Working towards more sustainable vegetable production in protected agriculture

High Tunnels are a generally affordable protected form of agriculture. The technology provides the capacity to increase farm viability through season extension and generating income in the off-season. Apart from the advantages, there are challenges associated with this technique. High tunnels provide an intermediate level of environmental protection compared to open fields and enclosed greenhouses. Major pests in high tunnels include aphids, thrips, whiteflies, and spider mites. Pest pressure in high tunnels is different from the greenhouse and open field production.So, the control strategies used in the field and greenhouses would be ineffective in the high tunnels. Insecticides are labeled for open fields and/or greenhouses but not necessarily for high tunnels. Biocontrol is relatively more effective in greenhouses than in open fields. However, there is not much research on the efficacy of biocontrol in high tunnels. Therefore, we need to have sustainable pest management strategies specific to high tunnel technology. The present study will focus on identifying the insect complexes and evaluating the efficacy of biocontrol agents in high tunnels. Pests will be monitored by yellow sticky traps at weekly intervals. Predator sampling will occur biweekly through hand sampling and plant counts. Molecular gut content analysis will be used to determine trophic linkages between resident predators and pests. Results from this study will provide a better understanding of the pest complexes and the arthropod food webs in high tunnels located across Illinois. Ultimately, this study should offer research-backed recommendations for sustainable pest management strategies in high tunnel production.