HOWELL, Mich. — Fungus gnats are an annoyance above the growing media, but the real damage happens underneath. Larvae feed on roots just as they are taking shape, stunting young plants before they have a chance to establish. The wounds they leave behind are an open door: Koppert’s experts note that larval feeding creates entry points for root pathogens, and adult flies can carry disease from pot to pot. Young, constantly moist plants are the most exposed, which describes nearly everything in a propagation house.
Koppert encourages growers to deploy a fungus gnat IPM program now. Fall is an excellent time to dial it in, and prevention starts with two Koppert products: Entonem and Isarid™.
Entonem Kills Fungus Gnat Larvae
Entonem is a beneficial nematode (Steinernema feltiae) that goes after fungus gnat larvae where they live, in the growing media. Because the nematodes are applied in the root zone, they work exactly where the larvae feed.
Repeat drenches keep the larvae from building back up, and a regular rhythm of applications is the heart of a nematode program. It fits easily into an irrigation routine.
Entonem also targets thrips pupae, so a fungus gnat program can do double duty against other pests. Koppert makes an OMRI certificate available for organic operations.
Isarid Suppresses Many Soft-Bodied Pests
Isarid is a biological insecticide based on the beneficial fungus Isaria fumosorosea (strain FE 9901). It suppresses fungus gnats along with whiteflies, aphids, thrips, mealybugs, and a long list of other pests, so one product supports the whole propagation house. With biological controls, growers have little concern about resistance development.
Isarid carries EPA Reg. No. 89635-5, holds an OMRI listing, and has a zero-day pre-harvest interval. It is a wettable powder that can be tank-mixed, and it performs best when relative humidity is at least 50 percent, easy to meet in a propagation environment. Koppert recommends it for young plants, and Isarid is a core part of their spring annuals IPM programs. Labels and safety data sheets for the 2lb tub and the 10lb tub are posted on the website.
Strengthen the Roots, Too
Controlling fungus gnats clears one threat to young roots. Koppert also offers two products that strengthen the plant from below, and its fall potting recommendations highlight both:
• Microflora-SA feeds young plants with a proprietary blend of Bacillus species (B. subtilisand B. amyloliquefaciens), much like a probiotic yogurt for the root zone. Growers can apply it as a drench or spray.
• Trianum®-P arms plant roots with a beneficial fungus (Trichoderma harzianum strain T-22) that grows with them. Growers apply it at transplant or through the irrigation system, and it colonizes the root surface so that root pathogens such as Pythium, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium have a harder time entering. Koppert posts label information on its website.
Growers planning ahead for the coming season can also look to Koppert’s other IPM solutions. These include predatory mites for fall and winter prevention that stay active at cooler temperatures, and working solutions for Thrips parvispinus in tropical crops.
Backed by a National Network of Technical Advisors
Koppert products are backed by a national network of technical advisors who explain both the science and the field techniques behind successful deployments, from drench timing and tank-mix questions to program design for a specific crop and facility. Growers who want a second set of eyes can ask for a program review before the season starts. Configuration questions? Contact the Koppert technical advisors. They have the answers and their support is free to customers.
To learn more about Koppert’s technical services, visit KoppertUS.com, or contact Koppert Biological Systems, Inc. at 1502 Old US-23, Howell, MI 48843, +1 (800) 928-8827, or info@koppertonline.com.
Product availability and registration vary by state; the fungus gnat claim for Isarid is not registered for use in California. Use only products permitted in your state and crop, and always read and follow the label.
About Koppert
Koppert began in 1967 and offers biological crop protection, pollination, and plant health solutions to growers in more than 100 countries.
