Organic Growers Guide
There is increasing interest in New Zealand in growing crops sustainably. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is part of the trend towards reduced use of agricultural chemicals, and some growers would like to avoid using them altogether. The number of organic farms is increasing and there is a body of farmers interested in using at least some of the organic techniques to reduce the problem of pests and diseases and so reduce the need for harmful chemicals.
About four years ago a group of agricultural scientists in discussion with growers realised that there was a dearth of readily available credible information on managing pests, diseases and weeds in organic crops. Some information existed, but much of it was overseas based and some was dubious in its authenticity.
Dr David Teulon of Crop & Food Research Ltd, and others, put forward a proposal for a book that would detail management of problems with the major organic vegetable and cereal crops produced in New Zealand. All the information was to be based on scientific principles and understanding, and all statements made would be backed up by literature references.
Our aim was to provide a baseline of information on pest management for organic growers. It covers eight arable crops barley, borage, clover seed, lentils, grass seed, linseed, maize and wheat and nine vegetable crops asparagus, brassicas, capsicums, carrots, onions, process peas, potatoes, squash and tomatoes, says Toulon.
We started talking with the industry to see if they would support the book and we got a very good reaction from a number of sources, and that led to substantial funding from the Ministry for the Environment.
The overall emphasis is on pest, disease and weed management. As well as a chapter on each crop there is one on soils and pest management.
The main authors are Dr Graeme Bourdt on weeds, Dr Dennis Curtin on soils and Dr Peter Cameron on pests and diseases, while Dr Toulon edited the book.
We also relied a lot on others who have expertise for particular crops or pests, so in each chapter there is an extensive acknowledgement of people who have contributed, such as experienced growers and others with specialist knowledge, says Toulon.
Graeme Bourdt believes that the book will be particularly helpful to farmers wanting to convert to organic cropping.
They can't use most synthetic pesticides or herbicides, so they have to understand their farm ecosystem more and use cultural and other methods to manage problems, he says.
The organic farmer needs to become more of an ecologist and biologist, and understand how weeds invade and the natural processes that regulate those invasions and control the growth of populations of weeds once they are on the farm.
Control methods for weeds within the organic crops are based around cultivation and improving the competitive ability of crops so that they are less susceptible to weeds getting the planting density right, getting sowing date right, and so on. With conventional farming, says Bourdt, all those things tend to be forgotten because there is a chemical that will kill weeds more easily.
The book is A4 size and over 230 pages in length.
It is not a how-to manual, it is more of a reference manual, says David Toulon.
As a science-based book on organic cropping it was a world first, although we now know of a similar one being produced in New York State. It is certainly a valuable resource for New Zealand.
Plant Protection in Organic Arable and Vegetable Crops is available from Whitcoulls and from the Crop & Food Research website
www.crop.cri.nz/books.
About four years ago a group of agricultural scientists in discussion with growers realised that there was a dearth of readily available credible information on managing pests, diseases and weeds in organic crops. Some information existed, but much of it was overseas based and some was dubious in its authenticity.
Dr David Teulon of Crop & Food Research Ltd, and others, put forward a proposal for a book that would detail management of problems with the major organic vegetable and cereal crops produced in New Zealand. All the information was to be based on scientific principles and understanding, and all statements made would be backed up by literature references.
Our aim was to provide a baseline of information on pest management for organic growers. It covers eight arable crops barley, borage, clover seed, lentils, grass seed, linseed, maize and wheat and nine vegetable crops asparagus, brassicas, capsicums, carrots, onions, process peas, potatoes, squash and tomatoes, says Toulon.
We started talking with the industry to see if they would support the book and we got a very good reaction from a number of sources, and that led to substantial funding from the Ministry for the Environment.
The overall emphasis is on pest, disease and weed management. As well as a chapter on each crop there is one on soils and pest management.
The main authors are Dr Graeme Bourdt on weeds, Dr Dennis Curtin on soils and Dr Peter Cameron on pests and diseases, while Dr Toulon edited the book.
We also relied a lot on others who have expertise for particular crops or pests, so in each chapter there is an extensive acknowledgement of people who have contributed, such as experienced growers and others with specialist knowledge, says Toulon.
Graeme Bourdt believes that the book will be particularly helpful to farmers wanting to convert to organic cropping.
They can't use most synthetic pesticides or herbicides, so they have to understand their farm ecosystem more and use cultural and other methods to manage problems, he says.
The organic farmer needs to become more of an ecologist and biologist, and understand how weeds invade and the natural processes that regulate those invasions and control the growth of populations of weeds once they are on the farm.
Control methods for weeds within the organic crops are based around cultivation and improving the competitive ability of crops so that they are less susceptible to weeds getting the planting density right, getting sowing date right, and so on. With conventional farming, says Bourdt, all those things tend to be forgotten because there is a chemical that will kill weeds more easily.
The book is A4 size and over 230 pages in length.
It is not a how-to manual, it is more of a reference manual, says David Toulon.
As a science-based book on organic cropping it was a world first, although we now know of a similar one being produced in New York State. It is certainly a valuable resource for New Zealand.
Plant Protection in Organic Arable and Vegetable Crops is available from Whitcoulls and from the Crop & Food Research website
www.crop.cri.nz/books.