SOUTH CHARLESTON – Novice and experienced pumpkin growers and crop consultants can learn more about pumpkin production, including managing pests and diseases, at the 2015 Pumpkin Field Day Aug. 20.
The event will focus on multiple topics including current and unregistered fungicides used to control powdery mildew and offer a first-hand view of their efficacy in demonstration trials, said Jim Jasinski, an Ohio State University Extension educator and Integrated Pest Management program coordinator.
The event is 6-8 p.m. at the Western Agricultural Research Station, 7721 South Charleston Pike, in South Charleston. The research station is part of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. OSU Extension and OARDC are the outreach and research arms, respectively, of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University.
Participants will see a demonstration of how aerial imagery is used to advance early and late season pest management in cucumbers and pumpkin, Jasinski said.
“Additionally, we will look at a downy mildew sentinel trial to see what this disease looks like on different species of cucurbits, including cucumber, squash, cantaloupe and watermelon,” he said. “We will also discuss the impact of insecticides and fungicides on squash bee and honey bee populations.
“This is a good opportunity for novice and experienced pumpkin growers alike to keep up with the rapid changes in insect and disease management, pesticides and production technology.”
The deadline to register is Aug. 13. For more information or to register, contact Jasinski at 937-484-1526 or [email protected].
