IPM applications on protected vegetable crops in Sicily

Protected vegetable crops are largely developed in Sicily, especially in the south-eastern part of the island, where Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae are mainly grown, mostly under cold plastic-houses. Damage caused by pests (especially Nematodes, Mites and Insects) is conspicuous on these crops and their control involves great efforts. Against these pests, chemical applications with wide spectrum pesticides, which pest control was mainly based on until a few decades ago, have been significantly reduced recently, giving a larger ground to the implementation of rational and ecologically healthy methods, included within an IPM context. Thus, biological control (mostly by using parasitoids and predators) as well as cultural (i.e. diffusion of tolerant or resistant varieties), physical (traps, nets, screens, mulches etc.) or selective chemical (natural pesticides) control are providing at present satisfactory possibilities of pests reduction on local protected vegetable crops, while protecting the environment and limiting pesticides residues on yield.