Total Crop Management for Greenhouse Production

449 Pages·2016·2.99 MB·English

Bulletin 363 Revised 2016
Total Crop Management
for Greenhouse Production
with an emphasis on
Integrated Pest Management and
Nutrient Management
Bulletin 363 Revised 2016
Total Crop Management
for Greenhouse Production
with an emphasis on
Integrated Pest Management and
Nutrient Management
This publication is a joint effort of the University of Maryland, Virginia Tech and
North Carolinia State University and their specialists in various environmental fields
Integrated Pest Management for Commercial Horticulture
University of Maryland Extension
http://extension.umd.edu/ipm
The University of Maryland, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources programs are open to all
and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical
or mental disability, religion, ancestry, or national origin, marital status, genetic information, or political
affiliation, or gender identity and expression.
Authors and Publication Coordinators:
Stanton A. Gill, Extension Specialist Debby Smith-Fiola,
Central Maryland Research and Education Center Consultant, Landscape IPM
301-596-9413, [email protected] [email protected]
Co-Authors:
Karen Rane, Plant Pathologist Andrew Ristvey, Extension Specialist
Plant Diagnostic Lab, College Park Wye Research and Education Center
301-405-1611, [email protected] 410-827-8056, [email protected]
Chuck Schuster, Extension Educator Joyce Latimer, Extension Specialist
University of Maryland Extension Virginia Tech
301-590-2807, [email protected] 540-231-7906, [email protected]
Not Pictured
Gerald Brust, IPM Vegetable Specialist
Central Maryland Research and Education Center
301-627-8440
Brian Whipker, Extension Specialist Kate Everts, Vegetable Plant Pathologist
North Carolina State University Lower Eastern Shore Research and Education Center
919-515-5374, [email protected] 410-742-8780, [email protected]
Will Healy, Research and Technical Services Manager
Formatting, Editing, and
Ball Horticultural Company
Image Management: [phone], [email protected]
Suzanne Klick, Technician
University of Maryland Extension Megan McConnell, Lab Technician
Plant Diagnostic Lab, College Park, MD
ii
Preface
This manual is designed for use by growers, greenhouse managers, and Extension educators
involved with the floriculture industry. Our goal with this manual is to help greenhouse growers
produce the highest-quality plants with minimal loss. This publication is based on the extensive
experience of Maryland greenhouse growers, independent Total Plant Management and
Integrated Pest Management (TPM/ IPM) scouts, and faculty and specialists of the University
of Maryland Extension. It is our intent that this manual serve as a valuable tool for improved
management of greenhouse crops. We have created charts for easy access to information and
text for more in-depth information on key subjects.
Disclaimer
Mention of trade names and products is for information only and does not constitute an
endorsement or recommendation of, or discrimination against, similar products not mentioned.
Printed in 2016 by University of Maryland Extension, College of Agriculture and Natural
Resources, University of Maryland College Park. All rights reserved. No part of this publication
may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording,
manual, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of University of Maryland Extension.
The phone number for University of Maryland Extension is [phone].
Although this manual contains research-based information, and the contributors and publisher
have used their best efforts in preparing this manual, the publisher and contributors offer no
warranties, express or implied, with respect to the use of this manual. Manual users maintain
complete responsibility for the accurate use and appropriate application of the information in
this manual for their intended purpose(s). In no event shall the publisher or contributors be held
responsible or liable for any indirect, direct, incidental, or consequential damages or loss of profits
or any other commercial damage whatsoever resulting from or related to the use or misuse of this
manual.
Electronic copies of this manual are available on-line
at http://extension.umd.edu/ipm/commercial-horticulture-publications
To purchase paper copies of this manual contact 301-596-9413
or go to the website for an order form
iii

Table of Contents
Part 1: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Greenhouse Operations
Chapter 1 Integrated Pest Management: Scouting Overview 3
Chapter 2 Integrated Pest Management: Monitoring Crops for Key Problems 13
Chapter 3 Screening Out Insect Pests 25
Chapter 4 Disinfecting a Greenhouse: Keeping Diseases and Insects in Check 29
Chapter 5 Pesticide Application Equipment: Selection and Calibration 31
Part 2: Insect and Mite Management
Chapter 6 Insecticide and Miticide Classes 37
Chapter 7 Biological Control of Greenhouse Pests 41
Chapter 8 Biopesticides and Reduced-risk Pesticides 61
Chapter 9 Understanding Insect Growth Regulators 75
Chapter 10 Impact of Selected Pesticides on Bees 79
Chapter 11 Insecticides Registered for Greenhouse Ornamentals 83
Chapter 12 Insect Control for Greenhouse Vegetable Product and Herbs 229

Part 3: Disease, Weed, and Algae Management
Chapter 13 Managing Plant Diseases 241
Chapter 14 Weed and Algae Control in Commercial Greenhouses 299

Part 4: Cultural, Water, and Fertility Management
Chapter 15 Plant Growth Regulators for Floricultural Crops 307
Chapter 16 Water Supply, Irrigation, and Management 335
Chapter 17 Too Wet or Too Dry? 343
Chapter 18 Precision Irrigation for Nursery and Greenhouse Crops 345
Chapter 19 Fertility Management 355
Chapter 20 Fertilizer Injection or Fertigation 369
Chapter 21 Care and Calibration of Injector Pumps 375
Part 5: Greenhouse Structures and Environment
Chapter 22 Greenhouse Selection and Placement 381
Chapter 23 Greenhouse Growing Environment: Temperature and Humidity 385
Chapter 24 Greenhouse Systems Maintenance 397
Chapter 25 Greenhouse Substrates 401
Part 6: Appendix
Appendix A Selected Resources 415
Appendix B Conversion Factors 418
Appendix C Images of Insects, Diseases, Abiotic Problems, and Weeds 420

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List of Tables
Table 1.1 Pest Problems And Indicator Plants 7
Table 1.2 Samples of Greenhouse IPM Crop Information Collection Forms 10
Table 2.1 Key Pests and Cultural Requirements of Greenhouse Ornamental Crops 14
Table 2.2 Key Pests of Vegetable Transplants Grown in the Greenhouse 19
Table 2.3 Monitoring Pests In The Greenhouse 22
Table 5.1 Optimum Spray Drop Sizes For Various Targets 31
Table 5.2 Theoretical Spray Coverage 32
Table 6.1 Mode of Action (MoA) Classification of Insecticides and Miticides 38
Table 7.1 Compatibility of Pesticides and Biological Control 43
Table 7.2 Biological Control of Aphids 49
Table 7.3 Biological Control of Caterpillars 50
Table 7.4 Biological Control of Fungus Gnats and Shore Flies 52
Table 7.5 Biological Control of Mealybugs 53
Table 7.6 Biological Control of Broad and Cyclamen Mites 54
Table 7.7 Biological Control of Spider Mites 54
Table 7.8 Biological Control of Scale Insects 55
Table 7.9 Biological Control of Thrips 58
Table 7.10 Biological Control of Whiteflies 60
Table 8.1 Biopesticides, Reduced-risk Pesticides and Their Uses 64
Table 9.1 Product Names and Distributors of Commonly Found IGRs for Greenhouse Use 75
Table 9.2 Insect Growth Regulators And The Pests They Control 76
Table 10.1 Alternatives to Neonicotinoids 81
Table 11.1 Insecticides for Aphid Control 85
Table 11.2 Insecticides for Caterpillar Control 102
Table 11.3 Nematicides for Foliar Nematode Control 115
Table 11.4 Insecticides for Fungus Gnat Control 117
Table 11.5 Insecticides for Leafminer Control 129
Table 11.6 Insecticides for Mealybug Control 142
Table 11.7 Miticides for Tarsonemid Mite Control 157
Table 11.8 Miticides for Spider Mite Control 163
Table 11.9 Insecticides for Scale Control 176
Table 11.10 Insecticides for Shore Fly Control 188
Table 11.11 Pesticides for Slug Control 193
Table 11.12 Insecticides for Thrips Control 197
Table 11.13 Insecticides for Whitefly Control 213
Table 12.1 Insecticides for Greenhouse Vegetable Production 230
Table 13.1 Products for Managing Bacterial Diseases 244
Table 13.2 Fungicides for Managing Botrytis Blight 247
Table 13.3 Fungicides for Managing Downy Mildew 253
Table 13.4 Fungicides for Managing Fungal Leaf Spots 258
Table 13.5 Fungicides for Managing Fusarium Root Rot 264
Table 13.6 Fungicides for Managing Powdery Mildew 268
Table 13.7 Fungicides for Managing Phytophthora Foliar Blight 274
Table 13.8 Fungicides for Managing Pythium and Phytophthora Root and Crown Rots 278
Table 13.9 Fungicides for Managing Rhizoctonia Root and Crown Rot 281
Table 13.10 Fungicides for Managing Rusts 285
Table 13.11 Fungicides for Managing Sclerotinia Blight and Crown Rot 289
Table 13.12 Fungicides for Managing Thielaviopsis Root Rot 292
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Table 13.13 Fungicides and Bactericides for Greenhouse Vegetable Production 295
Table 14.1 Herbicides Labeled for Use in Controlling Weeds in Greenhouses 300
Table 14.2 Algae Control With Chemicals 303
Table 15.1 Plant Growth Regulators Used To Reduce Plant Height 320
Table 15.2 Other Plant Growth Regulators Used In Production of Floricultural Crops 323
Table 15.3 Growth Regulators for Floricultural Crops in Greenhouses 325
Table 15.4 Dilution Table for Amount of Formulated Produce per Gallon of Solution 334
Table 17.1 Five Soil Moisture Levels 343
Table 17.2 Optimum Soil Moisture Levels During Plug Production 344
Table 19.1 Formulas, Molecular Masses, and Compositions of Common Macro Fertilizers 359
Table 19.2 Formulas, Molecular Masses, and Compositions of Common Micro Fertilizers 360
Table 19.3 Commercially Available Fertilizers That Either Acidify or Increase Substrate
pH Based on Potential Acidity or Basicity 361
Table 19.4 Suggested Rates for Fertilizing Different Crop Types (ppm N) 363
Table 19.5 Injection Ratios And Nitrogen Concentration For Constant Feeding 364
Table 19.6 Suggestions and Precautions for Controlled Release Fertilizer Use 367
Table 21.1 Maintenance Schedule for Injector System 376
Table 25.1 Effects Of pH On Nutrient Availability In Soilless Substrates 405
Table 25.2 Intrepreting Electrical Conductivity Values From Different Methods 409
List of Figures
Figure 3.1 Evaporative Cooling Pad 25
Figure 3.2 Manometers 25
Figure 3.3 Resistance Curve 26
Figure 3.4 Air Movement With Screening 26
Figure 3.5 Ventilation Air Flow 27
Figure 16.1 Irrigation Filters 339
Figure 18.1 A Schematic of a Farm-scale WSN for Precision Irrigation Scheduling 347
Figure 18.2 Different Data Collection Scenarios 349
Figure 18.3 Typical Container Moisure Dynamics Before and After Irrigation Events 350
Figure 19.1 Law Of The Minimum Principle 355
Figure 19.2 Concentration Ranges of Several Nutrients Found In Plant Leaves 356
Figure 19.3 Effects of pH on Nutrient Availability in Soilless Organic Substrates 357
Figure 20.1 Using Proportioners For Fertilizer Applications 370
Figure 20.2 Venturi Injection 371
Figure 20.3 Positive Displacement Proportioner 372
Figure 21.1 Parts of an Injector 375
Figure 21.2 Concentrate Filter 376
Figure 21.3 An EC Meter 377
Figure 23.1 Greenhouse Heating 387
Figure 23.2a HAF Fans (2) 389
Figure 23.2b HAF Fans (4) 389
Figure 23.3 Greenhouse Ventilation 390
Figure 23.4 Mechanical Greenhouse Ventilation 391
Figure 23.5a Winter Moisture Control 393
Figure 23.5b Greenhouse Air Exchange 394
Figure 23.6 Control Sensors 394
Figure 25.1 Substrate, Irrigation and Fertilizer Triangle 401
Figure 25.2 Suggested Substrate pH Ranges For Greenhouse Crops 406
vii

Part 1
Integrated Pest Management
(IPM) for Greenhouse
Operations
Chapter 1 Integrated Pest Management: Scouting Overview
Chapter 2 Integrated Pest Management: Monitoring Crops for Key
Problems
Chapter 3 Screening Out Insect Pests
Chapter 4 Disinfecting a Greenhouse: Keeping Diseases and Insects in
Check
Chapter 5 Pesticide Application Equipment: Selection and Calibration