Promoting integrated pest management in protected crops in a changing Europe and Mediterranean basin
The Mediterranean region, one of the world most important and dynamic agricultural areas, especially for greenhouse crops, is also a critical hotspot for biological invasions, with increasing risk of introduction of new pests and diseases which are constantly challenging the established integrated control strategies applied for crop protection. In recent years, new areas of this region are developing greenhouse vegetable and ornamental plant production, with an increasing need for the techniques used to meet the standards imposed by the global market.
Among others, protected crops have seen significant development in the Balkans over the past few decades, driven by a combination of climatic advantages, technological advancements, and growing market demand. In the countries of this area of the Mediterranean, modernization is presently a key driver in development of greenhouse crops; and after the collapse of state-run agricultural systems in the 1990s and the increasing growth of private investments, efficiency and crop quality are being improved by the adoption of advanced techniques, including integrated pest management.
Hosted in an area of the Mediterranean region characterized by such an ongoing evolution and improvement of protected crops, the 16th meeting of the IOBC-WPRS WG “Integrated Control in Protected Crops, Mediterranean Climate”, whose main theme is “Promoting integrated pest management in protected crops in a changing Europe and Mediterranean basin”, aims at giving researchers, technical staff and extension personnel from the public and private sectors, as well as graduate and post-graduate students, the chance to share ideas and show their most recent studies on the main and related themes, discussing about present and future challenges in pests, pathogens and weeds management in protected crops. This will be done under the light of new technology and regulations and in the frame of ever-changing threats by noxious organisms already occurring in Mediterranean greenhouses or which could appear in the near future. Through scientific sessions, technical visits and social events, the occasion will be given to participants also to strengthen existing collaborations as well as establish new ones.
Download:
- First Announcement (pdf)
- Second Announcement (pdf)
- Template for Abstract Submission (doc)
Meeting website: https://www.montenegro-adventures.com/16th-iobc-wprs-working-group-meeting-page-50