A comparison of weed, pathogen and insect pests between low tunnel and open-field grown strawberries in New York

Abstract

While growing strawberries under plastic low tunnels is an increasing trend in the northeastern U.S., the effect of low tunnels on the incidence and severity of arthropod pests, pathogens, and weeds is largely unknown and presents a possible barrier to commercial adoption. During 2018 and 2019, we identified and quantified pest abundance on low tunnel versus open field grown strawberries at a research site in Geneva, New York, and compared these trends under three plastic types in 2019. Overall, we found that while yield and fruit marketability increased under tunnels of all plastic types compared to the open-field, ground-dwelling and foliar herbivores (mostly Tetranychus urticae) abundance was higher under low tunnels compared to open plots. In contrast, herbivores caught on clear sticky cards were more prevalent in open plots than under tunnels. A neutral effect of tunnels was present for Lygus lineolaris density and weed biomass during both years, although damage by L. lineolaris decreased under UV-limiting plastics. Tunnels also reduced infestation by Drosophila suzukii and several pathogens on foliage and fruit. This study provides needed information on pest communities of low tunnel strawberry in the Northeast, and could be used as an essential foundation for future IPM research.