INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT << Back to GWCAES Homepage In 1985
under the leadership of research scientists Clauzell Stevens and
Victor Khan, the Station was instrumental in developing research
programs that solved pest management problems and improved the
health of vegetable crops through programs using low chemical
input and biologically-based strategies such as soil
solarization and agriplastic application, UV-C technology to
control postharvest diseases of fruits and vegetables especially
sweetpotato and tomato. Plasticulture research activities
centered on the transfer of new technologies such as plastic
mulch systems, drip irrigation and soil solarization through
field demonstrations, workshops and related outreach programs in
partnership with the plastic industry and Auburn University.
Plasticulture scientists at Tuskegee were the first to use
agriplastic mulch systems in Alabama to produce early spring
watermelons, okra and tomato during the month of June so that
Alabama farmers could be competitive wit