Survey To Reveal What Produce Growers Know About Biocontrols

Growers have big gaps in their knowledge of biocontrols, according to an ongoing survey of West Coast growers by a Pacific Northwest researcher who has extensive knowledge of IPM. Oregon State University Horticulture Professor Surendra Dara is conducting a biopesticide control survey of West Coast fruit and vegetable industry professionals on their use of biological and microbial products to help scientists, educators, growers, and industry suppliers to work together on addressing the needs and knowledge gaps.

Dara, who is also Director of the North Willamette Research & Extension Center in Aurora, OR, says that so far, the survey reveals growers are well aware of biological control with the use of beneficial predators.

“It shows significant knowledge of biological control with enemies – they are well aware of macrobiologicals,” he says. “A good number of growers have also used them.”

However, when it comes to microbiologicals, it’s a different story, says Dara, who formerly worked for University of California Cooperative Extension on the Central Coast, where he extensively researched the use of biopesticides, especially in the region’s large strawberry industry. He has also traveled to Washington to learn about practices in that state.

“As for micros, such as biopesticides or bionematicides, people are aware of them, but not many people have used them compared to macros,” he says. “There are also differences among the three states; I will compare them in my talk, where I’ll separate out information for California.”

Dara will deliver his talk, “Surveying the Landscape: Grower Feedback on Biopesticides and Biological Control,” at the 10th annual BioSolutions Conference and Expo, presented by American Fruit Grower’s parent company, Meister Media Worldwide, Feb. 18-20 in Fresno, CA.

GROWERS NEED ANSWERS

Resistance problems, regulatory guidelines, worker safety, and the growing demand for sustainably produced food with safer pesticides are among some of the reasons for the recent increase in the biologicals market, says Dara, but far more education is needed.

In California, it won’t be long before many chemical products won’t even be available because of the Department of Pest Regulation’s “Sustainable Pest Management: A Roadmap for California.” It calls for wholesale change to the state’s approach to pest management over the next 25 years. The new approach is basically chemical-free, or at least free of chemicals deemed “Priority Pesticides,” with organophosphates, carbamates, and fumigants heading the list of those on the chopping block.

“The roadmap will be the impetus for usage,” says Dara, and many growers are well-aware of it. “Everyone knows bios are there, but growers said they need more knowledge and more training.”

Because there is so much variability to biologicals, educational needs aren’t limited to growers, Dara says.

“Each product works differently, and Extension people and researchers need to learn how each biopesticide works,” he says. “If researchers don’t know everything, how can growers know? We need some training, continuing education for everybody, not just growers and PCAs. It’s a whole new world.”

SEE YOU IN FRESNO

Dara’s talk will lead off the Fruit Track at the BioSolutions Conference. Others include:

Sustainable Vineyard Practices: New Tech for Reducing Pathogen Pressure and Enhancing Wine Quality 

Growers will discover how innovative technologies, canopy management, and organic weed control can significantly reduce pathogen and pest pressure, leading to healthier vineyards with less reliance on chemical sprays. (Prudy Foxx, Managing Partner, Foxx Viticulture)

Low-Tunnel Strawberry Production: Biopesticides as the Next Step in Sustainable Disease Management 

With changing regulations and increased consumer interest for fruit produced without multi-site fungicides, other alternatives must be explored. Biopesticides, with their multi-site mode of action, could fill the role of conventional pesticides as a resistance management tool. Biopesticides are effective when timed appropriately using forecasting models and alternated with single-site fungicides. (McKenzie Schessl, Lab Manager, Plant Pathology, Cornell AgriTech)

Combating Copper Resistance and Bacterial Disease: Alternatives that Work 

Understand the current challenges of copper resistance in bacterial blight (Pseudomonas syringae) and explore IPM strategies to reduce copper use, increase modes of action, and improve disease control.  (David Youngquist, Territory Field Manager/ West Cascades, Pro Farm Group)

The conference keynote address, “Blue Diamond Growers: Advancing Climate-Smart Agriculture,” will be delivered by the cooperative’s Head of Sustainability, Dan Sonke. Among other topics, Sonke will explore how Blue Diamond has leveraged climate-smart agriculture to secure business with food manufacturing customers.

Interested in attending the BioSolutions 2025 Conference and Expo? Click here.