Battling bugs via analysis of stomach DNA

Greenhouse produce growers could benefit from research at Washington State University that will analyze the DNA from the stomachs of predator bugs, such as caterpillars and aphids, in order to figure out how organic farming practices are defeating such pests.

The “CSI: Organic” project is being funded with a near-$750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The effort came from interviews that researchers at Oregon State University conducted with farmers who have been growing organic vegetables for more than 20 years and who told researchers that pests such as caterpillars and aphids are no longer a problem.

That's significant because a survey done by OSU found that the two most important pests to broccoli are caterpillars and aphids, he said. Pests can be a giant problem for farmers selling on the fresh market. Even just a few visible signs of insects can cause a supermarket to reject the whole lot.

WSU Professor of Entomology Bill Snyder said that what they find about predator bugs and soil health will be information all growers can use, including organic growers of other crops.

Washington State’s organic crops grew in value by 20 percent from 2010-11, to $284.5 million, according to a study by WSU's Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources. That's the highest value in seven years.

Source: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/12/22/2743970/washington-state-university-gets.html

Photo:www.urbanfarmonline.com - Frank Hyman