| | Every year in Alberta, there are many different diseases and pests that show up in various horticultural crops and plants to differing degrees. Producers can, in part, influence whether they return and thrive the following year. Fall clean up of fields, storage facilities and equipment is a lot of work, but makes sense when considered from a pest's perspective.
"Weedy areas or margins of fields, greenhouses or farmyards make for lush resorts for pests to over-winter," says Robert Spencer, irrigated and specialty crops specialist, Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Stettler. "These margin areas provide food, shelter and protection from the elements. Leaving these areas untended increases the danger of a pest problem recurring the following year. Producers are encouraged to clean up weedy areas as much as possible. This cleanup not only helps remove pest habitat, but will also cut down on weed problems. Care should be taken to ensure correct use of registered chemicals if that is the most appropriate method."
Horticultural crop trash (plants, culls, etc.) can be quite plentiful. During harvest, it is easy to set it aside to deal with later. Plant material/trash is "the hibernation cave" for diseases and serves as an excellent staging ground for new disease development. Leaving this type of material piled on field margins, in the farmyard or in the greenhouse, can lead to all sorts of problems. In many cases, working the trash material into the soil will speed up breakdown and prevent spread. However, some diseases, such as powdery mildew or some diseased tree material, should be removed or burned.
"It's important to bury crop trash, burn it or otherwise dispose of it," says Spencer. "Don't leave it around."
As well, greenhouses are five-star hotels for insects and diseases. "They provide heat, moisture and food," explains Spencer. "Be sure to shake things up for the pests by disinfecting greenhouses, turning off the heat or doing whatever it takes to stop the development cycle and make conditions unpleasant for them.
"Have you ever found a restaurant or vacation spot that you just can't get enough of, go back to all the time and tell all your friends and family about? Pests are the same way. They will continually return and thrive in a field that they like if the same crop repeatedly provided for them. If the crop isn't there, the disease or pests may not develop, and levels will likely reduce over time. For this reason, crop rotations are critical to managing diseases and pests over the long-term. Be sure to plan ahead and move things around."
Spencer notes that pests are sometimes subtle, and that their best bet for success is to seemingly appear from nowhere. "As such, one of the most important parts of fall clean up is to evaluate what happened this past season and then identify potential problem areas to watch next year or ways to make things less pleasant for possible pests. Plan ahead. Forewarned is forearmed."
Contact: Robert Spencer 310-FARM (3276) |
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