Economic analysis of pesticide use on greenhouse cucumber growing: A case study for TurkeyÖkonomische Analyse des Pflanzenschutzmitteleinsatzes im Unterglasanbau von Gurken: eine Fallstudie aus der Türkei

Pesticides are useful in controlling agricultural pests, but must be chemically updated over time as pests build resistance. The benefits of pesticides may be estimated in terms of avoided crop losses from pests, diseases and weeds. Farm-level costs include the costs of the pesticides, and their application. This study was conducted to analyse the farm-level economics of pesticide use on greenhouse cucumber production in Menderes, Turkey. Data was collected from 28 growers using the random sampling method. Results of the study showed that the pesticide treatment index of growers varied between 0.2 and 2.5 and the number of growers who used an overdose of pesticides was 17 (61%). The average usage per 1,000 m2 as active ingredient of insecticides, fungicides, acaricides, and nemati-cides in cucumber production were determined to be 29.34 g, 256.62 g, 3.34 g, and 1,528.14 g, respectively. Average pesticide and pesticide application costs were determined to be $ 150/1,000 m2. Average pesticide and pesticide application costs form 11.72% of variable costs and 9.53% of total costs, respectively. Breakeven yield was determined to be 1,875 kg/1,000 m2.