Action Thresholds for Desert Produce Crops

In leafy vegetables, insecticides play an essential role in preventing crop losses and satisfying market demands for cosmetically clean and insect free produce. Fortunately, PCAs have access to numerous insecticides that provide reliable control of key insect pests such as Lepidopterous larvae, aphids, thrips, and whiteflies.
However, insecticides should only be applied when necessary. It is essential to first use a combination of all available IPM tools to prevent pests from damaging the crop. When commonly used cultural, physical, and biological control practices fail to adequately protect the crop, an insecticide application is required. Application timing should be based on a locally developed Action Threshold (AT).