Effective Aphid Management in Greenhouse Crops by Optimizing Biological Control and Nutrient Inputs

Abstract

NYS greenhouse growers have reported that aphids are among their greatest pest problems. They are seeking biological control alternatives in part to increasing public pressure to stop using neonicotinoids, the most commonly used insecticide for aphids. Climbing fertilizer prices and potential state legislation regulating nitrogen has increased greenhouse grower interest in reducing fertilizer inputs. Slow release fertilizers (SRF) can reduce nutrient leaching but more work is needed to determine effective application rates for bedding plants and vegetable transplants. The objective of this project is to develop, field-test, and share an integrated pest management approach for managing greenhouse aphids using beneficial insects and reduced fertilizer inputs.