Cucumbers and Pollinators: (Some) Questions Answered

When I first started my job in WNC in 2008, I was so excited to see that vegetable producers were growing cucumbers. Cucumber was the crop I worked with in my graduate work, so it was the only crop I felt mildly comfortable talking about (though it was still awkward at first).

To my surprise, in many of these production fields, I never saw a beehive. The areas that I had experience with in eastern NC, brought in at least one strong hive per acre of production. To learn more about bees, read Beekeeping and Cucumber Pollination.

How were these folks getting cucumbers? A cucumber flower must be visited multiple times by a pollinator to optimize fruit set. The answer was wild populations on pollinators and the nice sunny, warm weather that promotes activity and foraging of pollinators.

But, in 2009, growers noticed that yields were reduced and that fruit formation was off. The same varieties were grown and there was not downy mildew or other diseases in their early season crops. So what was different?

We were cool, cloudy and wet. How could you forget? The fact is, bees don't aggressively begin to forage until temperatures reach 70 F and they prefer dry conditions.

Could this lack of fruit also be due to a reduced population of wild pollinators? At this point we don't know, but it was obvious that the growers needed to do something. That something was to bring in some honey bee hives.

Here are some pictures of a female cucumber (top) and male cucumber flower (bottom), courtesy of Pollinator.com.


Below is an improperly pollinated fruit.

To see more pictures, visit pollinator.com's Cucumber Pollination: Visual Aids.

But, the growers were concerned. Bringing bees into their production was new and they had many questions - especially in regards to applying pesticides.

Here are a few of the questions that I received. Most answers are from NCSU Beekeeping Note 2.12.

• Where can I find honey bee hives to rent?

The NCDA&CS Apiary Services and NCSU Apiculture Program have developed Bee Linked, an online market for beekeepers and growers. www.ncagr.com/beelinked
You can also find local beekeepers through the North Carolina Beekeepers Association Website. www.ncbeekeepers.org.

• When should I apply pesticides to protect the bee hives?

Pesticides that are considered toxic to bees should be applied in the late afternoon (after 3:00 pm) or in the evening. Most honey bees have stopped foraging and have returned to the hive by 3:00 pm. This precaution will allow maximum time for the pesticide to break down before the bees come into contact the next day.

• What other considerations are important when applying pesticides?

Do your best to minimize drift. Drifting of the pesticide from the target pest and/or crop to areas frequented by bees should be minimized and pesticide formulation is the key to this problem. "Dusts" are prone to drift and are generally more dangerous to bees that sprays or granular applications. For more specifics, read Beekeeping Note 2.12.

Aerial applications are generally more dangerous than ground equipment. This is directly related to drift. Air-blast sprayers are more dangerous that pressurized pump sprayers. Never apply pesticides when wind velocities exceed 8 miles per hour.

Never apply any pesticide directly over a beehive.

Notify beekeepers who have beehives near an area to be treated, so that they may attempt to protect their bees from inadvertent exposure.

• Are there pesticides that are less toxic to honey bees?

Most pesticides are at least somewhat toxic to honey bees; however, the degree of toxicity varies considerably from product to product. Insecticides are generally the most likely to cause a bee kill. Below are some common pesticide active ingredients listed based on their toxicity to honey bees for a more complete list, see Beekeeping Note 2.12.

1. Highly Toxic: Severe bee losses may be expected if these products are used when bees are present. Abamectin, aldicarb, avermectin, azinphos-methyl, carbaryl, carbofuran, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, imidacloprid, malathion, methomyl, pemethrin, spinosad...
2. Moderately Toxic: These pesticides can be used in the vicinity of bees IF dosage, timing, and method of application are correct. Bifenazate, disulfoton, endosulfan, fluvalinate, oxamyl, propamocarb, pyrethrum, tartar emetic, temephos, terbufos, thidicarb, zephyr...
3. Relatively Non-Toxic: These pesticides cam be used around bees with a minimum injury IF dosage, timing and method of application are correct. Bacillus thuringiensis, chlordimeform, cryolite, cymiazole, dicofol, dinobuton, esfenvalerate, methoxychlor, myriproxyfen, nicotine, Nosema locustae, pyrethrum, rotenone, tebufenozide, trichlorfon.

Visit the NCSU Apiculture Website for more details on honey bees.

To learn about cucumber production in NC: Fresh Market Production Cucumbers and Commercial Production of Pickling & Slicing Cucumbers in North Carolina.

To learn more about Bee Colony Collapse Disorder, read a scholarly article about the problem in Colony Collapse Disorder: A Descriptive Study.

Physiological, Nutritional and Other Disorders of Tomato Fruit

Tomatoes with 'rain check', due to excessive rainfall.

Tomato producers face challenges every year. Some of these problems are pests and diseases, but some are related to nutrient deficiencies, some are caused by environmental conditions or genetic variations and some are physiological in nature.

The publication "Physiological, Nutritional, and Other Disorders of Tomato Fruit" by Dr. Stephen M. Olson of the University of Florida is an excellent resource. Dr. Olson describes these problems and gives possible causes or explanations for them, as well as possible control measures. The publication has some great pictures!

(Heather, I know you're reading this. You must be very proud!)

Food Safety?

It is no question that everyone wants the food they consume to be safe. But, have we crossed the line? Is this really the future of food? I hope not.

Debbie Roos, NC Cooperative Extension Agriculture Agent in Chatham County, has passed on another stimulating and disturbing article from the San Francisco Chronicle about how food safety is going overboard. Crops, Ponds Destroyed in Quest for Food Safety talks about the extreme measures an organic grower is taking to make sure his produce isn't contaminated by wildlife. The article also mentions that these same extreme measures of removing vegetation could be making the produce less safe. All in all, are we rushing forward before we have the science to back it up? What we do have, however, is the experience that tells us local produce is not causing the problem. I'd like to hear your comments!

If you would like to stay abreast of the food safety legislature in Washington, visit President Obama's Food Safety Working Group's website and please send them your comments.

The Future of Food?

This article, Is this the future of food? Japanese 'plant factory' churn out immaculate vegetables, is quite disturbing. You have got to check out the pictures.

Here is a some of the article:

"They look more like the brightly lit shelves of a chemists shop than the rows of a vegetable garden.

But according to their creators, these perfect looking vegetables could be the future of food.

In a perfectly controlled and totally sterile environment - uncontaminated by dirt, insects or fresh air - Japanese scientists are developing a new way of growing vegetables.

Called plant factories, these anonymous looking warehouses have sprung up across the country and can churn out immaculate looking lettuces and green leaves 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Every part of the plant's environment is controlled - from the lighting and temperature, to the humidity and water. Even the levels of carbon dioxide can be minutely altered.

Rather than the conventional scruffy clothes and dirty fingernails of vegetable growers, the producers wear gloves, surgical masks and sort of dust proof protective suits normally seen in chemical plants.

Those growing the vegetables wear gloves, surgical masks and the sort of dust proof protective suits normally seen in chemical plants.

The vegetables from plant factories - which include green leaf, romaine lettuce and garland chrysanthemum - are sold at a premium to Japanese shoppers. No pesticides are used - and there is no risk of contamination with food poisoning bugs.

Because the plants are grown in a clean room, they can be eaten safely without washing. Lettuce grown in the factories can be cropped up to 20 times a year.

Some factories are vast - and can produce three million vegetables a year.

The results are hygienic, but it's about as far from real food as you can possibly get.

From the lighting to temperature and humidity, every element of the plant's environment is carefully controlled.

The spread of plant factories has been encouraged by the Japanese government amid concerns about the use of chemicals in vegetables.

A spokesman for the Ozu Corporation factory in Tokyo said: 'Vegetables are produced in the factory without being exposed to the air outside.

'Stable production is guaranteed throughout the year by controlling lighting,temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide and water. They can also meet the demands of consumers who want safe foods.'"

Daily Mail Online
By David Derbyshire
03rd June 2009

What do you think about this? Personally, I like dirt and bugs and fresh air. Hey, that's just me.

Organic Farming Practices Eligible for Cost-Share

RALEIGH,—Organic farming conservation practices will now be eligible for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) cost-share funds. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced $50 Million for a new initiative to meet the Obama Administration’s promise to encourage more organic agriculture production. North Carolina will receive $1,021,496 under the new initiative.

The 2009 Organic Initiative is a nationwide special initiative to provide financial assistance to National Organic Program (NOP) certified organic producers as well as producers in the process of transitioning to organic production. Organic producers may also apply for assistance under general EQIP.

Under the Organic Initiative required minimum core conservation practices will be determined by specific resource concerns. The practices include: Conservation Crop Rotation; Cover Crop; Nutrient Management; Pest Management; Prescribed Grazing; and Forage Harvest Management.

North Carolina will include other conservation practices that address the resource concerns found on farms in the state.

Applications received from organic producers or producers in transition to organic farming will be accepted under this initiative between May 11 and May 29. Applications will be ranked at that time.

The 2009 Organic Initiative will be administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Interested producers should visit their nearest USDA Service Center to determine eligibility. Additional information on the 2009 EQIP Organic Initiative is available at:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/.

February Is WNC Clean Streams Month

WNC Clean Streams is a collaborative effort between Cooperative Extension agents in the region with the common goal of providing educational programs dedicated to environmental stewardship.

Events are planned to highlight the importance of protecting and conserving our local and regional water sources.

There are many great events planned for commercial growers, homeowner and contractors, developers and designers including:

• Water-wise gardening
• Rain barrel sales
• Landscape irrigation and rain-harvesting
• Sediment and erosion control
• Stream restoration
  

Plus much more!

There will also be special sessions at the Winter Vegetable Conference in Asheville on 18-19 February including:

• Pesticide spills and clean-up and
• Drip application of pesticides for insect control
  

Be a part of this View, Download or Print the Brochure! Spread it far and wide.