Progress report for ONC24-155
Project Information
Pest management and pollinator conservation are two perennial concerns in many specialty crop systems that are challenging to balance. Cucurbit crops such as squash, melons, and pumpkin are impacted by several severe insect pests, yet rely on insect pollination. A management system involving the use of full-season row covers used in concert with the behavior of native cucurbit bees, Peponapis pruinosa, has been explored experimentally and demonstrated as an effective way to produce yields with little to no insecticide usage (Minter and Bessin 2014). While the impact would provide economic, environmental, and societal benefits from reduction of chemical inputs, adoption by producers has not yet occurred. While the results have been published in academic writing and described in limited audience presentation settings, on-farm demonstrations under various conditions would be key to expanded adoption.
This project aims to increase adoption of season-long row covers in diverse cucurbit production farms by partnering with Ohio farmers to explore ways to adapt the approach on a variety of farm settings and management considerations. This will allow for expanded communication as well through field events, printed extension literature, and electronic media to be produced with input and direct involvement of agriculture professionals and partner farmers.
The specific aims of this project are to investigate and demonstrate the applicability of management tactics of using season-long row covers in cucurbit production through active partnership of agricultural professionals and production growers by:
- Providing active involvement and direct observation opportunities to farmers on their operations.
- Collecting economic return data from production farms in Appalachian and northwestern Ohio to extrapolate to the North Central region.
- Highlighting yield and input savings to interested parties though various modes of active and passive communication.
- Dissemination of knowledge through demonstration and direct education, print, and digital media.
Cooperators
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Research
Plots consisted of three rows of winter squash, each 50 ft long which were either covered with lightweight mesh row covers (ProtekNet) supported by 3 ft tall hoops, polypropylene fabric (Remay) row covers supported by 18 in tall wire hoops, or left open as controls. Further, the row middles were either treated with pre-emergent herbicides or seeded with Teff grass, Eragrostis tef, as a weed suppressing cover. No fungicides or insecticides were at OSU South Centers, one partner farm which is Organic, or on any covered plots, but commercial growers and NCARS sprayed open plots as typical for their operations.
At flowering, 25 native cucurbit bees, Eucera (Peponapis) pruinosa, were captured from nearby cucurbit fields while resting in closed flowers and transferred to a plastic bag. Any bycatch cucumber beetles were destroyed prior to released into each covered plot beneath the row covers.
All fruit were harvested and graded according to USDA standards.
Plant growth under the row covers was observed to be quicker and more vigorous, especially in early season. Squash bugs and cucumber beetles were often observed on the outside of the covers, unable to access the plants. Pollination by released squash bees under the covers appeared to be very good and evidence of nesting was observed. Powdery mildew and sunscald appeared to be less impact to plants under the covers. Results of plots covered with Remay and low hoops not reported here or included in statistical analysis.
Row covers generally worked well to keep pests from entering fields; Teff provided good weed suppression. Pollination appeared very good under covers using released squash bees. Plant growth and canopy establishment was much quicker under the row covers. Despite spaying of open plots, marketable yields were not distinguishable. On the organic partner farm, some varieties only produced marketable yields under this system.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
During the growing season, regular tours offered at OSU research station highlighted the project and discussed the on-farm components. Reports of all project activities were generated and published in the new ePLUS report, which is written for applied, grower audiences and available online and in print. Presentations of the data have also been made at commodity meetings in the fall and winter season. Two applied workshops which included demonstration tours and hands-on components were conducted during the growing season. Efforts are planned to continue in the coming season and lead to additional demonstrations and trials and well as outputs including a factsheet guide and journal publication.
Learning Outcomes
Use of row cover in pest exclusion
Understanding of native pollinators
Project Outcomes
The growers who participated have indicated they are encouraged by the results as it helps reduce pesticide cost, protects natural enemies and other beneficial on their farms, and reduces their exposure to chemicals. Other farmers have reached out to ask about participating this year on their farms to adopt the practices.
A partner vegetable farmer in northern Ohio said, "I have long been fascinated by new and innovative farming practices and the research that has led to them. The opportunity for my family and farm to be active participants in one such study has been both exciting and rewarding." Further, "I can’t tell you, how many customers I’ve told about it. I’ve explained the experiment, shown pictures and even brought people back to see it in person. Several people have bought squash just this past week because they wanted to have something that came out of it! Including a well known children’s author and his daughter, who would like to be a scientist someday! It has been a great privilege to be involved with this."