Greenhouse IPM for the Amish and Mennonite community of Lancaster County

Greenhouse IPM for the Amish and Mennonite community of Lancaster County

Summary

Six vegetable and seven bedding plant growers were taught various IPM techniques including insect recognition on sticky cards, plant inspection for insect damage and disease development, recommendations for using natural enemies and reduced-risk pesticides such as insect growth regulators, soaps, oils, and target-specific insecticides. Growers were given information for study and reference on developing an IPM program in their operations and implementing biological controls to replace the use of traditional pesticides.

The development of IPM programs for these growers has resulted in decreased pest problems and reduced pesticide usage. Learning scouting techniques has helped to improve crop quality and greenhouse profitability while providing a safer working environment for family members and employees. Introducing biological controls in place of spray applications has provided alternative control methods for insecticide resistant pests.

Growers reported these benefits:

Reduced grower/worker exposure to pesticides, safer working environment.

No re-entry interval restrictions when using biological control methods and shorter REI when using reduced risk compounds.

Objectives/Performance Targets

By the end of year 1, ten growers will have learned techniques for identification of major greenhouse pests, and will have also learned their life cycles. Traditional pesticide use will be reduced by at least 50 percent and be replaced with IPM techniques, emphasizing biological control. Growers will also learn to integrate compatible pesticides with biocontrol agents. In vegetable houses, growers will be encouraged to use bumble bees for pollination leading to increased yield, quality and thereby profitability.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Milestone 1
We will interview and recruit five growers for the greenhouse IPM program through contacts from Jeff Stoltzfus.

This project was initiated in February, 2004 with visitation to growers in Lancaster County that were interested in developing IPM programs for their greenhouse operations.

The names of these growers were acquired through Jeff Stoltzfus the local adult farmer advisor. On March 1, 2004, Wade Esbenshade was hired as a greenhouse IPM crop consultant to complete the project objectives.

Three vegetable growers were taught how to monitor the effectiveness of the biological controls after being introduced into the crop. Having a pesticide-free environment allowed for the introduction of bumble bees to pollinate vegetable crops, replacing the mechanical vibration method. All of the growers felt that pest control was acceptable using biological control and in most cases control was more effective than using a traditional insecticide. Many of the growers commented on the “worker safety” aspect and felt that the greenhouses were a safer working environment for their children and other workers. The cost of using the biological control was comparable to a chemical program. Several growers generated greater profits marketing their vegetables as “pesticide free” and tomato shape and quality were improved.

These vegetable growers were successful in implementing biological controls for control of aphids, whiteflies and spider mites. The parasitoids Encarsia formosa and Eretmocerus eremicus were used to control Greenhouse whitefly the most economic pest in greenhouse tomato production. Aphidius ervi, parasitoid wasp was introduced to control potato aphid and the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis was introduced for Two-spotted spider mite control.

Biolological fungicides were used for prevention of root diseases and foliar pathogens. Trichoderma harzianum, (Rootshield) provides a natural, long lasting control of root and foliar diseases. Greenhouse vegetable growers have few chemical alternatives for controlling plant diseases.

Bedding and potted plants

Two bedding plant growers realized benefits through weekly scouting, learning pest life cycles and spraying at appropriate times for effective pest control. Weekly visits began with growers on February 1, 2004. Controlling pest problems at low levels has resulted in a significant reduction in pesticide use. These growers learned how to incorporate reduced risk compounds (insect growth regulators, target specific insecticides) into their spray program, thus replacing or reducing the use of traditional insecticide classes.

Biological controls such as beneficial nematodes (Steinernema feltiae) replaced soil applications of insecticides to control fungus gnat larvae, a very destructive greenhouse pest. Biological fungicides were used to control root diseases such as pythium, and rhizoctonia, replacing and/or reducing the used of chemical fungicides. The grower/owners felt that control of pests was better compared to previous crop cycles and losses due to pathogens had decreased significantly

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

The growers participating in this project received the benefit of having one-on-one IPM education in a commercial setting. The success of this educational technique is realized through the reduction of traditional insecticide use in these family operated businesses. Many requests have been made by other growers to be involved in this project. As growers benefit from this program, it increases the potential to develop a Crop Management Association in this greenhouse dense area of Pennsylvania.

Collaborators: