Managing insects and diseases in an organic high tunnel growers can be challenging both because of the high density of high-value that crops are often grown as we well as the extended cropping season that exists in hoophouses. In particular, continuous cropping and reduced soil rotation intervals can lead to increased pressure from root- and stem-infecting pathogens, commonly-referred to as soilborne diseases. Preventative control using crop rotation, resistant varieties, and an integrated pest management approach will add to the success of the high tunnel. Resources related to insect and disease control are shown here for organic high tunnel growers:
Introduction Soilborne diseases can be a major limitation to crop production, particularly for vegetables. They are often difficult to control, even with conventional strategies. Fungal, plasmodiophorid, oomycete, and bacterial pathogens, as well as viruses and plant parasitic nematodes, may all cause soilborne diseases. Important soilborne fungal pathogens are species of Fusarium (Fig. 1), Rhizoctonia (Fig….
An University of Vermont 2012 High Tunnel Conference Presentation by Paul and Sandy Arnold, Pleasant Valley Farm Organic Disease Control in High Tunnels
About the Webinar In this webinar, recorded on February 2, 2012, David Francis of Ohio State University shared research findings and experience from an integrated organic program (IOP) project that has been addressing the use of grafting for organic systems. Find additional eOrganic upcoming and recorded webinars at http://www.extension.org/pages/25242 About the Presenter David Francis is…
Researchers around the world have demonstrated that grafting can protect plants against a variety of soil-borne diseases in various climates and conditions. Grafting has been successfully implemented in many countries to battle diseases such as Verticillium and Fusarium wilt, corky root rot and bacterial wilt, among others. Along with maintaining high fruit quality, tomato grafting…
Introduction Production of tomatoes in greenhouses and high tunnels has increased in popularity significantly in the last decade. Both provide the option of off-season production and expansion of markets over traditional outdoor field systems. While greenhouse tomato culture tends to be very high-tech and capital-intensive, high tunnels expand the growing season in both spring and…
About the Webinar Learn about tomato grafting and how it can be utilized to manage diseases in organic open-field and high tunnel systems. Frank Louws of North Carolina State University and Cary Rivard of Kansas State University provide information regarding rootstock selection as well as the grafting procedure itself. This webinar was recorded in February,…
Summary: Previous work by the PI has shown that if combined with the fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bb), diatomaceous earth may increase the efficacy of the fungal pathogen by causing slight fractures in the insect‘s integument and thereby increasing fungal infections. It is also important to determine if one strain of Bb works better in warmer…
