Greenhouse Operations Management: Pest and Diseases Notes...Greenhouse Operations Management: Pests...

Greenhouse Operations Management GOM5 Pests and Diseases in the Greenhouse

Greenhouse Operations Management: Pest and Diseases Notes

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Healthy Plants: IPM:




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Pesticides: Pesticide Labels & Toxicity:




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Pesticide Safety:


Greenhouse Operations Management: Pests and Diseases GOM5.1

Insect Collection Guidelines

Making an insect collection is an ideal way to learn about insects. It opens the doors to the world

in which these small creatures live. The collector is able to discover things about insects that he

or she may not get from books. It allows insects which are very different to be studied and

compared at the same time. Collecting insects is a very interesting hobby as well. Constructing

an insect collection is not difficult, but it does require some care and time. There are certain steps

and procedures that need to be followed when preparing insects for display. Some standard

guidelines are given here.

Step 1: Prepare the killing jar A killing jar needs to be prepared before the insects are collected. Insects should be killed in a

killing jar as soon as possible after they are collected. Therefore, the killing jar should be taken

along when collecting insects. Killing jars or bottles can either be made or purchased. Wide-

mouth jars (6 to 16 oz. size) with airtight lids are the most common. An alternative is to carry a

large test tube or slender bottle with a cork or stopper in it. The insects are killed later.

Ethyl acetate, which acts as a fumigant, can be used to make a killing jar. It can be obtained from

biological or chemical supply companies. It is much safer than other types of killing agents. The

ethyl acetate type of killing jar can be made easily by following the procedure listed below.

1. Make a thick mixture of plaster of paris and water.

2. Pour the mixture into a clean jar to a height of about 1inch. Allow it to air dry at room

temperature (this requires several days) or under low heat (light bulb or lowest oven

temperature).

3. When completely dry, add enough ethyl acetate to saturate the plaster of paris. With the

lid on, let it stand for a few minutes. Then, pour back any excess liquid and replace the

lid. There should not be any standing liquid. Be careful not to breathe the ethyl acetate

fumes.

4. Place enough cotton to cover the plaster of paris. The insect should not come into direct

contact with the plaster of paris.

5. Tape can be placed on the bottom and lower sides of the jar to reduce the chance of

breakage.

6. Label the jar “poison.”

7. Ethyl acetate must be reapplied to the plaster of paris after several hours of collecting

insects depending on how often and for how long the lid was removed. The lid should

always be left on unless the collector is actually placing an insect in or removing one

from the jar.



Step 2: Locating insects Insects can be found almost anywhere in the world. The more places you look, the more kinds of

insects you are likely to find. Insects are commonly found in flower and vegetable gardens,

grasses in lawns and fields, weeds, bushes, aquatic plants, fruit and shade trees, and animals.

Many insects can be found hiding in plants. Look between the petals in flowers and inside the

stem. Leaf damage may indicate the presence of insects. If the stem has holes, swellings, or a

dead portion, it should be split to locate larvae living there. Soil insects, which feed on roots, are

often found near or inside roots. Decaying fruits, nuts, vegetables, bark, logs, and wood piles are

homes of many insects. Check tree holes that are filled with water for mosquito larvae and other

insects.

Flying insects enjoy sunny, calm days. Certain flies, winged ants, and termites swarm in the

spring and fall, especially when it is warm and sunny after rain. Use a net to catch flying insects,

or check the radiator or front grill of a car for usable specimens. Certain insects may be found

beneath or on top of the water. Mud along water shorelines is also the hiding place for many

insects. Like plants on land, water plants are also homes for several kinds of insects.

A lot of insects may be hiding in garden topsoil, mulch, compost piles, and forest litter. To find

certain soil insects, dig down about 6 inches under grasses and in garden soil. Since insects are

almost everywhere, there are many other places to find them. Outside areas like under stones,

logs, plant debris, and picnic trash bins are homes of insects. Household pests may be found in

garages, basements, and food storage areas. Parasitic insects live in bird feathers and animal skin

and fur. Some insects are not present during the day, but may be found at night.

Step 3: Catching insects The simplest way to catch insects is by hand. Place them in a killing jar or container. Gloves are

recommended for catching insects. Many beginners may be hesitant to reach out and grab an

insect because they are afraid that it might bite or sting. Although this is a common fear, it is not

very likely to occur with most insects. Insects which bite do so by moving their jaws sideways

and pinching, or by piercing with their beak. Actually, there are very few pinching insects

capable of causing pain or breaking skin. Most biting insects cannot bite if they are grasped

firmly by the sides of their body. Insects which sting do this by using a structure located at the

back end of their body. Only female bees, wasps, and some ants can sting.

Step 4: Killing insects Place insects immediately into the killing jar after they are

captured. If the killing jar is in use, the insects can be placed

into another container with a lid. It is important to kill the

insects as soon as possible so that they do not damage their

body parts.



Common Greenhouse Pests and Diseases

Directions Research more about your assigned pest or disease, then create a single PowerPoint

slide answering the following questions:

• How to identify the pest or disease complete with photos or drawings

• An explanation of the life cycle of the pest or disease including a timeline

• Ways to prevent the pest or disease in the greenhouse using cultural and sanitation

practices, trapping and/or barriers

• How to monitor for that pest or disease in the greenhouse, including what early warning

signs would look like

NOTES:

Complete the table below using information from classmate’s presentations

Name of

Pest / Disease How to identify? Lifecycle? Prevention? Monitoring?



Name That Pest

Use the following resources to identify the insects collected during this lesson.

• Greenhouse Operation & Management Unit VI: Plant Health, Lesson 1: Greenhouse

Pests & Diseases https://dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/aged-

Greenhouse%20Mngmnt%20Student%20Reference.pdf

• Entomology, Lesson 3: Insect Identification

https://dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/aged-Entomology-Student-Ref..pdf

• UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines

http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/selectnewpest.floriculture.html

• Insect Identification (Bugs and Other Insects from the State of Missouri)

http://www.insectidentification.org/insects-by-state.asp?thisState=Missouri

Observations of My Insect Using the resources above, record the observations made about the insect collected earlier in

the lesson below. These observations should be the ones that help lead to the identification of

the insect.

https://dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/aged-Greenhouse%20Mngmnt%20Student%20Reference.pdf

https://dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/aged-Greenhouse%20Mngmnt%20Student%20Reference.pdf

https://dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/aged-Entomology-Student-Ref..pdf


http://www.insectidentification.org/insects-by-state.asp?thisState=Missouri



Integrated Pest Management

IPM focuses on long-term prevention of pests or their damage by managing the ecosystem. With IPM, you take actions to keep pests from becoming a problem, such as by growing a healthy crop that can withstand pest attacks, using disease-resistant plants, or caulking cracks to keep insects or rodents from entering a building. Rather than simply eliminating the pests you see right now, using IPM means you'll look at environmental factors that affect the pest and its ability to thrive. Armed with this information, you can create conditions that are unfavorable for the pest.

The basic goal in insect pest management is to prevent insect populations from reaching a level that can cause substantial damage to a crop. This is referred to as the economic injury level (EIL). The economic injury level is the amount of damage insects do to a crop that equals the cost it requires to use measures that suppress the insects. It is not always necessary to start insect control measures when insects are seen on a crop. The economic threshold is used to determine when insect control measures should be considered. The economic threshold indicates the level of damage done by an insect that is used to warn the agriculturalist of potential problems. To determine when the economic threshold is reached, careful sampling must be done. This may involve counting the actual number of individual insects per unit. Other methods used involve some form of removal, trapping, visual estimates, or assessing the amount of plant damage. When the economic threshold is reached, it is necessary to use methods to keep the insect populations from reaching the economic injury level.

These IPM principles and practices are combined to create IPM programs. While each situation is different, six major components are common to all IPM programs:

1. Identify the problem 2. Assess the damage 3. Prepare cost/benefit analysis 4. Select a management strategy 5. Implement the management strategy 6. After action is taken, assessing the effect of pest management

1 | Identify the problem: Never try to control a problem until you are sure what it is. Identifying the cause of a plant problem or symptom correctly can be very difficult. There may be many reasons why a plant is not growing properly. For example, plant leaves may turn yellow because of insect attacks, plant diseases, nutrient deficiencies, or herbicide injury. Insects may be the indirect cause of poor plant health. A plant that is already nutrient deficient tends to attract insects. The insects are not the direct cause of the problem, the nutrient deficiency is. Even if the insects are eliminated, the plant would not recover until the nutrient deficiency is corrected.

Identifying the problem incorrectly may cause the wrong method of control to be selected. This not only wastes money but probably will not fix the problem as well. In fact, the real problem will usually get worse.



2 | Assess the damage: In addition to finding the root cause of the problem, it is very important to determine exactly how extensive the damage may be. Plants have a remarkable ability to recover from insect attack. Some injuries are only on the surface. Even though it may look bad, the crop is not damaged to the point of economic losses.

The stage of development of the plant and insect is another point to consider. When assessing plant damage, there is no substitute for a knowledgeable person. It can be very expensive and unnecessary to start measures to suppress or contain insects that may not be causing real damage.

3 | Prepare cost/benefit analysis: A cost/benefit analysis can be difficult to do. A cost/benefit analysis means comparing the cost of an insect control plan with the benefits that the control plan will give. The value of the increased crop yield should be equal to, or higher than, the cost of the actions taken to control insects. The benefits include the short term value of increased crop yield as well as the long term value of keeping the insect population under control for the rest of the growing season and following years. Often, it is possible to control an insect population by suppressing the first generation. Later in the season, the number of insects may be greater and more difficult to control. You also need to consider what effects control measures may have on beneficial insects. Lowering the beneficial insect population can increase the harmful insect population and increase control costs overall.

Insect control is necessary only when the insect is causing more damage than is reasonable to accept. Even though an insect is present, it may not do much harm. It could cost more to control the insect than would have been lost by insect damage.

4 | Select a management strategy: There are many insect management strategies to choose from. You need to consider the various factors that influence the selection of a plan. If an insect problem has been identified, and you know how the insect grows, how it spreads, and what damage it does, you can begin to plan how to control it. Using an insecticide is one of many ways to control pests. The use of a combination of methods is basic to all pest control. Be sure to think about what other methods might work before you decide to apply an insecticide. IPM programs combine management approaches for greater effectiveness. The most effective, long-term way to manage pests is by using a combination of methods that work better together than separately. Approaches for managing pests are often grouped in the following categories.

Mechanical controls are the first practices to consider when pests have reached an unacceptable level (economic threshold). These controls kill a pest directly, block pests out, or make the environment unsuitable for it. They include erecting barriers, using traps, hand-picking and other activities that disrupt insect breeding and feeding. For instance, spraying plants with a water hose to knock off aphids and mites is a mechanical practice. Mechanical and physical controls Mechanical practices include: Sanitation Keep the landscape and greenhouse clean and free of scenarios that might attract insect pests. This includes removing unwanted debris in contact with the ground, dead limbs, piles of decomposing organic matter and eliminating standing water that are not landscape design elements.



Control Abiotic Elements Many nuisance pests are present due to physical characteristics of the local environment. Piles of rocks, deposits of leaf litter, and presence of ground debris are favorable habitats of creatures like snails and slugs, sowbugs and pillbugs, centipedes and millipedes, and scorpions. Presence of shade, moisture, and structure (cracks and crevices) profoundly affect arthropod populations favored in those habitats. Other Mechanical Methods Other mechanical methods for insect control include hand destruction, exclusion of pests from plants using fine mesh screens or other types of barriers. There are petroleum-based sticky material often used to make sticky barriers that are difficult for insects to cross. This material is available as both a gel and a spray. This material can be used to make yellow sticky cards as well. Newer products containing Teflon® either as a tape or as a spray may also be useful for similar purposes. Use of high pressure water sprays, using special equipment can remove small insects and mites from foliage. Rose growers report good results using such devices. However, care must be taken in certain situations. In some cases, spraying mites off one hose only serve to spread infestations to alternate hosts nearby. On the other hand, for host specific wingless pests such as the crape myrtle aphid, these devices can be an effective

method for temporary suppression of pest numbers. In addition, the high-pressure sprays can remove some of the honey dew that can lead to hard-to-remove sooty mold. Biological control Biological control is the use of natural enemies—predators, parasites, pathogens, and competitors—to control pests and their damage. Invertebrates, plant pathogens, nematodes, weeds, and vertebrates have many natural enemies. Cultural controls Cultural controls are practices that reduce pest establishment, reproduction, dispersal, and survival. For example, changing irrigation practices can reduce pest problems, since too much water can increase root disease and weeds. Chemical control Chemical control is the use of pesticides. In IPM, pesticides are used only when needed and in combination with other approaches for more effective, long-term control. Pesticides are selected and applied in a way that minimizes their possible harm to people, nontarget organisms, and the environment. With IPM you'll use the most selective pesticide that will do the job and be the safest for other organisms and for air, soil, and water quality; use pesticides in bait stations rather than sprays; or spot-spray a few weeds instead of an entire area.

5| Implement the management strategy: When selecting a management strategy, a major factor is the ability to actually put it into action and see it through to completion. There are many strategies and alternatives from which to choose. One who is devoted to biological control may be unable to implement it effectively or efficiently. On the other hand, some people are all too ready to employ chemical control exclusively because the materials are readily available. An experienced individual will consider a variety of measures for any particular situation or problem.

6 | After action is taken, assessing the effect of pest management: Following up on a regular basis is an important part of any insect management program. The effectiveness of the measures selected can be judged only by carefully watching the insect populations and crop growth. This can be done through regular sampling. We cannot assume that an insect problem has been thoroughly controlled just because the control measures have been put into action. Control measures may need to be alternated, modified, increased, or decreased. Keeping careful records will give a great deal of information on how well the selected plan is working and how efficient and effective the measures are.



Using IPM in the Greenhouse

Research more about your assigned pest or disease, considering how IPM can be used. Create a

single PowerPoint slide answering the following questions:

• What types of biological controls can be used to control the pest or disease? (If any)

• What types of physical or mechanical control can be implemented to control this pest or

disease (i.e. removing infected leaves)?

• If all else fails what sprays can be applied to control this pest or disease? There must be at

least one least toxic non-synthetic spray recommended.

Suggested Resources:

• University Extension Papers

• www.insectimages.org

• University of Missouri Extension Publications

http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/

• Nebraska Extension Publications “NebGuides”

http://extensionpubs.unl.edu

• University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources IPM


Complete the table below using information from classmate’s presentations

Name of

Pest / Disease Biological Controls?

Physical/Mechanical

Controls? Sprays?

http://www.insectimages.org/

http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/

http://extensionpubs.unl.edu/




Types of Pesticides

LIQUID FORMS OF PESTICIDES

Form Designation Usage

Aerosols A Pressured cans or aerosol bombs

Emulsifiable Concentrates EC Mixed with water in spray tank

Encapsulated Pesticide sealed in

microcapsules Time release – mixed with water

Flowable For L Mixed with water

DRY FORMS OF PESTICIDES

Form of Liquid Designation Usage

Bait B Pesticide-laden substance that lures pests

Dust D Pesticide and inert ingredients ground into dust; applied

dry

Granular G Same composition as dust, but larger particles; applied

dry

Soluble Powder S or SP Finely ground ingredients; dissolves in water

Wettable Powder W or WP Mixes with water in spray tank; must be constantly

agitated to keep mixed

Dry Flowable DF Dry granules of pesticide; less dust than powders



Guidelines for Applying Pesticides Safely

Fill in each space below with a guideline for applying pesticides safely

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.



What’s in a Label?

Complete the following table based on each of the labels found around the room.

Label 1 Label 2 Label 3 Label 4

Name of pesticide

Personal Protective Equipment

needed

Signal word for pesticide

toxicity level (Caution,

Warning, Danger)

Active Ingredient

Re-entry interval after spraying

Suggested application method

How many ounces per gallon to

mix?

How much to spray per 100

square feet of bench space?

(How many gallons would be

used in this area?)

What type of spray cycle should

be followed? (i.e. every 10

days, every 14 days)

Are there crops for which this

pesticide is toxic? What are

signs of toxicity?



Greenhouse Pest and Disease Scenario

You were hired as a greenhouse manager at ZJH Greenhouses. One greenhouse that you manage

has had alarming plant damage. Your job is to respond to the scenario by writing a letter that

you will publish in the monthly newsletter to educate your employees and consumers.

Read the scenario and research to determine:

• What is the pest or disease?

• What is your IPM plan?

o Identify the problem

o Assess the damage

o Prepare cost/benefit analysis

▪ Select a management strategy: List mechanical controls, biological

controls, cultural controls, and chemical controls

o Implement the management strategy

o After action is taken, assess the effect of pest management

• What is an example pesticide you could use?

• Gather this information from the label:

o Personal Protective Equipment Needed

o Signal word for pesticide toxicity level (Caution, Warning, Danger)

o Active ingredient

o Re-entry interval after spraying

o How many ounces per gallon to mix

o What type of spray cycle should be followed (i.e. every 10 days, every 14 days)

SCENARIO

One greenhouse that you manage is full of African violets. The greenhouse size is 10 feet wide

and 12 feet long. You’ve noticed that the crop of African violets is beginning to show signs of

stunted growth. Throughout the entire greenhouse most new leaves are stunted with curling and

twisting. This has appeared very rapidly, as you monitor the greenhouse regularly. Several

leaves and stems are covered in a sticky substance, which also appears to have ants on it. Some

plants even appear to have a black mold growing on them. There are white cast skins in the

potted plants. This problem needs to be addressed immediately so no more of the crop is

damaged. It came on very quickly!



Greenhouse Pest and Disease Scenario

Scoring Guide

You were hired as a greenhouse manager at ZJH Greenhouses. One greenhouse that you manage

has had alarming plant damage. Your job is to respond to the scenario by writing a letter that

you will publish in the monthly newsletter to educate your employees and consumers.

15 pts 10 points 5 points 0 pts

Org

an

izati

on

Letter format is used

with introduction,

body and conclusion

paragraphs

Letter format is used,

but there is a lack of

clear introduction,

body, and conclusion

paragraphs

A letter format is not

used, but there are

introduction, body,

and conclusion

paragraphs

Letter format not

used and there is a

lack of clear

introduction, body,

and conclusion

paragraphs

Inte

gra

ted

Pes

t M

an

agem

ent

Con

ten

t The letter includes

the following:

• Identify the

problem

• Assess the damage

• Prepare

cost/benefit

analysis

• Select

management

strategy (list

mechanical,

biological,

cultural, and

chemical controls)

The letter is missing

1 of these elements:

• Identify the

problem


• Prepare

cost/benefit

analysis

• Select

management

strategy (list

mechanical,

biological,

cultural, and

chemical controls)


2 of these elements:

• Identify the

problem

• Assess the

damage

• Prepare

cost/benefit

analysis

• Select

management

strategy (list

mechanical,

biological,

cultural, and

chemical

controls)


3 or 4 of these

elements:

• Identify the

problem


• Prepare

cost/benefit

analysis

• Select

management

strategy (list

mechanical,

biological,

cultural, and

chemical controls)

Pes

tici

de

Lab

el I

nfo

rmati

on

The letter includes

the following:

• PPE Needed

• Signal Word

• Active Ingredient

• Re-entry interval

• Suggested

application

• Ounces per gallon

• Spray Cycle


1 or 2 of these

elements:

• PPE Needed

• Signal Word



• Suggested

application


• Spray Cycle


3 or 4 of these

elements:

• PPE Needed

• Signal Word



• Suggested

application


• Spray Cycle


5 or more of these

elements:

• PPE Needed

• Signal Word



• Suggested

application


• Spray Cycle



15 pts 10 points 5 points 0 pts

Mec

han

ics Letter has no errors

and uses proper

sentence structure,

spelling, punctuation,

and capitalization

Letter has 1 or 2

errors and generally

uses proper sentence

structure, spelling,

punctuation, and

capitalization

Letter has 3-5 errors

and somewhat uses

proper sentence

structure, spelling,

punctuation, and

capitalization

Letter has 6+ errors

and uses poor

sentence structure,

spelling, punctuation,

and capitalization

Res

earch

Research is evident,

implemented, and

cited properly

Some research is

evident and cited

properly.

Research is poorly

implemented and is

cited improperly.

Research is not

evident, not

implemented, and is

not cited.

Total: _____ / 75

Comments:



Pests and Diseases in the Greenhouse Evaluation

1. List two common pests and diseases found in the greenhouse growing environment.

2. What are characteristics of downy mildew?

3. What is IPM?

4. Arrange the six steps of IPM.

_____ Assess the damage

_____ Implement the management strategy

_____ Select a management strategy

_____ Identify the problem

_____ Prepare a cost/benefit analysis

_____ After action is taken, assess the effect of pest management

5. What is the meaning of signal words on a pesticide label?

6. What is PPE?


Greenhouse Operations Management: Pests and Diseases GOM5.10KEY

Pests and Diseases in the Greenhouse Evaluation

1. List two common pests and diseases found in the greenhouse growing environment.

Phytophthora, downy mildew, bacterial leaf spot, aphids, fungus gnats, scale, white fly,

spider mites, cabbage looper, tomato hornworm, rodents like mice or rabbits

2. What are characteristics of downy mildew?

Fungal disease, causes yellowing leaves between the veins and purplish gray spores on the

underside of leaves

3. What is IPM?

Integrated Pest Management. IPM focuses on long-term prevention of pests or their damage

by managing the ecosystem. With IPM, you take actions to keep pests from becoming a

problem.

4. Arrange the six steps of IPM.

__2___ Assess the damage

__5___ Implement the management strategy

__4___ Select a management strategy

__1___ Identify the problem

__3___ Prepare a cost/benefit analysis

__6___ After action is taken, assess the effect of pest management

5. What is the meaning of signal words on a pesticide label?

“Caution”, slightly toxic, LD50= 500-5,000

“Warning”, moderately toxic, LD50=50-500

“Danger—Poison”, most toxic, LD50=0-50

6. What is PPE?

Personal Protective Equipment. Could include (or a combination of): Goggles, respirator,

long sleeves rolled over long rubber gloves, hat, rubber boots, and overalls or coveralls

secured with a band over boots.

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