When can the product Fitoverm be used to treat cucumbers in a greenhouse for spider mites? - briefly
Fitoverm may be applied to cucumber crops in a greenhouse once spider mite populations are observed, provided the plants are past the early vegetative stage and temperatures are between 15 °C and 30 °C. Application should occur at least seven days before harvest to respect the product’s pre‑harvest interval.
When can the product Fitoverm be used to treat cucumbers in a greenhouse for spider mites? - in detail
Fitoverm may be applied to cucumber plants grown in greenhouse environments when the following conditions are satisfied.
- Crop stage: Use is permitted from early vegetative growth through to the onset of fruiting, provided that the fruit is not yet at marketable size. Application after the fruit reaches commercial maturity is prohibited because of residue limits.
- Temperature: Effective activity requires ambient air temperatures between 15 °C and 30 °C and leaf surface temperatures not exceeding 35 °C. Spraying below 10 °C or above 35 °C reduces efficacy and may cause phytotoxicity.
- Relative humidity: Minimum 60 % relative humidity is recommended to ensure adequate leaf wetness for the product to penetrate spider‑mite webs. Lower humidity can lead to poor coverage.
- Spider‑mite population: Apply when monitoring indicates an infestation level of at least 5 % of leaves showing visible mite damage or when the mite count exceeds 10 mites per leaf in a standard scouting sample.
- Pre‑harvest interval (PHI): Observe a minimum PHI of 7 days before harvest. This interval complies with residue regulations for cucumbers grown under protected cultivation.
- Dosage and frequency: Apply at the label‑specified rate of 0.5 L ha⁻¹, mixed with water to achieve a spray volume of 150 L ha⁻¹. Re‑treatments may be made at 7‑day intervals, not exceeding three applications per growing cycle.
- Resistance management: Rotate Fitoverm with at least two other modes of action (e.g., acaricides containing abamectin or spirodiclofen) to delay resistance development. Do not use consecutively.
- Greenhouse conditions: Ensure adequate ventilation during and after application to prevent excessive humidity buildup. Avoid application when CO₂ enrichment exceeds 1500 ppm, as this can interfere with product uptake.
- Regulatory compliance: Verify that the product is registered for cucumber use in the specific jurisdiction and that the greenhouse operator holds the appropriate pesticide use license.
Adhering to these parameters maximizes control of spider mites while maintaining crop safety and compliance with legal residue limits.