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

2009 Annual Report for LNC07-281

Project Type: Research and Education
Funds awarded in 2007: $149,991.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2010
Region: North Central
State: Michigan
Project Coordinator:
Dr. Annemiek Schilder
Michigan State University

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

Summary

Objectives/Performance Targets

Accomplishments/Milestones

Insect Infestation in Organic Planting

During fall 2009, bushes in the nutrition part of the organic blueberry planting were assessed for insect infestation. The main sources of infestation observed were the blueberry leafminer, Caloptilia porphyretica, and feeding from Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica. To assess their abundance in the different plots, three bushes per sub-plot were sampled, and the number of leaves infested with leafminer or damaged by Japanese beetle were counted. The number per sub-plot was averaged across the three bushes, and these counts were compared among cover crops and fertilization regimes using a two-way ANOVA.

Foliar feeding insects were not observed at a significantly higher frequency in any of the three nutrient management treatments. Blueberry leafminer and Japanese beetle abundance was variable across the planting, with some bushes having low infestation, whereas others had high levels, especially of the leafminer. Despite this, there was no significant difference among any of the treatments. Leafminer infestation was numerically higher in the compost blend treatment than the other treatments but there was no significant difference among these three treatments (P = 0.09). Low levels of infestation by Japanese beetles were observed at this planting, with an average of 2–3 injured leaves per bush and observations of higher leaf feeding at the edges of the planting. There was no significant difference among cover crops or among fertilization treatments in the level of Japanese beetle feeding injury. The numerically higher number of leafminers detected on blueberries fertilized with compost blend suggests that the leafminers may do better on plants with higher leaf nitrogen levels. The lack of observable differences in Japanese beetle feeding was not overly surprising given the small size of the experimental plots and the insect’s extremely mobile nature.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Collaborators:

Dr. Hao Jianjun

jjhao@msu.edu
Soilborne pathologist
Michigan State University
Department of Plant Pathology
612 Wilson Road Rm. 62, Plant Biology Lab
East Lansing, MI 48824
Office Phone: 5174323360
Dr. Matthew Grieshop

grieshop@msu.edu
Organic Pest Management Specialist
Michigan State University
Department of Entomology
578 Wilson Road, Rm 205
East Lansing, MI 48824
Office Phone: 5174328034
Dr. Eric Hanson

hansone@msu.edu
Small Fruit Horticulturist
Michigan State University
Department of Horticulture
338 Plant and Soil Sciences
East Lansing, MI 48824-1325
Office Phone: 5173555191
Dale Mutch

mutch@msu.edu
Cover Crop Specialist
Michigan State University
St. Joseph County Extension
612 E. Main St.
Centreville, MI 49032
Office Phone: 2694675511
Dr. Rufus Isaacs

isaacsr@msu.edu
Small Fruit Entomologist
Michigan State University
Department of Entomology
578 Wilson Road, Rm 202
East Lansing, MI 48824
Office Phone: 5173556619
Dr. Stuart Grandy

stuart.grandy@unh.edu
Assoc. Professor
University of New Hampshire
Natural Resources and the Environment
Soil Biogeochemistry & Fertility Lab, 114 James Hall
Durham, NH 03824
Office Phone: 6038621075