A survey of production and pest management strategies used for gooseberry production throughout three regions of the United States

Abstract

Twenty-one gooseberry growers, of all sizes, from three different regions of the United States were surveyed to learn about their production and pest management practices.  The data gathered were compiled and analyzed to determine correlations and to determine areas of biological and cultural control of pests where further experimental research is needed. Since American Gooseberry (Ribes hiretellum Michaux) and European Gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa L.) are considered a minor berry crop in most states, there is little attention given to developing integrated pest management strategies. There are pest issues facing both large and small gooseberry growers, especially the misidentified small gooseberry sawfly in the Northeast and the Pacific flatheaded borer in the Pacific Northwest. Some smaller growers are reluctant to use pesticides on their crops. Recommendations are presented for areas of further field and laboratory research in order to increase the use and effectiveness of biological control agents. This study serves as a general pest management resource for gooseberry growers that reveal current pest issues as well as chemical and possible biological control strategies.