September/October 2024 - 29
VEG CONNECTIONS
Figure 2: A comparison of onion leaf tissue remaining
at the end of the growing season. On the left, plants
did not receive insecticides or fungicides. On the right,
plants received an insecticide (four applications over
the season) and fungicide program.
Non-chemical methods for
managing thrips
We explored non-chemical methods for onion thrips
management using plastic mulches, also called plastic
films. Various colored plastic films were tested, including
black, silver, red and white. The entire test plot was
covered with the mulches and then we applied an
insecticide program to half of the plots, leaving the other
half unsprayed.
This allowed us to compare mulches to each other
without an insecticide program and then determine if the
addition of an insecticide program can provide further
benefits for thrips suppression. We found that the silver
and red mulch, without insecticides, were as effective as
an insecticide program without plastic (grower standard).
Using an insecticide program together with mulches
generally improved thrips control. Both black and white
mulch increased thrips number compared to the noplastic
treatment; therefore we recommend not using
white mulches where thrips are a problem.
These results highlight that silver and red plastic
mulches can be a powerful insecticide-free solution to
managing thrips. It is important to note that not all silver
mulches were effective. We used a textured silver mulch
called " Diamond Reflective Film " from Viagrow that
increased light reflectance compared to non-textured
silver reflective mulches.
Natalie Constancio is currently a Ph.D. student in
the Vegetable Entomology lab. Her research focuses
on the interactions between plants, insects and plant
pathogens in the context of developing an integrated pest
management plan for Michigan based growers. Her email
is consta80@msu.edu.
Zsofia Szendrei is a professor in the Entomology
Department at Michigan State University with a 50%
extension, 40% research and 10% teaching appointment.
She has developed a research program focusing on
arthropod pests in order to provide solutions to the
vegetable industry. Her email is szendrei@msu.edu.
VEGETABLEGROWERSNEWS.COM | 29
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September/October 2024
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September/October 2024
Editor's Letter
Accelerated deadline
Weeding out danger
East Coast diversification
Regenerating soil
Connecting innovation and education at the Great Lakes EXPO
Organic Grower
Veg Connections
Farm Market & Agritourism
Ag Labor Review
Classifieds
Advertiser Index
September/October 2024 - 1
September/October 2024 - 2
September/October 2024 - 3
September/October 2024 - Editor's Letter
September/October 2024 - 5
September/October 2024 - Accelerated deadline
September/October 2024 - 7
September/October 2024 - Weeding out danger
September/October 2024 - 9
September/October 2024 - 10
September/October 2024 - 11
September/October 2024 - East Coast diversification
September/October 2024 - 13
September/October 2024 - 14
September/October 2024 - 15
September/October 2024 - Regenerating soil
September/October 2024 - 17
September/October 2024 - Connecting innovation and education at the Great Lakes EXPO
September/October 2024 - 19
September/October 2024 - 20
September/October 2024 - 21
September/October 2024 - 22
September/October 2024 - Organic Grower
September/October 2024 - 24
September/October 2024 - 25
September/October 2024 - 26
September/October 2024 - 27
September/October 2024 - Veg Connections
September/October 2024 - 29
September/October 2024 - Farm Market & Agritourism
September/October 2024 - 31
September/October 2024 - Ag Labor Review
September/October 2024 - 33
September/October 2024 - Classifieds
September/October 2024 - Advertiser Index
September/October 2024 - 36
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