Alongside the quality of our fruit, food safety and environmental sustainability are Frutas Tereso's main concerns. That is why our orchards are certified under the Integrated Production Method (MPI), a sustainable production method that prioritizes the use of techniques that naturally limit crop pests and, consequently, reduces the use of plant protection products.

Being MPI certified makes us think about the ecosystem as a whole and, in the presence of a pest or disease, make a risk/benefit assessment of all available options.

In one of our orchards, where we have Oronules Clementines, the presence of red spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) was identified, considered a key pest in this variety of citrus fruit.

Knowing that there is a predatory mite in nature that preys on this spider mite and that this pest is extremely resistant to authorized active substances, we decided to release A. californicus in order to enrich the natural fauna of our orchard and combat this enemy naturally. A. californicus “does not see, but uses touch and smell to locate its prey,” thus ensuring greater specificity of action.

The company we chose to work with on this project was Koppert, which delivered the insects to us in aluminum-coated sachets containing a food substrate. Each sachet contains 125 insects, but considering the properties associated with this packaging, there is the potential to reach a thousand individuals.

thumbnail_largada-ácaros_II.jpg

largada-ácaros_II.jpg

In this way, we hope to reduce the red spider mite population to tolerable levels and continue to deliver a high-quality, safe, and sustainable product to our customers and consumers.

large_DSCF0572.jpg

medium_DSCF0572.jpg

small_DSCF0572.jpg

thumbnail_DSCF0572.jpg

DSCF0572.jpg

At Frutas Tereso, we promote grass cover in our orchards as a way of protecting the soil and water. This technique is based on maintaining spontaneous vegetation (resident flora) in the space between rows, which we only trim when necessary.

Grassing improves soil structure and quality and contributes to its protection and conservation, as the presence of vegetation prevents soil erosion and runoff by water and wind. It also contributes to greater biodiversity in our orchards, as this vegetation provides a home for various beneficial insects that are a great help in combating some citrus pests. For example, thanks to grass cover, we no longer need to apply phytopharmaceutical treatments to control lice, leaf miners, and whiteflies, as the insects help us do this work!

On the other hand, the earthworms that live in the soil drag plant and insect remains and other debris into the tunnels they build in the soil, thus playing an important role in maintaining soil fertility. The work of these small animals also contributes to the aeration and penetration of water and nutrients into deeper layers of the soil.

All of this also allows us to use water more efficiently, as we ensure greater infiltration into the soil and reduce losses through evaporation.

 

#frutastereso #lotedodiatodososdias #algarve #citrinosdoalgarve #sustainability #biodiversity

thumbnail_enrelvamento.webp

enrelvamento.webp

Although oranges are our star product, lemons are another fruit in our portfolio that is also very popular.

The Eureka lemon is the variety we sell because it flowers several times a year and therefore produces fruit throughout the year. The trees are medium in size, with few thorns and sparse foliage. The lemons are typically medium to large in size, with very juicy pulp and green or yellow skin that is medium in thickness and generally smooth in texture. Their acidic flavor makes them versatile in cooking.

thumbnail_TP_F_FRUTASTERESO_FEV24_E83.webp

TP_F_FRUTASTERESO_FEV24_E83.webp

In 2018, we increased our lemon production area. We now have more than 4.5 hectares of land with sandy loam or loamy sand soils, i.e., soils with acidic characteristics. These characteristics of our land, combined with high sun exposure and the absence of frost, are ideal requirements for this crop and favorable for its growth in the Algarve. It just goes to show that the Algarve doesn't live on oranges alone... eureka!

#frutastereso #lotedodiatodososdias #algarve #limão #eureka #limaoeureka #diversidade #bom dia #bonjour #goodmorning

thumbnail_TP_F_FRUTASTERESO_FEV24_E70.webp

TP_F_FRUTASTERESO_FEV24_E70.webp

Did you know that trees use solar energy and, during photosynthesis, capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air and water in the soil?

Yes, in addition to removing this gas from the atmosphere, trees also contribute to the removal of significant amounts of CO2 from the soil, which results in the purification of groundwater.

Inside trees, CO2 is transformed and released in the form of oxygen during the growth (wood production) of trees. This release is most intensive during the first six years of a tree's life.

This work carried out by trees is fundamental to combating climate change and for the existence of life on earth, because in addition to allowing us to breathe, trees provide us with food and raw materials and contribute to the maintenance of biodiversity.

medium_DSCF2356 2.webp

small_DSCF2356 2.webp

thumbnail_DSCF2356 2.webp

DSCF2356 2.webp

At Frutas Tereso, we take care of our trees every day. We take care of them, our orchards, and they take care of us.

There are thousands of trees in our orchards. They are already part of our landscape, our Algarve, and our family, which has given them the nickname “Frutas Tereso” since the 1980s.

We are grateful to Mother Nature.

#worldtreeday #sustainability #biodiversity #frutastereso #goodmorning #bonjour #goodmorning #lotedodiatododosdias #algarve #citrinosdoalgarve