Experience Centre

suitable for groups of up to 15 visitors. In the case of bigger groups, the programme can be adapted in consultation. The Experience Centre may be visited by [...] natural pollination, come and visit the Koppert Experience Centre where you can take an interactive journey through the fascinating world of sustainable [...] you know that the vision of bumblebees differs vastly to that of humans and that we use that difference to provide our clients with the most effective

Fusarium spp.

This species is the only Fusarium that actually grows inside the vascular system of the host plant and spreads upwards inside the plants. The other species [...] towards the foot of the plant and enters the vascular system. Inside the vessels, the fungus produces mycelium and many spores (microconidia), which are [...] upwards. At the same time, the plant produces gum as a defence mechanism to stop the fungus from spreading. This gum blocks the xylem and causes the wilting

Damping-off

bulbs. At first, the plants recover during the night, but later the plants wilt irreversibly. In potted plants the flower buds fall off. The side roots rot [...] of the root system survives. On the border between air and soil or substrate the plant turns brown. A typical symptom of a Pythium infection is the easy [...] enable the spores to move through water. The zoospores are chemically drawn to the growing roots of young plants and move towards them through the soil water

Cottony soft rot

base and the roots, whereas the ascospores infect the above-ground plant parts. In greenhouses, usually only mycelium is produced by the germinating sclerotia [...] sclerotia. The fungus grows quite rapidly inside the plant and kills the host cells. On the infected plant tissue white, fluffy mycelium occurs with new [...] Damage symptoms The first symptoms of a cottony soft root ( Sclerotinia sclerotiorum ) infection are water-soaked lesions at the stem base. The plant above

Fusarium wilt

oxysporum is the only Fusarium that actually grows inside the vessel system of the host plant and spreads upwards inside the plants. The other species [...] Fusarium oxysporum is the species causing vascular wilt. First the leaves turn yellow and wilt, mostly on one side of the plant. Finally, the whole plant wilts [...] brown discolouration of the xylem vessels which can be seen when the stems are cut. In banana, whole plantations may die and the soil may not be suitable

Tobacco thrips

significant damage on fruit. The feeding activity of the thrips often leaves scars and blemishes on the fruit surface, which reduces the fruit's quality and m [...] pupa, and finally the adult insect. The eggs are laid in leaves, flower petals, and the soft parts of stalks. They are inserted into the plant tissue with [...] sheltered places on the plant. The prepupal and pupal instars can be recognized by their developing wing buds. Compared to the prepupa, the pupa has longer

Beetles

pupal instar before reaching the adult stage. Larvae have biting mouthparts and mostly feed on the same food as the adults. The pupae do not make a cocoon [...] ladybirds contribute to the control of aphids . Beetles undergo a complete metamorphosis, that is, the larvae do not resemble the adult at all, and must [...] already display many similarities with the adults. The adult beetles usually possess a pair of membranous wings beneath the wing covers. Many species are very

Bugs

their body when at rest. The wings overlap each other exposing the scutellum, a prominent triangular region of the thorax between the wing bases. This dis [...] consists of an egg, usually five nymphal instars and the adult insect. Several species of especially the families Miridae and Pentatomidae are found as pests [...] nutrients from them, resulting in deformations and puncture holes. The most obvious damage is the deformation of growing points. They also cause tissue damage

Tobacco whitefly

wings of the adult are already clearly visible. These pupae are found on the oldest leaves. The adult emerges from the pupa via a T-shaped fissure. The adult [...] adult. The larvae are found on the underside of young leaves and have an oval shape. The first instar larvae (crawlers) are mobile, whereas the rest of [...] of the larvae stadia remain flattened on the leaf. The fourth larva stadium develops into a yellow, almost circular so called pupa, in which the red eyes

Greenhouse whitefly

This is called the pupa stadium and these pupae are found on the oldest leaves. The adult emerges from the pupa via a T-shaped fissure. The adult whiteflies [...] of sucking out the sap from the plant leaves and secreting honeydew. This can have the following consequences: If the population is very large, feeding [...] influence the development of fruit and lead to a reduction in yield. The honeydew deposited on fruit makes it sticky. Dirt adheres to the fruit, and the growth