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| A cabbage plant invested with white aphids |
Over the past few months on the Redwood Farm, the main obstacle to achieving a sustainable food system has been pests. The pest causing the most problems has been the aphid, that ranges in size between 1-10 mm, that has proven to be among the most destructive of pests in temperate regions. Here on the farm, it is our goal to create a 100% organic and sustainable food system and that being said that prevents us from using synthetic pesticides. However it is not only because we want to be organic that we do not use pesticides, pesticides have been proven to have a minimal effect on pests and in addition often leads to a loss of soil fertility and soil structure in the future. After our trip to IVC(Indian Valley Campus College) Organic Farm and Garden we noticed they did not have a problem with aphids. After discussing with our guide the IVC Farm uses high pressure hoses to pray the aphids off. Not only is this an effect method that we have started to use at our farm but also it uses water(which plants need anyway) which is a much more efficient pesticide than inorganic synthetic pesticides.
Pests are an inevitable part of a sustainable food system and it is important to know this however it is very possible to limit the destruction these organisms due to our crops. Other than using water to beat aphids our farm has been practicing sustainable pest removal methods since the first day. An example is the use of a method called IPM(Integrated Pest Management) where other beneficial organisms are used to remove pests.
A common example of this is ladybugs; a small beautiful carnivore that feeds on aphids and other small pests/insects. Although aphids may be small pests it is important to not underestimate the amount of destruction they can cause.
-Trevor, Ryan 6th
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ReplyDeleteFrom STAN:
ReplyDeleteClearly IPM is much more than beneficial organism use.
There are many definitions of integrated pest management, but the one that UC IPM has always used is the following.
"Integrated pest management (IPM) is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests or their damage through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties. Pesticides are used only after monitoring indicates they are needed according to established guidelines, and treatments are made with the goal of removing only the target organism. Pest control materials are selected and applied in a manner that minimizes risks to human health, beneficial and nontarget organisms, and the environment."