Evaluation of inter-row cover crops effects on the microbial diversity during Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis vinifera L.) maturation.

The implementation of inter-row cover crops is considered a promising alternative ecological solution for sustainable agriculture, because they have been proven to be effective in improving soil structure, increasing soil fertility, controlling pests and diseases, enhancing biodiversity and to regulate excessive vine growth. However, the effects of vineyard inter-row cover crops on grape microbial community during maturity period remain unknown. This work used high-throughput sequencing technology in 2021 to investigate the effect of inter-row cover crops on the diversity of grape microbial community during maturity period. First, inter-row cover crops changed the grape microclimate and the diversity and structure of grape microbial community; second, compared with clear tillage, the assembly process of grape microbial community at the grape harvest, and the interactions between species within the microbial community changed; finally, there was a strong correlation between grape microbial species and microclimate factors. Taken together, this work provides important insights into the effects of vineyard inter-row cover crops on the diversity of grape microbial communities during the maturity period, and contributes to improve vineyard management techniques.

The Impact of Plant Essential Oils and Fine Mesh Row Covers on Flea Beetle (Chrysomelidae) Management in Brassicaceous Greens Production.

Brassicaceous leafy greens are an important crop for small growers but are difficult to produce due to damage by flea beetles. Flea beetles are problematic for growers as they chew many small holes through leaves rendering produce unmarketable. We tested the efficacy of several essential oils, the woven-mesh row cover ProtekNet, and the spunbonded row cover Agribon, compared to organic and conventional insecticides and no spray controls in the spring and fall of 2019. We found that the two row cover treatments (Agribon and ProtekNet) provided the best control of flea beetles and associated damage. Thyme oil was highly phytotoxic and killed the crop entirely and rosemary and neem essential oils caused mild phytotoxic burns. Organic insecticides rarely performed better than the no spray control. While conventional insecticides controlled most flea beetles, the crop was often still too highly damaged to sell. The results of our study suggest row covers offer producers an effective method of flea beetle control that reduces their dependence on insecticides for conventional and organic production.

Low Tunnels Reduce Insect Populations, Insecticide Application, and Chewing Insect Damage on Brussels Sprouts.

Low tunnels covered with spun-bonded fabric (row covers) provide season extension for vegetable production and also afford a physical barrier against airborne insects and other non-soil pests. Brussels sprouts, Brassica oleracea L. group Gemmifera (Brassicaceae), is a popular vegetable in local markets in Virginia; however, unprotected field production is severely affected by insect pest infestation. This study's objective was to determine the level of protection low tunnels provide against insect infestation and leaf herbivory injury. The experiment was conducted at the Virginia Tech Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Painter, Virginia. The experimental design was split-plot with polyethylene soil mulches (white or black) as whole plot factors and production systems (low tunnel or open field) as subplot factors. In this study, low tunnels reduced insect infestation and chewing herbivory leaf injury to Brussels sprouts. Compared to an unprotected open field, infestations of lepidopteran insects and harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica (Hahn) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) were reduced on plants under low tunnels. However, aphids (Hemiptera: Aphidae) infestation occurred under low tunnels in fall. There was no effect of color mulches (white or black) and no interaction between tunnel and mulch color on insect infestation and chewing injury. Fewer insect infestations and feeding injury indicate that low tunnels can be an effective management tool for sustainable vegetable production.

Companion planting with white yarrow or with feverfew for squash bug, Anasa tristis (Hemiptera: Coreidae), management on summer squash.

BACKGROUND: The squash bug, Anasa tristis (De Geer), is a major insect pest of cucurbits. Control of squash bugs with insecticidal chemicals is difficult to achieve. We investigated the potential of companion planting with white yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) or feverfew [Tanacetum parthenium (L.) Sch. Bip.] for squash bug management in field plantings of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.). RESULTS: Companion planting with white yarrow had few effects. Companion planting with feverfew tended to reduce squash bug populations, but results often were not statistically significant (P ≥ 0.05). Early-season ventilated row covers (without herbs) neither reduced squash bug populations nor increased squash yields. Herbs reduced marketable squash yields compared with the control only once out of seven experiments. CONCLUSION: The tested companion planting strategies inconsistently affected squash bug populations on summer squash. Therefore, these strategies are not recommended to commercial producers. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Horticultural Production Systems Influence Ground Beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Distribution and Diversity in Cucurbits.

Commercial cucurbit production typically involves agriculturally intensive practices, with fields prepared using conventional tillage, plasticulture, and chemically based pest management. Conservation-based management options are limited. In this study, we consider two alternative strategies, strip tillage and the use of row covers. We compare their impact on the beneficial carabid beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) community in melons and squash, following conventional or organic systems, over two years. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that soil management system (strip tillage versus plasticulture) was the primary variable influencing carabid distribution; row cover was a less important factor. The response to soil management was species dependent. Some dominant species, such as Harpalus pensylvanicus DeGeer, demonstrated no preference for a particular soil treatment. For others, including the tiger beetle, Cicindela punctulata Olivier, and a slug predator, Chlaenius tricolor Dejean, activity-density was higher in strip-tillage production systems. Our analysis suggested that strip-tillage production systems support a richer, more diverse carabid community. These results demonstrate that even within intensive annual horticultural systems, production practices can play a critical role in shaping the beneficial arthropod community, potentially encouraging or limiting ecosystem services.