Page 13 - Griffin Gazette Issue 1 - 2019

One aspect of disease prevention that monitor for insect and mites is the first step
doesn't always get as much attention as on the road to success. Whether utilizing
it should is crop nutrition. Elevated levels BCAs, softer insecticides and miticides,
of nitrogen in plant tissue can encourage or both, early detection is essential. Most
diseases such as Botrytis and powdery herbs are grown on the warm side, so
mildew. Excessive fertilizer salts in the insect and mite populations can ramp up
root zone can damage tender roots and very quickly. Catching the first hint of a pest
predispose plants to opportunistic diseases problem will make the eventual success
such as Pythium and Phytophthora root more likely, especially given the options
rots. In-house trialing of nutrition levels can available for control. GGSPro and other
help you achieve an attractive appearance biocontrol experts can help you formulate a
and good yields without excessive fertilizer plan to integrate BCAs into your control efforts.
being applied to the crop.
We mentioned that excess nitrogen in
Thorough and frequent scouting can lead plant tissue can increase foliar disease
to early detection and the opportunity to pressure. Research by Dr. Raymond Cloyd,
remove small amounts of infected material Kansas State University, has shown that the
to head off larger infections. Scouting will reproductive capacity of certain insects and
come up again when we talk about insects mites increases with elevated tissue levels
and mites. The challenge is that growers can of nitrogen. Arugula with Bacterial Leaf Spot
1
do everything right from a cultural standpoint Since BCAs often don't drive pest
and still occasionally run into disease issues. populations low enough for the final
When that happens there are some effective consumer of herbs, some softer
fungicides that are labeled for herbs. In insecticides may be needed to supplement
the digital Gazette, see our bulletin that the biocontrol program. Some of these
includes an extensive list of insecticides, insecticides are compatible with one or
miticides and fungicides labeled for herbs. more BCAs, opening up the possibility
Every herb grower will want to have a copy of using them in tandem to achieve the
of this bulletin. A sampling of fungicides objectives. GGSPro can help you determine
that are labeled for certain herbs can be which insecticides and miticides can be
found here:
utilized along with your biocontrol program.
• Bacteria based preventative foliar Below is a sampling of some of the softer
fungicides: Actinovate AG, Cease, insecticides and miticides available to herb
Companion, Pvent, Triathlon BA. growers. Don’t forget to check the digital Spicy Globe Basil with Botrytis Stem Canker
Gazette for GGSPro’s chart of insecticides,
• Plant extract-based preventative foliar miticides and fungicides labeled for herbs.
fungicides: EcoSwing, Regalia CG.
• Mycoinsecticides- Ancora, Botanigard*
• Quick knockdown of certain foliar (ES, WP), Grandevo CG, Venerate CG
diseases: Milstop, Zerotol 2.0.
• Neem based IGR’s- Azatin O, AzaGuard,
• Microbial fungicides for protection from
certain root pathogens: Actinovate AG, Molt-X
Cease, Obtego (OMRI pending), Rootshield, • Oils and soaps- Kopa, M-Pede,
Rootshield Plus, Triathlon BA Ultra-Pure Oil*

• Traditional fungicides with certain herbs • Combination products- Azera,
on the label: Camelot O, Heritage*, Phyton Botanigard Maxx*, Pycana
35*, Spirato GHN*, Subdue Maxx*
All of these products are OMRI-listed
All of these products are OMRI-listed unless unless they have an asterisk (*) after them. Rosemary with Powdery Mildew
they have an asterisk (*) after them. Mentioned products are approved for herbs
grown to harvest and many have a zero-day
Insects and mites apparently like certain pre-harvest interval (PHI).
herbs just as much as we do. (Who can
blame them?) Consumers don’t like Important disclaimers: pesticides other than More to see online
whiteflies on their basil any more than they those mentioned may be safe, legal and effective. See our digital Gazette for GGSPro’s
Read and follow the entire pesticide label! Labels
like spider mites stippling the leaves of their can change without notice so it is the grower’s chart of insecticides, miticides and
creeping thyme. Biological control agents responsibility to read the label before applying fungicides labeled for herbs.
(BCAs), can carry much of the load when any pesticide. Pesticides may not be labeled for
use in all states.
it comes to producing insect-free and mite-
1 Cloyd, R.A. (2016) Greenhouse Pest Management.
free herbs. A robust scouting program to Florida: CRC Press
GRIFFIN GAZETTE 2019 | 13