Aphids are getting going in many high tunnels and greenhouses across the state. These small, sap sucking menaces can be quite sneaky when it comes to establishing their population, and once their numbers are high, they can be tough to…
Blog Archives
Survey to Gauge Willingness to Use Row Covers to Manage Pests
The University of Kentucky, in cooperation with Iowa State University, Current Cucurbit, Cornell AgriTech, and USDA-NIFA, is conducting a survey to learn about grower experiences using row covers and their willingness to adopt a new row cover approach known as…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels
Cucurbit Mesotunnel Research Blog: How Details Matter
Dr. Dave Gonthier posted an article on the Cucurbit Mesotunnel Blog discussing how finer details may improve the success of this system. We have been researching improved conventional and organic control strategies for cucurbit pests and diseases for more than…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels, Uncategorized
Cleaning and Sanitizing Commercial Greenhouse Surfaces
Sanitizing surfaces is a critical step for greenhouse and nursery sanitation. This is particularly important for sites where disease was a problem in previous crops. Pathogens that cause plant disease can survive in debris, in soil, or on surfaces. Cleaning…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels
Meso-Tunnels and Cucurbit Production
If you’re a vegetable grower, you’re probably familiar with high tunnels and low tunnels. But what are meso-tunnels? Each of these tunnel types are used to create a protective barrier between crops and the environment. “Meso” means “middle,” so meso-tunnels…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels
Wicked Whiteflies
As the name whitefly suggests, they are white, and they do fly, but they aren’t technically flies! Whiteflies are closely related to aphids, cicadas, and scale insects–the true bugs, or Hemipterans–not flies. These tiny pests are usually around 1/16 to…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels
Aphids Common in High Tunnels and Fields
A number of aphid species are now common and attacking various crops in high tunnels, as well as vegetables in the field. Aphids (Figure 1) feed with piercing-sucking mouthparts and produce large amounts of honeydew, possibly resulting in the growth…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels, Vegetables
Biological Pest Management in Kentucky High Tunnel / Greenhouse Tomato Production Systems
Kentucky producers of tomatoes in high tunnel or greenhouse production systems manage several key arthropod pests to maximize their yields and profits. An environmentally and economically sound management system for these pests is based on the following components: Sanitation and…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels, Vegetables
Clean Up High Tunnels Now to Reduce Veggie Disease Next Year
Numerous important diseases of vegetables can overwinter more effectively in protected environments like greenhouses and high tunnels, as compared to field environments. These include foliar diseases like leaf mold, gray mold, and powdery mildews. In addition, soilborne diseases, like root…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels
Watch for Thrips — They’re Abundant this Year
There have been several reports of high thrips populations attacking crops and bothering homeowners alike this spring (see KPN June 5, 2018, Thrips Can Be Cause of “Mystery Bites” and “Pool Miseries”). Despite their tiny size, various thrips species are…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels, Vegetables
Vegetable and Tobacco Diseases to Scout for: Botrytis Gray Mold
Kentucky vegetable and tobacco growers should be on the lookout for Botrytis gray mold. This disease may occur in fields under humid conditions, but it is most common in greenhouses and high tunnels. Botrytis gray mold can also affect numerous…
Watch for Mites in High Tunnels
There have been several reports of spider mites on high tunnel tomatoes this past week. This coincides with the onset of some much-needed warmer weather in the Commonwealth. Generally, higher levels of mites are more common with warmer weather. Ideally,…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels
Mite Management in High Tunnels
As the weather begins to warm, mite activity is likely to increase in high tunnels and greenhouses. Due to their small size and cryptic habits, it is usually easier to initially scout for signs of their activity, rather than trying…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels, Vegetables
Greenhouse/High Tunnel Pest Management: Getting Off to a Clean Start
Controlling arthropod pests in greenhouses can be a challenge since these protected environments provide ideal conditions for development of some common plant pests. Additionally, the structure itself excludes natural enemies from attacking these pests, allowing their populations to develop more…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels
Managing Aphids in High Tunnels and Greenhouses
One of the more common pest issues across a range of vegetable crops in greenhouses is aphid management. Vegetable production in protected environments is generally used to extend seasons and during these times of the year problems with aphids are…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels, Vegetables
Kentucky Pest News 