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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #375863
Research Project: Improved Biologically-Based Tactics to Manage Invasive Insect Pests and Weeds

Location: Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research

Title: An integrated multi-institutional project to promote high tunnel organic vegetable production in the Southeast

Author
item ZHAO, XIN - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item SWISHER, MARILYN - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item DUFAULT, NICHOLAS - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item HODGES, AMANDA - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item GAO, ZHIFENG - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item BOLQUES, ALEJANDRO - FLORIDA A & M UNIVERSITY
item LEGASPI, JESUSA
item COOLONG, TIMOTHY - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
item DIAZ-PEREZ, JUAN CARLOS - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/26/2020
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cost-effective high tunnel protected crop systems have evolved as a risk management tool to serve sustainable vegetable production by providing multifaceted benefits to growers for addressing site-specific challenges. With the increasing use of high tunnels by organic producers in the Southeastern U.S., particularly in the states of Florida and Georgia, more systematic studies are needed to provide research-based information for developing and optimizing organic production and management systems. Building upon a planning project funded by the USDA Organic Agriculture Research and Extension program (OREI), an integrated multi-institutional OREI project is currently being conducted with a focus on adapting and expanding high tunnel organic vegetable production for the Southeast. The interdisciplinary research and extension team includes members from the University of Florida, Florida A&M University, University of Georgia, and USDA-Agricultural Research Service. Four key components of biological research are targeted, including crop management for season extension, environmental management for microclimate manipulation, soil and nutrient management, and pest and disease management. Specific research objectives include assessing the efficacy of environmental control measures (e.g., shading, misting) on performance of organically grown solanaceous vegetables and leafy greens under high tunnels; optimizing planting time for high-tunnel produced tomatoes and leafy greens for early production and season extension; determining the influence of integrated nutrient management practices on soil fertility and quality in high tunnel systems; monitoring and characterizing plant pathogens infecting high priority organic crops and integrating biological products and cultural practices into organic vegetable disease management for high tunnels; monitor population of arthropod pests and beneficial insects in high tunnel organic vegetable cropping systems; and developing cultural and biological alternatives for managing whiteflies and aphids. In addition, we plan to analyze economic viability of high tunnel organic vegetable production and identify the factors influencing high tunnel adoption among organic growers. Stakeholder involvement is emphasized throughout the project by engaging an advisory panel of growers, non-profit organizations, extension personnel, and companies involved in high tunnel technology. On-site and virtual assessment of on-station research plots are developed to provide a unique opportunity for growers to observe field trials and offer timely feedback. Growers are also involved in conducting on-farm trials. Diverse strategies will be used in developing the extension program and facilitating project dissemination.