Developing pest management guidelines for organic production of highbush blueberries in the North Central Region

View the project final report

• 2008 annual report
• 2009 annual report

Commodities

• Fruits: berries (blueberries)

Practices

• Crop Production: cover crops, organic fertilizers, tissue analysis
• Education and Training: demonstration, on-farm/ranch research, workshop
• Pest Management: biological control, chemical control, compost extracts, cultural control, field monitoring/scouting, genetic resistance, integrated pest management, mulches - killed, physical control, mulching - plastic, mulching - vegetative
• Production Systems: transitioning to organic
• Soil Management: soil analysis, nutrient mineralization, soil microbiology, organic matter, soil quality/health

Demand for blueberries has increased worldwide due to their human health benefits. Michigan is the top blueberry-producing state in the U.S. with over 18,000 acres in production. Despite the fact that the current demand for organic blueberries well exceeds the supply, few growers in the North Central Region produce organic blueberries due to a complex of weeds, pests, and diseases, some of which have a zero tolerance and few or no effective organic solutions. The region is at risk of losing this unique marketing niche, favoring long-distance importation of organic blueberries from other regions or countries over local production. This project will address key pest constraints in highbush blueberries which limit the transition to organic production, while also addressing nutritional needs. In this 3-year project we will: 1) Evaluate products for organic control of insects, diseases, and weeds in blueberries, 2) Evaluate cover crop varieties for blueberry soils, 3) Determine effects of cover crops and organic fertilizers on plant and soil health, and 4) Develop guidelines for organic pest and nutrient management and disseminate findings. The project will be conducted in collaboration with blueberry farmers and an advisory panel of growers, extension agents, and consultants, and representatives of non-profit organizations that support sustainable agriculture to help guide research and outreach efforts. The expected outcomes are increased grower knowledge, skills, and confidence in organic pest management, facilitating the transition to organic production to fulfill the demand for organic blueberries in the region.

1) Evaluate products for organic control of insects, diseases, and weeds in blueberries
2) Evaluate cover crop varieties for blueberry soils
3) Determine effects of cover crops and organic fertilizers on plant and soil health
4) Develop guidelines for organic pest and nutrient management and disseminate findings.

• Graduate student Jesse Sadowsky in organic blueberry plot; note rye cover crop and jute bags for weed control.