Integrated Pest Management Tactics

Aquaponic Plant Selection and Considerations Aquaculture Boot Camp-2 February 11, 2017 Brad Bergefurd, Extension Educator Agriculture and Natural Resources & Horticulture Specialist OSU Extension Scioto County OSU Piketon Research & Extension Center

Acceptable yields= profit potential

Treatment Marketable ounces per square foot Styrofoam float tray Mizuna *Treatments with different Letters are significantly different. 10.3912 A Hydrocorn Mizuna 2.208 C Rock Mizuna 1.4214 C Styfofoam float tray Red Leaf Lettuce 4.0157 B Hydrocorn Red Leaf Lettuce 2.3874 C Rock Red Leaf Lettuce 1.1592 C LSD 1.5349 Aquaponic Benefits • Two crops - symbiotic relationship between plants and fish • Reduction in waste-water discharge by recycling nutrients • 90% REDUCTION in water use vs. conventional farming techniques • Minimal need for land- because of their compact nature, facilities may be located very close to the end users (restaurants, green grocers, food manufacturers, public) in a variety of locations (country, city, desert). • Supports Local Market Demand • Produces an organic food source-no herbicides and OMRI pesticides can be used • Year round production for marketing advantage Disadvantages to aquaponics • High start up costs • Lack of research • Have to manage both systems, fish and plants • Needs constant monitoring (babysitting) and skilled management • Moderate energy inputs • Niche, high-end marketing to be profitable

Nitrogen Cycle in Aquaponics Nutrient Management- Why is it so important?

• Specialty crops (vegetable, fruit, herbs) tend to be short-term crops grown as part of a multiple cropping system. • Succession cropping is common (i.e. several crops grown one after another in same area). • Intercropping is common (two or more crops growing at the same time in the same area). Fertility Regular Often Adjust throughout season

Photo by Steve Groff Specialty Crop Fertilizer and Environment

• Intensive aquaponic production systems use protective structures to grow a number of crops year around which influences fertility management • With proper fertilizer management specialty crop producers can minimize environmental impacts and improve fertilizer use efficiently. • Growers should know their crops, account for the nutrient values of ALL soil amendments and test soils and plants to support fertilizer management decisions.

Fertigation & Monitoring

• Regular & Often

• Adjust throughout the crop cycle based on weekly/daily plant and water analysis • Immediate testing determines how much nitrate is already present in the plant, minimizing the possibility of under or over fertilization. Cardy meters $495, http://www.specmeters.com Nitrogen Management in Specialty Crops

• Excess N also can result in reduced nutritional content. • Leafy green vegetables= high N can result in accumulation of nitrates in plant tissue to unhealthy levels. • High N can cause reduced volatile production and negative impact on flavor & aroma in fruits, vegetables and hops. • Excess N= hollow stem in broccoli and reduced storage qualities of fruit and vegetables. • Excess n can cause reductions in other plant nutrients such as P, Ca, Mg. resulting in deficiencies and associated disorders.

Some Examples of Aquaponic Systems

Continuous flow (more energy)

Floating Rafts

Multi-level vertically integrated systems

Ebb and flow

Troughs

Gravel beds

Slide from Rainfresh Harvests non-circulating, hydroponic, float-bed system Fuhrmann Orchards Scioto County

bag culture

image courtesy B. Bergefurd, OSU Aquaponic strawberries? • Thanks to a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant current Ohio research : • Stackers • Troughs • Gutters

1 month growth: Arugula, bokchoy, basil, mustard greens Things can go bad real fast!! • Plant nutrition and water needs to be constantly monitored and adjusted.

In Summary • Aquaponics more popular than ever • Get training • Avoid shysters • Use careful business planning • Start of with a small pilot system • Be ready to market a high value product • Keep connected with research organizations Full research reports, assistance and production information • Brad Bergefurd Horticulture Specialist • Extension Educator Piketon Research & Extension Center 1864 Shyville Road Piketon, Ohio 45661 • 1-800-860-7232 ext 136 • OSU Extension Scioto County Portsmouth, Ohio • 740-354-7879 • [email protected] • www.southcenters.osu.edu

ANY QUESTIONS? Aquaponics Advantages • Extended growing seasons • Wind and rain protection (Indoor) • Potential for reduced disease problems on certain crops • Potential for higher market value of crops • Potential for higher quality harvested crops • Potential for higher yields • All crops can be Aquaponically with the right management and inputs • Use of nutrient rich water

Potential Disadvantages •Could be significant capital expense $ •Logistics and bottom line progfit potential of some crops •Required continuous monitoring and management of production systems, temperatures, ventilation, pests •Potential for structural damage from wind, snow, and ice loads. • Insect and disease management (IPM) • Management (babysitting) • Use of nutrient rich water Split Nitrogen Applications

• Many specialty crops require applying Nitrogen at different stages of plant maturity. • Excessive amounts or deficiencies in N can result in plant/fruit physiological disorders (i.e. yellow shoulder disorder, blotchy ripening of tomato). • Split applications are generally more efficient in terms of fertilizer and crop usage. • Split applications require intensive crop monitoring and application management. • Applications made before nutrient deficiencies occur and in advance of crop maturity stages (i.e not too early or too late).

Phosporous and Potassium applications

• P & K should be managed properly to minimize costs and maximize efficiency. • Excessive amounts or deficiencies in K can result in fruit physiological disorders (i.e. yellow shoulder disorder of tomato). • Tough to make applications in an aquaponics situation. • To sustain adequate plant growth the concentrations of micro- and macronutrients need to be monitored. • Periodically some nutrients may need to be added to adjust their concentration. • Fertigation (applying nutrients through irrigation system) is recommended when irrigation systems are designed accordingly. • Must co- manage with fish production.

Fertigation Equipment

Structural and Environmental Management •

Integrated Pest Management Tactics (Aquaponic farming) What is IPM? • “Integrated pest management (IPM) is a threshold based decision management system which leads to judicious use of multiple pest control tactics.” • IPM is currently insecticide-intensive… • Major losses occur due to: • Lack of early detection of insects • Insecticide resistance by misuse • Loss of natural control with insecticides Decision making in IPM…

• Insect detection & monitoring • Insect identification • Population pressure • Economic threshold • Make treatment decision >>> 3-tiered approach Thresholds • They are the “yardsticks” that indicate the need for control • They are economically based • They are different according to the different pests (based on life cycles, feeding habits, etc.) • They can be different for different crops • They may change according to conditions or method of control. A Variety of Disciplines for Both Preventive and Rescue Type Pest Control • Sanitation-Removal of residues and hosts in and around the growing facility • Cultural-Crop rotation, use of resistant varieties, proper fertility, grafted plants • Mechanical - Cultivation, row covers • Biological - Releasing, attracting or maintaining beneficial insect populations, bio-fungicides • Chemical - “organic”/”inorganic” IPM Decision Making

• Level 1: Systems-based practices (cultural practices, sanitation, crop rotation, trap crops)

• Level 2: Mechanical and physical practices (barriers, lures/traps, repellents, hand-picking, netting)

• Level 3: Biorational & other material

• (OMRI or traditional approved insecticides) Starting Point for IPM… • Emphasis on Pest Detection & Correct Identification: – INSECT PHEROMONE TRAPS for improved scouting – Trap Catch = Pest Density X Pest Activity (Taylor, 1963) – Insect Monitoring Project in Ohio

Stink bug trap

Sticky wing trap Corn rootworm trap Insect Netting Applications

Insect netting on the sides of a high tunnel

Use insect netting over the entire high tunnel frame Biological Control Agents or Natural Enemies Natural Enemies http://www.harvesttotable.com/2012/06/parasitic Who killsPests? extension.entm.purdue.edu Flicker.com

- wasps - beneficial - insects/

• Pathogens: • • • Parasitoids (=parasites): • • • Predators: insects Micro Smallerthan the host Killonly onehost (pest) Specialistfeeders Largerandstronger the thanprey Eatseveralprey Generalfeeders - organisms thatcauseorganisms in diseases

– –

Ladybugs,Spiders Bacteria,Fungus &Viruses

–

Wasps,Flies

Predators

Lady beetles Green lacewing Hover flies Robber flies Assassin bugs

ucanr.edu

Abulrfan

Larvae © Rao Balusu Eggs www.ipm.ncsu.edu farmerfredrant.blogspot.com

Spinded soldier bug Spiders

Orb weavers Wolf spider Crab spider 42 Parasitoids

Trichogramma wasp Aphidius wasp Tachinid flies

http://bugguide.net/node/view/6647 Trichopoda pennipes

shareourgarden.blogspot.com

www.ipm.ucdavis.edu

Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc Mummified aphids

www.biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu Wasp in action

43 Insecticides for Aquaponic Vegetable Production If you do apply a pesticide, make sure to follow all label and safety precautions! •Wear protective equipment •The person applying the pesticide should be monitored at all times during the application of a fumigant. •Post a warning sign that states when the REI is over. Insecticide Mode of Action (MoA) Physical dessicant – kaolin clay, ash Contact action – vegetable oils, horticultural oils, neem, pyrethrin, insecticidal soap, spinosyn, Beauveria, Metarhizium Stomach action – Bt (Dipel) Volatile action – Garlic Barrier, Cinnamite Friend of friends – Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) • Bt kurstaki strain acts on small caterpillars • Caterpillars in cool-season crops, tomatoes, pepper • Bt tenebrionis strain for beetles • Frequent appl., thorough coverage needed • 0 Pre Harvest Interval (PHI) • Pyrethrin/Pyrethrum

Permethrin – NOT organic insecticide!

6% AI 6o% PBO

• Broad-spectrum insect control • Pyganic 1.4EC, 5 EC – OMRI approved •Pyrethrin + piperonyl butoxide (PBO- synergist) not organic • Insects may recover Neem-based Insecticides • Contact action, controls immature insects! • Target pests: aphids, armyworms, scales, thrips, WF

For commercial Neem (oil) producers OMRI approved

Neem II (oil + pyrethrin) Insecticide Premixes Azera : • OMRI approved • Mix of azadirachtin + pyrethrin • Interferes with molting, rapid knock-down • Contact, stomach action, IGR • Effective against stink bugs (brown marmorated stink bug)

Mix of neem + pyrethrin (Green Light) Spinosyn MoA: Mimic neurotransmitter, hyperexcite insects Common name Product

Spinosyn A, D Entrust (SpinTor phase out)

Spinetoram Radiant 1SC

•Excellent for thrips, leafminers, looper, others

•READ THE LABEL!!

Entrust: for ORGANIC producers Insecticidal Soap • Potassium salt of fatty acids • Control soft-bodied insects (aphids, whiteflies) • Some short-chain fatty acids are herbicides (household detergent) • No residual action, not rain fast

Not OMRI Approved OMRI Approved Kaolin Clay • Present naturally in soil in tropical countries • Foliar spray at high rate (25 lb/A) • OMRI approved – Surround WP (95% clay) • Natural desiccant, feeding deterrent Vegetable Oils • Physical poisons • Short residue • Effective against soft-bodied insects • Do not use if temps are >90F • May not be OMRI approved

Soybean oil (93%)

Sesame oil 5% Fish oil 92% Canola oil (96%)