50 research outputs found

    Hop Pest Scouting Report

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    During the 2015 growing season, the major pest challenges we encountered at the hopyard at the Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, Vermont were potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae), and hop downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora humuli), as well as a few secondary plant diseases

    Dry Bean Pest Scouting Report

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    A survey of dry bean pests was conducted on farms in Vermont during the 2015 season. Pests were scouted on four Vermont farm locations in the towns of Alburgh, North Hero, Glover, and Danby. Disease and insect samples were taken and identified with assistance from the UVM Plant Diagnostic Laboratory. The primary and secondary fungal and bacterial diseases documented on dry beans in Vermont are listed in Table 1

    Crowning and Training: Early Season Hop Yard Maintenance in the Northeast

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    Early season hop yard maintenance includes several critical tasks including crowning and training. These are essential agronomic practices that influence hop plant growth and, therefore, hop yield and quality

    Small Grain Disease and Insect Pest Scouting Report

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    A survey of small grain diseases and insect pests were conducted in Vermont and Massachusetts during the 2015 growing season. Pests were scouted at six Vermont farm locations in the towns of Alburgh, Berlin, Bridport, North Troy, Shelburne, and Shoreham, as well as in Northfield, Massachusetts

    S3E2: What does the future look like for Maine’s wild blueberries?

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    Along with lobsters and lighthouses, wild blueberries are an iconic product from the state of Maine. While the industry has struggled of late, promising developments exist for wild blueberries and the people who grow and make products out of them. UMaine\u27s wild blueberry expert Lily Calderwood shares her thoughts on the work being done at the university to grow the industry and what the past, present and future holds for this delicious, native crop

    Top-down and bottom-up tools for integrated pest management in Northeastern hop production

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    The demand for locally sourced hops from Northeastern microbreweries began the recent resurgence in local hop production. The farming community has increased acreage and improved the quality of hops grown and processed in the Northeast region over the past five years. There was a sharp increase in the number of Northeast hop producers from six in 2009 to over 175 in 2014. Hop growers in the Northeast are new to the crop and have limited experience with pest identification and management. This dissertation encompasses three research projects that were conducted over the 2012-2014 growing seasons. These projects were the first critical steps taken to develop arthropod integrated pest management (IPM) tactics for Northeastern hop growers. First, the arthropod community in seven Vermont hop yards was evaluated. The objectives of Chapter 2 are to 1) present current hop pest biology and management strategies, 2) report the phenology of arthropod pests observed over three growing seasons, 3) report abundance and peak date for each pest, and 4) document natural enemy abundance in Vermont hop yards. The survey indicates that in cool, wet seasons hop aphid (Phorodon humuli Schrank) is expected to be a pest of concern. Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) is expected to be a pest of concern in hot, dry conditions. Potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae Harris) is an unpredictable pest of special concern for first year hop plants. When hop aphid or potato leafhopper are sprayed for with broad-spectrum insecticide, two-spotted spider mite secondary outbreak can be expected. Second, the abundance of major arthropod pests and their natural enemy groups were evaluated under drive row flowering cover crop treatments. The objectives of this study were to 1) measure the effect of cover crops on natural enemy group abundance, 2) measure the effect of cover crops on the three major Northeastern hop pests, and 3) measure the effect of cover crop presence on hop yield and quality. Natural enemy groups and pests were positively correlated yet cover crop treatments had no significant effect on natural enemy abundance. Red clover cover crop treatments served as a trap crop for potato leafhopper. No significant difference in hop yield or quality was observed between flowering cover crop treatments. Finally, potato leafhopper is a documented but understudied regional pest of hops. The objectives of this study were to 1) measure the physiological response of eight hop cultivars to adult potato leafhopper feeding and 2) measure hop leaf recovery from potato leafhopper injury. Gas exchange (net photosynthesis and transpiration) and chlorophyll content were measured to quantify injury by adult potato leafhopper to first year hop leaves in field and greenhouse studies. Cultivars did not vary significantly in their physiological response to potato leafhopper feeding. Injury significantly reduced gas exchange measures in the field (P \u3c 0.05) and greenhouse (P \u3c 0.05) and when leafhoppers were removed, gas exchange was restored

    Dry Bean Seeding Rate Trial

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    Dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), a high-protein pulse crop, have been grown in the Northeast since the 1800’s. As the local food movement expands, consumers have requested stores stock more and more locally-produced foods and heirloom dry beans are no exception. Currently, the demand for heirloom dry beans has exceeded the supply. Little agronomic information exists for production of dry beans in New England. In 2015, as part of a USDA NE-SARE Partnership Grant (PG15-045) the UVM Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program established a dry bean seeding rate trial to determine the optimal seeding rates for three types of dry beans

    Oilseed Meal as a Fertility Amendment in Sweet Corn

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    Many Northeast growers are integrating oilseed crops such as canola, soybeans, and sunflower into their operation, in hopes of on-farm fuel production, value-added products, and/or livestock feed. Many producers are using small-scale presses to mechanically separate oil from the seed. Oilseed meal, the highprotein byproduct left after the extrusion of oil, can be milled and used as a soil amendment to increase fertility and organic matter. This material has the potential to replace high-cost imported fertilizers, especially for organic growers

    Long Season Corn Silage Variety Trial

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    In 2015, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Team evaluated yield and quality of 54 long season corn silage varieties at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. Long season corn can be difficult to grow in Vermont due to limited Growing Degree Days (GDDs) accumulated throughout the growing season. In addition, wet springs and falls are becoming more common, delaying corn planting and complicating harvest timing. However if planted early, long season corn can produce high yield and quality by maximizing the entire growing season. While the information presented can begin to describe the yield and quality performance of these long season corn silage varieties in this region, it is important to note that the data represent results from only one season and one location. Compare other hybrid performance data before making varietal selections

    Cool Season Annual Forage Mixtures Trial

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    In 2015, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program evaluated yield and quality of five cool season annual forage species and five mixtures at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. In the Northeast, cool season perennial grasses dominate the pastures and hay meadows farmers rely on throughout the season. In the fall, perennial pasture declines in yield and quality. The addition of cool season annual forages into the grazing system during this time, can help improve the quality and quantity of forage and potentially extend the grazing season. Recently, there has been a growing interest in utilizing multiple cool season forage species to maximize forage yield and quality. We compared five annual species alone and in three-and four-species mixtures to evaluate potential differences in forage production and quality. While the information presented can begin to describe the yield and quality performance of these forage mixtures in this region, it is important to note that the data represent results from only one season and one location
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