One of the key points in the implementation of IPM is prevention, which can be the farmer’s best ally in crop protection. Starting production activity in the best possible sanitary conditions is fundamental. It is therefore important to implement cultural and preventive measures to reduce the incidence of pests and diseases. Among the most important measures are the following:
- Sanitary guarantee of plant material.
- Correct management of plant debris that can become sources of pests and diseases.
- Adaptation of planting/transplanting dates, choosing the ideal date for each crop in each place.
- Definition of a strategy for monitoring and follow-up of pests and diseases.
- Choice of appropriate planting densities and/or planting frames.
- Use of cultivars/patterns tolerant to the main pests and diseases.
- Thorough knowledge of the crop.
- Pre-planting cleaning and sanitation of structure, soil, tools, etc.
- Rational irrigation, avoiding waterlogging, root asphyxia, water stress and proliferation of soil fungus.
- Early elimination of plants affected by viruses.
- Carry out crop rotations. Establish biodiversity over a long period of time.
- Encouragement of biological control techniques, by conservation and/or flooding, and favoring the conditions for the correct establishment and functioning of natural enemies.
Use of floating covers, physical barriers, double roofs, tunnels to keep our crops protected.