Field Day: What's the Deal with Delia?

Join us on a field tour on Thursday, July 9th, 2015 from 8:15 am to noon!  

Come learn more about onion maggots (Delia antigua) and other Delia species that attack onions, corn, beans, and Brassicas such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, kale and Brussel sprouts.

Figure 1. Onion maggot damage.

AAFC is currently conducting research to determine which Delia species are present in Nova Scotian onion fields and to determine if surrounding vegetation or field history can influence Delia populations and subsequent damage.

Netting and floating row cover can be powerful tools to combat insect pests such as cabbage root maggot (Delia radicum). Perennia and AAFC are currently conducting research into the efficacy of different netting mesh sizes. A Wondermesh Netting/Row Cover Retriever will be on hand to demonstrate technology that makes using netting and row covers easier!

Figure 2. Wondermesh Netting/Row cover Retriever.

Carrot weevils (Listronotus oregonensis) are sporadic pests of carrots. Current AAFC studies are evaluating the carrot weevil’s movement within the field and identifying overwintering sites.

Please call Gail at (902) 678-7722 or visit www.perenniaregistrations.com
to register!

Coffee and muffins at 8:15 AM at the Kentville Research Station - bus leaves at 8:30 AM sharp!

Nitrogen

Nitrogen (N) is easily leached from the soil.  If this happens, money is wasted and ground water may be contaminated.  Nitrogen applications should be timed to meet crop demands.  Large pre-plant broadcast N applications should be avoided.  If needed, additional N can be applied by topdressing, side-dressing or injection into a trickle irrigation system.

Leafy greens, fruiting vegetables and cole crops require larger amount of nutrients and  in general require additional Nitrogen to be applied.  Heavy rainfall events may cause leaching and on sandy soils 20-40 kg/N per hectare can be lost. 

 Nitrogen deficiency in collards

It is recommended that tissue samples be taken and sent for analysis to determine nutrient levels in the plant tissue, so an adequate fertilizer regime can be established.