Organic vegetable seed production continues to grow along with the demand for product, adding millions of dollars to Washington’s agricultural economy. Production of organic vegetable seeds is hindered by numerous pathogens. Because there is a lack of reliable organic control methods for bacterial black rot (caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris) on crucifers, a biologically […]
We are working directly with organic growers to help them make management decisions to minimize damage cause by the Carrot Rust fly larvae, based on monitor for Carrot Rust Fly adult using yellow-orange visual sticky traps. In addition, we are testing selected entomopathogenic nematodes to determine their effectiveness against the soil dwelling larval stage of […]
Cover crops are a locally grown source of organic matter and nitrogen and a weed management tool. Despite these benefits, many organic farmers have not been able to work cover crops into their management systems. We are evaluating different cover cropping systems, to help organic farmers determine how to best use cover crops on their […]
The new rules and standards of the USDA National Organic Program have increased the demand for organically produced seed, but have also raised concerns about losses due to both seedborne and soilborne pathogens because of the limited number of options available for organic seed treatment. This is compounded by a lack of unbiased scientific data […]
Two three-year rotations are being investigated for suitability for organic transition in northwestern Washington. Cover crop growth was greater and resulted in better weed suppression during 2004-05 than in 2003-04. Common chickweed was the major winter weed species, accounting for 90% of the total weed biomass during the first winter and 75% during the second. […]
Weed control and fertility management have been identified as priority research needs by Washington organic orchardists. Mechanical weed control has been the standard practice, often with high cost and potential degradation of soil quality. Mulches can control weeds and improve tree growth and yield, and enhance codling moth mortality with entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN). Living mulches […]
Organic grain production in Washington State was limited to less than 2500 acres as of 2001, and has not been well represented in the university research system. This lack of attention by both growers and researchers has resulted in a serious knowledge gap, with no good guidelines available on how to manage weeds and other […]