First Multi-Target Application of Exclusion Net in Nectarine Orchards: Effectiveness against Pests and Impact on Beneficial Arthropods Postharvest Rots and Fruit Quality

摘要

Recently, in fruit orchards, some well-established Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs are losing their effectiveness and may be compromised by chemicals required to control new invasive pests. In this contest, exclusion nets represent an alternative sustainable control strategy. The use of a photoselective exclusion net was investigated in semi-field conditions as a tool to protect nectarine orchards against different pests in NW Italy. The presence and the abundance of key and new invasive pest populations, as well as the damage they caused on fruits, were evaluated. Moreover, any possible effect of the net on beneficial arthropods, postharvest rots and fruit quality and nutraceutical parameters were considered. The exclusion net significantly reduced pest populations allowing the production of healthier fruits due to a strong reduction of insecticide treatments. Moreover, no negative impact on postharvest rots, neither fruit quality nor nutraceutical properties were recorded.