Integrated pest management for certified organic production in Oklahoma

Authors: Webber Iii, Charles; TAYLOR, MERRITT - OSU, LANE, OK; SHREFLER, JAMES - OSU, LANE, OK; Davis, Angela; ROBERTS, B - OSU, LANE, OK; Russo, Vincent; EDELSON, JONATHAN - OSU, STILLWATER, OK; PERKINS VEAZIE, PENELOPE - North Carolina State University; Bruton, Benny; Fish, Wayne

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/15/2009
Publication Date: 10/15/2009
Citation: Webber III, C.L., Taylor, M.J., Shrefler, J.W., Davis, A.R., Roberts, B.W., Russo, V.M., Edelson, J.V., Perkins Veazie, P., Bruton, B.D., Fish, W.W. 2009. Integrated pest management for certified organic production in Oklahoma [abstract]. Third National Conference of Agriculture and Natural Resources Conservation and Management, October 15 -18, 2009. Dover, Deleware. p. 30.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Integrated pest management (IPM) and sustainable agriculture are basic precepts within the organic crop production philosophy. The establishment of federal guidelines for organic certification in 2002 provided a structure for producers and processors to market certified organic foods. The guidelines provide general provisions and processes for obtaining and maintaining organic certification, but do not specifically determine the best IPM practices for crop production within organically approved methods. In 2003, Oklahoma State University and USDA, Agricultural Research Service, South Central Agricultural Research Laboratory received organic certification for 8 acres at the Lane Agricultural Center, Lane, OK. The certified organic land was used to develop a cooperative project with a diversity of academic disciplines working with multiple crops to demonstrate organic practices and generate production information for growers interested in commercial organic farming. A four year rotation (2003-2007) was established with four crops, which included southern pea (two cultivars), sweet corn (two cultivars), watermelon (two cultivars), and tomato (18 cultivars). The primary pest problems for the crops included grazing deer (southern pea and watermelon), corn earworm and raccoons (sweet corn), various diseases, crows and coyotes (watermelon), and aphids, blister beetles, vegetable weevil, blossom end rot and fungal diseases (tomato). Corn earworm was successfully controlled with organically approved insecticides. When considering the four crops in the demonstration project, southern pea and sweet corn provide the greatest opportunity for organic production, but predation by animals remains a concern. Organic watermelon and tomato production has potential once a satisfactory organic fungicide is developed or disease resistant cultivars are located or developed. The Lane Agricultural Center’s certified organic demonstration project provided practical IPM training for the center’s staff and valuable information for individuals interested in organic farming.