Archive Article: 2001/10/26

26 October 2001

Veg pests dont like

a whiff of garlic

Garlic is likely to be in extra demand to ward off vampires, ghosts and other nasties this Halloween. But who would have thought it could ward off pests of vegetable farming too?

As the approved use of organo-phosphate insecticides in brassicas draws to a close, growers are turning to a novel garlic preparation instead. In field tests it offers comparable control and retailers like the idea.

But, while it awaits approval from the Pesticides Safety Directorate, the product can be used only as a nutrient. The granting of full approval should receive top priority to ensure growers are not prevented from controlling pests next season.