Biological Properties of Container Media Flashcards
(25 cards)
Liverwort, moss, and algae
problems: poor irrigation, grows on surface when media is wet, limits oxygen/gas exchange, hydrophobic, fungus gnat habitat
control with topdressing with sawdust
cultural weed control methods
sanitation
irrigation
monitering for weeds
mechanical/physical weed control methods
hand removal
removal from greenhouse floors and perimeter
hoeing
topdressing, crop covers
chemical weed control methods
less laborious to apply
takes time to prepare
i.e. acetic acid (vinegar), glysophate
common pests found on surface/underside of containers
slugs
mealybugs
centipedes
millipedes
cutworms
fungus gnats symptoms
poor growth quality
stunted plants
fungus gnats signs
adult flies present (sticky cards for moniter)
small flies hover when disturbed
fungus gnats lifecycle
complete metamorphosis
egg to egg laying adult (28-35 days)
larva feed on roots
fungus gnat control
chemical: allow surface to dry/topdress
biological: beneficial nematodes
mealy bug symptoms
poor growth quality
yellowing of leaves
honey dew
mealy bug signs
adults present
nymphs hard to see
cottony wax exudate
mealy bug life cycle
incomplete metamorphosis (28-35days to maturity)
adults live 2-5 weeks
feed on plants at all stages
mealy bug control
cultural: avoid heavy nitrogen
physical: water washing/repotting
chemical: insecticidal soaps
biological: cryptolaemus montrouzieri
fusarium wilt symptoms/signs/conditions
symptoms: brown necrosis/wilting
signs: stringy stems, mycelium stems, sporangium
optimal conditions: dry soil, high salts
phytophthera symptoms/conditions/control
symptoms: wilt, new growth dieback, brown roots
optimal conditions: wet media, warmer
control: chemical (irrigation management)
pythium symptoms/conditions/control
symptoms: stunted, wilt, brown root tips, death, damp off, black leg
optimal conditions: long warm temp, cool/wet, moisture, lack of sanitation
control: physical (remove affected plants), cultural (allow media to dry, dont exceed 28 degrees)
rhizoctonia symptoms/conditions/control
symptoms: wilting/damping off, seed fails to germinate, red/brown lesions, canker
optimal conditions: damp media/warm conditions
control: cultural (porous media/sanitation), physical (remove affected plants), chemical (fungicides, hydrogen peroxide)
verticillium wilt symptoms/conditions/control
symptoms: wilting, necrosis, chlorosis, discoloured vascular tissue, canker
optimal conditions: root damage, high salt, moist media
control: chemical (sanitation, avoid transmission, aeration, resistant varieties)
thielaviopsis symptoms/conditions/control
symptoms: stunting, chlorosis, blackened roots
optimal conditions: 12-18C, moisture
control: chemical (warm soil, dont keep wet)
advantages for biological control agents
reduced pesticide use
health
plant damage
no REI
less equipment
challenges of biological control agents
knowledge required
complexity
does not work well in combo with chemicals
types of biological control agents
predators
parasites
biofungicides
banker plants
agricultural biostimulants
types of parasites
parasitic wasps
chalcid and braconid wasps
parasitic nematodes
banker plants
used to farm predatory insects for i.e. cereal plants and ornamental peppers
