INTEGRATED PEST AND WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO IMPROVE TOMATO AND STRAWBERRY CROP HEALTH

This project aims to develop an improved fumigation system to increase the suppression of soil-borne diseases, plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs), and weeds in tomatoes and strawberries in Virginia. We willevaluate the effect of bed architecture, soil surfactant, and two fumigation rateson fumigant distribution, and assess the suppressive effect of thismulti-tactic fumigation system on weed pressure,soil-borne diseases, PPNs, and yield in tomato and strawberry production. We will also assess the implementation of site-specific applications on commercial tomato and strawberry farms in Virginia by identifying temporal and spatial distribution patterns of soil-borne diseases, PPNs, and weeds using geostatistical techniques, as a diagnostic tool for site-specific fumigant applications. We will also complement this work with on-farm demonstrations of the best-performing fumigation system integrated with site-specific applications on commercial tomato and strawberry farms and conduct an in-depth analysis of the economic feasibility of a combined fumigation technique (i.e., compact bed configuration, drip fumigation with soil surfactants for drip applied fumigants, and site-specific applications). Finally, we willincorporate the knowledge and experience of growers, technical advisors, and extension personnel in the research process as active advisors to the project research team and develop extension educational materials.