineral kaolin, a fine, white rock flour.
As Surround® WP Crop Protectant is based on a physical method, pests do not develop resistance, making it a permanently effective option and therefore your reliable partner in every growing season.
It forms a physical barrier on the leaves and fruit. This barrier irritates and confuses the insect pests and disrupts their egg-laying and feeding activities. It also effectively protects the plants from intense sunlight and minimizes the risk of sunburn and heat stress.
Our products, including Surround® WP Crop Protectant, are available from specialist retailers in Austria.
Consequential damage caused by strong pear leaf suckers: sooty mold fungi © Obstbauberatung LK Steiermark
Used as a natural insecticide
Timing is crucial for the optimum application and maximum effect of Surround® WP Crop Protectant.
Treatment should begin at the early stage of pear development, specifically from BBCH 51 (bud break) to BBCH 69 (end of flowering). To maximize efficacy, treatment at seven-day intervals is recommended, but no more than five applications per crop and growing season.
The recommended application rates are 15 kg for the first application and 10 kg for each subsequent application, dissolved in 200-900 liters of water per 10,000m² of treated foliage area. Surround® WP Crop Protectant can be applied with commercially available sprayers, such as axial fan sprayers, allowing easy integration into existing crop protection practices.
Organic plant protection: Effective in field trials
The effectiveness of Surround® WP Crop Protectant has been confirmed in several field trials. In a field trial we conducted in the Netherlands, a significant reduction in the Cacopsylla pyri population was observed on trees treated with Surround compared to the untreated control.
Similar results were obtained in a trial at the FiBL experimental station in Conthey, Switzerland, where treatment with Surround® WP Crop Protectant not only effectively reduced the population of pear leaf suckers, but also significantly reduced fungal infestation with black fungi.
Lithos Crop Protect trial: Enspijk, Netherlands, small plot;
Spring 2023; 26.04. - 12.06.2023; Pear - Conference variety
Two variants:
- Untreated control (UTC)
- Two applications of Surround® WP Crop Protectant:
First application in BBCH 54:
15 kg / 1.000 l / 10.000m2 treated leaf wall area
Second application in BBCH 58:
10 kg / 1.000 l / 10.000m2 treated leaf wall area
Advantages and benefits of kaolin for fruit growing:
Kaolin, a natural aluminum silicate, is the active ingredient in Surround® WP Crop Protectant. In addition to protection against insect pests such as the pear leaf sucker, it offers numerous other benefits for fruit growing.
It can help to improve the soil structure and protects against frost. It forms a well-adhering protective film that reduces water loss through evaporation. It acts like a sunscreen for your crop. Trees that suffer less from drought stress can regulate their metabolism better and are therefore less susceptible to sucking insect pests.
These properties make kaolin a valuable ally for sustainable agricultural practices.
Conclusion: Natural and effective crop protection for pears with Surround WP Crop Protectant
Surround® WP Crop Protectant offers an effective strategy for controlling pests in pear cultivation. By combining the physical barrier effect with the natural benefits of kaolin, it offers an environmentally friendly solution that not only controls pests, but also promotes the health and vitality of pear trees.
Rely on the reliable effect of Surround® WP Crop Protectant to protect your crops.
Why Lithos Crop Protect is your partner for natural crop protection - Our mission and values
The path we are taking together with you, the fruit growers and orchard owners, is not just about finding solutions to an acute problem. We are concerned with much more.
We pursue a mission that is deeply rooted in our values: the promotion of sustainable and nature-loving agriculture.
Our passion for nature and our commitment to the environment is reflected in every one of our products. Surround WP Crop Protectant is a prime example of our approach to developing innovative solutions that are not only effective but also environmentally friendly. We firmly believe that protecting our plants must go hand in hand with protecting our planet.
Our expertise is based on years of research and development in the field of natural plant protection. Through close cooperation with scientists, biotech companies and of course you, the farmers, we have developed a deep understanding of the challenges in orchards.
We are your partner in the field of natural plant protection. Whether with our products or our personal and professional advice.
We are here to support you and work with you to ensure vital plants and rich harvests - today and in the future.
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NOTE:
Surround® WP Crop Protectant, Insecticide, Austrian Reg. Nr.: 4200-0
Use plant protection products (insecticide) with care. Always read the label and product information before use.