Alternative control of vegetable crops from pests

Vegetable production is an important subsector of the plant-growing. The progress of this sector in our country is determined by a range of prerequisites – favourable soil and climatic conditions, rich genetic material from local and introduced varieties, considerable experience and rich national traditions in the growing of these crops and legal regulation harmonized with European legislation. Vegetable are integral part of the human food. Their regular consumption results in decrease of the risk from chronic diseases. The vegetable production is intensive, monocropping, with application of many pesticides especially in growing under cultivation facilities.
In the European countries there is a permanent monitoring for residual quantities from pesticides in the fruits and vegetables, produced conventionally, integrated and organically. The results from this monitoring could be used for assessment of the food consumption of the people and the cumulative risk from the pesticides found out in the food products. Therefore, it is necessary a new approach for production of vegetable produce. The world tendencies for ecological agriculture require an alternative of the conventional production to be found. Such alternatives are the integrated systems for production and the biological method for control of diseases and pests in vegetables. According to article 14 from the Directive 2009/128/ЕС and article 55 from the Regulation EC №1107/2009 the observation of the general principles for integrated management of the pests in the vegetable crops is a requirement that is binding from 2014. The main aim is the reduced application of the chemical products for plant protection. A new conception emerges in the world – for biological agriculture as a result of new position to the problems of the environment, to the production of healthy produce and protection of human health.