New strains of late blight have emerged in recent years, making potato production especially challenging. Several nonchemical options are available for managing this disease, including cultural practices, some varietal resistance, and alternative sprays that discourage disease development.
Resources Category: Pest Management
Find Pest Management resources from the Transition to Organic Partnership Program, including guidance on pest prevention, control methods, and organic growing practices.
Disease and Insect Management in Organic Small Grains
This publication introduces the multifaceted comprehensive strategy of weed management used for organic small grain production, combining techniques including crop rotation, sanitation, cultural practices, variety and seed selection and planting, cover crops, tillage, use of organic herbicides, and others.
Weed Management in Organic Small Grains
This publication introduces the multifaceted comprehensive strategy of weed management used for organic small grain production, combining techniques including crop rotation, sanitation, cultural practices, variety and seed selection and planting, cover crops, tillage, use of organic herbicides, and others.
Companion Planting and Botanical Pesticides: Concepts and Resources
Certain plants can benefit others when planted in close proximity or used as botanical pesticides. This publication discusses the scientific and traditional basis for companion planting associations including trap cropping, weed suppression, physical-spatial interactions, and other relationships. It provides a companion planting chart for common herbs, vegetables, and flowers, as well as a listing of… Continue reading Companion Planting and Botanical Pesticides: Concepts and Resources
Guidelines for Using Mulches and Weed Barriers
Fact sheet that provides guidelines for using mulches and weed barrers in organic production
Crop Pest, Weed, and Disease Preventative Practices
Fact sheet on preventative practices for pest, weed, and disease managment for organic production.
Squash Bug and Squash Vine Borer: Organic Controls
Squash bug and squash vine borer are major pests among cucurbits. This publication addresses organic control methods for these pests. The life cycles and characteristics of each pest are presented. Various levels and types of organically sanctioned controls are discussed. Row covers, cultural methods, and physical practices are also covered. Experimental controls, biological controls, and… Continue reading Squash Bug and Squash Vine Borer: Organic Controls
Sustainable Weed Management for Small and Medium-Scale Farms
Managing croplands according to nature’s principles will reduce weed problems on horticultural crops, or row crops, in small and medium-sized operations. Creativity is key to devising sustainable cropping systems that prevent weed problems. This publication discusses several strategies, both proactive and reactive, as alternatives to conventional tillage systems. Options include mulching, competition, crop rotations, and… Continue reading Sustainable Weed Management for Small and Medium-Scale Farms
Tipsheet: Organic Pest Management
Tipsheet on managing pests in organic crop production
Cucumber Beetles: Organic and Biorational Integrated Pest Management
Cucumber beetles are present throughout the United States and cause serious damage to cucurbit crops. Overwintering adult insects cause feeding damage on young plants, larvae in the soil feed on plant roots and second-generation adults cause feeding damage on plant leaves, blossoms and fruits. Adult insects transmit bacterial wilt and squash mosaic virus. Organic and… Continue reading Cucumber Beetles: Organic and Biorational Integrated Pest Management