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

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

Summary

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.

Objectives/Performance Targets

1. Evaluate products for organic control of insect pests, diseases, and weeds in blueberries

   Evaluate cover crop varieties for blueberry soils

   Effects cover crops and organic fertilizers on plant and soil health

   Develop guidelines for organic pest and nutrient management and disseminate findings

Accomplishments/Milestones

A 0.7-acre research planting was established at the Horticulture Research Farm at Michigan State University in East Lansing Michigan. In the summer of 2007, sulfur was applied to the plot to lower the pH.

There were two parts of the planting: a cover crop/nutrient management trial and a weed management trial. Cover crops (annual crimson clover, perennial alsike white clover, and cereal rye) were seeded in a replicated fashion in the fall of 2007.

In the spring of 2008, the following fertilizer treatments were applied as sub plots in the cover crop trial: McGeary’s Organic Fertilizer, Morgan’s Compost blend, and synthetic fertilizer. Plants (cv. Bluecrop) were planted in May 2008 and were mulched. The cover crops were retained in the row middles. Buffer rows were maintained between treatment rows. The rye was flattened with a roller-crimper in June 2008.

In the weed management trial, aged dairy manure was applied in spring 2008. Plants of cultivar Elliott were planted and the following treatments were applied: Control (hand-weeded, no mulch), 2) Perforated plastic mulch (white), 3) Woven weed barrier (black), 4) Wood/bark from MSU grounds, 5) Fresh wood chips, 6) Pine bark nuggets, 7) Wheat straw, 8) Spoiled grass hay, and 9) Burlap sacks. The outside rows were planted to several varieties for observation under organic management: Duke, Draper, Nelson, Liberty, and Jersey. On both sides of the plot, a native perennial wildflower buffer strip was established to attract beneficial insects. Soil samples have been taken on a weekly basis since May 12, 2008 to determine pH and nitrogen flux in each of the treatments. Root samples will also be taken in late August to determine mycorrhizal establishment and weed cover will be determined. At the end of the season, plant growth, health and nutrient status will be assessed.

An advisory meeting was held on August 19, 2007 at the Trevor Nichols Research Complex in Fennville, Michigan, with organic/transitional blueberry growers and growers interested in organic production, industry representatives, extension agents, specialists, and students. A total of 20 people attended. Input was obtained on research priorities (nutrient management, pest management) and what treatments should be included in the organic blueberry planting at the Horticulture Research Farm at Michigan State University. The meeting was helpful in guiding research activities and also in establishing contacts for future on-farm trials.

Jesse Sadowsky, a graduate student in the department of Plant Pathology compiled a literature review entitled: “Organic Production of Blueberries: A review.” It is 35 pages long and contains the following sections: Introduction, the northern highbush blueberry, blueberry production in Michigan, soil and nutrient management, irrigation, disease management, insect pest management, vertebrate pest management, weed management, cover crops, compost teas, soil biology, mycorrhizae, and current status of organic research in blueberries. In addition, it contains a list of Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI)-approved pesticides for blueberries. The literature review is part of Jesse Sadowsky’s Master’s thesis and will be made available on-line on the MSU Blueberry website (www.blueberries.edu).

• Fig. 2. Roller crimper flattening rye of organic blueberry plot
• Fig. 1. New organic blueberry planting showing cover crops.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

• The literature review of organic blueberry production as well as the meeting with organic/transitional blueberry growers and people interested in growing organic blueberries have helped guide MSU researchers in establishing the first organic blueberry research plot on the MSU campus as well as establish contacts for conducting on-farm trials. The new organic blueberry planting on the MSU campus will serve as the basis for experiments on pest and nutrient management in organic blueberries and as a training tool for growers and students in the MSU Organic Certificate Program. Results from the project will facilitate the transition to organic production to fulfill the demand for organic blueberries in the state and region, thus allowing Michigan producers to fill this unique marketing niche and provide consumers with locally produced organic fruit.

• Schilder, A., and Bingen, J. Organic training and research at Michigan State University. June 18, 2007, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Kopenhagen, Denmark.

  Schilder, A., and Bingen, J. Organic training and research at Michigan State University June 28, 2007, Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, Warsaw Agricultural University, Warsaw, Poland.

  Sadowsky, J. Organic blueberry production: What we know and need to learn. Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market Expo. December 10, 2007. Grand Rapids, MI.

  Sadowsky, J. and Schilder, A.: Current organic blueberry research at Michigan State University. Michigan’s Organic Agriculture Research Reporting Session. March 5, 2008. MSU, East Lansing, MI.

  Schilder, A., and Sadowsky, J. Organic blueberry production: challenges and opportunities. Michigan Organic Conference, March 1, 2008. MSU, East Lansing, MI.

  Sadowsky, J. Organic blueberry production: shifting the biological balance. Department of Plant Pathology Seminar. March 17, 2008. East Lansing, MI.

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