RESOURCE GUIDE Second Edition FORORGANIC INSECT AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT Brian Caldwell Cornell University Eric Sideman Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Abby Seaman New York State Integrated Pest Management Program Anthony Shelton, Entomology Cornell University/NYSAES Christine Smart, Plant Pathology Cornell University/NYSAES RESOURCE GUIDE Second Edition FORORGANIC INSECT AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT Funding for this guide was provided by: MOFGA COVER PHOTOS: Jeromy Biazzo, Ann Rangarajan, Steve Reiners, Abby Seaman, Eric Sideman, Becky Sideman, and Chris Smart Organic Resource Guide i ii Organic Resource Guide New York State Agricultural Experiment Station (NYSAES) 630 West North Street Geneva, New York 14456 http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu © 2013 by Cornell University All rights reserved. Published 2013 It is the policy of Cornell University to actively support equality of educational and employment opportunities. No person shall be denied admission to any educational program or activity or be denied employment on the basis of any legally prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or veteran status. The University is committed to the maintenance of affirmative-action programs that will assure the continuation of such equal opportunity. ISBN 0-9676507-8-X Produced by CALS Communications, NYSAES, Geneva, NY Cover and book design and composition: Elaine L. Gotham Photography editor: Eric Sideman Managing editors: Abby Seaman and Eric Sideman Printed by: Arnold Printing Corp, Ithaca, New York Unless otherwise noted, photos on pages 81-103 were taken by the authors: Brian Caldwell, Eric Sideman, Abby Seaman, Anthony Shelton and Christine Smart. Organic Resource Guide iii iv Organic Resource Guide RESOURCE GUIDE TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1 2. CROP MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR ORGANIC INSECT AND DISEASE CONTROL .............................................................................................................. 4 1. Allium Crops. .....................................................................................................................................4 2. Brassica Crops................................................................................................................................. 17 3. Chenopods: Spinach, Beets and Chard ................................................................................. 26 4. Cucurbit Crops ............................................................................................................................... 33 5. Legume crops ................................................................................................................................. 40 6. Lettuce .............................................................................................................................................. 51 7. Solanaceous Crops ....................................................................................................................... 56 8. Sweet Corn ...................................................................................................................................... 66 9. Umbelliferous Crops .................................................................................................................... 72 3. PHOTO PAGES .................................................................................................... 81 4. MATERIAL FACT SHEETS .................................................................................104 1. Bacillus subtilis ..............................................................................................................................104 2. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) ...........................................................................................................109 3. Beauveria bassiana ......................................................................................................................113 4. Bicarbonate (Potassium or Sodium) .....................................................................................117 5. Coniothyrium minitans ..............................................................................................................121 6. Copper products .........................................................................................................................123 7. Hydrogen Peroxide, Hydrogen Dioxide ..............................................................................128 8. Kaolin clay ......................................................................................................................................132 9. Neem (azadirachtin, neem oil, neem oil soap) .................................................................136 10. Oils ....................................................................................................................................................143 11. Pesticidal Soap .............................................................................................................................151 12. Pyrethrum ......................................................................................................................................155 13. Rotenone .......................................................................................................................................160 15. Spinosad .........................................................................................................................................163 14. Streptomyces lydicus ...................................................................................................................168 16. Sulfur ...............................................................................................................................................172 17. Trichoderma and related genera of beneficial fungi .....................................................180 5. APPENDICES ....................................................................................................186 A. Plant Resistance to Insects and Diseases ...........................................................................186 B. Habitats for Beneficial Insects ................................................................................................188 C. Trap Cropping and Insect Control ........................................................................................190 D. Understanding Pesticide Regulations .................................................................................193 E. Organic Research Needs: Some Important Vegetable Pests and Possible Organic Controls that Lack Efficacy Data ...........................................................................197 F. Additional Resources .................................................................................................................199 G. List of Trademarks and Registered Trademarks Mentioned in this Publication ...201 Organic Resource Guide v vi Organic Resource Guide Resource Guide to Organic Insect and Disease Management INTRODUCTION About the Authors: Brian Caldwell works on the Organic WHY THIS GUIDE? Cropping Systems Project at Cornell Organic farmers rely primarily on preventive, cultural, and integrated University. He is also an organic apple methods of pest and disease management. Additionally, there are grower and former extension educator in a number of materials that can complement and support organic central New York. management. This guide was developed to provide a useful and scientifically accurate reference for organic farmers and agricultural Dr. Eric Sideman has been the Director of professionals who are searching for information on best practices, Technical Services for the Maine Organic available materials, and perhaps most importantly, the efficacy of Farmers and Gardeners Association materials that are allowed for use in organic systems. Many products since 1986. Dr. Sideman provides available to organic farmers have not been extensively tested, and technical support for organic farmers and current research has not been summarized or made widely available gardeners and serves as staff scientist for to the practitioner. A major objective of this guide is to review MOFGA. literature for published trials on material efficacy in order to provide reliable information that can be used by farmers to effectively manage Abby Seaman is Vegetable IPM pests. An additional goal is to identify what materials have shown Coordinator with the New York State promise but require more research. Integrated Pest Management Program at Cornell University. Her work supports the The second edition of the Guide includes new chapters on four adoption of IPM practices by vegetable additional crop families and four additional materials. farmers through applied research and outreach activities. WHO SHOULD USE THIS GUIDE? Organic farmers and those in transition to organic production, Emily Brown Rosen has a background in extension professionals, and farm advisors who want accurate horticulture with experience in organic information based on published research. certification and review of products for compliance with organic regulations. She HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE: contributed to the first edition of this The Guide is divided into three sections. The first