ICYMI: Vegetable Production Levels Surged Last Year
July 15, 2020 In the midst of a pandemic, vegetable production continues unabated. Take a look at what you told us about this past year’s pest issues and production levels.
How does your operation’s 2019 production compare to your operation’s 2018 production?
Growers report their vegetable production increased in 2019 comparable to, or greater than, the previous four years.
No large differences were observed between Eastern and Western vegetable growers.
A greater percentage of organic growers (~58%) reported increased production in 2019 compared with conventional growers (45%). In contrast, a greater percentage of conventional growers (27%) reported production stayed the same compared to organic growers (15.6%)
Which insect pest issues were a particular problem this past year?
Overall, an overwhelming majority of growers responded that aphids and thrips were particularly problematic last year. They were a problem more so in the Western states.
In the Eastern U.S., a majority of growers responded that cucumber beetle, squash bug, and brown marmorated stink bug were a problem.
Among organic growers, aphids, thrips, and flea beetles were most troublesome.
Flea beetles were considerably more of an issue in organic production in both regions — two-and-a-half times more in the East; six times more in the West.
Cucumber beetle was comparable for both organic and conventional growers.
Commodity-specific analysis (leafy greens, cole crops, cucurbits, and tomato/pepper) indicated that aphids were the most common insect pest in 2019.
In cucurbits, cucumber beetle and squash bug were particularly problematic in the Eastern U.S.
Green peach aphid adults have two forms: wingless and winged. Here you can see a dark-winged adult with long, clear wings, and the large wingless form, which looks merely like a larger version of the nymphs.
Photo by John Palumbo.
Which disease issues were a particular problem this past year?
Overall, a majority of growers responded that powdery mildew (49%) and downy mildew (42%) were the most prolific diseases in organic and conventional crops grown in both the East and West.
Fusarium (overall third most common disease) was two-and-a-half times more problematic in the West (~30%) compared to the East (~12%).
In leafy vegetables, downy and powdery mildew were reported to be an issue for organic growers in the Western U.S., compared to conventional growers.
In potatoes, late blight was reported to be four times more of a problem for organic growers in the Western U.S.
In fresh tomatoes and peppers, tomato spotted wilt virus was most problematic in organic crops grown in the West. But in the East, conventional crops suffered most from tomato spotted wilt virus.
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