A practical, crop-specific field guide providing detailed diagnostic tools and integrated organic management strategies for the most critical pests and diseases affecting European olive, grapevine, tomato, and citrus production.
The Appendix is a highly technical, field-ready resource providing detailed management strategies for the most critical pests and diseases affecting Mediterranean and European key crops.
Targeted Crop Management:
Olive Cultivation: Targeted control strategies for the Olive Fruit Fly (Bactrocera oleae), Olive Moth, and soil-borne diseases like Verticillium Wilt.
Viticulture (Vineyards): Integrated approaches for the European Grapevine Moth (Lobesia botrana), Downy Mildew, and Powdery Mildew using sulfur, copper, and beneficial microbes.
Tomato Cultivation: Specialized management for the invasive Tomato Leafminer (Tuta absoluta), Whiteflies, and viral threats like the Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV).
Orange (Citrus) Cultivation: Practical solutions for the Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Asian Citrus Psyllid (HLB vector), and Citrus Canker.
Integrated Tools for the Field:
Diagnostic & Identification: Detailed descriptions of symptoms (e.g., leaf "oil spots" or larval tunneling) and life-cycle charts to help farmers identify threats early.
Biological Control Agents: Information on releasing natural enemies, such as parasitoid wasps (Psyttalia concolor) and predatory mites, as alternatives to synthetic chemicals.
Spray Calendars & PHI: Month-by-month preventive spray programs and critical Pre-Harvest Intervals (PHI) to ensure all produce remains residue-free and compliant with EU organic standards.
Field Identification Tools: A guide to using magnifying lenses, diagnostic kits, and digital tools for on-site disease testing and population monitoring.
