1234 Abstract—The main purpose of this study was to investigate perception of greenhouse vegetable growers regarding use of biological control practices during the growing season. The statistical population of the study included greenhouse vegetable growers in Jiroft county (N=1862). A sample of 137 vegetable growers was selected, using random sampling method. Data were collected via a questionnaire. The validity of the instrument was obtained by the faculty members of the Department of Agricultural Development and Management in the University of Tehran. Cronbach’s alpha was applied to estimate the reliability which showed a high reliability for the instrument. Data was analyzed using SPSS/Windows 13.5. The results revealed that greenhouse vegetable growers had moderate level of perception regarding biological control practices. Levels of vegetable growers’ perceptions regarding biological control practices were different on the basis of their academic qualifications as well as educational level and job. In addition, the results indicated that about 54.1% of variations in vegetable growers’ perceptions could be explained by variables such as awareness of biological control practices, knowledge on pests, annual production and age. Keywords—Greenhouse, biological control, biological agents, perception, vegetable grower. I. INTRODUCTION SE of pesticides in crop production has expanded rapidly worldwide since the 1950s [1] and farmers have depended principally on chemical technologies to cope with pests and create profits in their enterprises [2]. Consequently, emergence of pest resistance to pesticides is one of the major negative aspects of pesticide application, compound by a widespread claim that chemicals are harmful to human health and the environment [3]-[5]. The necessity of an ecological- friendly farming system coupled with consumers’ desire for food free from synthetic chemicals has made Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as a scientific paradigm in producing safe food [6]. IPM refers to the management of pests by applying different pest control practices [7]. Biological control techniques attract increasing attention as one of the sustainable alternatives to pesticide use in IPM programs [8]. Biological Control (BC) is based on the use of natural enemies of pests, Hossein Shabanali Fami is Associate Professor, Faculty of Agril. Econ. & Dev., University of Tehran, Iran(e-mail: hfami@ut.ac.ir). Omid Sharifi is PhD scholar of Agricultural Development, Faculty of Agril. Econ. & Dev., University of Tehran. Javad Ghasemi and Mahtab Pouratashi are PhD graduates of Agricultural Education, Faculty of Agril. Econ. & Dev., University of Tehran. Mona Sadat Moghadasian is PhD graduate of Plant Pathology, University of Tehran. often referred to as BC agents. These are predators and parasitoids of invertebrate pests, and herbivores attacking weed pests [9] to reduce the pests’ density and damage to a level lower than would occur in their absence [10]. Decisions on pest control practices including BC are quite subjective and may depend on several characteristics of farmers, including personal beliefs, perceptions, and preferences [11]. Reference [12] found that age, educational level, extension workshops, and video programs had positive and significant correlation with adoption of Trichogramma wasp for BC by farmers. Reference [13] found that income and educational level influenced willingness to use BC. The importance of educational level on adoption of IPM technologies including BC had been cited in previous works [14], [15]. High levels of knowledge about pest and IPM practices had a positive relationship with levels of IPM practices adoption by farmers [16], [17]. Reference [18] indicated that farmers’ awareness toward effectiveness of biocontrol agents had positive relationship with farmers’ confidence of BC. Land size, annual income, utilization patterns and knowledge of farmers were positively and significantly correlated with level of technology adoption [19]. Level of IPM technologies adoption among farmers who had participated in extension activities and FFS programs was more than farmers who had not participated [20]-[23]. Reference [24] found that the level of adoption of technology was poor because of the poor frequency of extension contact that would have enhanced the adoption of the innovation. Greenhouse crop production is now a growing reality throughout the world with an estimated 405 000 ha of greenhouses spread over all the continents. The degree of sophistication and technology depends on local climatic conditions and the socio-economic environment. During the last 20 years, countries in the Mediterranean climate area have become increasingly competitive producers of greenhouse vegetables. During this time, there has been a revolution in greenhouse production technology [25]. The world greenhouse area is estimated at approximately 310,000 ha. Vegetable crops are grown in about 65% of greenhouses, and ornamentals in the remaining 35%. Since 1981, the surface areas with greenhouse have increased more than 100%, with an increase of 4.4% per year [26]. Greenhouse production has great importance in Iran, and greenhouse crops are currently grown on 6158 ha mainly in southern and central parts of Iran. The greenhouse area allocated to vegetables is about 3483 ha of which 1150 ha is concentrated in Jiroft county-mainly Perceptions of Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Regarding Use of Biological Control Practices: A Case Study in Jiroft County, Iran Hossein Shabanali Fami, Omid Sharifi, Javad Ghasemi, Mahtab Pouratashi, Mona Sadat Moghadasian U World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology International Journal of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Vol:10, No:7, 2016 416 International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 10(7) 2016 scholar.waset.org/1307-6892/10004909 International Science Index, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Vol:10, No:7, 2016 waset.org/Publication/10004909