Interest in nonchemical pest control has having one tomato plant where he suc-
increased over the past several years. To cessfully used wood ashes to control
some people, this means the same as aphids, question whether aphids would
“organic farming,” which implies nature’s have been a problem without using ashes.
way. But in this publication, we talk about Personal experiences are good, but
controlling pests without chemicals, or at respected tests in your farming area mean
least fewer chemicals. This approach does more.
have some limitations. Here are some of Mississippi organic growers who wish
them: to sell their produce with the word
1. The problem area needs more person- “organic” on it must be certified.
al attention. Commercial growers who wish to be certi-
2. Nonchemical control is hard work, so fied as organic should contact the
it may be better for small areas. This Mississippi Department of Agriculture
depends on the available labor supply. and Commerce at (601) 359-1138.
3. In some years, you may suffer more For more information on organic
damage than you thought you would, resources, see the MSU Extension Service
including more loss of produce or Organic Fruit and Vegetable web site at
plants. http://www.msstate.edu/dept/cmrec/organic.
4. There are some pests (insects, weeds,
or pathogens) for which there is not Fertilizer For Organic
an effective nonchemical control
method available.
Vegetable Production
When planning a nonchemical control Organic matter is important to soil struc-
program, keep in mind that the very thing ture and, therefore, to the health of a
that helps producers/farmers grow a wide vegetable crop. Here are some advantages
range of plants over a long time is also of organic matter in the soil:
beneficial to insects, weeds, and patho- • Improved physical condition of the
gens. This is climate. Mississippi’s climate soil.
ranges from semitropical on the Gulf • Source of food for microorganisms,
Coast to temperate for the rest of the state. which help to release nutrients.
This gives the state a range of 200 to 250 • Organic matter helps the soil hold
growing days per year. These conditions, minerals, so it reduces the effects of
along with high humidity, are ideal for the leaching.
development of a wide range of insects, • Bacteria growing on organic matter
weeds, and pathogens. For these reasons, release complex carbohydrates, which
be cautious about using information help cement soil particles into aggre-
developed in northern states or in the hot, gates.
dry climate of the Southwest. • Acids released in the decomposition
During the planning stages, be careful process help release nutrients used in
about information on nonchemical control plant growth.
in popular magazines and newspapers. • Water can enter and percolate through
Writers often report on only a few obser- the soil better with organic matter
vations. For example, if a grower reports present, reducing erosion.
• Root penetration is enhanced.
• The water-holding capacity of sandy soils is among samples of these materials, so regard the num-
improved. bers as guidelines. This is especially true of animal
• Aggregation in heavy soils improves drainage. manures. Manure nutrient content will vary according
to factors such as the feed used, percentage and type
The organic matter content of soil varies over time, of litter or bedding, moisture content, age, and degree
depending on the amounts added and environmental of decomposition. With the commercially prepared,
conditions. In southern latitudes, organic matter bagged manure, some nitrogen content is lost in the
breaks down fairly quickly and needs to be added drying process.
each year to replenish it. The main disadvantages of organic fertilizers are
One of the benefits of organic matter is the fertiliz- supply and cost. Some of the materials may be hard to
er value. While generally low grade compared to find commercially. This limited supply often leads to
chemical fertilizers, in adequate supply, organic fertil- high prices. One other disadvantage is bulk. Since
izers can provide enough nutrients for vegetable most organic fertilizers are relatively low in nutrient
crops. values (e.g., manures tend to be 1 to 4 percent nitro-
One big advantage of organic fertilizers is that gen), large amounts are needed to obtain enough
nitrogen becomes available to plants gradually fertilizer for the crop. While this works well for grow-
through the growing season. This “slow-release” effect ers who maintain their own animals or live near
is important, because nutrients become available on a farms, it can be challenging for others to find enough
continual basis, and the likelihood of fertilizer burn is manure for their farms. If you have any question
reduced or eliminated. about which fertilizers are allowed under organic
The table below shows the typical composition of rules, go to the Organic Materials Review Institute
some organic fertilizers. There is much variation (OMRI) web site at http://www.omri.org.
2
Organic Control Practices lima beans, mosaic virus of southernpeas, bacterial
blight of snap beans, black rot of cabbage, and leaf
For Vegetable Diseases spots of turnip and mustard greens. Buy certified
Managing organic disease protects plants from many seeds the come from dry regions, such as the western
vegetable diseases that commonly occur in Mississippi United States, where diseases are less common.
each season. Organic disease management is based on If you produce your own transplants, follow strict
nonchemical sanitation, cultural, physical, and biologi- guidelines to ensure quality planting material. Sow
cal means, as well as applying organically approved disease-free seed in a sterile growth medium. If you
chemicals. use growth flats that had already been used in trans-
Used in an integrated program, these practices plant production, disinfect them with copper sulfate or
reduce populations of fungi, bacteria, nematodes, put them in hot water (at least 180 °F) for 15-20 min-
viruses, and other causes of vegetable diseases. A com- utes. Buy a steam-sterilized growth medium, or
bination of practices is necessary, since no one practice sterilize by baking at 160 °F for one hour. Baking
works for all diseases that threaten a given crop. Some destroys most disease-causing microorganisms.
organic disease management practices should be car- Control weeds. Some insects carry viruses from
ried out before the crop is planted and others later in infected to healthy plants. Destroy perennial weeds
the season. (including milkweed, horse nettle, and pokeweed) in
and around the field before planting, since these often
Before-You-Plant Practices act as overwintering hosts for harmful viruses. In
Sanitation spring, aphids, thrips, and other insects feed on
Destroy and bury crop debris. Many disease weeds, pick up virus particles, and carry them to
microorganisms live through the winter in old plants, healthy plants.
cull piles, or plant stubble left in the field. Destroying
crop debris is an important sanitary step to reduce the Cultural
amount of disease inoculum in the production site at Choose a good site. To reduce chances of damp-
the beginning of the season. If you eliminate overwin- ing-off, root rot, and other problems with wet soils,
tering sites of fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes, choose a well-drained site. If drainage is a problem,
you will reduce disease problems the next season. plant on raised beds to promote drainage and faster
As part of an early season sanitation program, warming of soil. These conditions encourage faster
remove and destroy stalks (with root systems, when seed germination, seedling emergence, and young
possible), stems, vines, and other debris as soon as plants more resistant to seedling disease infection.
possible after the last harvest. When root-knot nema- Also, transplants are less susceptible to root disease
todes are a problem, destroying old root systems problems when you grow them in raised beds.
removes thousands of nematodes and eggs from the Soil test to determine fertility needs. If you have
field site. Do not add debris from diseased plants to the soil tested and then fertilize plants according to the
compost piles, since temperatures don’t always get test recommendations, the plants are not as likely to
high enough to kill nematode eggs and other plant- have disease problems as are plants that are low in
disease microbes. nutrition or don’t get a good balance of nutrients. Too
Plow under remaining stubble and surface litter at much nitrogen is related to some foliage diseases and
least 6 inches before planting. This works because as some seedling disease of peas, beans, and other veg-
debris decays, the disease microorganisms eventually etables. We don’t know how much each nutrient
deteriorate and reduce the amount of fungus and bac- influences disease development, but we do think fertil-
terial inoculum that could cause problems in future izers are important in an organic disease management
crops. Plowing to bury debris reduces Southern blight program. Fertilizers may not prevent diseases, but a
on tomatoes, peppers, and other susceptible vegeta- healthy, well-fertilized plant is less susceptible to dis-
bles. ease than one growing in soil lacking required
Disinfect plant-support structures. Some disease- nutrients.
causing microorganisms survive during the off season Soil test to determine presence of parasitic
on stakes, poles, cages, and other plant-support struc- nematodes. Collecting soil samples for nematode
tures. To get rid of these, disinfect tomato stakes and analysis should be a routine part of a vegetable pro-
cages by washing to remove soil, then dip or spray duction program. Collect at least 20 cores from 6 to 8
with a copper sulfate solution before using the stakes inches deep per 5,000 square feet of production area in
and cages again. fall or winter. Mix this soil thoroughly, and place about
Use disease-free seeds and transplants. Clean 1 pint in a nematode soil sample bag or in a plastic
seeds and transplants are a must in vegetable produc- freezer bag, and seal. Mark the sample number on the
tion. To avoid problems next season, do not save seeds collection container, and complete the form that has to
from fields or areas where there are diseases. go with the samples to the testing lab.
Examples of seed-borne diseases are anthracnose of 3
You must properly care for the samples until you surfaces and reduces the amount of disease inoculum
send them for analysis. Keep them in a cool place; splashed onto foliage, stems, and fruits during rainy
exposure to temperatures over 100 °F, even for a short periods. The amount of cucumber belly rot and buck-
time, kills some nematodes. Take the samples to your eye rot of tomato may be reduced this way. You can
county Extension office for mailing to the Nematode also use organic mulches, such as pine needles, oat
Laboratory, Box 9655, Mississippi State University. straw, bark, composted sawdust, and similar materials,
There is a fee for analysis of the sample for nematodes. as physical barriers.
Expect to receive sample results in about 2 weeks. Light-reflective mulch materials control several
Rotate crops. Since some pathogens affect one important virus diseases of vegetable crops.
vegetable crop or group of vegetables but may not Watermelon mosaic virus causes a serious disease in
affect another, rotating fields to different crops is a squash. It causes yellow squash to turn green or devel-
good way to control several plant pathogens. op green streaks and also reduces yield. A
Several vegetables of the same family (such as 30-inch-wide silver-colored mulch (aluminum foil also
squash, cucumbers, watermelons, and cantaloupes) works) can help control this virus. Light reflected from
may be affected by the same disease, so it is not good the mulch surface repels aphids that transmit the
to grow plants of the same family in rotation. We sug- virus, reducing the number of virus-infected squash
gest at least a 3-year rotation for vegetable crops. plants. This same control strategy reduces tomato
The table below lists vegetables susceptible to sim- spotted wilt virus-infected tomato and pepper plants.
ilar diseases. You can use it as a basis for setting up a Thrips, which transmit the spotted wilt virus, are also
rotation program. For example, if you grew tomatoes repelled by reflective mulches.
or peppers this season, switch to vegetables in other Consider staking, caging, and trellising. One of
groupings for 3 more years before returning to toma- the main reasons for supporting tomatoes and other
toes or peppers. Remember, rotation does not work against vegetables by staking, caging, or trellising is to keep
all pathogenic microorganisms. plants and fruit off the ground. This reduces losses
Plant at recommended seeding rates. Dense plantings from fruit rots when fruit touch the ground and from
stay wet longer because of reduced air circulation and sunburn when fruit are not shaded by foliage.
poor sunlight. Also, it is more difficult to get good Use stem wraps for southern blight control. You
spray coverage. can wrap aluminum foil around the base of the stem
of tomato and pepper plants to control southern
Physical blight. The stem should be wrapped 2 inches above
Use plastic and organic mulch layers. Plastic the soil line and 2 inches below the soil surface. The
mulch is a widely used ground cover in vegetable pro- aluminum foil provides a physical barrier to the south-
duction. It serves as a barrier between soil and plant ern blight fungus.
4
Try solarization. This is an excellent nonchemical Clandosan can control nematodes. Clandosan 618
way to reduce damaging populations of root-knot had been shown to reduce the number of nematodes
nematodes. Solarization also controls many soil-borne over the course of two cropping seasons. But control is
fungus pathogens, as well as many damaging insects sporadic and requires lots of the expensive product.
and weeds. The process is most effective for reducing
nematode populations in the top 8 to 10 inches of soil. After-Planting Practices
Solarization traps the sun’s energy in the soil by Sanitation
covering the soil surface with polyethylene tarps. Remove diseased plants or plant parts. Examine
Several procedures must be followed closely to ensure plants at least twice per week for symptoms of dis-
the soil temperature is high enough to control nema- ease. Look for leaf spots, wilts, stunting, fruit rots,
todes. misshaped leaves, cankers, and stem blights. If you
First, the soil should be moist and well tilled detect only a small amount of disease, removing
before you put down the tarp. Also, you should try infected foliage or fruit helps reduce inoculum that
solarization during late spring months or, ideally, at may be spread to disease-free foliage and fruit on the
the hottest time of the year when the sun is brightest. same or nearby plants. Remove and destroy badly dis-
Normally, 4 to 6 weeks is enough time for solarization. eased plants, including the roots, since later treatment
Six weeks is the preferred period if you use the tech- of such plants isn’t effective. In some cases, you may
nique in the late spring. have to remove surrounding soil. For example, you
Selecting a plastic or polyethylene cover is proba- should remove 3 or 4 inches of soil with plants affect-
bly the most important step in the process. The cover ed by southern blight to ensure removal of the
must be clear, no more than 2 millimeters thick, and seed-like sclerotia associated with this disease. Do not
strong and durable enough to stretch. place diseased plants and plant parts in cull piles.
Placement of the cover is also important. Stretch it Whenever possible, place this material in landfills or
tight and in direct contact with the soil surface. bury it away from production sites.
Carefully bury the edges of the tarp in the soil at least Do not use tobacco. Tobacco products carry tobac-
6 inches deep so the wind can’t lift the tarp during the co mosaic virus. The virus is easily transmitted to
solarization period. The tarp should stay in place for susceptible tomato and pepper varieties. Avoid using
four to six weeks. When removing the tarp, be careful tobacco while working with these crops. Workers
not to contaminate the treated area with untreated soil. should wash their hands thoroughly in soap and
Remember this also at planting. You get best results water after handling tobacco and before working with
when you prepare beds for planting before solariza- tobacco mosaic-susceptible plants. Workers may also
tion and plant immediately after removing the tarp. disinfect hands by dipping them in a dilute solution of
skim milk.
Biological Clean equipment. Washing the soil off farm
Take advantage of resistant varieties. Make every equipment before moving it from one field to another
effort to buy disease-resistant or disease-tolerant vari- may prevent carrying pathogens that are in the soil.
eties. Consult lists of recommended varieties, seed Cultivate and spray crops when plants are dry.
catalog variety descriptions, and other sources of Delay cultivation and taking spray equipment through
information. Unfortunately, resistant or tolerant vari- the crop until rain or dew has dried on plant surfaces.
eties are not available for many vegetable diseases. This reduces chances for moving bacteria and fungi
Use marigolds for nematode control. Marigolds from diseased to healthy plants.
give off a substance from their roots that is toxic to Avoid “dirtying” plants during cultivation. Piling
nematodes, making this plant valuable in nematode soil around the base of plants creates an environment
control when you plant the marigolds in solid beds. that favors stem rots and a ready source of fungus.
For best results, use one or more of the French Also, rain may splash bacterial inoculum onto plants.
marigold varieties (such as Tangerine or Petite
Harmony). Space plants 7 inches apart in 7-inch rows.
5
OMRI Approved FungicidesZ For Use On Vegetables
z This is a partial list of OMRI-approved fungicides that have been the most researched. There are many more
products on the market than are presented in this list. Read and follow all label instructions for your crop.
6
Organically Approved Chemicals these materials would be combined in 50 gallons of
The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) is a water.
national non-profit organization that determines Since this amount is much more than most grow-
which products are suitable for use in organic produc- ers need, the ratio can be reduced to a more useable
tion. OMRI lists approved products that can be used in amount. To prepare a gallon of a 4-4-50 Bordeaux mix-
USDA certified organic farming systems. Most ture spray, measure out 2 tablespoons of copper
research has been conducted on sulfur and copper sulfate and 3 tablespoons of hydrated lime. Mix the
products and their usage is described more in detail lime with a pint of water to make a “milk of lime” sus-
below. The table above provides a partial list of some pension. Dissolve the copper sulfate in a pint of water.
of the OMRI approved fungicides on the market and This may take several minutes. Strain each container
what diseases they prevent. of these materials through a cheesecloth filter. This is
Alternatives to synthetic products to control veg- very important. If cheesecloth isn’t available, use cloth
etable diseases include using fungicides that contain of a similar loose weave. The filtering is necessary to
sulfur and copper. Spraying or dusting with sulfur is remove small pieces of lime or copper sulfate that
an old remedy that still works on rusts, powdery won’t dissolve; otherwise, you’ll find these tiny pieces
mildews, and leaf spots on tomato and other vegetable in the end of your garden sprayer tip, clogging up the
crops. Mix finely ground sulfur with water at the rate works! To make the filter, place the cheesecloth loosely
of 3 ounces per 3 gallons of water, or dust on an even over the top of another container and fix securely in
coat over plant surfaces. Rain easily removes sulfur place with a string or rubber band.
from plants, so you may have to make frequent appli- Add the filtered copper sulfate solution to a one-
cations to get adequate disease protection. To avoid gallon container. Then add the filtered lime solution.
plant injury, do not use when temperature is 90 °F or Add enough water (about 3 quarts) to the container to
above. bring the total volume up to 1 gallon. You now have 1
Make a Bordeaux mixture. This fungicide can be gallon of Bordeaux mixture ready to use. For 2 gallons,
“homemade” and works on a number of common fun- simply double the proportion of materials and prepare
gus and bacterial blights and leaf spots on vegetable as before.
crops. Combine hydrated lime or any type of finely For best results, use your Bordeaux mixture the
ground lime with powdered copper sulfate (some- same day you make it, and keep the sprayer agitated.
times referred to as “bluestone”). Both materials Don’t add insecticides to the Bordeaux mixture with-
should be available at farm and garden supply stores, out first checking the insecticide label for possible
but you may have to do some checking around. compatibility problems.
You can make Bordeaux mixture in several Bordeaux mixture may be used to control early
strengths, but the most popular and effective for gen- and late blight on tomatoes and Irish potatoes. On
eral field and orchard use is the 4-4-50 formulation. leafy greens, this fungicide controls most of the leaf
The numbers are the ratio of copper sulfate and lime spots that commonly occur on mustard and turnips.
in 50 gallons of water. For example, 4 pounds each of
7
List of vegetables and their resistance or tolerance to one or more important diseases and nematode pests
Corn, sweet
Guardian Common smut
Merit Common smut
Pepper, sweet
Emerald Giant Tolerant to tobacco mosaic virus
Jupiter Tolerant to tobacco mosaic virus
Keystone Resistant Giant Resistant to tobacco mosaic virus
Southernpea
Magnolia (blackeye) Tolerant to blackeye cowpea mosaic virus and
Mississippi Pinkeye (pinkeye) related viruses; resistant to root-knot nematodes
Mississippi Purple (brown crowder) and Fusarium wilt
Mississippi Silver (brown crowder)
Pinkeye Purple Hull - BVR (pinkeye) Tolerant to blackeye cowpea mosaic virus and related viruses
Sweetpotato
Beauregard Tolerant to soil rot; susceptible to root-knot nematodes
11
effective organic insecticides for most beetles and stink Keep records, keep learning, and use what you
bugs, but products like pyrethrins and rotenone + learn in the next crop. Every farm situation is differ-
pyrethrins can provide limited, short-term control. ent. By keeping records you can learn which pests are
Use “Integrated Pest Management.” Don’t rely on particular problems on your farm and at what time of
a single control tactic to control any pest. The more year they are most abundant. You can also learn which
different methods you use, the greater your chances pests are least likely to cause problems and what man-
for success. Consider all pests likely to occur in your agement tactics work best for you.
crop, including insects, disease, and weeds, and devel-
op a pest management plan that addresses all of these.
1 Transgenic Bt sweet corn varieties are not approved for Certified Organic Production. Because of their cost and the licensing and resist-
ance management practices required for their use, they are only suitable for large scale commercial production. Use transgenic Bt
varieties only if you are sure they are acceptable for your particular market. These varieties provide excellent control of European corn
borer, good control of corn earworm, and suppression of fall armyworm.
2 A general rule for squash and pumpkin varieties and their susceptibility to squash vine borer is that Cucurbita moschata and C. mixta
species are more susceptible than C. pepos species, and C. maxima species are less susceptible than C. pepos. Within the C. pepos,
zucchinis tend to be less susceptible than yellow summer squash.
3 Tomato varieties resistant to tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) include Amelia VR, Bella Rose, BHN 640, BHN 602, Quincy, Taladega,
12
Organic Insecticides are useful organic insecticides when used properly.
For Commercial Vegetable Production Javelin, Dipel, Delfin, Deliver, Biobit, and Agree are
Following is a listing and brief review of many of the examples of Bt products used in commercial organic
insecticides currently approved for organic vegetable vegetable production. Because of their relatively slow
production. Note that some of these active ingredients activity, Bts are best used when caterpillars are small.
are also sold as formulations that are not approved for Transgenic Bt Crops: Some varieties of sweet
organic production. For example, Spintor is a liquid corn have been biologically engineered to produce tox-
formulation of spinosad that is widely used in com- ins found in some of the Bacillus thruingienisis bacteria
mercial vegetable production, but Spintor contains used to control caterpillar pests. These transgenic
inert ingredients that are not organic. Entrust also con- crops inherently provide high levels of control of
tains spinosad, but Entrust is a wettable powder caterpillar pests such as corn earworm and European
formulation that is specially formulated for organic corn borer. Be aware, however, that these transgenic
production. crops are not approved for certified organic produc-
Also note some of these products are extremely tion. Use transgenic varieties only if you are sure they
target specific. Spod-X is only active against beet are suitable for your market.
armyworms! Other products, such as Pyganic, have Azadirachtin: Azadirachtin is a natural insect-
activity against a wide range of insect pests, but only growth disruptor derived from the seed of the neem
provide very short-term control and are generally tree. It is especially effective against sucking insect
much less effective than conventional inorganic insec- pests, such as whiteflies and aphids. Because it is a
ticides. Consequently, sprays may need to be applied growth disruptor, it is slow acting and must be
more frequently than with conventional insecticides. applied when low populations of immature pests are
Because most organic insect control products only present. Neemix, Aza-Direct, and Azatrol are examples
work by direct contact, good spray coverage is espe- of azadirachtin products labeled for commercial
cially important when using organic insecticides. organic vegetable production. Azadirachtin is one of
Neemix and Aza-Direct are effective against whiteflies. the better options for organic control of whiteflies.
Vegetable oils, such as Vegol, and soaps, such as M- Neem Oil: Neem oil, obtained from the seed of
pede, will control spider mites, aphids, and other the neem tree, controls soft-bodied insects, such as
soft-bodied insects. All these products work only on aphids, whiteflies, and mites. It also helps control cer-
pests they contact. tain fungal diseases. Products containing “clarified
Always read the product label at least twice, once hydrophobic extract of neem” do not contain
before you buy it and again just before you use it. Be azadirachtin; they usually contain 70 percent neem oil.
sure the product is suitable for your organic produc- Trilogy 70 percent Neem Oil is marketed for commer-
tion goals. Follow label directions. cial organic vegetable production, and Monterey 70
Spinosad: Spinosad is a biopesticide that is very percent Neem Oil is sold for small scale production.
effective against thrips, leaf miners, and most caterpil- Beauvaria bassiana: Beauvaria bassiana is a fungal
lar pests. It is produced through commercial culture of disease that infects certain insect pests, especially
a soil-born microbe that makes the toxic metabolites whiteflies, thrips, aphids, mealybugs, and certain bee-
known as spinosad. These metabolites are harvested tles and caterpillars. It is marketed for organic crop
and formulated into insecticide, so the final product production under the brand names Mycotrol-O,
contains no living microbes. Spinosad is organic, but BotaniGard, and Naturalis L. These products are slow-
most formulations contain inorganic inert ingredients acting; begin treating when pest populations are low.
that disqualify them as “organic insecticides.” Some Do not tank-mix with fungicides.
products are formulated to comply with organic Viruses: Virus diseases of insects attack only very
guidelines. Entrust is an organic formulation of spin- specific species. A few insect viruses are formulated
osad formulated for commercial use. Justice and and sold commercially. Spod-X LC is a sprayable for-
Greenlight Fire Ant Bait with Conserve are granular mulation containing polyhedra of a viral disease that
baits containing spinosad that are approved for fire attacks only beet armyworms. Gemstar LC is a similar
ant control in organic crops. product that controls only corn earworm/tomato fruit-
Bts: “Bt” stands for Bacillus thuringienisis. Bts are worm and tobacco budworm. Proper pest
naturally occurring soil bacteria that produce toxins identification and spray timing are critical when using
that have insecticidal activity. There are many different these products.
strains of Bts. Some only control caterpillar pests (Bt Parasitic Nematodes: Some nematodes attack
kurstaki and Bt aizawai), while others only work on only insects, and some of these species of nematodes
mosquito larvae (Bt israelensis) or beetles (Bt are formulated and marketed for use in organic crop
tenebrionis). Bts are generally slow-acting and have to protection. There are several species, but most are in
be eaten by the caterpillar in order to work, but they the genus Heterorhabditis or Steinernema. Parasitic
nematodes are usually used to control soil-dwelling
13
pests, such as cutworms, squash vine borer, mole companies formulate petroleum oils using organic
crickets, and white grubs. Do your homework before emulsifiers. BVA Spray 10 and Organic JMS Stylet-oil
purchasing parasitic nematodes. Be sure that the are two examples. Stylet oil is most often used to help
species you purchase is active on the pest you need to prevent sucking insect like aphids from transmitting
control, and be sure you know how to handle and certain virus diseases. Stylet oil does not necessarily
apply the nematodes properly. kill insects. Instead, it forms a fine coat on the leaf and
Pyrethrin: Pyrethrin, also known as pyrethrum, is cleans the virus particles off the insects’ mouthparts as
a natural extract from the flowers of the pyrethrum they feed, preventing them from getting into the plant.
daisy. Pyrethrin is a broad-spectrum insecticide that Vegetable Oils and Fish Oils: There are a number
affects most insect pests through contact activity. of organic oils made from various plant seed or fish
However, it is short-lived, and many pests may be extracts. These are effective against soft-bodied insects,
‘’knocked down” but recover later. Inorganic syner- such as aphids, mites, and whiteflies. Golden Pest
gists, such as pipronyl butoxide (PBO), are often Spray Oil is an example of an oil derived from soy-
mixed with pyrethrin to enhance activity. Although beans. Vegol Year-Round Spray Oil is derived from
the addition of PBO greatly enhances short-term con- canola seed, and Organocide is a combination of fish
trol, it does not greatly increase residual control. oil and sesame oil. Such oils may or may not be
Pyrethrin products that contain the inorganic synergist approved for certified organic production. Some prod-
PBO cannot be considered organic. Pyganic is an ucts contain a combination of vegetable oil +
example of a totally organic formulation of pyrethrin. pyrethrin. Pyola, a combination of canola oil and
This product can be used to control a wide range of pyrethrins, is one example.
insect pests, but repeated treatments may be necessary Insecticidal Soaps: Insecticidal soaps are potassi-
because it only provides very short-term control. um salts of fatty acids. They help control soft-bodied
Rotenone + pyrethrin: Rotenone is an older botan- insects, such as aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies,
ical insecticide that is effective against aphids, stink but require direct contact to work. Be sure to read and
bugs, beetles and other pests, but it is difficult to find follow label use directions; insecticidal soaps can cause
products that contain only rotenone. Pyrellin is a com- foliage injury. Be aware that chain length has a big
mercial insecticide that contains a combination of effect on the phytotoxicity of fatty acids. Some short-
rotenone and pyrethrins. Pyrellin is labeled for use on chain fatty acids are actually used as herbicides. This
commercial vegetables to control pests such as stink is one reason it is not a good idea to use commercial
bugs, squash bugs, cucumber beetles, vegetable wee- soaps as insecticides. Another good reason is that they
vils, and other pests. Note that Pyrellin is not currently are not labeled for use as insecticides. If you want to
approved by OMRI (Organic Materials Review use soaps to control insect pests, stick with labeled
Institute). insecticidal soaps. M-Pede and Safer Insect Killing
Plant Extract Products: Several companies mar- Soap Concentrate are two examples.
ket, or are developing, products based on extracts Sulfur: Elemental sulfur has long been used for
from various plants for insect control. Quite a few control of spider mites and certain plant diseases and
companies market “garlic spray” products that have is approved for organic production. Organic gardeners
pest repellent properties. Garlic Barrier is one exam- primarily use microfine sulfur dust formulated for
ple. Be aware that such products may not be approved application as a liquid spray. Sulfur can cause skin and
for certified organic production. Cinnamite is a com- eye irritation and can cause plant injury if improperly
mercial miticide based on extracts from cinnamon oil. used, especially if applied in combination with oils, or
It is not currently OMRI approved and can be phyto- if applied within several weeks of an oil treatment.
toxic to tomatoes and certain other plants. Thiolux, Microsul, and Sulfur DF are examples.
Iron Phosphate: Several companies make slug Kaolin Clay: Finely ground kaolin clay is some-
baits that contain iron phosphate and are approved for times applied to crops to help reduce heat stress or
organic production. Sluggo is an example of an iron prevent sunburn on fruit of crops like tomatoes and
phosphate-based slug bait. This product is only useful peppers. It is applied as a foliar spray at relatively
to control snails and slugs. high rates, around 25 lbs per acre, and dries to form a
Horticultural oils: Petroleum-based horticultural fine coating of clay particles that reflect sunlight. This
oils are useful for control of soft-bodied pests, such as coating of clay also helps suppress feeding by certain
aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. However, most insect pests, such as cucumber beetles, flea beetles,
petroleum-based horticultural oils are not approved thrips, and grasshoppers. Surround WP is one exam-
for organic production. Although the oils themselves ple of a commercially available product (95 percent
are classified as organic, many of the secondary ingre- kaolin clay) that is OMRI approved.
dients added as emulsifiers are inorganic. Only a few
14
Insect Management Options for Organic Vegetable Production
Cutworms - Be sure field is tilled and free of all weeds and cover crops at least 3 weeks before planting.
- Use “cutworm collars” when planting small numbers of transplants into cutworm-prone situations.
Seed Corn Maggots - Work manure and other organic fertilizers into the soil in previous fall or well before planting.
Root Maggots - Till field at least 4 weeks before planting to allow weeds and cover crops time to decompose.
Bean Leaf Beetle - Plant crop after beetles have left overwintering sites and moved to other crops, such as soybeans.
- Grow varieties with resistance or tolerance to key beetle-vectored virus diseases.
- Foliar sprays: pyrethrins, rotenone + pyrethrins
Flea Beetles - Maintain good weed control. Many weeds, especially solanaceous weeds, are hosts to flea beetles.
- Destroy crop residue promptly following harvest.
- Grow insect-resistant sweetpotato varieties.
- Parasitic nematodes can help control larvae in soil.
- Foliar sprays: pyrethrins, rotenone + pyrethrins, insecticidal soap
Colorado Potato - Avoid planting Irish potatoes following another solanaceous crop.
Beetles - Mulching with straw can help reduce populations.
- Destroy crop residue promptly following harvest.
- Foliar sprays: spinosad (target larvae), rotenone + pyrethrins
Blister Beetles - These insects often occur in clusters. Dislodge from plants and crush them.
- Foliar sprays: pyrethrins, rotenone + pyrethrins
Cucumber Beetles - Avoid early planting to avoid the heavy early flush of overwintered beetles.
- Use floating or hoop-supported row covers to protect young plants.
- Foliar sprays: pyrethrins, rotenone + pyrethrins
Stink Bugs - Grow early crops. Stink bug populations are highest from midsummer through fall.
Leaffooted Bugs - Avoid growing successive crops near earlier crops.
- Time vegetable crops to be finished before nearby agricultural crops mature.
- Destroy crop residue promptly after final harvest.
- Foliar sprays: pyrethrins, rotenone + pyrethrins
Tomato Fruitworms - Grow an early crop. Fruitworm numbers are highest from midsummer through fall.
Corn Earworms - Grow corn varieties with long, tight-fitting shucks.
- Foliar sprays: spinosad, Bts, Gem Star (NPV virus).
Loopers - Use trap crop of collards to reduce diamondback moth infestation on cabbage and other cole crops.
Diamondback Moths - Use mating disruption pheromone (for diamondback moth only).
- Foliar Sprays: spinosad, Bts
Pickleworms, - Grow early crops. Populations are much higher in late season.
Melonworms - Foliar sprays: spinosad, Bts
Fire Ants - Tillage helps reduce number of fire ant mounds in field.
- Use granular fire ant baits containing spinosad. Baits are slow-acting; use preventively.
- Apply granular fire ant bait around field borders also.
The information given here is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names are made
with the understanding that no discrimination is intended against other products that may also be suitable.
Revised by Dr. Rick Snyder, Extension/Research Professor and Extension Vegetable Specialist; Dr. Blake Layton,
Extension Professor, Entomology and Plant Pathology; and Dr. David Ingram, Associate Extension/Research Professor.
Originally prepared by Dr. Pat Harris and Dr. James H. Jarratt, Extension Entomologists, Dr. Frank Killebrew, Plant
Pathologist, Dr. John D. Byrd, Jr., Extension Weed Scientist, and Dr. Snyder.
Discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran’s status is a violation of fed-
eral and state law and MSU policy and will not be tolerated. Discrimination based upon sexual orientation or group
affiliation is a violation of MSU policy and will not be tolerated.
Publication 2036
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in further-
ance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. Melissa Mixon, Interim Director. (POD rev-07-08)