Croatian Farmers Test Sustainable Pest Management in Potato Fields

A field demonstration on sustainable pest control was held near Belica in Croatia, coordinated by officials Suzana Pajić and Milorad Šubić. The trial involved market‑grade potato producers testing integrated protection measures, including crop rotation, inter‑rows, specific sowing dates, seed fractions (35/55), and the use of foliar bio‑fertilizers. Weed control relied on pre‑emergence herbicides such as pendimethalin, metobromuron and clomazone.

The experiment was conducted under unusually dry and warm conditions in early spring 2026, with only 9.8 mm of rainfall recorded between 1 April and 11 May and night temperatures staying around 20 °C. These weather extremes affected plant emergence, with some varieties showing up to 50 % failure to sprout. The demonstration aimed to showcase non‑chemical and climate‑resilient practices for preserving soil fertility and reducing reliance on harmful pesticides in potato cultivation.