US: Which insecticides are labeled for greenhouse-grown vegetables?
by Heidi Lindberg, David Smitley, and Erica Hotchkis - wollaege@anr.msu.edu
Figure 1. High-wire tomato, cucumber, and pepper crops. Photos by W. Garrett Owen and Heidi Lindberg.
An increasing number of ornamental plant producers are venturing into growing vegetables in the greenhouse. Three of the most commonly grown fruiting vegetable crops in the greenhouse are tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers (Fig. 1). Many other greenhouse growers are growing propagules or transplants for consumers or for vegetable farmers to transplant for field production (Fig. 2 and 3). Either way, greenhouse growers need to be aware that many of the products that they use for controlling common greenhouse insects (aphids, fungus gnats, spider mites, whitefly, and thrips) on their ornamental plants are not labeled for use on edible crops including fruiting vegetable transplants. Table 1 provides names of the products, the active ingredients, the vegetable crops on the label, and the recommended pests that they control.
Table 1. Recommended insecticides and active ingredients for greenhouse pests, their labeled ornamental and vegetable crops, and their efficacy recommendations for common greenhouse insect pests. (larger version)
The boxes that are ‘highlighted’ in green indicate that the crop is on the label. For example, Acephate 97 (active ingredient: acephate) is labeled for ornamental crops and peppers. Actara (thimethoxam; not labeled for ornamental crops) is labeled for use on cucumbers, eggplants, peppers, squash, and tomatoes. Please note that two of the products (Safari 20SG: dinotefuran; Tristar: acetamiprid) are labeled for transplants of certain vegetable crops only. The boxes 'highlighted' in purple indicate that the product has been shown to be effective for the insect pest in Michigan State University trials. For example, Tetrasan (active ingredient: etoxazole) has been proven to be effective against spider mites.
Figure 2. Cucumber transplants. Photo by Roberto Lopez.
Greenhouse growers of fruiting vegetable crops can use this handy guide in order to determine which products are labeled for edible crops. However, growers should always read the label prior to application as this table may not be all-inclusive or the labels might have changed since its development. Greenhouse growers of leafy greens and herbs should stay tuned as a similar guide will be published in an e-GRO alert in the coming weeks.
Figure 3. Tomato transplants. Photo by W. Garrett Owen.
Source: e-GRO