Control strategies for swede midge in organic production
Description
The swede midge has been the main pest of crucifers (cabbage family) in Québec since 2003. Its presence throughout the season, the difficulty of detecting the damage it causes, and its cryptic behaviour make controlling this pest very complicated. Organic producers currently rely on pest exclusion nets, which are expensive to use. It is important, therefore, to develop other effective ways of controlling this pest.
Objective(s)
- Evaluate effective and economically viable control strategies for swede midge that are healthy for both humans and the ecosystem
- Evaluate swede midge control strategies in organic crucifer production based on data already available in Québec, other Canadian provinces, the U.S., and elsewhere in the world.
From 2014 to 2018
Project duration
Market gardening
Activity areas
Pest, weed, and disease control, Organic farming
Services
This work will lead to the development of a strategy to help control the cauliflower plant’s most formidable insect pest.
Partner
Growing Forward 2
This may interest you
Control measures to reduce clogging in a St. Lawrence River water treatment process using slow sand filtration
To manage clogging risks, the project automated pumping based on water turbidity and cover the filter to prevent light from entering the water and thus reduce algal bloom.
Researcher: Caroline Côté
Improving potato crop water-use efficiency through cropping system modifications
Modifying the cropping system design is an effective way to improve potato crop water-use efficiency and, thereby, lessen the risk of crops experiencing water stress.
Researchers: Carl Boivin Luc Belzile
