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Project Leader(s): C. Petzoldt
and J. Engel
Project location(s): Northeast
and Great Lakes states
Abstract: In 2001 a long-term cucurbit crop systems pest
and crop management evaluation was continued at NYSAES Geneva. This project
is a continuation of a sweet corn systems project conducted 1995-1999. Systems
are located in the same fields as the previous sweet corn evaluation meaning
that land has now been managed under the particular systems for 7 years. A team
of vegetable experts evaluated four systems for producing cucurbit crops including
Conventional, IPM Present, IPM Future, and Organic. Commercial scale plots of
cucumbers, melons, zucchini, and pumpkins were grown under these systems and
compared on the basis of economic, environmental, and pest control efficacy
factors. In general the IPM Present system was the most profitable, the Organic
system was least profitable while the other two systems were mid range in profit.
No-till or minimum tillage was used in the IPM Future and Conventional plots,
proved to be inconsistent in results, and will be removed as a component of
the systems next year. The Organic system resulted in lowest environmental impact,
while the Conventional system had the highest environmental impact and the two
IPM systems were mid-range. Insect and disease pests were adequately controlled
for all four systems while weeds interfered with production in the two systems
using no-till production. The results of this trial allow us to make recommendations
that can help growers produce cucurbits in a manner that is environmentally
sound and profitable.
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