Biocontrols

Application of entomopathogenic nematodes

July 12, 2017, Vineland, Ont. – Part 3 in a 6-part series: In nature, insects and mites are commonly infected and killed by naturally occurring micro-organisms (fungi, bacteria, viruses) and nematodes.

Designing your greenhouse IPM program

May 2017, Vineland, Ont. – First in a 6-part video series: There are many interactive variables that affect the growth of greenhouse crops, the incidence and impact of pests and diseases, and the performance of biological and chemical controls.

May 2017 – First in a six-part series: The May 2017 edition of Greenhouse Canada launched this series of articles on thrips integrated pest management.

The goal is to provide practical application tips and tricks, information on new technologies and how it all fits within an overall IPM program. Each article will be accompanied by a short video (the first debuting here) demonstrating a technique or principle.

The content of this series is based on research performed at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre and is supplemented with ‘information from the field,’ contributed by colleagues using biocontrol strategies in greenhouse production.

Click here for the accompanying feature.

Biobest part of the latest buzz on space travel

June 28, 2017 – Biobest bumblebees are on track to become the first in space!

Success with cutting dips

June 2017, Vineland, Ont. – Part 2 in 6-part series: One very effective way to control pests early is through the use of cutting dips, note scientists at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.

The rise of microbes offers growers some important new IPM tools

Figure 1 - Western flower thrips infected with Beauveria bassiana.

July 2017 – This is part 3 in a six-part series of articles from the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre on thrips (and other pests) integrated pest management, where we will provide practical application tips and tricks, information on new technologies and how it all fits within an overall IPM program.

Biopesticides a critical tool for growers

May 29, 2017, Vineland, Ont. – Plant treatments with biopesticides can prevent or mitigate root-borne diseases.

IPM: Prevention And Early Intervention

June 2017, Vineland, Ont. – This is Part 2 in a six-part series of articles on thrips (and other pests) integrated pest management, where we will provide practical application tips and tricks, information on new technologies and how it all fits within an overall IPM program.

A powerful predator in the greenhouse

Adult Dicyphus hesperus and Macrolophus pygmaeus.

June 2017 – What is Dicyphus hesperus?

Thrips Control: Making the Case for Mass Trapping

Petal streaking caused by thrips feeding, which makes the plant unsellable.

May 2017 – In Ontario, we continue to struggle with control of western flower thrips. Even those growers religiously using preventive, mite-based biocontrol programs can suddenly find themselves throwing out a significant portion of their crop due to visible damage.

Designing Your Greenhouse IPM Program

The ‘Systems Approach’: Utilizing different elements in plant production that collectively enable successful pest and disease control – plant, environment and control agents.

May 2017 – In this six-part series of articles on thrips integrated pest management, we will provide practical application tips and tricks, information on new technologies and how it all fits within an overall IPM program. Each article will be accompanied by a short video demonstrating a technique or principle.

Inside View: Floriculture is blooming with new biocontrols

May 2017 – It’s long been recognized that greenhouse vegetable growers have been using biological control options more than their floriculture counterparts.

Stop Those Pesky Spider Mites

March April 2017 – At this time of year, the two-spotted spider mite makes its very predictable appearance in greenhouse crops. Despite our familiarity with this pest, it continues to challenge us.

Biostimulants: what are they and how can they work for you?

August 2016, St. Catharines, Ont. – Bill MacDonald is a full-time professor in the School of Environmental and Horticultural Studies at Niagara College. He was a featured presenter at Grower Day 2016. He discussed the effectiveness of biostimulants with greenhouse crops, offering a timely update on these new crop management tools.

Studying new option for pepper weevil control

Cobalt-60 is an isotope that emits gamma rays essential to the medical community for cancer treatments and the sterilization of medical devices, while it also helps to prevent the spread of disease through an innovative insect sterilization technique. Cobalt-60 emits a blue glow called the Cherenkov effect when removed from a nuclear reactor and placed in water, which protects the surface from its radioactivity. The Cobalt rods spend up to two years in Bruce Power’s nuclear reactors.

Feb. 23, 2017, Guelph, Ont. – A high-tech form of insect birth control connected to nuclear power could solve a devastating pest problem for Ontario farmers, says a University of Guelph researcher.

An Early Start for Generalist Predators in Greenhouse IPM Programs

February 2017 – During early season, greenhouse crops are often considered as simple ecosystems with low biodiversity. Particularly, crops in modern greenhouses appear sterile compared to outdoor crops and this is because plants are grown on hydroponic systems in a closed environment.