When it comes to pest management, knowing who your enemy is, and who your friends are, is a crucial first step in sustainable management.
Editorial 4
Industry News 6
Investigating root rot 26
Proper pathogen identification requires some detective work.
CGC preview 33 Sneak peak at the schedule and speakers.
Guest Column 44 The human challenge of IPM by Rita Sterne.
Addressing aphids 52 An innovative approach in the cannabis industry.
New Products 58 Inside View 62 Levelling the pesticide playing field?
The Syrphe (Sphaerophoria contigua), or tufted globetail hoverfly, is one of many beneficial pests discussed in this month’s issue of Greenhouse Canada. More on page 8.
(Credit: marcophotos / Getty Images)
Monitoring T. Parvispinus
Best practices for identifying and keeping a close eye on this tricky pest.
BY SARAH JANDRICIC
Plant nutrition
A close look at a case of Boron deficiency in greenhouse-grown cucumbers.
BY DR. MOHYUDDIN MIRZA
Pest management at Cultivate ‘23
A quick overview of this topic at one of the green industry’s biggest events.
BY AMY KOUNIAKS
Strong community at Cultivate ‘23
Very recently, I had the pleasure of travelling to Columbus, OH, to attend my very first greenhouse industry conference. Cultivate ’23 was certainly one for the books (at least in this rookie’s).
Honestly, I think I’m going to be processing the experience for months (maybe years?) to come as the sheer volume of information coming at me during those four days was massive. I did, however, have the opportunity to meet some incredible people and sit in on some fascinating learning sessions and even got to tour some incredible facilities in Ohio.
One key takeaway from my experience during the entire whirlwind that was Cultivate ’23, was, once again, the sense of community in the greenhouse industry.
American Hort does a tremendous job in uniting members of this industry for this special event, in order for them to share their experiences and support one another.
working tirelessly to understand these threats and how to manage them (many of whom presented at Cultivate). There is also a healthy dialogue amongst growers dealing with pest and disease problems alongside a growing number of businesses with an expertise in dealing with these threats. There is a plethora of available supports out there and growers are urged to lean on their community in these times of uncertainty.
Hopefully, this issue of Greenhouse Canada will help some of you zero in on where to go for some of those supports.
“Going it alone is not the best course of action.”
This community support is particularly important when it comes to pest and disease management, the theme of this month’s Greenhouse Canada.
When it comes to dealing with a pest or blight, going it alone is not the best course of action. Given the challenges of new and emerging pests and diseases, today’s grower almost needs an encyclopedic knowledge of these threats and the environments in which they thrive in order to accurately manage it.
This is where the community can help.
There is no shortage of researchers
Looking ahead, the Canadian Greenhouse Conference (CGC), which is being held this year in Niagara Falls, Ont., on Oct. 4 and 5, will also be another opportunity for growers to connect with the community. Pest and disease management will also be top of mind at this conference, along with a number of other issues related to greenhouse production. A sneak peek of the CGC, including information about some of the speakers and a schedule of events, can be found starting on page 33. It would be a good idea to get an early start on planning how to get the most out of your CGC experience this year.
Also in this issue, Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza examines a case of boron deficiency in greenhouse cucumbers on page 22, while Dr. Rita Sterne, of the Greenhouse Technology Network, talks about the challenging human element in IPM strategies and what might the future hold on page 44.
B.C. grower teams up with IUNU and Corvus Drones
Bevo Farms in Langley, B.C. announced in July that it has chosen IUNU and Corvus Drones to supply computer vision and AI software for its propagation business.
Bevo Farms is an innovative supplier of choice for wholesale vegetable growers and retailers of floral plants across the whole of North America. The team has invested heavily in automation to drive operational efficiency. This latest investment is a continuation of Bevo’s intense focus on the customer.
Corvus Drones and IUNU have entered into an intellectual property license agreement, enabling the companies to launch an integrated offering for growers. The agreement provides Corvus Drones with access to portions of IUNU’s extensive patent portfolio. Corvus offers a fully automated drone solution for imaging and IUNU is the market leader in computer vision and artificial intelligence.
Niagara College breaks ground on new greenhouse
Niagara College broke ground on a new, state-of-the-art greenhouse, in July, which will plant the seeds for more innovation to benefit students and industry.
“It is an exciting time for Niagara College as we break ground on a new, cutting-edge greenhouse that will support advancements in applied research and new, hands-on student learning opportunities,” said President Sean Kennedy. The site of the future greenhouse was recently fenced off behind the existing Teaching Greenhouse at the College’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in
Paul Boers Manufacturing acquires Omni Structures
Paul Boers Manufacturing announced in early July the acquisition of Omni Structures. Brad Salter, the previous long-time owner of Omni Structures was looking for a succession plan for his company.
The Omni product line and service the company is known for will continue to be available and operate at its present location in St. Catharines. Salter will continue to manage Omni while the companies transition.
The addition of the Omni product line and customer base is expected to help grow the Paul Boers Manufacturing company and give their dealer network more opportunities to service their customers.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, and construction will soon be underway, scheduled for completion by March 31, 2024. The new greenhouse will be a hub for the college’s Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre (HESIC), and with the existing Teaching Greenhouse, will provide an expanded learning environment and new opportunities for students in NC’s
School of Environment and Horticulture. One of four research and innovation centres within NC’s awardwinning Research & Innovation division, HESIC specializes in performing growth trials with horticultural crops that evaluate innovations and improvements. Currently, HESIC utilizes space within the NC Teaching Greenhouse, which is primarily used for academic purposes.
BY THE NUMBERS
Floriculture stats update
From January to April of 2023, the combined total inflation adjusted exports were $367.9 million
Year-to-date, inflation adjusted totals are up an impressive 6.9 per cent over 2022, and up 38.9 per cent over the five-year trailing average.
WELCOME invaders
Naturally occurring beneficials in the greenhouse
BY LARISSA SCHINKEL, CARA MCCREARY, AND DR. ROSELYNE LABBÉ
Every year, we see a diversity of beneficial insects and mites that appear in greenhouses from surrounding natural landscapes (like little Santas bearing mini pest management gifts). While some of these species may not be commercially available, they may still reduce pest pressure, sometimes in economically important ways.
This article focuses on helping with recognition of some of the species we routinely see in southwestern Ontario greenhouses but may also be present in greenhouse production sites across Canada.
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NATURAL ENEMIES OF LOOPERS OR OTHER CATERPILLAR PESTS
Multiple species of parasitic wasps attack loopers and other caterpillars in agricultural systems, including in the greenhouse. Adult wasps may be observed on sticky cards or during parasitism attempts. However, it is most likely that greenhouse staff would observe the pupal stage (the cocoons) as they are developing on or near host larvae. Depending on the species, cocoons come in a variety of shapes and colours. The following are descriptions of some of the species that may be observed in Ontario.
Figure 1. Adult Cotesia sp.
PHOTO CREDIT: DAVID MCINTYRE, CUSTOM LIFE SCIENCE IMAGES.
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Cotesia species. There are several species of endoparasitic braconid wasps in the genus Cotesia that attack caterpillars by laying multiple eggs inside their larval hosts, consuming, and developing first within, then outside of these hosts. Adults are small dark wasps that range from three to seven millimetres in length (Fig. 1). Females have a curved, narrow ovipositor used for laying eggs. Once the larvae exit the host, they build
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cocoons either directly on their host or on the foliage nearby.
Cotesia glomerata was introduced into North America in 1883. This species builds yellow cocoons either directly on their host or on nearby foliage. Cotesia vanessae is relatively new to North America (collected in 2009), is thought to have a relatively broad host range, and has successfully developed on common agricultural pests including cabbage and tomato loopers, Trichoplusia ni and
Chrysodeixis chalcites, respectively. Larvae of this species work together to form a single protective cocoon that looks surprisingly like a cotton ball (Fig. 2).
Campoletis sonorensis. The native parasitoid, Campoletis sonorensis, is a medium sized (12.7-millimetres long) ichneumonid that has been reported attacking looper larvae. The adult wasps, like other species of ichneumonids, have distinctly thin abdomens, with long antennae and legs (Fig. 3A).
Differentiating between species of Campoletis wasps can be difficult, often requiring advanced taxonomic expertise. Eggs are laid inside the host larvae, which exit their host, and spin a white cocoon with two distinct dark stripes on either long end of
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caterpillars, including loopers. Adult female wasps lay between five and several hundreds of eggs per caterpillar. Cocoons are formed typically on the undersides of caterpillars (Fig. 4).
Figure 4. Euplectrus sp. cocoons on looper larva. Photo credit: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Harrow Research and Development Centre, 2018.
NATURAL ENEMIES OF APHIDS
Syrphid flies. Syrphids are an important family of flies commonly known as hover flies or flower flies. They are the hummingbirds of the insect world. Don’t be fooled by their appearance as many species bear yellow and black or brown bands making them easily misidentified as bees or yellow jackets. As flies, they only have one pair of translucent wings whereas bees or yellowjackets have two pairs. Their body lengths range between eight to 15 millimetres varying by species. Adults are important pollinators feeding on nectar and pollen, and also consume aphid honeydew. The predaceous larvae are avid consumers of aphids, with a single larva eating as many as 400 throughout its development. The larvae resemble slightly flattened maggots that narrow slightly towards the head (Fig. 5). The larvae can be seen “swinging” their heads back and forth in the air in search for aphids. The eggs are laid within aphid colonies to ensure a bountiful food source. Syrphids are frequently observed in greenhouse pepper crops in Ontario and are now available for purchase through some insectaries or
Hundreds of species in the Syrphid family are reported in Canada. Although the species diversity has not been documented in greenhouses in Ontario, to demonstrate variation in external characteristics, there are a few examples below of species known to feed on aphid pests of greenhouse crops. Eupeodes americanus are approximately seven to 11 millimetres in length, stout, and black to metallic green with three broad yellow crossbands (Fig. 6A). The larvae are pale gray. Their natural habitat is meadows and fields with an abundance of flowers. Banker plant systems have been used to
Figure 5. Syrphid sp. larva collected from greenhouse peppers.
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facilitate their establishment when used as biological control agents and some studies have demonstrated that plant species can influence the aphid species preferences of E. americanus. Adult Sphaerophoria contigua are small to medium sized (between six and nine millimetres in length) and slender with bright yellow
markings on the head, thorax, and abdomen (Fig. 6B). Some species in this genus have an abdomen that is almost entirely black. The larvae have been observed feeding on many different aphid species.
Adult Syrphus ribesii are approximately eight to 13 millimetres in length and their
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larvae have been documented feeding on several species of aphids. This species shows a lot of variation in colour and markings (Fig. 6C).
NATURAL ENEMIES OF SHOREFLIES
Hexacola sp. are small parasitic wasps (three to four millimetres in length) with black, nearly spherical abdomens, and transparent wings. They lay their eggs inside shorefly larvae and have been observed decimating local populations of this pest in Ontario greenhouses (Fig. 7).
NATURAL ENEMIES OF THRIPS AND WHITEFLIES
There are several important hemipteran (“true bug”) predators of thrips, whiteflies
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Figure 7. Adult Hexacola sp. wasp emerged from shorefly.
and other greenhouse pests including at least two anthocorid species from the genus Orius, and several mirids. As mirids require a lengthier discussion for future articles, here we focus on two Orius species.
Orius spp. Commonly known as minute pirate bugs, Orius species they are tiny, voracious predators as both adults and nymphs. Adults also feed on pollen and nectar. Orius insidiosus, commonly known as the insidious flower bug, is a commercially available species that also visits greenhouses from the surrounding landscape. They are small (between 1.7-1.9 millimetres), oval bugs, with black bodies, and see-through white to yellowish-brown hindwings with black at the ends (Fig. 8A). Adult females lay eggs directly into plant tissue. Once hatched, small yellow to orange tear-drop shaped nymphs gradually darken to brown before adult emergence (Fig. 8B). Another native species, Orius tristicolor, is visually similar. One distinction is the hindwings of O. tristicolor are clear (no colour), with black at the ends.
Predatory thrips. This group of predators might throw some people for a loop: beneficial thrips! Predatory thrips such as Aeolothrips spp. can be found hunting in greenhouse crops and are often mistaken for Echinothrips americanus, an increasingly sighted pest in greenhouse crops. They pack a punch as they can be observed feeding on mites, whiteflies, and even other thrips. Aeolothrips spp. are dark thrips with three distinct white bands on their wings (Fig. 9A) but can be distinguished from the similarly darkcoloured Echinothrips which have orange pigmentation between segments and their wings are dark with white at the base (Fig. 9B).
and support an ecosystem in or around the greenhouse that serves to attract and retain naturally occurring beneficials. Applying these tactics could even help thwart future pest infestations and support existing inoculative or inundative biocontrol programs by creating a diverse
CONTINUED ON PAGE 56
GOT TROPICALS?
How to effiectively monitor for Thrips parvispinus
BY DR. SARAH JANDRICIC
In a previous edition of this magazine, we talked about which pesticides can help control or suppress Thrips parvispinus if you end up with an infestation. But how do you figure out if this invasive pest is in your facility in the first place? And, if they are there, what’s the best way to monitor their populations?
After working with this pest for the past one to two years, researchers like myself have figured out which monitoring methods are most effective so you can identify the problem early, begin a management plan, and monitor the efficacy of your control methods.
PROPAGATION:
If you’re growing your own tropical crops, inspecting imported cuttings is usually your first step to detecting unwanted pests. It can also give you
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a feel for what the pest pressure is going to be that year (think Bemisia whitefly adults or nymphs in bags of poinsettia cuttings).
However, cutting washes of tropical crops conducted by a commercial greenhouse and the Buitenhuis lab at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre revealed very few adults or larvae in the wash water. We can conclude from this that most of the thrips are coming in on imported plant material as eggs.
So, how do you detect and count Thrips parvispinus eggs on your cuttings? Well… you don’t. Like other thrips species, T. parvispinus embed their eggs in leaf tissue. The eggs aren’t visible with a hand lens or even with a regular dissecting microscope, really. The best monitoring method is to put a
Figure 1. Thrips parvispinus female.
PHOTO BY A. SUMMERFIELD, VINELAND.
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Figure 2. Sticky cards in propagation are a necessary tool to detect if T. parvispinus is emerging from tropical cuttings.
large amount of yellow sticky cards just above the cuttings in your propagation area. Don’t worry about them getting wet – sticky cards can still function under overhead watering or at high humidity. Especially if the cuttings are sealed in propagation tents, any adult thrips that get stuck on the cards over the next 7 to 14 days are evidence of what’s coming out of the new crop, specifically. If you have
PHOTO BY GROWER COOPERATOR.
a microscope, you can then cover the cards with clear cling wrap and confirm the identity your thrips using the simple thrips key for growers developed by OMAFRA and the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. (This can be found on ONfloriculture.com, under the “Thrips Identification” tab at the top). Or, you can send them to a consultant or specialist who can do this for you.
Using a large amount of sticky cards in propagation also has the added bonus of removing thrips from the population. By our calculations, mass trapping alone was able to reduce the T. parvispinus population by almost 20 per cent over one month in a trial in mandevilla.
PRODUCTION:
If you’re growing any of the tropical plant species listed in Table 1, the first sign you have T. parvispinus will likely be damage (unless you’re monitoring in propagation). Damage can show up differently on different plant species, so be familiar with the symptoms on your crop.
Damage can also vary by plant growth stage. Damage on new growth might first
BELOW
Figure 3. Thrips parvispinus damage can vary on various stages of mandevilla growth (growing tips to mature leaves).
PHOTOS
appear as mild tissue distortion (similar to broad mite or even foxglove aphid) but can advance to leaf or bud abortion of the entire meristem under a heavy infestation. Damage on old growth tends to look more like heavy mechanical scarring. Interestingly, damage seems to only appear on the upper sides of leaves. Besides inspecting plants for damage, your other most important tools for detecting Thrips parvispinus are the same as for other thrips species: plant taps and sticky cards. Plant taps are the most useful of the two, as they give you a more accurate read of the number of pests actually on the crop at that moment in time (and not what’s just been flying around in the general area). Also, plant taps are generally more highly correlated with plant damage than other forms of monitoring and can help you develop action threshold for particular crops and varieties. Here’s some tips when it comes to conducting plant taps for T. parvispinus:
The best monitoring method is to put yellow sticky cards just above cuttings in your propagation area.
• Thrips parvispinus is very small compared to Western flower thrips. After tapping plants onto a white pan, wait a few seconds for the thrips to recover, and then look for movement. These thrips are much more active than any other species I’ve seen, and it’s easier to hone in on them this way, instead of looking for colour/shape (especially since the males and females are different colours!).
• Once you know you definitely have T. parvispinus on your farm, and know generally what they look like, spend a few minutes confirming their identity with a 10-15X hand lens each time you do taps. I’ve been in a greenhouse where they also had a lot of small arthropods call springtails (or Collembola) that were similar in colour, shape, size and activity! But taking a few minutes with a hand lens at the beginning of sampling helped me to able to recognize who was who.
Figure 4. Plant taps are a critical monitoring tool for T. parvispinus.
• Unlike other thrips I’ve worked with, the larvae of T. parvispinus don’t seem to tap out of the plants very well. Save some effort and only look for and count adult thrips.
• If thrips counts are high, squish each thrips as you find them! Not only does this make sure you aren’t counting a thrips twice, but it’s also a form of
PHOTO BY OMAFRA.
Common Name Species name Damage Signs
Heavy feeding scars on foliage that resembles broad-mite damage. Damage to flowers similar to regular thrips feeding.
“Cork damage” on the growing point; inhibits crop growth. Will feed on the flower and leaf stalks.
Rocktrumpet
Mandevilla & Dipladenia spp.
Ornamental peppers Capsicum spp.
Heavy feeding scars on foliage that resembles broad-mite damage. Leaf buds will fail to develop. Damage to flowers similar to regular thrips feeding.
New growth will turn yellow and resemble infection with a plant virus. On older foliage, feeding scars resemble broad-mite damage.
Damage similar to regular thrips feeding, with more tissue distortion.
Heavy feeding scars on foliage that resembles broad-mite damage. Leaf buds will fail to develop and some leaves may abort.
On both foliage and flowers, damage resembles regular thrips feeding.
Frangipani Plumeria spp.
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On foliage and flowers, damage resembles regular thrips feeding at first, but can develop into more heavy scarring.
Table 1. Ornamental crops in North America where significant damage has been seen from T. parvispinus. The potential host list is much wider, but this pest seems to show a strong host preference for these plant species. Species listed in order of suspected preference.
mechanical control!
• Standardize the number of plants you tap in each crop, variety, or area each week. This will make detecting population increases much easier. Make sure this sample size is big enough to give you an accurate picture. A rough rule of thumb is to sample five per cent of the crop.
• Make sure you are sampling from the front, back and middle of a row or bench, as T. parvispinus can have a very patchy distribution.
• With small plants (four- to six-inch pots) or low pressure, sometimes it’s better and faster to tap five small plants into one pan and then count. You can always divide by the number of plants sampled to convert this to “thrips per plant” later.
Sticky cards can also be a really useful
tool for T. parvispinus because they are very active flyers compared to species like onion thrips (T. tabaci) and poinsettia thrips (Echinothrips americanus). However, given the quickly damaging nature of this pest, cards should not be relied on as the only form of detection. Walking the crop and looking for damage will be much more important for early detection.
However, once T. parvispinus has already been detected in the crop, cards
Plant taps are useful as they give you a more accurate read of the number of pests.
Gardenia Gardenia spp.
Laceleaf Anthurium spp.
Schefflera Schefflera arboricola
Hoya Hoya spp.
Hibiscus Hibiscus rosa
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Figure 5. Monitoring cards generally follow plant-tap trends for T. parvispinus pressure in mandevilla, and can therefore be used as a reliable monitoring tool.
can be a reliable monitoring tool to tell you which direction your population is headed – up or down – depending on your conditions and control measures (see Fig. 5). Here are some tips when it comes to sticky cards for T. parvispinus.
• Blue and yellow cards seem similarly effective for this pest in preliminary trials in the summer (more on this later!). However, due to its dark colour and small size, T. parvispinus is much easier to see and count on yellow cards.
• Remember that monitoring cards give you a picture of what happened in the crop since you first put them up –not what’s happening right now. Don’t rely on monitoring cards alone to determine the efficacy of control measures. Sometimes sprays can trigger insects to fly, which can make it appear as if populations are actually going up (see Figure 5).
• T. parvispinus seem to move in waves – from their more preferred or source host onto less preferred hosts/varieties over time. It’s important to have good coverage with your monitoring cards to figure out which parts of your farm are affected.
• Standardize the number of cards you check weekly in each crop and variety. It’s a lot easier to figure out if pest pressure is going up or down if the count is always X thrips/five cards, for example. When things get busy on the farm, you may not always have time to work out an average per card.
• Cards seem to provide more information on smaller/ vegetative plants. Once large plants have begun to flower, a single sticky card at the top of the plant seems to get lost. (For what to do instead, see “Finished product”, below).
FINISHED PRODUCT:
Whether you’re growing your own product from start to finish, or bringing in finished crop from Florida, monitoring changes a bit at this stage.
Plant taps would still apply to foliage-only crops like hoya and schefflera. For flowering crops, however, T. parvispinus is strongly attracted to pollen and nectar. Counting adult thrips inside flowers at this stage will give you a sense of the pressure on the whole plant and is much faster than plant taps (and easier than trying to tap large mandevilla plants or hibiscus “trees”).
At this point, what damage has been done to the foliage has already likely been done, and there’s no going back. But if the issue is mostly just the presence of thrips in the flowers before sale, you may want to consider a few sprays with contact insecticides to knock back thrips. A threshold of more than two to three thrips per flower is a good indicator sprays may be needed, especially if shipping to the U.S., where T. parvispinus is a “pest of concern” in all states, and a quarantinable pest in Florida.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Lastly, if you’re going to put in all the work of getting weekly counts to monitor T. parvispinus (or any other pest!) graphing your data is a must. We really are visual creatures. Numbers on a page can often be too abstract, and don’t provide context of what happened previously in the crop. Plotting your data, as in Figure 5, or using scouting applications like BugVision or IPM Scoutek that can do this for you, can help you determine the value of card counts versus plant taps, develop damage thresholds, and make more informed pest management decisions.
Dr. Sarah Jandricic has been the Greenhouse Floriculture IPM Specialist for OMAFRA since 2014. She brings over 20 years of experience in Floriculture Entomology to the role. You can follow more of her greenhouse IPM information on ONFloriculture.com.
Nutritional deficiencies in greenhouse vegetables
A case of boron deficiency in cucumbers
BY MOHYUDDIN MIRZA
The following email was received from a greenhouse cucumber grower which encouraged me to write on nutritional deficiencies, especially boron, in this case.
“Morning Dr Mirza
I’ve got an issue with my greenhouse cucumbers. They have stopped growing, leaves are small and stiff and now turning brown. Water & fertilizer are pH 5.93 and an E.C of 0.93. I did a soil drench — the water coming out at the soil has a pH of 6.54 and EC of 0.20.
I have spider mites and thrips. Bios for thrips have been here for two weeks and spider mites bios arrive this week but there are no webs or evidence on these leaves that are at the top of the plant. The issue was first detected shortly after putting on the sachetes for the thrips bios. I originally thought water related and only gave water for three days. But am now back to fertilizer& magnesium and calcium alternating days.
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I am seeing some discolouration on the larger leaves midway up the plant in these past five days. Is this a fungus? Virus? Or heat related? Water? Multiple issues?”
ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION FROM THE GROWER:
• The plants have stopped growing as evidenced in Figure 2. The tops are dead, leaves are small, brittle and brown.
• The feed pH was 5.93 and EC at 0.93
• Leach pH 6.54 and EC at 0.2 millimhos/cm
• Grower was using a ready-made mix with 20-1228, with no calcium and no magnesium. It did contain trace elements.
• The EC of 0.2 millimhos in the leach is extremely low, even below the starvation range. EC value of below 0.8 millimhos are starvation range. This means plants were suffering with lack of
Figure 1: This leaf is showing early symptoms of boron deficiency. Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza cautions that it can be easily confused with a deficiency of potassium.
PHOTO CREDIT: DR. MOHYUDDIN MIRZA
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nutrients. The feed EC was also very low. The grower was using a rate of 0.5 grams/L
• Boron deficiency was diagnosed from the typical symptoms which include browning, brittle leaves and ultimately death of the top part. Figure 1 shows early symptoms of boron deficiency. It can be easily confused with a deficiency of potassium.
ABOUT THE BORON:
Boron is an essential element for growth of cucumbers and other plants. It is an immobile element which means that it is not transported from lower leaves to upper leaves like nitrogen and potassium. Thus, deficiency symptoms appear in young growth and fruits. Roots can also become short and stubby. It aids in calcium translocation; thus the deficiencies of calcium and boron may be seen together.
SOURCES OF BORON:
The term “borax” is often used for a number of closely related minerals or chemical compounds that differ in their crystal water content. Growers must know what they are dealing with. Here are three
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Figure 2: The leaves of a cucumber plant bear evidence of boron deficiency.
examples of borax with different contents of water:
• Borax: Anhydrous borax (Na2B4O7).
• Borax pentahydrate (Na2B4O7·5H2O).
• Borax decahydrate (Na2B4O7·10H2O).
Anhydrous borax will contain 21.39 per cent boron, borax pentahydrate will
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SOLUTIONS
contain 14.8 per cent boron and borax decahydrate will contain 11.28 per cent boron. The amount you need for the same ppm concentration will vary depending on the type of borax used.
Commercial fertilizers formulation will show on the label as to the percentage of boron and from what source.
What to do to avoid boron deficiency:
The most critical mistake is in the management of fertilizers.When commercial fertilizers are used then the calculations are based on nitrogen percentage or a range in grams per litre.For example, in this case it was recommended to use a rate of 0.5 grams/L. The trace elements are called “microelements” so when lower rates are used, then the concentration of these elements is significantly reduced and may approach critically deficient range.
Boron availability from root zone is stable across the pH range from 5.0 to 7.0 while iron and manganese are more susceptible to lower and higher pH ranges.
Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza is an industry consultant. drmirzaconsultants@gmail.com
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MISSION POSSIBLE: Investigating root rot
Proper pathogen identification is a crucial first step in deciding how to address root rot and other plant disease and requires a little detective work in order to be accurate.
BY CARA MCCREARY, KATIE GOLDENHAR, AND DR. GENEVIÈVE MARCHAND
Root rot is a bit of a catch-all term for a plant disease that has “roots” that are “rotting”. Sometimes rot root is accompanied by other symptoms in the crown, stem, or vascular system. Other terms used for these types of diseases include crown and root rot, stem and root rot, wilt and root rot, pre-emergence damping off, or postemergence damping off. No matter what the disease is called, the most important thing to remember is that there is a disease-causing agent involved (a.k.a. “the Offender”). In other words, a plant pathogen, which under the right environmental conditions, can infect a susceptible plant host.
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Root rot is not new in greenhouse production; however, the extent of disease can vary from year to year. The tricky part is figuring out what the disease-causing organism is (the plant pathogen). Unlike more conspicuous diseases like Botrytis grey mould or powdery mildew, determining which pathogen has infected plant roots just by looking at them is not possible (Fig. 1). It is also possible, or even likely, that the roots are infected with more than one pathogen. Proper pathogen identification greatly matters for decision making so put on your Sherlock hat, get out your spy glass, and investigate!
Figure 1. Brown, discoloured roots is a symptom of root rot in greenhouse peppers.
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Figure 2. Fusarium oxysporum collected from greenhouse pepper roots (A) plated isolates and (B) macroconidia at 400X magnification.
WHY THE DETECTIVE WORK?
There are several reasons why it is important to investigate the causal agent. They may have different:
• routes of introduction
• optimum environmental conditions
• host ranges
• management options
THE CULPRITS
In greenhouse vegetable and soft fruit crops, there are common pathogens frequently associated with root rot. Many
are ubiquitous and vary in response to treatment, aggressiveness, preferred environmental conditions, and host preferences. We can broadly group them into two distinct groups: fungi and oomycetes (water moulds).
Fusarium species
Fusarium species are true fungi. The genus Fusarium contains several species that are economically important fungal plant pathogens worldwide. Although several species of Fusarium cause disease in
greenhouse crops, the species implicated in root rot, crown rot, and wilt is most often Fusarium oxysporum (Fig. 2). This pathogen has a wide host range, including more than 600 known plant species. Some strains of F. oxysporum are endophytic: colonize the vascular system of plants without harming them and can even offer some benefits to their hosts. Disease causing strains of F. oxysporum that are better adapted to infect a specific host crop, or part of the host (for example, roots), are usually functionally classified
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as a special form (forma specialis or f. sp.). However, genetically speaking, isolates within the same special form may not be all that closely related, which complicates diagnosis.
Pythium species
Pythium species are another common group of plant pathogens that can cause root rot (Fig. 3). They are oomycetes, a group that may look like true fungi but are genetically more distant. Their biology and biochemistry differ from true fungi in many aspects which has important implications for management. Root rot initiation by Pythium species often takes place in wet conditions like contaminated hydroponic nutrient solution.
Phytophthora species
Phytophthora species are also oomycetes though seem to be less commonly associated with root rot in greenhouse production. Phytophthora capsici and P. cactorum are soil or seed borne pathogens causing root and crown rot in various crop species and are not typically airborne. Phytophthora infestans is the causal agent of tomato late blight, which can also be soil or seed borne, but in hydroponic systems, it is typically airborne sporangia infecting aerial plant parts.
IDENTIFYING THE OFFENDER(S)
There are a few things worth noting, when investigating the causal organism of root rot and exploring solutions.
Management decisions begin with identification of the pathogen. This is often best left to a diagnostic laboratory that is equipped to distinguish between many different species, and possibly special forms and races. However, sometimes we encounter a new pathogen or one that has evolved to become more virulent or has expanded its host range. When sampling for diagnostic purposes, keep in mind that the accuracy of the results relies on the quality of the sampling.
THE PENALTY (MANAGEMENT OPTIONS)
Since most of the culprits are ubiquitous, eradication may not be a realistic goal. Instead, the focus should be on optimizing plant health and minimizing plant stress. This can be done with various techniques aimed at reducing pathogen exposure and plant health promotion. Up the barricades and arm the plants with self-defence tactics!
Figure 4. Symptoms of vascular infection in greenhouse peppers caused by Fusarium oxysporum.
Sanitation. Practicing good employee hygiene, keeping the production space clean and conducting a thorough clean out between crops is essential to reduce pathogen load (the amount of pathogen present).
Host resistance. When possible, using cultivars or root stocks with pathogen resistance can provide significant protection. Unfortunately, such resistance is not always an option.
Disease-free seed/seedlings. Like producers, seed raisers and propagators use similar crop protection tactics to supply “clean” seed and “healthy” seedlings. Producers should monitor seedlings for signs of root rot and promptly remove suspicious plants.
Disinfecting recirculated nutrient solution. Clean source water mitigates the risk of introduction into the greenhouse through irrigation channels. Disinfecting recirculated nutrient solutions prevents pathogen levels from building over time. There are many types of disinfection systems that can suit a range of situations.
Commonly used systems include:
• Physical filtration
• Biofiltration (slow sand filters)
• Ultraviolet (UV) light
• Ozone
• Pasteurization
Newer systems include:
• ECA (Electro Chemical Activated)
• Ultrasonic transmitters
All systems should include some form of filtration to eliminate constituents that will negatively impact the success of the primary system. In many cases, multiple disinfection systems are used to increase the likelihood of success.
A
B C D
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Figure 6. Steps to removing infected plants while minimizing spread to neighbouring plants. (A) Cut block free from slab (B) Carefully place infected plant inside garbage bag (C) Contain the entire plant, keeping the bag’s exterior clean (D) Disinfect tools by submerging in disinfectant (including the handle).
Environmental manipulation. Once the causal agent has been determined, consider disrupting the optimal conditions for the pathogen without compromising crop production. Temperature, moisture, pH, EC, and nutrients (specifically nitrogen levels and source) are important variables to consider. For example, maintaining the nutrient solution and root zone temperatures at or below 20 degrees celcius, can reduce the incidence and severity of root rot. Overwatering or underwatering, overfertilization or
underfertilization, can all add to plant stress and increase the chance of disease development.
Proactive use of beneficial microbes. Many microbial crop protection products (biopesticides) are registered for use in greenhouse production for protection in the root zone including Bacillus, Streptomyces, and Trichoderma species (Fig. 5) and/or their metabolites. Each beneficial microbe species or strain may have different efficacy levels for different pathogens.
In general, these microbes offer the
plant protection through:
1. Competition – colonize the roots and compete with the pathogen for nutrients and space.
2. Parasitism – come in physical contact with and directly attack the pathogen.
3. Antibiosis – produce molecules that are toxic to pathogens or inhibit their growth.
4. Inducing metabolic changes in the crop plant – encourage the plant to release defense compounds and mobilize other resistance mechanisms.
Plant growth promotion – promote growth of plant roots and shoots, increase productivity, and improve nutrient uptake.
As these are living organisms or their byproducts, storage, shelf-life, and handling is important for their success. Generally, efficacy is greatest when they are used preventatively and reapplied according to label recommendations.
Roguing. Through diligent monitoring, removing infected plants and sometimes growing media early in production can reduce the spread of disease. Infected plants should be disposed of appropriately to minimize the risk of recontamination.
Use of conventional fungicides. When necessary and combined with other tactics, fungicides can help further suppress the pathogen.
Rotation. Switching to a non-host crop is not always simple but can help reduce the incidence of disease in some cases.
Your local Plant Products representative is always available to provide industry-leading technical support.
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Plant Products is a distributor of fertilizer, biocontrols, crop protection, and other innovative inputs serving the Canadian specialty horticulture industry for over 80 years
There is much to learn about plant pathogens and specifically those causing root rot. A team of investigators (research scientists, diagnosticians, specialists, industry, etc.) continues to work together to learn more about these tiny organisms that throw curve balls at growers year after year. You know the old saying: knowledge is power? The more we learn, the better equipped we are to “arrest” the plant pathogens once and for all.
Cara McCreary, Greenhouse Vegetable IPM Specialist, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Katie Goldenhar, Pathologist – Horticulture, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Dr. Geneviève Marchand, Research Scientist – Plant Pathology, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Plant Products.com
On-site Registration Opens: 8:30AM Trade Show Hours: 9:00AM - 4:00PM
2023 Canadian Greenhouse Conference
By Julia vanStaalduinen Marketing & Event Coordinator
The Canadian Greenhouse Conference is back for 2023. As our theme reflects various lights of colour – giving a sense of wonder and great possibility; that is our goal for this year’s conference. Together, let’s Reimagine the greenhouse community and see what is has to offer.
This year’s sold-out trade show will be filled with new products, services and people who are eager to help growers succeed. Advances in technology and equipment will be on full display. You will find familiar names and faces but there is a healthy influx of new exhibitors bringing their innovations to the trade show floor.
More than 50 speakers from Canada and around the world will be on hand to present cutting edge information in an interactive environment. Learn about advancements in vertical farming, sustainability, energy management and IPM. Find out about the technology and techniques that can change the way you grow.
With more than 15 sessions, it is not possible to cover them all in detail, so visit the website CanadianGreenhouseConference.com for individual presentation summaries and start planning your itinerary.
The bus is back!
Where’s the bus tour? As we missed out on a tour last year, the CGC has decided to schedule the return of the popular event this fall. With the incredible amount of new building/ retrofitting going on, there will be no shortage of interesting sites to visit this October.
Everyone loves the chance to socialize, and the best way to do so is during the conferences’ two social events; Happy Hour and The Gathering. Food and music,
compliments of sponsors Philips (Signify), Syngenta Flowers, and Havecon, are here to make Happy Hour the ideal way to wrap up the first day of the show. Guests at The Gathering will enjoy dining with spectacular views of Niagara Falls as they indulge in the mouth-watering creations by Chef Matt Hemmingsen at one of Niagara’s premier dining destinations, The Queen Victoria Place Restaurant.
New poster competition
New this year is the introduction of our first Poster Session. This Student Poster Competition features student research conducted in the field of greenhouse horticulture. More than a dozen projects will be posted to the CGC website, with several selected presentations represented at the conference.
Be sure to book your hotel room at either one of the CGC’s chosen hotels, the Marriot on the Falls or the Radisson Hotel & Suites Fallsview. The rate includes a buffet breakfast, and you may find yourself sharing a table with one of the many speakers who have come from around the world. Find complete information and the booking link on our website.
Finally, a very special shout-out to our CGC sponsors. Check out the impressive page of industry partners who have gone the extra mile to not only support this show but also Canadian growers. Thank you for making the Canadian Greenhouse Conference an integral part of your business activity.
Online registration is open. Take advantage of discount pricing before September 30. Complete conference information is available at www.CanadianGreenhouseConference.com
See you at the show!
On-site Registration Opens: 8:30AM Trade Show Hours: 9:00AM - 4:00PM
JOIN US for a chance to expand your network, connect with local and international growers, and Reimagine the greenhouse community and see what it has to offer!
Registration!
PRE-REGISTRATION ONLINE by September 30th and SAVE!
$125 – Wed. & Thurs. – Full Registration: Speaker program and trade show
$85 – Single Day (Wed. OR Thurs.)
Speaker program and trade show
$50 – Single Day – Trade show ONLY
$130 – The Gathering (Wed.) – Off-site social event – PRE-REGISTRATION ONLY
$35 - Students (with ID) - Speaker program and trade show
$255 – Bus Tour (Local) – Tuesday PRE-REGISTRATION ONLY
REGISTRATION AT THE DOOR
$155 – Wed. & Thurs. – Full Registration: Speaker program and trade show
$125 – Single Day (Wed. OR Thurs.)
Speaker program and trade show
$65 – Single Day - Trade show ONLY
$35 – Students (with ID)
Speaker program and trade show
What’s New?
Talk to the people you know on the sold-out trade show floor! 200+ exhibitors will be waiting to see you.
Happy Hour
Everyone loves a good happy hour! Enjoy music, food and friends from 4-6pm right on the trade show floor. Wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Thank you to event sponsors:
The Gathering
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 4TH 6:30PM
Queen Victoria Place Restaurant
Enjoy dinner with clients, friends, and colleagues at one of Niagara’s premier restaurants.
$130 per person (Advanced purchase only)
On-site Registration Opens: 8:30AM Trade Show Hours: 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Schedule | Wednesday, Oct 4th – Morning Sessions
Trade Show Open
Wed. 9:30 AM
Retail Trends for Continued Success
Jennifer Polanz
Green Profit Magazine (Ball Publishing)
PANEL DISCUSSION: What Growers Can Do in Their Production System to Have a Successful Consumer
Tanya Carvalho
Ball FloraPlant
John Ondejko
Bonanza Gardens
George Alkema Linwell Gardens
Aerated Static Pile Composting of Greenhouse Waste for Inactivation of the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus
Erin Agro
Walker Industries
New Uses for Greenhouse Fruit, Vine and Growing Media Waste
Dr. Alexandra Grygorczyk
Vineland Research & Innovation Centre
Sorbent Biomaterials for the Removal of Zinc from Greenhouse Ponds
Prof. Erica Pensini University of Guelph, Engineering
Sponsored by:
Chrysanthemum Study
Rose Buitenhuis
Vineland Research & Innovation Centre
Banker Plants
Susanne Wainright Evans
Bug Lady Consulting
Throwing Us for a Loop(er)
Roselyne Labbe Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
Cara McCreary
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs
Thrips Parvispinus (Scouting, ID and Control Options)
Sarah Jandricic
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs
Sponsored by:
Your Greenhouse as Battery
Ton van Dijk Heating Van Dijk Heating
Optimizing Greenhouse Cultivation: Harnessing the Benefits of Plant Empowerment, Advanced Screening, and Vertical Airflow Technology
Paul Arena
Ludvig Svensson
Hyper Local — Good for You Better for the Planet
Rob Lyle GreenHaus
Model Mayhem: Comparing Energy Modeling Tools for Greenhouses
James Dyck & Simon Baker
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs
Conference Accommodation
On-site
Schedule | Wednesday, Oct 4th – Afternoon
Afternoon Sessions
Sessions
Wed. 2:00 PM
Wed. 2:00 PM
Bug-Eat-Bug World: Assessing Canadian Mirids (Hemiptera: Miridae) for the Control of Greenhouse Pest
Carly Demers
Bug-Eat-Bug World: Assessing Canadian Mirids (Hemiptera: Miridae) for the Control of Greenhouse Pest
Carly Demers
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, University of Windsor
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, University of Windsor
Low-cost Portable Electronic Nose Technology, a Platform for Pest Management
Low-cost Portable Electronic Nose Technology, a Platform for Pest Management
Arezoo Emadi University of Windsor
Arezoo Emadi
University of Windsor
Efficacy of Biopesticides for Managing Onion Thrips
Efficacy of Biopesticides for Managing Onion Thrips
Ashley Summerfield Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
Ashley Summerfield
Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
Control of Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus by CucGuard
Keri Wang
Control of Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus by CucGuard
The Global State of Vertical Farming
The Global State of Vertical Farming
Henry Gordon-Smith Agritecture
Henry Gordon-Smith Agritecture
Lighting on VF Crops
Lighting on VF Crops
Dr. Luo
Dr. Luo
USDA-ARS, U.S.
USDA-ARS, U.S.
Fieldless Farms, Challenges and Successes
Fieldless Farms, Challenges and Successes
Jon Lomow Fieldless
Jon Lomow
Fieldless
IPM In Vertical Farms
IPM In Vertical Farms
Susanne Wainright Evans Bug Lady Consulting
Susanne Wainright Evans Bug Lady Consulting
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
An Ounce of Prevention — Less Water Waste Els Vanbeckevoort SanEcoTec
An Ounce of Prevention — Less Water Waste
Els Vanbeckevoort SanEcoTec
Use of Greenhouse Leachate Water for Microalgae
Use of Greenhouse Leachate Water for Microalgae
Amarjeet Bassi
Amarjeet Bassi University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
Water Treatment without the Hangover: Low Residual, Regenerative Electrochemical Technologies
Getting Down the Root Issues: Root Diseases in Greenhouse Peppers
Getting Down the Root Issues: Root Diseases in Greenhouse Peppers
Genevieve Marchand
Genevieve Marchand
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
Cara McCreary
Cara McCreary
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs
Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus PANDEMIC
Water Treatment without the Hangover: Low Residual, Regenerative Electrochemical Technologies
Thomas Graham
University of Guelph, School of Env. Sci
Thomas Graham University of Guelph, School of Env. Sci
Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus PANDEMIC
Dr. Nida’ Salem University of Jordan
Dr. Nida’ Salem University of Jordan
Genetic Resistance and Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus
Genetic Resistance and Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus
Jonathan Griffiths
Jonathan Griffiths Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Diagnosing Diseases — From Sampling to Making Informed Management Decisions
Diagnosing Diseases — From Sampling to Making Informed Management Decisions
Katie Goldenhar
Katie Goldenhar
A&L Canada Laboratories Inc.
Keri Wang
A&L Canada Laboratories Inc.
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs
As we missed out on having a tour last year, the CGC has decided to schedule the return of the popular event this fall. With the incredible amount of new building/retrofitting going on, there will be no shortage of interesting sites to visit this October.
O C TOBER 4 & 5 | NIAGARA FALLS | CANADA
On-site Registration Opens: 8:30AM Trade Show Hours: 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Schedule | Thursday, Oct 5th – Morning Sessions
Trade Show Open 9am-4pm | Great Food Options On-site | Happy Hour 4pm-6pm
Disease Management (FL) Lettuce Production Forward Thinking New Technologies/Ideas 10 min presentations Vegetable Production
Thurs.
9:30 AM
Diagnosing Diseases — From Sampling to Making Informed Management
Decisions
Katie Goldenhar
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs
Disease Control in Ornamentals Using Biocontrols
Ana Maria Borda Clemson University
Breeding for Resilience
Alicain Carlson Syngenta Flowers
Can High-Tech Lettuce Reshape the North American Leafy’s Market?
Carlos H. Umana BASF Nunhems
Achieving ROI with a Hi-tech Hydroponic Lettuce / Leafy Greens Growing Facility
Sonny Moerenhout Cultivators
The Lettuce Leap: Exploring Automated Production and Innovations
Stephen Murch Hoogendoorn Growth Management
Sponsored by:
New Variety Showcase Display
It’s the best of both worlds; view the outstanding on-site display and then photos and videos on our website.
Sponsored by:
Computer Vision in Greenhouse Industry — An Open Field of Capabilities!
Sebastian Leroux Ipsum Vision
Data Driven IPM: The Key Leading Indicators that Make the Difference
Carrie Izsak IPM Scoutek
Driven Crop Steering: Automating Tomato Crop Registration with AI Erika Verrier/Allison Kopf IUNU
Digital IPM Tools: Ontario Crop Protection Hub and Crop IPM
Cara McCreary
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs
Highlights of the IOBC 2023 Meeting in Brest, France
Roselyne Labbe Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
Spot it? Snap it, Catch it, Report It! Prepare to Meet the Spotted Lanternfly
Hannah Fraser
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs
Using High-Tech Solutions to Improve Your IPM Outlook
Liam Brennan Plant Products
Robotics Harvesting in the Greenhouse: Update on Recent Progress
Medhat Moussa University of Guelph
Effective Communication with Your Plants — Understand Their Language and Make the Right Decisions
Mirza Mohyuddin Greenhouse Specialist
A Kaleidoscope of Colours: Investigating the Impact of Light on Plant Development
Jason Lanoue Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
More Important Than Light or Water? How Plants Use Information to Grow Best
Nigel Wallbridge Vivent SA
From Co-Bots to Autonomy: Navigating the Path to Efficient and Sustainable Harvesting with Robotics
Boy de Njis Ridder
Sponsored by:
O C TOBER 4 & 5 | NIAGARA FALLS | CANADA
Schedule | Thursday, Oct 5th – Afternoon Sessions
On-site Registration Opens: 8:30AM Trade Show Hours: 9:00AM - 4:00PM Trade Show Open 9am-4pm | Great Food Options On-site | Happy Hour 4pm-6pm Poinsettia Production
Poinsettia Stock
Production
Rebecca Siemonsma
Thurs.
2:00 PM
Dummen Orange
Propagation to Finishing
Gary Vollmer
Ball Horticulture
Insights Into High Tech Hydroponic Production of Strawberries
Thomas Peters Grodan
Strawberry Blossom Weevil: A New Berry Pest to North America
Michelle Franklin Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
Homegrown Innovation Challenge: Solutions for Extending the Growing Season and Futureproofing Canadian Food Production
Lukasz Aleksandrowicz Weston Group
Strawberry Disease
Erica Pate
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs
Sponsored by:
Poster Session
First One Ever!
Highlighting current research on greenhouse floriculture, fruit, vegetables, and alternative crops in Canada. Select projects will be presented in the Research Updates session, Thursday afternoon.
Titles & speakers subject to change. Visit CanadianGreenhouseConference.com for up-to-date information.
Energy Management Research Updates
Phase Change Materials and Light Abatement
Quade Digweed
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Shining Light on Eggplant Production
Daniel Terlizzese
University of Guelph
Entraining the Circadian Rhythm with Dynamic LED Recipes to Increase Crop Biomass and Yield
Telesphore Marie University of Guelph
Screening Vegetable Genotypes and Identifying Plant Traits
Sensitive to Narrowwaveband LED Light for Controlled Environment
Production
Yun Kong
University of Guelph
Agri-Grid: Sustainable Greenhouse Energy Resilience
Rupp Carriveau
University of Windsor
Extending the Flowering Photoperiod by 1-hour
Boosts the Yield of Indoor Grown Cannabis by More Than 30%
Ashleigh Ahrens University of Guelph
Sponsored by:
On-site Registration Opens: 8:30AM Trade Show Hours: 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Sneak Peak of This Year’s Speakers
PAUL ARENA
Ludvig Svensson
Paul joined Svensson in 2022 as the Greenhouse Climate Consultant responsible for the United States and Canada. Paul graduated from Penn State with a specialized degree in Ag Sciences called BioRenewable Systems; an applied major that intertwines the study of engineering technology, natural resources, and agriculture with fundamentals of business, entrepreneurship, and management. For the past five years, Paul has been exploring different positions in agriculture to develop a hands-on understanding of what it takes to get crops from seed to the store for plant-loving customers. He has done just about every job in the field and in the greenhouse.
ANA MARIA BORDA
Clemson University
Ana María Borda is a Biologist, MSc. from University of Queensland, Australia and Ph.D. from University of Florida, U.S.. She joined Dr. Faust lab at Clemson University last year as a Postdoctoral Research Scholar to conduct research on floriculture physiology, postharvest physiology and use of biorational products to control disease in ornamental plants. Previously, she worked with the Colombian Cannabis industry for five years as Director of Research and Development. She also taught postharvest physiology and plant biology courses at Horticultural and Agricultural Engineering Programs in Colombia. Her interest is to work closely with industry generating applied scientific knowledge.
JONATHAN GRIFFITHS
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
Prior to joining Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Jonathan obtained his B.Sc.H. from Carleton University, a M.Sc. in Plant Biology from Western University, and Ph.D. from the Botany Department at the University of British Columbia. Research in the Griffiths lab focuses on the genomics and molecular biology of plant viruses. Major research projects include plant virus diversity and monitoring using bees, and genetic resistance to tomato brown rugose fruit virus. Located near Niagara in Vineland, ON, the Griffiths lab studies many of the major fruit crops in the region including stone fruits (Prunus spp.), grape, berries, and greenhouse tomatoes.
ERICA PATE
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs
Erica Pate is a Fruit Crop Specialist with OMAFRA, covering berry crops. Erica works with berry growers on production, IPM practices, and marketing of berry crops.
O C TOBER 4 & 5 | NIAGARA FALLS | CANADA
On-site Registration Opens: 8:30AM Trade Show Hours: 9:00AM - 4:00PM
DR. NIDA’ MOHAMMAD ISMAIL SALEM
University of Jordan
Dr. Nida’ Salem is a Professor in the Department of Plant Protection, School of Agriculture, University of Jordan since 2011. After earning her Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from the University of Jordan, she moved to the U.S. and worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, UC Davis and UC Riverside for almost four years. She molecularly characterized the two most challenging viruses in rose plants using various biotechnologies which has contributed greatly to the understanding of the rose spring dwarf disease in California. Dr. Salem used genetic and genomics approaches to solve complex biological problems associated with agriculture all over the world such as fig mosaic disease, cowpea seedborne viruses and lettuce chlorosis virus. Recently, she worked with team of scientists from UCD, to identify novel viruses associated with Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citiri), using NGS technology and bioinformatics analysis. Dr. Salem discovered a novel Tobamovirus infecting tomato crops in Jordan, in 2015, threatening vegetable production across the world. In 2017/2018, she spent her sabbatical at UC Davis, working on genetic engineering of plant viruses as a versatile tool to express proteins in plants. Dr. Salem has published numerous articles and manuscripts in several international journals and proceedings, including Virology, Journal of Virology, Archives of Virology, Virus Research, Plant Pathology, New Phytologist and Plant Disease. She is a member of many international committees and has been teaching undergraduate and graduate students for almost 12 years at the University of Jordan.
TON VAN DIJK
Van Dijk Heating
Horticulture is literally something Ton van Dijk was brought up on. As a farmer's son, he started working in the family business more than 25 years ago. There, he learned the finer points of horticulture. After selling the company, he started using his gained expertise on energy management to support growers so they could buy energy properly and make the best use of the assets available. This was much data driven and so a move into the 'world of data' was a logical one. For five years he has been working on optimising cultivation and energy use through data. At Van Dijk Heating, he is responsible for advising growers the best suitable product on the basis of knowledge, expertise and data. The focus here is on high-quality technological products that optimize greenhouse climate, energy and water consumption. Always from one central starting point; cultivation comes first, not the solution.
ERIKA VERRIER
IUNU
Erika Verrier is a Vine Crop Specialist at IUNU, the leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) company serving the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) industry. Erika has over a decade of experience supporting large-scale tomato greenhouse operators and growers by developing Integrated Pest & Disease Management (IPDM), Food Safety and biosecurity programs. Erika has worked to promote access to resources for growers including numerous reduced risk pesticide registrations through IR-4 and effective disease management practices with the USDA. Recently, Erika authored a report with IUNU report on “Learning to Live with ToBRFV,” which has been read by more than 500 growers worldwide.
O C TOBER 4 & 5 | NIAGARA FALLS | CANADA
On-site Registration Opens: 8:30AM Trade Show Hours: 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Thank You To Our Sponsors
Top Tier
Exploringing the human challenge of IPM
If the casual definition of pest is “one that pesters or annoys” (according to merriam-webster.com), it might be reflective to consider the human role within Integrated Pest Management (IPM) challenges in the greenhouse industry. How might we get in the way of solving IPM struggles?
We understand that IPM is complex and the situations are constantly evolving. When one issue is solved, another appears. When one encounter is eliminated, another erupts. When parameters change, the deck gets shuffled yet again.
From what growers have shared and what I’ve learned from technology experts, IPM is a delicate cycle of understanding and assessing signals and signs, generating and weighing options, making decisions, and then predicting and monitoring the effects of the decision in a new context (which may have changed during the last decision cycle). Kudos to growers - this is complexity at its most difficult!
Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are technologies that are increasingly supporting growers. Relying on knowledge from science and experience, these technologies will also be increasingly able to support decision making by helping to generate potential responses for growers. Enter our human shortcomings when making decisions.
Human brains are not great at effectively
additional parameters. AI and adaptive learning help humans effectively and efficiently manage far more than five to seven parameters at a time. And increasingly, growers leveraging the power of massive data sets are starting to build confidence in IPM decisions — even in an ever-changing context. IPM strategies and decisions in the future will also require that humans build and expand new relationships and forge networks to support the increasing complexity around decision making in the industry. As a wider variety of crops are grown indoors, these difficulties again multiply. AI and adaptive technology are necessary tools if our brains are to successfully manage future IPM struggles. What could the IPM future look like?
• Robot bees are already pollinating crops. Could we see “micro robot beneficial insects” in our greenhouses?
• Scientists are learning more about the power of “smell” and scent markers. Will robots of the future smell pests and disease instead of seeing them?
• Learning about biomimicry and copying nature’s solutions to a challenge also holds promise. Will AI help researchers to borrow a solution from nature and then more quickly develop and implement it for growers?
“New technologies are providing solutions across a multitude of IPM issues.”
processing more than five to seven different things at once. Our brains have developed shortcuts for making decisions and we trust these shortcuts because they’ve worked well for us in the past.
Consider that today’s grower faces an incredibly complex situation characterized by constant change. They also face massive risks from making the wrong decision. A dynamic environment means our brain’s shortcuts are not always reliable, particularly when we are experiencing novel disruptions (for example, weather patterns) that further complicate IPM issues.
Along with the research of incredibly brilliant researchers working on the biology of IPM, AI and robotics, technologies are now partners in solving IPM challenges and labour shortages. AI and robotics are increasingly supporting larger growers with data sets that “learn” and can integrate data from
• Work to support digitization in the Netherlands is leading the way with a shared greenhouse language and standards for data exchange. Will AI technologies support better relationships with value chain partners to more quickly help industry react to IPM threats in future?
New technologies are providing solutions across a multitude of IPM issues. Reminding ourselves to invest heavily in value chain relationships and industry networks could be a great strategy to ensure that we address the human factor of IPM.
Rita Sterne, PhD (Mgmt), is the manager of the Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN). The Greenhouse Technology Network, a Niagara-College-led consortium of research institutions, can help bring together greenhouse and technology businesses with research institutions to advance development and adoption of new technologies.
Pest and disease management at Cultivate ‘23
A quick overview of this hot topic at one of the green industry’s biggest events
BY AMY KOUNIAKIS
Pest and disease management was a major topic of discussion at Cultivate 2023 in Columbus, OH, this past July. Panel discussions, information sessions and even the trade floor provided some muchneeded insight and advice on a variety of issues growers face.
The following is a very brief overview of what’s new and what’s coming down the pipeline in the ongoing battle raging in greenhouses across North America.
THRIPS PARVISPINUS
This pest was clearly top of mind for many in attendance at Cultivate ’23 as the T. parvispinus has made its presence known across the continent.
A panel discussion, hosted by Quebec-based Lallemand, sought to reassure attendees that the industry is in a good place in terms of managing this pest.
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“[This pest] can be managed with biocontrols and some pesticides,” said Lallemand Technical Lead, Matthew Krause, during the discussion. “This is not a death sentence.”
In the August 2023 issue of Greenhouse Canada, Dr. Sarah Jandricic, OMAFRA’s floriculture IPM specialist, even provided some stats on some of the products available to Canadian growers and their effect on knocking down the pest.
The panel at Cultivate ’23 emphasized the need for growers to accurately identify T. Parvispinus before setting about trying to eradicate it. Wrongful identification could result in using the wrong forms of control and causing more damage to plants, as well as increase the risk of pests developing a resistance to overapplied products.
Dr. Rose Buitenhuis, of Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, presented at the conference on the use of unrooted cutting dips for controlling an
A Japanese beetle is seen on a flower in the trial gardens of the Seacrest Arboretum near the Ohio Agriculture Research and Development Centre at Ohio State University’s Wooster campus.
RIGHT
A poster outling the highlights of a master’s research project being carried out by Grace Sward at the Ohio Agriculture Research and Development Centre (OARDC) located at Ohio State University’s Wooster campus
number of Thrips species, including the newest pest on the block. Her research has found that dips consisting of landscape oils and BotaniGard 22WP help reduce Thrips populations. The addition of biocontrols, Buitenhuis said, is the most optimal way to control this pest.
Perhaps the best news on this front to come out of Cultivate ’23, is that a Task Force, made up of experts from across all the industry, has been formed to further address the challenges of this pest.
BOTRYTIS
Alongside Buitenhuis, Dr. James Faust, of Clemson University, was presenting on the latest in Botrytis management.
Key takeaways from his presentation included the importance of correctly identifying the blight (because early signs of Botrytis on flower petals can be very similar to those caused by other pathogens). He also empahsized greenhouse sanitation and keeping a very close eye on moisture levels within the greenhouse. According to Faust, relative humidity of less than 94 per cent or lengthy periods of leaf wetness (more than 12 hours) can greatly increase a plant’s susceptibility to Botrytis spore germination.
Horizontal airflow fans, exhaust fans and ensuring the temperature in the greenhouse to above dewpoint to prevent condensation are some of the actionable steps growers can take to minimize spore growth.
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More resources and information specific to Faust’s presentation, as well as Buitenhuis’, at Cultivate’23 can be found on the American Floral Endowment website.
In the meantime, Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza, a Canadian greenhouse specialist and long-time contributor to Greenhouse Canada, outlined some best practices for greenhouse sanitation in the August 2023 issue that could go a long way to preventing the spread of pathogens like Botrytis, but could also improve crop performance as a whole.
RESEARCH STUDY
As part of the Cultivate’23 experience, a tour of the Ohio Agriculture Research and Development Centre located at Ohio State University’s Wooster campus, invited attendees into the greenhouses where some fascinating research is taking place.
Dr. Michelle Jones, who teaches horticulture and crop science at OSU, led groups through the school’s state-of-the-art facility and facilitated conversations around some of the undergraduate research taking place there.
Some of the projects there were at looking things like microbial biostimulants and pH balance, as well as phosphorus uptake and possibilities for its reduction throughout the production process (more on which we hope to run in future issues of this magazine).
On the pest management end of things, one project stood out.
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and
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Dr. Rose Buitenhuis, of Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, presented at Cutlivate ‘23 on the use of dips for Thrips.
The work, being carried out by masters student Grace Sward, is looking at monitoring plant stress through environmental DNA, nearfield infrared (NIR) as well as measuring plant volatiles (organic compounds released by plants). When combined, the theory is that the collected data can be used towards much earlier pest detection and ultimately, better management of the problem.
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One of the tools being used to monitor plant volatiles at the OARDC research greenhouse in Wooster, OH.
Sward’s project focusses on Sweet Potato Whiteflies, Green Peach Aphids and Two-Spotted spidermites on a poinsettia crop.
The goal of the project is to finds ways to detect the presence of pests without the need for scouting. Essentially using AI for earlier, more exact detection and identification. The project is still in its early stages but has tremendous potential for being a game-changer for growers.
At the nearby Seacrest Arboretum, which was also a stop on the tour of the campus, further research is being carried out in the gardens on blight resistance and pest management on various
Resources for Canadian greenhouse growers:
• Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) https://omafra.gov.on.ca
• Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPAQ) https://www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca
• British Columbia Greenhouse Growers' Association (BCGGA) https://bcgreenhouse.ca/
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) https://inspection.canada.ca/
• Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/ about-health-canada/branches-agencies/pest-management-regulatory-agency.html
crops (including crab-apples, hydrangea and various rose cultivars).
Seacrest is a 100-acre ‘laboratory of plants,’ according to the garden’s curator, Jason Veil. It is located on the former Gardens of Legend and Romance, which was decimated several years ago by a blight affecting the garden’s roses. Today, it is a trialing and research garden that remains open to the public.
More information on the OSU OARDC and Seacrest Arboretum and the research coming out of there can be found on the OSU website.
TECHNOLOGY AND AUTOMATION
As mentioned above, AI applications will play a huge role in pest and disease management in the years to come. One area in particular that got a lot of attention at Cultivate this year is the use of drone technology in monitoring and even knocking down potential pests.
Three separate and very well-attended sessions discussed the latest in drone technology and its use in the horticultural sector. As it stands, this is a technology that is being used outside of the greenhouse with great success but more research is being done on how drones can safely and effectively be used indoors. For growers who make use of outdoor growing spaces, this is a technology you
• Canadian Greenhouse Growers' Directory (Flowers Canada Growers) https://www.flowerscanadagrowers.com/flower-growers/canadian-greenhouse-growers-directory
• Vineland Research and Innovation Centre https://www.vinelandresearch.com/
• Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada https://fvgc.ca/
• Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Alliance (COHA) https://coha-acho.ca/
Editor’s note: Pest management practices may vary depending on the region. It's always a good idea to consult with local experts and professionals to tailor the pest management approach to your specific greenhouse situation.
want to be paying close attention to.
When it comes to drones, accuracy is the name of the game. In field trials, the drone’s ability to zero in on where the problem is and to deploy the necessary biocontrols within very precise parameters is astonishing.
Stanton Gill, IPM specialist and Professor of Landscape Technology Program at Montgomery College in Maryland, presented the results of two years of successful field trials where drones were used to apply systemic
insecticides in outdoor greenhouse crops. Much of his work, including several books written on pest management and technology, can be found online.
One thing to keep in mind, this technology is still evolving alongside legislation. Also, the operation of this technology should be carried out by those trained in its usage. Rest assured, however, the drones are coming and will have a big role to play in the battle against pest and disease in the greenhouse.
Addressing aphids
Niagara College shares an innovative approach to this challenge in the cannabis industry
BY SCOTT GOLEM
Within the rapidly growing cannabis industry, aphids, such as the cannabis aphid (Phorodon cannabis) and the rice root aphid (Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominalis), have emerged as formidable adversaries in commercial cannabis cultivation. These pests contribute to significant yield reductions, quality degradation, and consequential financial losses, leading to severe economic implications.
In response to these challenges, the industry has aimed to employ Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, striking a balance between pest control, environmental preservation, and sustainability. However, the optimal implementation of IPM in cannabis facilities has proven elusive, underscoring the need for further investigation. The Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre (HESIC) at Niagara College (NC) has recently launched collaborative research efforts with leading industry partners, Koppert Canada Limited, and BioWorks Inc., to address these pressing issues.
In the first study, conducted in collaboration with Koppert, HESIC aimed to improve the
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management of the cannabis aphid, a problematic pest that has resisted control through traditional means. This research explored the combined use of biological control agents Aphidius matricariae and Chrysopa carnea, and environmental control strategies typically implemented in cannabis facilities to manage fungal diseases. Remarkably, it was found that careful cultivar selection and precise manipulation of environmental controls could significantly enhance biological pest control efficacy. This approach led to a two- to three-fold increase in the performance of natural enemies without elevating the risk of fungal diseases. Such findings could notably augment biological control strategies within the cannabis industry, ultimately resulting in improved yields and diminished crop losses.
The second study, executed in partnership with BioWorks Inc., targeted the elusive rice root aphid. Since these aphids inhabit the plant’s root system, they remain inaccessible to many conventional control methods. This collaborative research effort was designed to evaluate the effectiveness and potential phytotoxicity of various targeted root/soil treatments to uncover effective control
Two research assistants inspecting crops in the Niagara College Teaching Greenhouse for aphids.
methods. This investigation presented a dual benefit: prospective solutions for controlling rice root aphids, and an invaluable hands-on learning experience for the students engaged in the project.
During this research venture, students from NC’s Commercial Cannabis Production program collaborated with IPM experts. The forthcoming results from this research are poised to influence BioWorks Inc.’s commercialization strategy for their products. The project yielded promising results and offered
students unique insights into real-world horticultural challenges.
Both studies, bolstered by the collaborative culture of HESIC and its industry partners, exemplify the Centre’s commitment to combining innovation, education, and industry relevance. They offer concrete evidence of how strategic research can address immediate industry challenges and equip the future workforce with practical problem-solving skills. By investigating and developing novel IPM tools and methodologies, HESIC is
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Research assistant working on project that implements IPM strategies in the NC Teaching Greenhouse
making significant contributions towards the evolution of sustainable and efficient practices within the cannabis industry.
The project opportunity brokered by the NC-led Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN), with an investment from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), was instrumental in facilitating these studies. Such financial support highlights the pivotal role of regional and federal agencies in fostering innovation and progress within Canada’s burgeoning cannabis industry.
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As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, the challenges it faces will undeniably shift and multiply. The proactive approach adopted by HESIC not only confronts current industry hurdles, but also invests in the industry’s future by arming the next generation of growers with the necessary skills and knowledge for success. Through its innovative, cutting-edge research, and unwavering commitment to education, NC’s HESIC is playing an indispensable role in shaping a more sustainable, efficient, and productive future for the cannabis industry.
Scott Golem is Research Lead at the Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre, Niagara College Research & Innovation. If you have an innovation challenge, we have the solution. Start the conversation with us today or visit our website at ncinnovation.ca. Together, we will determine how best to meet your needs, whether we perform a quick turnaround service, or a full innovation project. For research and development partnership opportunities, contact David DiPietro, Manager, Business Development, at ddipietro@niagaracollege.ca.
and resilient natural enemy food web. Importantly, if you see a new insect or mite species you don’t recognize on your crop, don’t immediately assume they are going to cause damage.
To lure in these beneficials, they need food and reproductive host resources to complete their development and sometimes, crop plants are not adequate at providing these. To boost natural enemy populations, consider including outdoor wildflower hedgerows for predators and
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parasitoids to establish on and overwinter in near or around the greenhouse. This may not only attract natural enemies to the greenhouse, but it also gives them a place of refuge when crops are removed. Inside the greenhouse, some species may need alternative food sources to sustain all life stages, not just the predatory stage. This could be accomplished by distributing/ spraying pollen onto plants, providing alternate protein sources like sterilized eggs of flower moths, Ephestia, or decapsulated brine shrimp, Artemia cysts. The provision of banker plants can also provide optimal oviposition sites for natural enemies or a source of nectar and pollen that support adult parasitoids and other omnivorous beneficials. One note of caution when aiding in the establishment of natural enemies is that some strategies could also be beneficial to specific pests such as thrips. As well, banker plants may require different nutrient and watering regimes than what is provided to the crop. When planning these new strategies, it is helpful to consider existing pest pressure and to test a particular strategy in a small area first before applying it at a larger scale. Either way, ready or not, here they come!
Larissa Schinkel, Research Assistant, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Cara McCreary, Greenhouse Vegetable IPM Specialist, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Dr. Roselyne Labbé, Research Scientist –Greenhouse Entomology, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
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registered in Canada for the prevention of Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus (CGMMV) in production greenhouses. The active ingredient in Cuc-GUARD is an attenuated (mild) strain (ON-BM3) of the more virulent CGMMV. The mode of action of Cuc-GUARD is known as cross protection or “pre-immunization.” Cross protection is an acquired immunity phenomenon which has been developed in a number of plant systems. Greenhouse cucumber plants treated with Cuc-GUARD at an early stage develop a tolerance to further infection from CGMMV, the virulent strain which causes crop damage and yield loss. Cuc-GUARD acts as a plant vaccine, enhancing the plant’s natural defences. www.albiological.com/cuc-guard
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The Philips GreenPower LED toplighting force (TLF) is the ultimate LED grow light for light-loving crops. This luminaire creates summer conditions all year round, but without the heat dissipation of high-pressure sodium lights (HPS). Utilizing an existing plug power of 1040 W, growers can achieve a maximum light output of 3650 μmol/s at an efficiency up to 3.8 μmol/J. When you want to generate the highest light level using the fewest grow lights possible, toplighting force is a smart LED investment, whether you’re replacing HPS lights on a 1:1 basis or building an installation from scratch. www.philips.com/horti
BIOBEST ACADEMY
Biobest Academy is a learning platform designed to educate and inform both new and experienced integrated pest management (IPM) practitioners about various crops, pests, natural enemies, pollination and other IPM techniques. Courses are short and presented in a modular format. Participants can select courses to meet their learning objectives or match personal interests. Online learning allows participants to attend courses from anywhere. Biobest Academy is supported in Canada and USA by Plant Products. www.plantproducts.com/
IMPATIENS BEACON® PEARL ISLAND MIX
It’s time to book your annuals with Ball Seed, and the new Beacon Impatiens Pearl Island Mix is a must-have for spring! Beacon is the series that offers high resistance to Impatiens downy mildew. This gives your customers reliable season-long colour and no risk of empty beds. Beacon names its mixes after famous lighthouses, because Beacon “shines the light” on durable colour in shade gardens. Pearl Island Mix includes Coral, White, and Blue Pearl for a soft, pastel look that shoppers will love in hanging baskets, patio containers or landscapes designs. Order seed or plugs on Ball Seed WebTrack today. www.ballseed.com
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CPMA names N.S. MP as the 2023 Produce Champion
Earlier this summer, Kody Blois, Member of Parliament (MP) for Kings—Hants, Nova Scotia and Chair of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food was recognized as the 2023 Produce Champion by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA).
CPMA’s annual Produce Champion award is given to a Member of Parliament or Senator who has been supportive of the produce industry and effective at bringing industry issues to the forefront on Parliament Hill.
In recognition of this award, Blois will be featured on CPMA’s podcast, Produce Talks, in a conversation with CPMA President, Ron Lemaire. The 2023 Produce Champion will also be highlighted at the next CPMA Convention and Trade Show, which will take place April 23-25, 2024, in Vancouver.
“Since his election in 2019, Kody Blois has been actively engaged in issues important to our sector, both at home in his riding and in Ottawa. His voting record
on Bill C-234 and Bill C-280 is further testament to his continued support of the fresh produce industry,” said Lemaire in a press release. “We are pleased to honour MP Blois for his ongoing contributions to advancing the priorities of our members and the broader Canadian agricultural sector.”
“Agriculture is a huge priority for me. Representing the riding of Kings—Hants, where agriculture is one of the main drivers of the economy, I am honoured to be named Produce Champion by CPMA, an organization that represents such a huge sector of the Canadian economy,” said Blois.
(Source: CPMA)
COMING EVENTS
greenhousecanada.com
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 5
AAS Summer Summit Des Moines, Iowa https://all-americaselections.org/aasmeetings-events/
Sept. 7
World Floral Expo 655 W 34th St New York, NY https://hppexhibitions.com/wfe/
Sept. 14
Sawaya Gardens Garden Mum Trials Open House Waterford, Ont. https://sawayagardens.com/
Sept. 24 IGCA Italy
https://igca2023.com/igca-2023/
OCTOBER
Oct. 4 & 5
Canadian Greenhouse Conference Niagara Falls, Ont. https://www. canadiangreenhouseconference.com
Oct. 19
PMA Fresh Summit 800 W Katella Ave Anaheim, Calif. https://www.freshproduce.com/events/
NOVEMBER
Nov. 2
Expo Québec Vert 2670 Av. Beauparlant Saint-Hyacinthe, Que. https://expoquebecvert.com
Nov. 16
Green Industry Show and Conference 19 Street Red Deer, Alta. https://www.greenindustryshow.com
Nov. 20
Hort East Conference 110 Wyse Rd. Dartmouth, N.S. https://horteast.com
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A & L Biological 23
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GARY JONES | Gary.Jones@kpu.ca
Is it time to level the pesticide playing field?
One of the renovations we’ve done to our new home was to replace a beaten-up single-glazed wooden French-style patio door with a new energy-efficient sliding door. Upon removing the old frame, to our horror we found a bunch of very lively Carpenter ants making chambers in the wooden surround. So, we tackled them with baits and sprays available from the home hardware store, but with minimal effect. When we called in the professionals, he obviously had access to ‘stronger’ products than I had. These have worked. But this process has taken several months, and the terminator guy was bemoaning the fact that he cannot purchase ‘better’ (his word) pesticides available across the U.S. border. Which is about a mile away from my home. And I’m left with a costly replacement of the beam above the door.
Even our one-man-business terminator guy is feeling the pain of an uneven playing field when it comes to pesticide availability. Talking to growers, they of course are facing this on a much bigger scale. My experience made this issue all the more real.
Now, I’m not advocating for open-day, free rein on pesticide use. I appreciate being kept safe from toxic chemicals. But the lure of the hardware store I drive past in the U.S. when I go get cheaper gas sure is tempting. Why is any product deemed safe
encourage the development and implementation of all the armour in a complete integrated pest management (IPM) system, and in particular, cultural and bio-control options, for those growers with fewer pesticides available. Of course, chemicals are part of an IPM program, once other options have been considered. But if growers can rely on commonly available options other than pesticides that may or may not be ‘Approved’ for use (or even available to growers), then this must ultimately build a more resilient system and better food security?
Presented by American Hort, Cultivate‘23 offered “160+ education sessions cover all segments of the industry and all aspects of your business.” These were organized into ‘Learning Tracks’, one of which was the ‘Greenhouse track’, comprising 121 educational sessions, and of these, by my reckoning about 20 sessions (17 per cent) were directly related to pest management (all aspects). If this balance reflects growers’/business owners’ priorities for learning, we see how important this subject area is.
Perhaps I’m wrong, but I’m not aware of bio control agents that are available in the U.S., but not in Canada. Or vice-versa. (Let me know.) So, learning about one of these at an educational session in the U.S. shouldn’t hinder a grower’s application of that learning in Canada. (Or vice-versa, with the
‘Any unlevel playing field can sure turn into a big bone of contention.’
(or unsafe) and therefore available (or not) in two locations when separated, in my case, by just over a mile, just because there is a man-made border between them? At the 50-plus-acre greenhouse scale, even with the very few chemicals used in our IPM systems, any unlevel playing field can sure turn into a big bone of contention.
We hear much these days of local, provincial, and federal governments’ desire to strengthen domestic food security. And so we should. COVID, flooding, port strikes and other turbulent troubles have made this an even more critical issue. And, sure, there have been some moves in the right direction, but doesn’t the unfairness of pesticide availability work against this objective by making it more difficult to provide fresh local secure produce?
To some extent though, this situation does
Canadian Greenhouse Conference just around the corner.) That may not be entirely true for chemicals though. Unfair competition? Maybe the solution to making the playing field level is not to increase pesticide availability equivalency in Canada compared to everywhere else, but to remove approvals in other jurisdictions. This could create a level playing field, encourage use of non-toxic solutions to pest and disease problems, consider the environment, and help build local food security. Just a thought. It’s not going to happen, of course. But, in the meantime, I’ll just look jealously over the border at my southern neighbours fighting their Carpenter ants.
Gary Jones sits on several greenhouse industry committees in BC and welcomes comments at greenhousewolf@gmail.com.
