Biological Control Agents on 94 Percent of Greenhouse Horticulture Area
Statistics Netherlands | CBS
Source published: 12 February 26
Biological Control Agents on 94 Percent of Greenhouse Horticulture Area
In 2024, biological control agents were used on 94 percent of the greenhouse horticulture area against pests. This article describes the increase in the use of various biological control agents and microbiological agents.
In 2024, biological control agents were used on 94 percent of the greenhouse horticulture area against pests. This is comparable to 2020. However, various types of biological control agents were used on a larger part of the area. For example, the area where predatory mites and predatory thrips were used increased from 69 percent in 2020 to 84 percent in 2024. In addition, microbiological agents, such as bacteria, are used against pest insects on two-thirds of the greenhouse horticulture area. This is evident from provisional figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
Growers of cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, strawberries, gerberas, chrysanthemums, roses, flowering potted plants, and foliage plants were asked about the use of biological control agents against pests. About half of the growers in greenhouse horticulture cultivate one of these crops, which together make up 70 percent of the total greenhouse horticulture area. The total greenhouse horticulture area amounts to 10 thousand hectares.
In addition to predatory mites and predatory thrips, other biological control agents such as parasitic wasps and gall midges, and predatory bugs, flies, and beetles were used on a larger part of the area than four years earlier. The area where nematodes are used is the lowest at 12 percent.
2020
2016
2012
% of area
¹⁾ multiple biological control agents can be used simultaneously
* provisional figures
Biological control agents on most greenhouse crops
For most crops in greenhouse horticulture, biological control agents are used on more than 95 percent of the area against pest insects and spider mites. For the cultivation of cucumbers and tomatoes, these have been used on almost the entire cultivation area since 2020. For flowering potted plants and foliage plants, this percentage is lower but still well above 75 percent.
2020
% of area
* provisional figures
Strongest increase in use of predatory mites in tomato cultivation
The area where predatory mites and predatory thrips are used increased most strongly in tomato cultivation: from 18 percent in 2020 to 66 percent in 2024. Parasitic wasps and gall midges are mainly used more in the cultivation of flowering potted plants (from 29 percent to 45 percent). There is also a strong increase in chrysanthemums, from 68 percent to 82 percent.
The area where predatory bugs, predatory beetles, lacewings, and hoverflies are used increased most in chrysanthemum cultivation: from 10 percent to 44 percent.
Microbiological agents on more than two-thirds of area
In addition to biological control agents, microbiological agents such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses are a more sustainable alternative to chemical agents in insect control. These agents are used on 67 percent of the greenhouse horticulture area against insects. The use of these agents is highest in the cultivation of gerberas, namely on 90 percent of the area. In cucumber cultivation, microbiological agents are used the least (50 percent).
* provisional figures
Outside greenhouse horticulture, microbiological agents are used less for insect control. This is evident from research into the use of microbiological agents among 44 agricultural crops. In arable farming, use is lowest. In the cultivation of apples, pears, avenue and park trees (such as chestnut, birch, and Japanese cherry), and the cultivation of fruit trees, the use of these agents ranges between 10 and 25 percent of the area.
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