IPM for VegetablesMatt Lebon of EarthDance FARMS

Pest and Diseases

What is IPMA threshold based decision management procss which leads the the use of multiple pest control tactics.

Principles of IPM1. ID pests and their hosts2. Establish monitoring procedure3. Establish a threshold for taking action4. Implement control tactic5. Monitor, evaluate and document

The Pyramid

The 3 factors that contribute to disease1. susceptible plant2. pathogen3. environment

All 3 must be present for your plant to get disease

Powdery Mildew for example1. susceptible plant

a. Peppers don’t have susceptibility2. pathogen (late blight spores)

a. needs to be present 3. environment

a. needs humid conditions for spore germination

Prevention:

-Steward the the soil- crop rotation- cover crops- compost

- HEALTHY SOIL->RESILIENT PLANT

Birds for controlBug Eaters

Below is a list of common backyard birds and some of the insect pests they eat.

● Bluebirds: grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, larvae, moths● Cardinals: beetles, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, stinkbugs, snails● Chickadees: aphids, whitefly, scale, caterpillars, ants, earwigs● Grosbeaks: larvae, caterpillars, beetles● Nuthatches: tree and shrub insects such as borers, caterpillars, ants and earwigs● Oriole: caterpillars, larvae, beetles, grasshoppers● Sparrows: beetles, caterpillars, cutworms● Swallows: moths, beetles, grasshoppers● Titmice: aphids, leafhoppers, caterpillars, beetles● Warblers: caterpillars, aphids, whitefly● Woodpeckers: larvae, beetles, weevils, borers

Water feature-A pond will attract species of animal to your property different to those that plants will-Many insects and amphibians such as frogs and toads live by water.

Add Natives: Prairie, Hedges and Trees

The key here is having as diverse and ecosystem as possible

LivestockLet them eat the bugs for you!

• Cultural- ie: crop rotation

• Physical/ Mechanical- ie: picking off bugs

• Biological- encouraging predation through purchases of other insects

• Chemical- spraying

The Many Methods of Control

Physical and Mechanical Control Methods

Barriers

Traps

Physical Removal

Cultural Control Methods1. Proper planting dates and conditions2. Plant disease-resistant varieties3. Irrigation: timing and amount

a. drip tape or soaker hose]b. early morning watering

4. Avoid working in wet fields

Cont,5. Handle plants carefully6. Do not introduce pests

-ie: outside mulch or greenhouse seedlings7. Use mulch as soil covering8. Good sanitation

- Clean tools and weeded beds

Cont, 9. Abide by proper spacing

-avoid stress from nutrient deficiency and encourage air flow

10. Companion planting-border of chives or herbs

Trap CroppingPlanting a crop or plant that attracts pests away from nearby crops in order to save the main crop

Biological Controls

Chemical Control•Insecticidal Soap

○ aphids, young scales, whiteflies, psyllids, mealybugs, and spider mite○ Soap sprays do not work on caterpillars and beetles

•Neep OilA systemic insecticide that is taken up by the plant through roots and stemsInsect that consumes plant aphids, leafminers, loopers, thrips, mealybugs,

whiteflies, Colorado potato beetles, flea beetles, corn earworms, cucumber beetles, bean beetles, pest mite issues ingests neen

● Pyrethrins○ from chrysanthemum flowers. Kills aphids, beetles and leaf hoppers

● BT○ A naturally occurring bacteria that kills CATERPILLARS. Bt proteins paralyze the digestive

system of insect

Chemical cont.

-Diatomaceous Earth- Fossilized sediment from prehistoric crustaceans called diatoms. The sharp edges of DE cut insects bodies, causing them to dehydrate

-Kaolin Clay (Surround)-White barrier repels pests, causes irritation, confusion, and obstacles for

feeding and egg laying. -must be reapplied after rain-use on slugs, snails, flea beetles, mites, ants, thrips, aphids

Pest ID: Requires and understanding of the insect life cycle!

Complete vs Incomplete Metamorphosis

In the below incomplete there is no pupal stage

Squash bug eggs

Complete Metamorphosis

The Disease Cycle

Lets Get Practical:

What does this all mean for me as a gardener?● Lets take it family by family with common pests and

diseases

(crop families often share the same pest and diseases)

Nightshade/Solanaceae Family1. Potatoes2. Tomatoes3. Peppers4. Eggplant

PotatoesPest: Colorado Potato Beetle

Management:-Mulch around plants-Apply row cover-Spray spinosad

TomatoesDisease- An array of Fungal Diseases

Management:-Keep soil covered- Prune off lower branches-Avoid working in wet plants-Avoid watering on plants-Plant successions and various varieties-Burn diseased plants at end of year

PeppersDisease: Blossom End Rot:

Management:1. Soil test for Ph around 6.5 and lime levels. Buy quick acting lime

amendment2. Don't’ over-fertilize- it ties up calcium3. Avoid moisture stress- water evenly and use mulch

EggplantPest: Flea Beetle

Management: -Keep floating row cover on until flowering-Trap Crop of radishes-Spray neem oil

Cucurbit Family-Melons-Squash-Zucchini-Cucumbers-Pretty much all the gords

CucurbitsPest: Cucumber Beetles

Management:1. Run Chickens through in the fall2. Burn crop residue in fall3. Plan for multiple successions and varieties4. Trap crop of red kuri or blue hubbard 5. Row cover6. Trellis cukes to get them off the ground7. Vacuum them up8. Hand pick9. Kaolin clay/Surround

10. Spray (Azera)

CucurbitsPest: Squash bugsManagement: 1. Run Chickens through in the fall2. Burn crop residue in fall3. Plan for multiple successions and varieties4. Trap crop of red kuri or blue hubbard 5. Row cover6. Trellis cukes to get them off the ground7. Vacuum them up/Burn egg masses8. Hand pick9. Kaolin Clay/Surround

10. Spray (Azera)

CucurbitsDisease: Bacterial Wilt

Management:1. Controlling cucumber beetles(the vector)2. Plant wilt-resistant cultivars3. Remove and destroy affected plants

CucurbitsDisease: Powdery Mildew

Mangament:1. Good spacing2. Actually less of a problem in rainy weather3. Plant disease-resistant varieties4. Plant numerous successions5. Spray with a baking soda solution

Chenopodium/Goosefoot1. Beets2. Spinach3. Swiss Chard4. Lambsquarters5. Quinoa

Chenopodium/GoosefootBest and Disease:Very little!

Plant those chenopods!

Brassicas (Cole crops, cruciferous

● Kale● Cabbage● Musard● Brussel Sprouts● Broccoli● Cauliflower

● Turnips● Radishes● Kohlrabi● Arugula

Brassicas (Cole crops, cruciferous)

Pest: Cabbage Loopers

Management: 1. Run chickens through in fall2. Row Cover3. Hand pick larvae4. Spray BT

Brassicas (Cole crops, cruciferous)

Pest: Flea Beetles

Management: 1. Run chickens through in fall2. Row Cover3. Garlic spray 4. Kaolin Clay5. Spray neem (limited success)

Brassicas (Cole crops, cruciferous)

Pest: Harlequin Bugs

Management: 1. Run chickens through in fall2. Row Cover3. Keep a weed free bed4. Pick off egg masses5. Spray pyrethrin

Apiaceae family1. Carrot2. Fennel3. Dill4. Parsnip5. Celery6. Cilantro

Apiaceae familyPest: Black swallowtail larvae on dill or fennel

Management:1. Pick them off2. Spray BT

Apiaceae familyWhile other minor pests and diseases can occur they are not overly problematic.

Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa, Asteraceae )

Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa, Asteraceae )

Pest and Disease: Heat stress

Mangement: 1. plant heat tolerant varieties2. use 50 shade cloth in summer

Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa, Asteraceae )

Pest: Rabbit

Mangement: 1. put up a fence around your bed

Other pests and diseases (found throughout the garden)

● slugs● aphids● cutworms● leaf minor ● damping off● deer● birds

AphidsPest: They suck the plant sap out of numerous crops

Management:1. Wait to see if ladybugs come in2. Spray with hard stream of water3. Spray with insecticidal soap4. Buy ladybugs or lacewings5. Spray neem

SlugsPest: Eat the foliage and stems of tender plants in wet conditions

Management: 1. Encourage birds, frogs, snakes etc2. Attract with raw potato or cabbage leaves3. Put out beer traps4. Hand pick5. Put coffee ground or DE around seedlings

CutwormsPest: At night caterpillars eat the stem of plant

Management: 1. put collars of plastic or cardboard around stem2. dig around base of plants in morning to destroy larvae

Damping Off

Disease: fungi that kill seedlings by rotting the stem

Management:1. Don’t overwater2. Maintain good air flow3. Add perlite on soil surface4. User sterile potting mix

DeerPest: Eat the tender growth of anything

Management:1. 8ft fence2. Electrify the fence3. Homemade repellents using things like hot peppers or urine

Resources-Your camera, notebook and Google-The Organic Farmers Handbook of Natural Pest and Disease Control-https://attra.ncat.org/pest.html