Page 16 - Griffin Gazette Q4 2017

By Tami Van Gaal, sticking or transplant, and continuing at Now that we understand the need to focus
CEA Division regular intervals until the crop is harvested. on prevention when using BCAs, we can
Leader Early prevention is especially important discuss the best options for preventative
when there is no effective chemical control use. BCAs are generally not crop specific.
Most growers pro-
ducing edible and option available for a crop. With a few exceptions, what works great in
medicinal crops uti- One of the biggest mistakes growers can lettuce will also work great in tomatoes and
lize biological con- make when utilizing BCAs is to delay the medicinal crops. Remember that BCAs
trol agents (BCAs) first release until the pest is present in target insect and mite pests – these tiny
as part of their in- the production space. Waiting becomes warriors do not sting or bite the people
tegrated pest man- problematic for two reasons. First, delayed working in the crop.
agement plans for a number of reasons. release risks establishment of the pest Aphids – Parasitoid wasps are the primary
Top concerns include a desire to reduce within the crop. Second, delivery of BCAs preventative tool for aphid control. A blend
chemical pesticide use, a lack of effective requires a little planning. With the exception of two species of wasps, Aphidius colemani
and allowed products for a specific crop, of beneficial nematodes, BCAs can't and A. ervi, is a perfect choice for prevention,
and a need to slow the development of be stored in advance of use. And, most providing protection against a wide variety
resistance within a pest population. The BCAs need to be ordered by mid-week for of small and large aphid species. Aphidius
BCA species used will depend on the target delivery the following week. The risk is that ships as parasitized aphids, called aphid
pests and the crop production methods. if one waits until the pest is seen to order mummies. The adults will emerge after
Think of BCAs as a protective shield over BCAs, it’s possible that more than a week shipping and are simply released into
the crop. This shield is most effective if will pass before the BCAs are delivered. It’s the crop. Release is particularly easy
it’s in place before the pests are present. far better to order in advance for known with A. colemani blister packs. Aphidius
Therefore, the best plans will call for a crop cycles. Some growers place routine are effective in both greenhouse and
focus on prevention over curative control, orders weeks or months in advance. Talk to warehouse situations, and are most
achieved by releasing BCAs at sowing, your Griffin sales representative to put this commonly used with lettuce, leafy greens,
practice in place for your operation. herbs, peppers, medicinal marijuana and

16 | Griffin Gazette 2017