How should cucumbers be sprayed in a greenhouse against ticks? - briefly
Apply a water‑soluble acaricide to the foliage and fruit until runoff, spraying early morning when humidity is low and repeating twice weekly. Rotate products with different modes of action to avoid resistance.
How should cucumbers be sprayed in a greenhouse against ticks? - in detail
Effective tick control on cucumber crops grown in a greenhouse requires a systematic spraying program that integrates product selection, dosage, timing, and environmental considerations.
Choose a pesticide with proven acaricidal activity against ticks and compatibility with cucurbit plants. Common options include neem‑based oils, pyrethrin formulations, or synthetic acaricides such as spirodiclofen. Verify that the label permits use on cucumbers and that the active ingredient is registered for greenhouse environments.
Determine the appropriate concentration according to the product label. Typical rates range from 0.5 to 2 ml L⁻¹ for oil‑based products and 0.1 to 0.3 ml L⁻¹ for synthetic compounds. Prepare the spray solution in a clean, calibrated mixing tank, stirring until uniform.
Apply the mixture using a fine‑mist sprayer that delivers droplets of 100–200 µm. Ensure complete coverage of foliage, stems, and the undersides of leaves where ticks attach. Maintain a spray pressure of 200–250 kPa to achieve uniform distribution without runoff.
Schedule applications at key growth stages:
- At transplant, when seedlings enter the greenhouse.
- Two weeks after transplant, before rapid canopy development.
- Every 10–14 days during the vegetative phase.
- Immediately after any detected tick activity, regardless of the calendar schedule.
- At the onset of fruiting, then at 14‑day intervals until harvest.
Adjust intervals based on temperature and humidity. In environments above 25 °C with relative humidity above 80 %, tick populations can increase rapidly; reduce the interval to 7 days. In cooler, drier conditions, extend the interval to 14 days.
Monitor the crop weekly with a hand lens or sticky traps placed at canopy level. Record tick counts and adjust spray frequency or concentration if thresholds exceed 5 ticks per plant.
Observe safety protocols: wear gloves, goggles, and a respirator; ventilate the greenhouse after application; keep workers and non‑target organisms out of the treated area for the label‑specified re‑entry interval.
Maintain records of each application, including date, product name, batch number, concentration, volume applied, and observed pest pressure. This documentation supports regulatory compliance and facilitates future program optimization.