Testverfahren zur Einschätzung des Befallsrisikos komposthaltiger Pflanzsubstrate durch Trauermücken (Sciaridae)

Summary

Growing media for organic farming are increasingly attacked by fungus gnats (Sciaridae) because of their increased microbial activity. Within this study a new method was developed to assess the level of infestation of growing media by the fungus gnat Bradysia difformis (Frey, 1948). The method is based on a comparison of any growing media with two standard substrates. The test method provides the ability to classify growing media in infestation risk classes (low, medium, high) and to test suitable additives, pesticides and bio-control organisms on the fungus gnat infestation.