18. Striped Cucumber Beetle ( Acalymma vittatum ) Striped cucumber beetles (SCB) are 1/4 inch long with black and yellow longitudinal stripes and black head and abdomen View photo 2.3 . In the Northeast, they pass the winter as adults sheltered under plant debris and become active in the spring as soon as cucurbits appear. The overwintered generation lives until August and feeds on all plant parts. Small seedlings are very susceptible and are often killed. Once the plants attain 4-5 true leaves, they are more tolerant of striped cucumber beetle feeding; however, disease transmission is still important (see below). The beetles lay their eggs at the base of cucurbit plants. These hatch into larvae, which feed below ground on the roots and crowns of the plants. The new generation of adults emerges in July, and can cause feeding damage to pumpkins and other cucurbit fruit. They will overwinter and then feed on next year’s crop.
20. Green Peach Aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer), Aphididae, HEMIPTERA BIOLOGY Distribution - The green peach aphid is a cosmopolitan species. Host Plants - The green peach aphid infests a wide range of plants. Some important hosts include cabbage and related cole crops, dandelion, endive, mustard greens, parsley, turnip, tomato, tobacco, potato, spinach, pepper, beet, celery, lettuce, and chard. Damage - Green peach aphids extract sap from plants and excrete a sweet sticky substance known as honeydew. Black sooty mold grows on honeydew and, though not directly harming the plants, may block out sufficient light to reduce yield. Weakened plants become susceptible to secondary disease and may be inoculated with viruses carried by aphids. Among the virus diseases transmitted by green peach aphids are potato leaf roll, potato virus Y, beet mosaic, beet yellows, and lettuce mosaic. Life History - Adults pass the winter on greens and wild hosts such as cabbage, collards, turnip, wild mustard, and dock. Winged forms migrate to other hosts in late spring. During these migratory flights, aphids may spread virus diseases from infected volunteer plants and weeds to healthy crop plants. Movement between host plants continues through summer and fall. In southern states, the aphids are nearly all females. Successive generations of females, mainly wingless, are produced throughout the year. Winged migrants develop whenever overcrowding occurs or food becomes scarce. This type of development (all females, no males or eggs) occur as far north as Tennessee and Maryland. Many generations are produced each year.
40. Slugs can be a major problem. Iron Phosphate can be effective against them. As always, remember to check with your organic certifier before using any pesticide!
41. Beer traps can also be effective – but the thought of wasting all that good beer on slugs just makes me want to cry!
42. Mouse damage to plasticulture strawberries. Very effective control when baited with a large seed or peanut butter. We put out a lot of these. Rodents – especially mice, can cause a lot of damage.
52. Biofumigation Certain Brassica cover crops, as well as mustard seed meal, contain high concentrations of isothiocyanates (ITCs) – derived from the degradation of glucosinolates (what gives them the pungent taste). The seed meal is also a significant source of nitrogen and other nutrients. When incorporated into the soil ITCs act as an effective biofumigant, reducing populations of pathogenic fungal species (Sclerotium, Rhizoctonia, and Phytium), nematodes, weeds, and certain insect species. UT/TSU 2003 In addition, the residues add important organic matter for soil building.
53.
54. Influence of brassica cover crops on soil microbial populations gurosiksberryplantation.com Slide by C. Rothrock, U of A, Fayetteville, AR Table 7. Soil populations of select microbial groups for different preplant strawberry treatments, Hope. 1 Strawberry transplant Treatment Bacteria (x 10 7 ) Fungi (x 10 4 ) Actinomycetes (x 10 6 ) Control 1.9 b 6.5 a 10.0 b Brassica 2.9 b 18.5 a 17.0 a Brassica +Solarization 9.8 a 19.4 a 19.5 a Solarization 2.9 b 12.3 a 10.4 b Mustard seed meal 8.0 a 31.0 a 14.4 ab
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