Mitigating and Eliminating the Impact of Aphids and White Moth Butterflies on Cabbages, Okra and Collards Using Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Project Overview

FNC22-1330
Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2022: $13,279.00
Projected End Date: 01/15/2024
Grant Recipient: SE Gardens and FArm
Region: North Central
State: Ohio
Project Coordinator:
Ava Johnson
SE Gardens and FArm

Commodities

  • Vegetables: cabbages, greens (leafy), okra

Practices

  • Pest Management: integrated pest management

    Proposal summary:

    SE Gardens and Farm, aka as "the farm" will conduct a controlled experiment in order to examine what mix of treatment will eradicate or mitigate the impact Aphids and the White Moth Butterfly have on cabbage, collard greens,  and okra. Farm labor has us Neem oil, BT and other beneficial insects but can't seem to can find a successful mix,. These are crops that the farm's indigenous customer base loves. Due to these infestations the farm has lost 65 to 855 of their yield. If the farm was able to successfully find the right combination of ecologically friendly practices this would bring crops to 75% of the r total production, and increase the ecological and financial sustainability as a farm business. Look for “hot spots” of aphid activity scattered throughout the field. Because of the spotty nature of infestations, look for aphids on a number of plants in several areas. 

    In order to find the integrated pest management system that works best, the farm will evaluate 1) soil, 2) number of plants that are infested;  3)the total yields and 4) total labor hours for each treatment including bed preparation, documenting, hosing and applying organic sprays or releasing of beneficial insects. 

     

    Project objectives from proposal:

    Identification, Mitigation and Eradication of the Impact of Aphids and White Moth Butterfly on Cabbages, Collards and Okra using Sustainable Agricultural Practices. Using a control study and 6 beds with fresh soil, the three crops will be planted to identify what practices work the best. 

    1)  Identify the infestation and type of pest;

    2)   Apply strong hosing on leaves.

    3)  Apply Combination of Neem oil and castile soap;  or BT

    4) A release of ladybugs and other beneficial insects

    5) Netting

    6) Check the soil before and after infestation; check the soil after treatment

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.