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Greenhouse Project > Pest Management for HerbsGrowers are including more herbs in their spring crop mix and this raises the question of pest management. Which pesticides can growers use on herbs in greenhouse production? Investigating labels I found that there are currently no plant growth regulators and very few pesticides that have herbs listed on the label. Mycostop was the only fungicide I found labeled for herbs. Mycostop (Streptomyces griseoviridis) is a biological fungicide based on a soil bacterium. It is used primarily for control of Fusarium and Alternaria, although the label states that it has also shown suppression of Botrytis, Pythium and Phytopthera. Since few products are registered for herbs, prevention is essential. Your checklist for pest management should include: a clean greenhouse, employee training on proper sanitation procedures, a scouting program and prioritizing early detection and pest management. Start out as clean as possible. Discard old stock plants, unsold plants and any other possible sources of pests. Eliminate weeds inside and outside. Sanitize benches, walls, and floors to eliminate algae, pathogens and breeding areas. Put up sticky traps before bringing in new plants to see what insects you catch and where you catch them. Establish a monitoring and record-keeping system for all crop production areas including propagation areas and outdoor yards. Focus monitoring on indicator plants, those herbs that pests are observed on first each year. For example, lemon balm is prone to injury from two-spotted mite, so extra care should be given to examine these plants. High fungus gnat activity is commonly seen in propagation areas, so this is the first place to look for this insect. With limited registered pesticides available, spray applications should be as efficient as possible. Assess your spray equipment. Use a sprayer that is capable of generating a very fine droplet size. Many pesticides registered for herbs such as insecticidal soap and horticultural oil kill by contact, so achieving good spray coverage is crucial. Early detection and treatment early in the crop cycle will result in better pest control. Plant canopies are smaller then and will allow for better coverage. Biological control can be a realistic option for herb growers. It takes commitment and time to learn pest identification and life cycles, and to investigate the various biological control methods. It also takes a successful scouting program in place. There are many places to find information on biological control. A useful directory for choosing a natural enemy supplier is "Suppliers of Beneficial Organisms in North America" from the California Environmental Protection Agency, Dept. of Pesticide Regulation, Environmental Monitoring and Pest Management, 1020 N St., Rm. 161, Sacramento, CA 95814-5604, (916)324-4100. Two helpful sources for biological controls located here in the Northeast are:
The table below provides a list of selected materials labeled for managing insects and mites on herbs. Growers are reminded to read and follow instructions on every label of every product before using it on herbs. The product must be used only for crops for which the compound is registered. References Thomas, P. 1997. The challenges and rewards of herb production. Grnhse. Prod. News. July issue. 60-65.
Prepared by: Tina Smith Selected IPM Articles |
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