Soft fruit IPM Toolbox

1

Breeding resistant cultivars
- The James Hutton Institute has been breeding aphid-resistant varieties using different genes for > 40 years.
- Resistance to the main virus vector is now breaking down, therefore novel IPM tools must be developed. Read more...
2

Alternative control methods
- The Raspberry beetle is a major pest in raspberry cultivation, with females laying eggs in newly opened raspberry flowers.
- We have designed, tested and produced a trap with Sentomol Ltd, which mimics the smell and colour of a giant raspberry flower. Read more...
3

Biocontrol
- Working with Koppert Ltd we have tested several parasitoid wasps in combination. These parasitise two aphid pest species, with 40% success in polytunnels and 80% success in glasshouses. Read more...
4

Biopesticides
- In HortLINK SCEPTRE project we have tested a range of cooled biopesticides with industry partners. These products are safer for the environment but need greater expertise to use in IPM compared to the currently used insecticides.
5

Pollinators and biocontrol
- In RESAS funded research we have adapted a technique from New Zealand’s vineyards; using flowering buckwheat to attract and retains key predators (hoverflies) in polytunnels.
- Hoverflies have the added benefit of also acting as pollinators.
6

Raspberry IPM
- Once several IPM tools are identified they are tested on-farm to optimise their efficacy when used in combination.
Overall, the Hutton Soft Fruit IPM toolbox has reduced pesticide reliance by > 40% for key pests: aphids, raspberry beetle.
- New pests like spotted wing Drosophila threaten existing IPM systems, so the toolbox must continuously adapt to changing threats, climate and agronomy.