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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #310887
Title: Pepper banker plant systems and predatory mitespepper banker plant systems and predatory mites

Author
item McKenzie, Cindy
item KUMAR, VIVEK - University Of Florida
item OSBORNE, LANCE - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/7/2014
Publication Date: 11/9/2014
Citation: McKenzie, C.L., Kumar, V., Osborne, L.S. 2014. Pepper banker plant systems and predatory mitespepper banker plant systems and predatory mites [Abstract]. 2014 Annual Meeting and Product Showcase, Pickle Packers International Inc., October 22-24, Orlando, Florida

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: While developing the ornamental pepper banker plant system for greenhouse grown vegetables and ornamental crops we discovered that the predatory mites we were using could survive and reproduce on ornamental pepper without their prey especially if they were provided supplemental pollen or if the banker plants were flowering. We took this concept to commercial pepper production with the thought if we could infest the pepper seedlings in the greenhouse prior to transplanting in the field they would serve as banker plants once they established in the field. To date we have conducted 3 field trials (2 Fall, 1 Spring) and found this concept worked extremely well in the Fall when pepper weevil was not a problem and the pest spectrum is primarily thrips and mites. In the Spring, pepper weevil devastated our trial - yields were nonexistent. This strategy was primarily targeted at organic pepper growers for that vulnerable time right after transplant until flowering when Orius naturally arrives and historically has done a nice job controlling thrips in the absence of insecticides. Dr. McKenzie will share promising research trial results for successful use in commercial pepper production.