One of the biggest challenges facing onion growers across Europe is the loss of key active ingredients for pest and weed control, forcing them to look for new solutions to replace molecules long used as standard.
One of the biggest challenges facing onion growers across Europe is the loss of key active ingredients for pest and weed control, forcing them to look for new solutions to replace molecules long used as standard.
Developing answers together
Growers like Damien are learning from Certis Belchim’s knowledge and experience of products applied in other crops, carefully adapted and validated for onions through field trials and demo plots. Rather than making product comparisons, the trials instead focus on demonstrating how to use each solution effectively: testing combinations, application techniques, and timings to ensure growers can achieve the best possible results.
Combining the best products
Thrips remains one of the most significant threats to onion crops, with rising pest pressure due to global warming as well as the withdrawal of spirotetramat.
Certis Belchim is helping growers adapt by developing integrated programmes using its own products, like Botanigard and Neudosan, and where appropriate adding those of other manufacturers, to deliver results. Tailored programmes combining these products must be applied with exacting precision. Our approach encompasses all aspects of plant health and success depends on getting every detail right, from application timing according to weather conditions (temperature and humidity), water quality and volume, to spray technique. Safeguarding natural predators with our programmes also makes a significant contribution to a successful outcome.
Growers rely on us to offer guidance, share knowledge, and recommend strategies that work. Most of the time they don’t really like it when we tell them they must spray with double the water volume at 5 o’clock in the morning but afterwards they usually admit that, if they followed the advice, the solution worked properly.
Jan Vanherck, Global Crop Manager, Vegetables, Soft Berries & Specialties.
Certis Belchim
Technical solutions
Weed control presents similar challenges. With bromoxynil withdrawn in 2020, Lentagran 45WP is now central to the strategy and our advisors work closely with growers and distributors to ensure it is used effectively: at the right dose, in the right combination, and at the right moment.
Precision and partnership
There is no room for error, and Damien and his distributor value our hands-on support and expertise, working alongside them in the field to test and refine solutions.
Down to earth support
Being “down to earth” means being practical, honest, in the field and focused on what really matters: helping growers to succeed. For us that involves long-term relationships, not short-term gains and that is why Certis Belchim continues to be a trusted partner in onion production.
