With Xsect, Santo Domingo in Guanajuato achieved affective control of tomato psyllids and thrips, strengthening its tomato production
Located in San Francisco del Rincón, Guanajuato, Agrícola Santo Domingo is a 100% Mexican, family-owned company with more than 80 years of history in agricultural production. Fifteen years ago, the company expanded into greenhouse tomato production for export to the United States.
Today, the project has 3 tomato varieties: Beef, Roma, and Grape, grown in mid-tech greenhouses in a region that presents significant phytosanitary challenges.
Santo Domingo, Guanajuato, México
Grower: Cynthia Garza
Company: Agrícola Santo Domingo
Crop: Beef, Roma & Grape tomatoes for export (USA)
Location: San Francisco del Rincón, Guanajuato, Mexico
Climate Challenge: High incidence of tomato psyllids & thrips and chemical use restrictions
Solution: Xsect Balance in roof vents, Xsect Xtra in front and side vents & Harmony 5120 OE shading screens installed in selected aisles
The Challenge: High pest pressure in a complex region
The greenhouse location represents a constant challenge due to its proximity to areas where potatoes and onions are grown, generating high pest pressure, especially from tomato psyllids (Bactericera cockerelli) and thrips, two of the main risks for tomato production.
In addition, restrictions on chemical use due to export requirements made it essential to find a preventive solution capable of protecting the crop without compromising greenhouse ventilation.
"We even lost entire tunnels due to severe psyllid and thrips attacks. If you have an infection hotspot, even if you replant, you lose it again, and that translates into constant production and economic losses," says Cynthia Garza, Production Manager at Santo Domingo.
The Solution: A customized protection strategy
After conducting a technical analysis with the support of Svensson’s tools, the Santo Domingo team was able to compare different nets and understand their real performance in terms of airflow and pest exclusion, allowing them to make a data based decision.
Based on these evaluations, they decided to implement a pest exclusion strategy adapted to the specific needs of each greenhouse.
With the support of Héctor Parra, Svensson Climate Consultant, a zone based solution was designed:
- Xsect Balance nets in roof vents, to improve ventilation
- Xsect Xtra nets in front and side areas, where thrips pressure was higher
"We needed a net that would protect us from thrips without restricting ventilation, and the recommendation was tailored to each greenhouse zone," explains Cynthia.
In addition to Xsect nets, Harmony 5120 OE shading screens were installed in selected aisles, compared to traditional shade screens, the team perceives a cooler climate contributing to better working conditions for staff and for the crop.
Results: Reduced pest pressure and improved production
Since the installation of Xsect nets, the benefits have been clear, especially in the areas with the highest pest pressure:
- A significant reduction in thrips entry, even in one of the most vulnerable zones
- Effective control of tomato psyllids, preventing losses and the formation of infection hotspots inside the greenhouse
- Fewer corrective interventions, particularly additional chemical control applications, resulting in more stable, predictable, and efficient crop management
- Healthier plants, with less stress and better growing conditions
From the plant health department, Blanca Marlen Oliva, Plant Health Manager at Santo Domingo, highlights that the reduction in pest entry has allowed the team to work more preventively, avoiding intensive applications and reducing stress on both the plants and daily operations.
“By reducing pest entry, we no longer need intensive applications. We can work more preventively, and that also reduces plant stress.” Blanca Marlen Oliva, Plant Health Manager at Santo Domingo.
Cynthia also adds: "Today, you walk into the greenhouse and see a healthy crop, without finding diseased plant after diseased plant. That gives you peace of mind."
Beyond the technology , Santo Domingo emphasizes the close relationship with Svensson and the support provided from the initial evaluation through the installation of the nets.
This support has given them the confidence to continue investing and strengthening their protection strategy, particularly in the greenhouses most exposed to psyllid and thrips pressure.
Cynthia also shares the following recommendation for other growers: test, measure, and scale.
“I would tell them to try the technology. It may seem like a significant investment, but when you calculate the cost-benefit and see the results, it’s worth it,” Cynthia says.
Technology that builds confidence
For Santo Domingo, installing Svensson’s Xsect nets represents science applied in the field, an investment that protects the crop from the beginning of the cycle and provides greater certainty to the technical team.
"The nets worked so well that last year we decided to purchase more," concludes Cynthia.
At Svensson, we thank the entire team of Santo Domingo for their trust and for allowing us to be part of their project. We look forward to continuing to strengthen this partnership and developing solutions that help growers face their climate challenges with confidence.
