Vegetable and Potato

The vegetable and potato program provides educational programming and conducts applied research and on-farm demonstration trials to assist growers and industry personnel with various aspects of production and agricultural stewardship. These projects include integrated pest management (IPM), nutrient management, organic production, cover cropping, variety trailing, soil health, food safety, cultural practice evaluation and marketing.

Program Summary

• Pest Management: Development and implementation of IPM elements such as biological control, crop rotation, sanitation, action thresholds, resistant varieties, and the use of reduced-risk pesticide materials, including organic pest management practices.

• Vegetable Variety and Cultural Practice Trials: The development of cultural practices that increase yields and/or crop quality under Long Island conditions while reducing environmental impacts are critical functions impacting the long-term viability of vegetable and potato operations. Experiments are conducted to provide growers with up-to-date information. Studies are implemented to determine the adaptability of new varieties, experimental lines, and "niche" crops. The potato program concentrates on evaluating clones that have golden nematode resistance.

• Agricultural Stewardship: Concerns about ground and surface water contamination from agricultural use of pesticides and fertilizers on Long Island necessitates the development of best management practices. These practices address the environmental issues by incorporating new ideas and technologies such as the use of controlled release nitrogen fertilizers to reduce nitrate leaching, utilizing deep zone/reduced tillage practices to improve soil health, and using mustard cover crops to manage soil-borne plant pathogens and reduce pesticide applications.

• Educational/Extension programs: The extension of applied research is a key component of this program. Information is disseminated through grower meetings, field days, conferences, on-farm demonstration trials, on-farm consultations, newsletters, and bulletins.

Last updated March 28, 2017