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TRAP CROPS TO CONTROL BROWN MARMORATED STINK BUG

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is an invasive insect with no known effective control measure. The BMSB feeds on a wide array of plants including tree fruits, berries, ornamental and vegetable plants and agronomic field crops.

Trap cropping is a desirable management tactic to control insects in organic systems, but not much is known about suitable trap crops for BMSB. Trap crops are companion plantings that attract a target pest insect away from the cash crop. When the pest has arrived at the trap crop, it can serve to remove the pest, lower the population or simply divert the pest from the cash crop. Our goal is to identify trap crops to protect cash crops from BMSB and endemic stink bugs.

The trap-crop experiment was started in the 2013 growing season. Two possible trap crops, sweet corn and sunflower, are being compared to a bare ground control, with tomato as the cash crop. Tomatoes were planted with standard spacing between plants. Three rows of the respective trap crop were planted around the tomatoes.

We are monitoring BMSB population densities in the cash and the trap crops. We will determine cash crop yield, frequency and severity of damage to the cash crop and the frequency of anthracnose disease, a fungal infection which seems to worsen when BMSB are feeding on the crop.

HIGH-TANNIN FORAGES FOR ORGANIC SHEEP HEALTH

Dr. James Kotcon (plant pathologist)

Gastrointestinal nematodes are a major impediment to efficient livestock production. They are especially detrimental in organic livestock production systems where conventional chemical anthelmintics are not approved for use. Gastrointestinal parasites such as Haemonchus contortus feed on blood from the stomach lining, causing anemia and weight loss. Severe cases may result in death. Forages high in condensed tannins may help to minimize the influence of intestinal nematodes on livestock health and performance.

We are participating in a multi-institutional project to determine how tanniniferous forages such as birdsfoot trefoil serve to mitigate GI parasite infection. Our goal is to compare lamb rate of gain, fecal egg counts, body condition, and pasture productivity when pastures contain birdsfoot trefoil cultivars with either high or low tannin content. Birdsfoot trefoil is often slow to establish, so producing adequate amounts of this desirable forage species is a potential obstacle.

We established stands during the 2013 growing season. Orchardgrass sown with either ‘Pardee’ (high tannin) or ‘Norcen’ (low tannin) birdsfoot trefoil will be compared to orchardgrass and red clover. Grazing systems include an “avoidance” grazing management (sheep graze a paddock for 3 days, and do not return to the same paddock for at least 60 days) and a “challenge” grazing management (sheep graze for 7 days, and return in 30 days).

LONG-TERM ORGANIC FARMING SYSTEMS RESEARCH

Dr. James Kotcon (plant pathologist)

The long-term influences of organic farming systems on soil chemical and physical properties and crop production are not always well understood. We designed a long-term experiment to answer some basic questions about productivity and cumulative benefit of organic production practices.

Questions

How does compost build soil quality, and how much value does that contribute to the farming system?
Will livestock contribute important benefits to organic farming systems?
How long will it take to see these benefits?

Farming Systems

Low-input system: Uses legumes and green manures as on-farm resources only. Four-year rotation of corn, soybean, wheat, and forage rape is grown without grazing livestock.
Low-input system: Uses legumes and green manures as on-farm resources only. Four-year rotation of corn, soybean, wheat, and forage rape is followed by three years of grazed orchard grass and red clover pasture.
High input system: Uses legumes and green manures plus 20 tons per acre of partially composted dairy manure from off-farm sources. Four-year rotation of corn, soybean, wheat, and forage rape is grown without grazing livestock.
High input system: Uses legumes and green manures plus 20 tons per acre of partially composted dairy manure from off-farm sources. Four-year rotation of corn, soybean, wheat, and forage rape is followed by three years of grazed orchard grass and red clover pasture.

Some Results

Soil chemical constituents including phosphorus and, potassium (data not shown), and soil organic matter did not differ among treatments during the first three years.
Soil P & K and organic matter was significantly increased in the high input (compost) treatments by the fourth year.
Systems with livestock did not differ from those without livestock for the first six years, but differences appeared in later years.
Soil organic matter increased over the long term, even in low input plots (without additional compost).
Soil mineral content generally did not increase in low-input plots.

Nutrient inputs increase crop yields over the short term; longer-term management is needed to improve soil physical and chemical characteristics.

UNDERSTANDING HABITAT USE BY BROWN MARMORATED STINK BUGS – WHOLE FARM ORGANIC MANAGEMENT

Dr Yong-Lak Park (entomologist)

We are conducting part of a multi-institutional experiment designed to determine whole-farm movement patterns for various life stages of the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB). The BMSB is an invasive exotic pest with no known effective control measures. The insect feeds on a wide range of horticultural and agronomic crop plants and can cause significant damage and product loss. Farm-scale monitoring and control measures are applicable when target insects, such as BMSB, are highly mobile, have a wide host range, and occupy a large geographic area. The insects can escape from fields where control measures are applied, and they can re-colonize or colonize non-treated areas with suitable host plants grow. Understanding where and when BMSB occur across a farm can help us design effective integrated pest management control measures for this invasive exotic insect pest. Specifically, producers will be able to determine when and where to plant trap crops, when and where to release biological control agents, and decide if it is necessary to modify cultural practices such as planting and harvest times to avoid BMSB damage.

SPECIALTY CROPS

Dr. Lewis Jett (horticulturist)

Specialty crops are a diverse group of fruit, vegetable and herb species which have tremendous production and market potential in West Virginia. There is a lack of information on suitable varieties and production recommendations for many specialty crops in WV. I focus on evaluating cropping systems for specialty crops in West Virginia. At the WVU Organic Farm, I am evaluating Asian vegetables in 2013. The organic production of diverse types of vegetables in the open field and within high tunnels throughout the year will be evaluated. Research results from specialty crop projects will be extended to WVUAgriculture and Natural Resource Extension personnel, commercial growers and backyard gardeners through fact sheets, field tours and multimedia resources. Future research and outreach activities will evaluate organic production and marketing of other diverse species of specialty crops.

A PRACTICAL METHOD TO CONTROL CREEPING THISTLE IN AN ORGANIC FARMING SYSTEM

Dr. William Bryan (pasture management)

Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense L.) is a noxious weed in agricultural land in North America. Creeping thistle can reduce the productivity of perennial pasture. It grows on a wide range of soil types and spreads by creeping underground stems (rhizomes) and seeds. On organic farms no effective herbicide is allowed so that some other means of control or eradication must be used. Organic methods for control and eradication include covering, cultivating every three weeks during the growing season, and using tall shade crops and insect herbivore Methods can be combined and may need to be repeated for several consecutive years. Since this weed spreads mostly by rhizomes eradication is a possible solution. The approach used on the West Virginia University Organic Agriculture Farm was to prevent the plants from producing seed by covering, pulling and digging thistle plants. Patches of thistle were mowed and then covered for three weeks with a black, white or green polyethylene sheet with one area left uncovered as an untreated control. Thistle plants covered with green or black polythene sheet died but those covered with white did not die but were very weak. An experiment was carried out to control thistle in cropped land or permanent grassland. Pulling thistles from permanent grassland reduced thistle shoots much more in a year than digging in a cropped area. In neither case was the infestation eradicated. Covering and digging may be an effective eradication method in cultivated areas. Pulling appears to be effective in grassland areas. Trials are continuing to determine cost and effectiveness of control methods.

EFFECT OF SOIL QUALITY ON MISCANTHUS SINENSIS IN ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS

Eugenia M. Pena-Yewtukhiw, Tom Hughes, Emily Romano & Erica M. Fitzsimmons

Understanding the physical, biological and chemical properties of soil associated with organic farming systems is crucial to sustained productivity and delivery of multiple ecosystem services. In general, organic farming has been regarded capable of delivering “sustainable soil health” or in other words, it has been associated with increased Soil Quality.

The importance of alternative cropping systems includes production of renewable fuels.Biofuel crops are renewable plant resources that have the ability to provide energy after fuel conversion. Miscanthus sinensis is a perennial grass that is tolerant of a range of soil conditions and can provide much higher yields than other common biofuel crops. We proposed that Miscanthus growth would increase with increasing residual soil fertility, however establishment would still be successful at all levels of residual fertility. We applied increasing amounts of composted manure in a replicated completely randomized experiment design. Soil and plant physical and chemical characteristics were measured to determine the soil properties affecting Miscanthus. Results showed statistically significant differences in soil quality indicators, with improving soil quality in relation to increasing compost treatments and Miscanthus development. Applying greater amounts of manure resulted in lower bulk densities and increased organic matter and phosphorus content. Miscanthus yield increased with increasing compost application between 2011 and 2013, while soil quality indicators remained constant.

GRASS COMPONENT EFFECT ON SOIL QUALITY IN AN ORGANIC CROP ROTATION

Emily Romano & Eugenia M. Pena-Yewtukhiw

Soil quality and environmental health often depend on agricultural practices. Organic agricultural production systems seem to be capable of reducing problems caused by traditional chemical-dependent agriculture, notably those related to poor soil quality. A crop rotation or cropping sequence is an essential component of many successful organic systems. A temporary grass component included in a rotation could provide a means to maintain or improve soil structure, control pests and weeds, and enhance nutrient cycling. Much of what we know about crop rotations is based on responses of conventionally managed rotations. Influences of organic rotations on soil quality and ecosystem services must be inferred.

Our objective was to understand how soil physical properties respond in an organic crop rotation with or without a temporary grass component. Soil quality indicator variables measured include bulk density, wet and dry aggregate stability and saturated hydraulic conductivity. The rotation included corn, soybean, wheat and cowpeas. The four year rotation was followed by three years of orchardgrass or did not include an orchardgrass component. Preliminary data suggest that applying compost and including a grass component increased soil organic matter content, aggregate size and soil bulk density.

METHODS TO CONTROL WEEDS IN VEGETABLE CROPPING SYSTEMS

Dr. Rakesh Chandran (Extension Specialist – Weeds)

Weeds compete with vegetables to reduce yields or to affect crop quality. As a group of pests, weed management can be challenging especially in organic production systems. Various non-chemical methods to control weeds have been the focus of weed management research at the organic farm in West Virginia University. Previous research evaluated different mulches, natural products, and cultivation methods to manage weeds. Recommendations have been implemented by organic growers to control weeds in sweet-pepper, tomato, potato, and cucurbits. In 2013, we examined the usefulness of the ‘stale-seedbed’ strategy to control weeds. Screening of cover crops, evaluating the use of roller-crimper, and no-till planter are planned for the future.

BETTER MANAGE INSECT PESTS IN ORGANIC PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

Daniel Frank, (entomology, extension specialist)

Fruit and vegetable plantings in West Virginia are impacted by a diverse assemblage of insect pests. In the past, growers have relied on conventional insecticide sprays to prevent crop loss. However, insecticide resistance and the increased awareness of the harmful effects of certain pesticides on non-target organisms and the environment have forced many growers to look at alternatives that offer a more sustainable approach to pest management. My research at the WVU Organic Farm focuses on evaluating control methods that fit into an integrated pest management approach. Research results are intended to provide commercial and home growers with information to better manage insect pests in organic production systems.