Disease management in organic vegetable production in the mid-Atlantic region is
arguably more difficult than in drier western regions. Due to our warm humid climate
and intensive production practices, disease management is especially challenging.
Successful organic farmers in the mid-Atlantic will use many different tools from their
“disease-management” toolbox. This chapter focuses on practices (or „tools‟) that are
proven to work in the mid-Atlantic region.
Organic vegetable farming involves a comprehensive approach to soil health, crop
health, and the maintenance of a biologically dynamic and diverse agro-ecosystem.
Many organic farming practices favorably impact plant health. Examples of these
practices are crop rotation and building soil organic matter, through cover crop
amendments and inclusion of compost. In fact, organic growers often observe a
reduction in some diseases following the transition from conventional to organic
methods. The plant health benefits conferred by organic production practices can be
further enhanced through additional cultural and biological practices that suppress
disease.
Disease management of vegetable crops is a year-round endeavor for all production
systems—organic, conventional, etc. (Figure 1). Typically, disease management for the