Are Persistent Biocontrol Nematodes a fit for your organic farm?
Teresa Rusinek, Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Organic growers looking for a way to reduce damage to crops from soil-based insects may want to consider entomopathogenic nematodes. Strains of biocontrol nematodes adapted to NY growing conditions with their persistent genes intact to persist across growing seasons (and winter) are available in NY and can be utilized as an integrated tool, along with good cultural practices to suppress the soil insect populations below economic levels throughout the growing season.
Are Persistent Biocontrol Nematodes a fit for your organic farm? (pdf; 369KB)
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Upcoming Events
Rulfs Orchard Vegetable and Berry Field Meeting
August 4, 2026
Peru, NY
Join CCE vegetable specialists Elisabeth Hodgdon and Chuck Bornt for a vegetable and berry field meeting at Rulfs Orchard, in Peru, NY. We'll tour the farm's fields and talk about integrated pest management of sweet corn and cucurbit crops. Then, we'll view a drone demonstration and discuss new technologies for pesticide application and spotted wing drosophila management in berries. Light refreshments will be provided. A rain date will be announced if adverse weather is predicted.
Field Day at Philia Farm
August 6, 2026
Johnstown, NY
Visit organic seed production trials and tour the farm to see small-scale production systems at work, including tarping, cover cropping, and the use of assorted mulches and covers to modify the growing environment.
Capital Region Orchard Twilight Meeting
August 11, 2026
Rexford, NY
Join the ENYCHP and Cornell scientists on August 11 for the Capital Region Orchard Twilight meeting in Saratoga! We will be touring Bowman Orchards and reviewing seasonal recommendations for pests and diseases for apples, plums, and berries, as well discussing crop insurance.
NYSDEC Pesticide Applicator Recertification Credits: 1.25 in categories 22, 1A, & 10. Refreshments will be provided.
Free to attend, however we do ask that you register ahead so we know how many people to expect.