Tree crops are considered to be one of the most important sectors of Greek agricultural production, which contributes dynamically to the national economy. The quantity and quality of yield of tree crops depends on the genetic composition of the cultivated variety, the agronomic practices, the microclimate, pest and disease pressure and also on other factors.

 

In order to optimize the quantity and quality of the harvest, Anthesis has introduced new approaches on pest and disease management using innovative products and methods. We aim at applying Integrated Pest Management (IPM) with environmental- and consumer-friendly plant protection products. For these reasons, Anthesis has imported Mating Disruption (MD) into the Greek market since 2009, initially in Apple crops. In the following years, the use of MD was extended to both peaches and nectarines. Consequently, the total area covered by this method followed an exponential increase.

 

The main stakeholders involved in the consolidation and extension of the method are major Agricultural Cooperatives and Groups of Growers of Peaches and Apples from the regions of Imathia, Pella, Kozani and Magnesia. The main reasons that have triggered the dissemination of the method are the production of non-residual agricultural products and management of pest resistance. Additionally, the method provides competitive advantages in promoting cooperatives’ agricultural products in low-residue demanding markets.

 

Nowadays, Anthesis has invested in a wide array of products such as organic plant protection products, biostimulants and beneficial macro-organisms specialized in Fruit Crops such as:

  • Anthocoris nemoralis (Antholine) against pear psyllid
  • Amblyseius andersoni (Anderline) against Two Spotted Red Spider Mite
  • Torymus sinensis against the Asian chestnut gallwasp
  • Potassium Hydrogen Carbonate (Vitisan) against Apple Scab
  • Calcium Polysulfide (Curatio) against Apple Scab

 

At the same time, the technical team of Anthesis conducts a lot of field visits to demonstrate the proper use of the above mentioned tools. In this sense, Anthesis’ IPM programmes cover the plant protection needs of the basic crops such as: Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Apples, Pears, and Nuts.