CROP UPDATE

COLE CROPS, ROOTS, BULBS AND LEAFY VEGETABLE EDITION

Prepared by:  Jennifer Allen, Vegetable Crop Specialist

NEW – Ontario CropIPM – Integrated Pest Management Training 

OMAFRA has introduced a new training tool for growers and ag personnel working in vegetable and small fruit crops.  Ontario CropIPM - Integrated Pest Management Training is available both online (www.ontario.ca/cropIPM) and on CD.

Ontario CropIPM is an interactive educational tool to improve your knowledge of Integrated Pest Management in Ontario crops. Growers, scouts and consultants can learn about insects, diseases, disorders, and weeds by:

• searching photo galleries, 
• using identification keys, 
• consulting pest scouting calendars, 
• comparing photos of often-confused pests, 
• learning about soil diagnostics and herbicide injury.

Ontario CropIPM includes modules for tomatoes and peppers, as well as brassicas, cucurbits, strawberries, and sweet corn.  There is no charge to use the online version, at www.ontario.ca/cropIPM.  A CD version is also available.  The CD can be ordered online at www.serviceontario.ca/publications or by phone at 1-800-668-9938 ($10 + tax, order # AF141).

Technology Transfer Opportunity – The Carrot Trimmer Implementation Project

The Pest Management Centre (PMC) / Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) have posted a call for proposals to conduct demonstration trials to promote carrot foliage trimming technology for reduced risk management of white mould.

White mould in carrots is caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a fungus that continues to pose a serious threat to carrot production across Canada.  Recent reports indicate losses of $1,000 to $1,600/hectare in stored carrots in Prince Edward Island, and up to 15% crop loss in Nova Scotia.

In a previous PMC funded project, AAFC researchers in PEI successfully built, demonstrated and promoted the adoption of a mechanical carrot foliage trimmer prototype.  The project demonstrated that foliage trimming alone (without the use of fungicides) significantly reduced carrot loss due to white mould in the field and in storage.  From this research, growers in the Atlantic Provinces are incorporating the use of the trimmer in commercial production systems. Oxford Frozen Foods, operating in Nova Scotia, built and used a trimmer on approximately 1,000 hectares of carrots in 2007 and 2008.  

The trimming technology consists of a mechanical device that laterally trims carrot tops, removing a portion of the canopy between rows. Research has shown that by opening up the carrot canopy through trimming, there is an increase in sunlight penetration and airflow, creating an unfavourable climate for white mould development.   

The purpose of the project is to allow Ontario carrot growers the opportunity to test and evaluate the technology in Ontario production systems.  Funding limit of up to $75,000 for up to 3 years is available for this project.   

For more details on the objectives and deliverables, visit www.merx.com, and in the search box, type carrot.  The deadline for submission is April 28, 2009.  

If you would like to learn more about the research conducted in PEI, call or email me at 519.826.4963 or  jennifer.allen@ontario.ca.

2009 IPM Training Information