9_1_strict

The prevention and/or suppression of key pests, diseases and weeds can be achieved or supported among other options especially by the:

• Choice of appropriate resistant/tolerant cultivars.
• Use of an optimal replanting interval or similar strategy to prevent diseases and weakness.
• Use of adequate cultivation techniques, (e.g. green cover, pruning, removal of infected prunings, alternate mowing); pruning not only removes dead tissues but also allows proper ventilation and more effective spray coverage.
• Use of balanced fertilisation (especially low nitrogen input) and irrigation practices.
• Protection and enhancement of important natural enemies by adequate plant protection measures.
• Utilisation of ecological infrastructures inside and outside production sites to enhance a supportive conservation biological control of key pests by antagonists.

IP guidelines must (see 8.1.3.c) describe a basic selection of preventive measures that have to be implemented.