Articles
EVALUATION OF CONTROLS FOR FLEA BEETLE ON EGGPLANT IN AN ORGANIC PRODUCTION SYSTEM
Article number
638_45
Pages
341 – 346
Language
English
Abstract
Materials and techniques for controlling flea beetle (subfamily Alticinae) on eggplant (Solanum melongena) were evaluated for two years under field conditions that conformed, with few exceptions, to the organic production requirements of the Northeast Organic Farming Association New Jersey.
Infestations of green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) in 2000 and potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae) in 2001 allowed evaluation of the planned treatments for these pests, as well.
Imidacloprid, an insecticide prohibited in organic production, provided nearly complete control of aphids and leafhopper damage and reduced flea beetle damage occurring at the end of the growing season.
Rotenone, an insecticide approved for certified organic production, reduced flea beetle damage more than any other material.
Rotenone also reduced aphid infestation but did not reduce leafhopper damage.
A formulated kaolin clay product, Surround WP, approved for certified organic production reduced flea beetle and leafhopper damage but did not reduce aphid infestation.
Imidacloprid-treated plants produced the highest total and marketable yields.
Rotenone treatment resulted in increased total and marketable yield in 2000. Kaolin clay treatment resulted in increased total yield in 2001. Percentage marketable yield from clay-treated plants was lower than from plants from all other treatments.
Plant growth was reduced in the clay-treated plots in 2000 but not in 2001.
Infestations of green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) in 2000 and potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae) in 2001 allowed evaluation of the planned treatments for these pests, as well.
Imidacloprid, an insecticide prohibited in organic production, provided nearly complete control of aphids and leafhopper damage and reduced flea beetle damage occurring at the end of the growing season.
Rotenone, an insecticide approved for certified organic production, reduced flea beetle damage more than any other material.
Rotenone also reduced aphid infestation but did not reduce leafhopper damage.
A formulated kaolin clay product, Surround WP, approved for certified organic production reduced flea beetle and leafhopper damage but did not reduce aphid infestation.
Imidacloprid-treated plants produced the highest total and marketable yields.
Rotenone treatment resulted in increased total and marketable yield in 2000. Kaolin clay treatment resulted in increased total yield in 2001. Percentage marketable yield from clay-treated plants was lower than from plants from all other treatments.
Plant growth was reduced in the clay-treated plots in 2000 but not in 2001.
Publication
Authors
M. Maletta, W. Tietjen, G. Ghidiu, K. Holmstrom, W. Cowgill
Keywords
kaolin clay, particle film, rotenone, row cover, green peach aphid, potato leafhopper
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