Paul Smiths and Gouverneur, NY – New York strawberry growers are hearing about a promising treatment for their fruit crop based on a Cornell University entomologist’s success with applying microscopic worms to beat back a highly-destructive alfalfa crop pest. Dr. Elson Shields expects to confirm the success of field trials with native-New York nematodes to control two species of weevils in Northern NY strawberry crops this year.
Strawberry growers interested in learning more about Shields’ research, funded by the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program, will have the opportunity to hear him speak on “Using Native Nematodes as Biocontrol of Root Weevils in Strawberries” as part of the 9:30am-2pm Advances in Field Strawberry Production Workshops set for March 4 at Paul Smiths and March 5 at the Cambry Court Activity Center in Gouverneur.