Grower Guide: quality assurance of biocontrols

January 14, 2015

Written by Dave Harrison

Jan. 14, 2015, Vineland, Ont. — Successful biocontrol programs are dependent on a number of factors, but good quality natural enemies are fundamental.

However, as living organisms, biocontrol products are subject to variability caused by various factors, starting at the insectary where they are reared through to the crop where they are released.

The biocontrol team at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre has developed a comprehensive report to help growers perform their own quality control checks when receiving the biocontrol products. The report was compiled by research scientist Dr. Rose Buitenhuis.

“Growers should open packages upon arrival to provide a better environment for the biocontrol agents and to detect any potential problems related to shipping conditions (too warm, too cold, wet, bad smell).

"In an ideal situation, growers would perform quality checks on every biocontrol product they receive as quality will directly impact efficacy; a shipment of poor – quality can result in failure to control the target pest. If a quality issue is detected the grower can react proactively, adjusting release rates accordingly.”

Click here for the report: http://vinelandresearch.com/sites/default/files/grower_guide_pdf_final.pdf