Challenges in greenhouse Gerbera IPM

Gerberas are the third most preferred cut flowers worldwide. Demand in the U.S. has been steadily increasing, while the cut flower industry in itself has been facing challenges. The driving factor in gerbera production is insecticide resistant leafminers, Liriomyza trifolii . These can be controlled with parasitic wasps. This biological control is, however, often disrupted by influxes of other common pests that require chemical control. We are developing simultaneous alternative methods to manage arthropods and pathogens compatible with biological methods as we strive for a sustainable production system in Greenhouse Gerberas.