In an effort to improve growers’ understanding of cultural practices, host plant resistance, and use of biological or chemical controls, Vegetable IPM Extension Area Educator Marion Zuefle ran one-on-one IPM field demonstrations with three NY farmers in 2019. Her initial interviews pointed to typical pepper pest issues like aphids, thrips, mites, European corn borer, and diseases like Phytophthora and bacterial leaf spot.
Results of her weekly scouting and trapping were quickly shared with growers, and when disease showed up, samples went to Cornell for identification. Detection of Xanthomonas, a bacterial leaf spot disease, came too late for pre-season IPM options but put growers on alert for future use of early preventative sprays, or minimum three-year field rotations of pepper and tomato crops.
Speaking of rotation, it’s always recommended for Phytophtora, a stubborn soil disease. When that can’t be done, growers depend on raised beds, resistant varieties, and preventative fungicides.
As for insect pests, a history of European corn borer prompted the use of pheromone traps for monitoring. Because numbers were below threshold, no sprays were needed. That year, thrips and cyclamen mites weren’t a problem either, but as growers know, every year presents challenges.
The benefits of on-farm demonstrations cannot be ignored. Increased skill in pest identification, pest prevention, and use of thresholds guide management decisions. And in the case of these three growers, IPM led to an above average harvest and increased peace of mind.
Project Leader: Marion Zuefle
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