Optimizing Row Covers and Perimeter Trap Crops for Cucurbit Pest Management

Optimizing Row Covers and Perimeter Trap Crops for Cucurbit Pest Management

Summary

Strategy 1 ROW COVERS IN ORGANIC MELONS
Iowa
Cucumber beetles did not enter the plot until early July. Low frequency of bacterial wilt was detected (11 of 240 plants) fairly late in the growing season (July 21) and did not affect yield (P>0.05). However, row cover treatments which delayed removal until ten days after anthesis had lower numbers of wilt later in the season (Fig 1). Earliness and yield were not enhanced by row covers this season (P>0.05. (Fig 1) In addition to the lack of bacterial wilt, this may have been related to the absence of severe weather early in the growing season where row covers can offer protection to the young transplants. Row cover treatments suggested that pollinators were accessing the flowers under the row covers through the open ends (Fig 1).

Ohio
Non-covered plots had higher numbers of marketable fruit than all three row-cover treatments. Bacterial wilt disease did not appear in the Ohio plots. Alternaria leaf spot severity was significantly lower in plots covered with row covers than in the non-covered control plots, but there were no significant differences among covered and non-covered plots 7 days later (23 Aug). The area under disease progress curve was significantly less in plots covered with row covers (Table 1).

Strategy 2 PERIMETER TRAP CROPPING
In conventional melons, perimeter trap cropping saved 1(Ohio) and 4 (Iowa) insecticide sprays to the main melon crop, in comparison to the no PTC control (Fig 2). In Iowa, the incidence of bacterial wilt in the plots surrounded by winter squash was less compared to those melon plots surrounded by grass (Table 2).

• Table 1. Effect of row cover treatment on Alternaria leaf spot of muskmelon
• Table 2. Summary of muskmelon producation using perimeter trap cropping (PTC). Values are means of 4 replicated plots in Iowa.
• Fig. 1 Effect of row cover treatment on percent bacterial wilt (left) and melon yield (right)

Objectives/Performance Targets

Replicated trials for row covers and perimeter trap crops were performed in Ohio and Iowa during the 2011 growing season. Annual reports from Iowa are attached.

An economic analysis will be conducted after year 2.

Communication efforts are described under accomplishments and milestones.

• Organic row cover Iowa report
• Perimeter trap crop Iowa 2011 report

Accomplishments/Milestones

• Field days were conducted in Iowa on July 20 and in Ohio. Field handout from Iowa is attached.
  Presentations were made to Iowa Fruit and Vegetable growers and to the Great Lakes Regional Fruit and Vegetable Growers in January and December, respectively. Iowa and Ohio Presentations are attached.
  Six on-farm trials were conducted (see attached annual report from Iowa).

• Annual report of on-farm cooperator trials in Iowa
• Iowa State field day handout
• Iowa Fruit and vegetable Grower presentation
• Grower presentation from Ohio

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Outcomes will be presented after second year of field trials.

Collaborators: