2022 CTRE: Improving Conifer Establishment Using Sustainable Pest Management And Soil Health Practices: First year results
From Bert Cregg
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From Bert Cregg
B. Brown, A. Dunn, B. Eshenaur - New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, Cornell AgriTech, 630 W North Street, Geneva NY 14456
E. Lamb - New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, Cornell University, 49 B Plant Science, 236 Tower Road, Ithaca NY 14850
L. Sosnoskie - Horticulture Section, School of Integrative Plant Sciences, Cornell AgriTech, 221 Hedrick Hall, 635 W North Street, Geneva NY 14456
Occurred 10:45-11:15 PDT, June 8, 2022
Abstract
Seedling establishment continues to be a major loss point in Christmas tree production in New York State. Some growers report using soil additives but have no information on success. In this project, we are evaluating the benefits of alternative weed management practices – comparing conventional herbicides with mulching, cultivation, mowing a grass underseeding and no weed management – and disease management at planting – using RootShield Plus WP, ProPhyt, Subdue Maxx and water- on tree height, trunk diameter, foliage color, and survival, and weed biomass.
The trial used Fraser fir, planted in May 2021, with 4 replicate rows of each weed management treatment, and one plot of seven trees for each root treatment within each row.
Although results from a single season will not show the whole picture, there are some trends. Survival was 82% or higher in each plot. Sample dead trees tested positive for Phytophthora, indicating its presence in the field. Highest overall survival was in ProPhyt and Rootshield treated plots and with cultivation and mulching. Greatest change in height was for water and RootShield treated plants and for untreated and herbicide treated plots. Growth in tree diameter was greatest for trees treated with ProPhyt and RootShield, and where weeds were managed with herbicide and cultivation.
Overviews of installation and first year results can be found in the Biocontrol Bytes blog.