Fighting aphids on beets in France

Recent developments, particularly regulatory, have led farmers to rethink their cropping systems and their technical itineraries in order to overcome the agronomic difficulties encountered. Varietal innovation, technicality, digitalization and advanced agronomic practices have become essential tools for farmers. The neonicotinoid ban is no exception. It has made the fight against aphids, especially in beet cultivation, complex and often less effective. Indeed, aphids are vectors of viral yellows which cause considerable damage in beet cultivation, with a direct impact on production and yields. With the ban on neonicotinoids, it is now strongly recommended to supplement or replace seed treatments with new treatments in vegetation, accompanied by prophylactic actions (example: management of digging to limit virus reservoirs at sowing). These developments have created new challenges for farmers. It is particularly difficult for them to know when to best position the treatments, and ...