Thrips are a virus-transmitting pest that wreak havoc in greenhouses, causing problems for both organic and conventional growers. The treatment that combined a granular fungal treatment and predatory mites with marigold "guardian plants" appeared to suppress thrips more effectively than marigolds with predatory mites alone.
This project was done in a commercial greenhouse where natural build-up of thrips was expected; however thrip levels stayed low to medium throughout the experiment, not allowing the system to be tested under high levels of pressure.
Related Grant:
Outcome PDF:
