I did some research and started taking action to improve the soil condition and increase organic matter – micro- and macro-organisms in the soil would help to reduce those diseases above without using too many chemicals. Root-knot nematodes are also big problem every grower in NT has to face. Hopefully we can be organic in five years’ time.ĭue to the extreme dry season in the NT, powdery mildew and downy mildew can decrease the yield and shorten the life of plants. Through this approach, I have turned over more profit to invest in better input products, and the farm now is moving towards an organic system. I have reduced the yield lost from pests, have less input by reduced spraying, and a better fertility program. Overall, after two years of practicing this approach, I have significantly improved yield. This is a way of pest control by reducing the spraying of hard chemicals introducing biological-friendly insecticides, fungicides, fertilities and releasing good insects to keep the population of bad insects acceptable low. Then in the second year, I started attending Integrated Pest Management (IPM) demonstrations, which were being hosted by NT Farmers. This method did not seem to work very well. They are resistant to most of the chemicals available now, and their reproduction is fast enough that if we do not have proper managing plans, mites can wipe off the entire crop in a matter of four weeks.įor the first year, I had no experience of pest management and I sprayed hard chemicals aggressively like other growers around. Two-spotted mites are another big problem up here. A day later, egg masses hatch and become larvae and start feeding on the leaves and then the pod. They are hard to control because moths lay eggs every day. Here’s a few key issues:Ĭaterpillars are the most destructive insect of vegetables. Pests, diseases, yield, the ratio between input in the business and income to make the business profitable, the weather in the Northern Territory, and the market. What are the biggest challenges you face working in the industry, and how do you overcome them?Ĭhallenges for vegetable growers are pretty much the same.
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