Optimizing Plant-Mediated IPM Systems in High Tunnel Vegetable Production

Commodities

• Vegetables: cucurbits, tomatoes

Practices

• Crop Production: high tunnels or hoop houses
• Education and Training: on-farm/ranch research
• Pest Management: biological control, cultural control, integrated pest management

Project Focus: High tunnel production across the Northeast is increasing to mitigate climate change effects on vegetable crops. These protected environments also promote the establishment of damaging pests (i.e., aphids, spider mites). Because these pests can overwinter within these structures and increase their populations rapidly before detection, they can cause significant economic damage. Successful management without pesticides using biocontrol requires costly prophylactic releases of commercially-reared natural enemies or attracting those that occur in the wild. This project addresses high tunnel grower needs identified by our regional surveys to provide evidence-based biocontrol guidelines for sustainable vegetable production.

Successful integrated pest management (IPM) combines multiple strategies (i.e., scouting, cultural, biocontrol, etc.). Plant-mediated systems, which use plants in combination with other IPM tactics to reduce pests, are a potential component of IPM. Alyssum is used to attract and sustain natural enemies. Bush beans are a trap and indicator plant for spider mites and thrips. Although both systems are used by some innovative growers, data are lacking about their contribution to reducing pest damage and sustaining natural enemies on crops. Growers need confidence that these systems work and guidelines for their use. The optimal rate of deployment is unknown, but this information is essential for efficacy.

Solution and Approach: The objective of this project is to optimize plant-mediated IPM systems in high tunnel vegetables. Different deployment rates of the systems within tomato and cucumber production will be investigated: (1) bush bean trap plants to detect spider mites and thrips, and (2) Alyssum habitat plants to attract and sustain aphid natural enemies. Our hypothesis is that plant-mediated systems (Alyssum habitat plants and bean trap plants) enhance sustainable IPM in high tunnel tomato and cucumber production. It is assumed that natural enemy establishment increases, and pest suppression improves at higher deployment rates, but how many is best? Results will lead to increased grower adoption of these systems at rates that maximize pest management. By detecting pests and establishing biocontrol populations early, the need for pesticide applications and repeat, costly purchases of natural enemies would be reduced.

Growers will be active research participants. The trials will occur on commercial farms and growers will assist with production and deployment of the systems. They will also receive one-on-one assistance with developing their IPM plans. They will also have opportunities to provide feedback on the deliverables. Guidelines for using these systems in high tunnels to prevent economic crop damage will be produced, presentations at regional workshops/conferences and an on-farm demo will be given and we anticipate a peer reviewed publication to result from this work. Information will be disseminated though our regional network of high tunnel stakeholders, to increase grower adoption across the region.

The objective is to optimize the use of plant-mediated IPM systems in high tunnel vegetable production.  Different deployment rates of two systems within tomato and cucumber production will be investigated (1) bush bean trap plants to detect spider mites and thrips and (2) alyssum habitat plants to attract and sustain aphid natural enemies. Results will lead to increased grower adoption of systems and rates that maximize pest management on crops. By detecting pests and establishing biocontrol populations early in the cropping cycle, the need for pesticide applications and repeat, costly purchases of natural enemies would be reduced.