Plant protection in organic production of Brassica vegetables and oilseed rape

Growers of organic Brassica vegetables and oilseed rape face the same potentially severe plant protection problems as their colleagues in conventional or integrated pest management systems. Management strategies in organic systems rely on preventive measures, use of functional agro-biodiversity, release of biocontrol agents and a few approved pesticides of biological and mineral origin, as well as mating disruption or the use of fine-mesh netting to exclude pests. The methods used in organic production might also be applicable in IPM systems. This paper considers the methods used in organic Brassica vegetable and oilseed rape production, and discusses their potential and limitations in the context of their application in integrated pest and disease management strategies.