Vegetable Crops Pest Management

Jaspreet Sidhu                                                
Vegetable Crops Advisor
661-868-6222
jaksidhu@ucanr.edu 

Education

Program

The overall goal of this program is to develop, evaluate and implement   pest management practices in vegetable crops which can enhance the profitability and sustainability of vegetable production in Kern County. 

Kern County is a state leader in the production of carrots, potatoes, fresh market garlic and watermelons. Bell peppers, mixed melons, onions, lettuce, and tomatoes are other vegetables grown on a large acreage basis in Kern County. In 2018, vegetables were planted on more than 74,000 acres and had a value greater than $770 million.

The vegetable crops  program focuses on disease and insect pest problems challenging the vegetable crops production in the valley such as cavity spot, southern blight, and root knot nematodes. It encompasses management strategies for both conventional and organic production systems in the region. This is achieved by conducting applied research projects in collaboration with other researchers and local stakeholders. 

These research projects support extension efforts to disseminate information through development of media (newsletters, web page content; journal articles), presentations, field days and workshops, farm visits, and sample diagnosis.