Grant ID Number: LNE10-302
Grant Recipient: Judson Reid, Cornell University, Penn Yan NY
High tunnels have proven their worth as sustainable season extenders for off-season greens, but there are pests, and in particular aphids, that are hard to control during cooler months when biological controls are not effective. These controls can also leave insect "mummies" in the greens, decreasing marketability. The project manager will conduct variety trials, explore the late fall and winter effectiveness of Beauvaria bassiana, an OMRI-approved pathogen, and also test neem oil and a farmer-developed spray technique. As a result, 20 high tunnel growers will adopt biological or biorational control methods to manage pest of cool-season greens, gaining $2000 of marketable product per season.
