Advancing onion thrips management and production in onion in the Northeast by improving soil fertility programs

Advancing onion thrips management and production in onion in the Northeast by improving soil fertility programs

Summary

Project has not started, will begin in March 2017.

Objectives/Performance Targets

The long-term goal of this project is to decrease insecticide and fertilizer inputs without compromising bulb yield, and supply growers with complementary agricultural practices that will decrease onion thrips infestations in onion. To achieve this long-term goal I propose the following objectives:

1) Develop a nitrogen fertility plan that reduces onion thrips densities in onion.                                                                                                           

1. a) Evaluate reduced rates of nitrogen fertilizer and different application timings of nitrogen fertilizer on onion thrips densities, damage, and bulb yield in onion in a field study.
2. b) Evaluate reduced rates of nitrogen fertilizer and different application timings of nitrogen fertilizer on onion thrips reproduction and feeding levels in onion in a controlled no-choice experiment in the greenhouse.

2) Develop a phosphorus fertility plan that reduces onion thrips densities in onion.                                                                                                           

1. a) Evaluate reduced rates of phosphorus fertilizer on onion thrips densities, damage, and bulb yield in onion in a field study.
2. b) Evaluate reduced rates of phosphorus fertilizer on onion thrips reproduction and feeding levels in onion in a controlled no-choice experiment in the greenhouse.

3) Disseminate research results to Northeastern onion growers.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Project has not started. No accomplishments or milestones to report. 

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Project has not started. No Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes to report. 

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