2026 Purdue Fruit and Vegetable Field Day
Join Purdue Extension for the annual Fruit and Vegetable Field Day on July 16, 2026, at the Meigs Horticulture Research Farm in Lafayette, featuring educational sessions on cutting-edge research, including high tunnel production systems, pollinator management, soil health strategies, and innovative weed and pest control methods, among others. This event offers fruit and vegetable growers a valuable opportunity to learn about the latest Purdue research, network with fellow producers, and discover practical solutions to enhance their operations. Register now to take advantage of this comprehensive learning experience.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE 2026 FIELD DAY
The 2026 demonstration schedule is now available.
Registration is between 8:00 and 9:00 AM. The program includes six 25-minute demonstrations. If you have any questions, contact Lori Jolly-Brown at 765-494-1296 or email her.
Pollination and Pest Management in High Tunnel Tomato Production
Presenters: Laura Ingwell, Sydney Territo, and Tucker LaRue, Entomology
High tunnel tomato production offers many advantages, but managing pollination and pest pressure in an enclosed environment remains a persistent challenge for growers. This demonstration explores the role of companion cut flower plantings as a practical, biologically based strategy to attract pollinators and support natural enemies of common pests. We will share observations on pollination outcomes and pest dynamics from our high tunnel system and discuss how integrating flowering species into production can benefit both crop quality and overall tunnel ecology.
Dogwood Borer Management in Apples
Presenters: Elizabeth Y. Long, Entomology, Brian Schilling, Purdue Agricultural Center
The dogwood borer is a native clear-wing moth that attacks a wide range of tree species, including apple trees. The caterpillars are the damaging stage and feed beneath the bark at the base of the tree. The use of particular apple rootstocks, the presence of weeds around the tree’s base, and the prolonged use of tree guards are all factors that influence the likelihood of infestation. Trees that are repeatedly infested, year after year, exhibit a slow decline and eventually die. We are learning that U-pick apple orchards in the north-central region are experiencing greater injury from this insect, and we aim to better understand adult moth flight activity to improve the timing of integrated pest management strategies. We will highlight the life cycle of this insect, provide training on identification, and demonstrate how to assemble and place pheromone monitoring and mating disruption tools to improve management of this pest.
Introduction to the Long-Term Resilient Agriculture Research Trial
Presenters: Laura Ingwell, Entomology. Jack Howard. Petrus Langenhoven and Steve Meyers, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
This 9-acre research site hosts a large-scale, long-term comparison of resilient and conventional production practices in specialty crop systems — one of the most ambitious studies of its kind underway in the region. The trial is designed to evaluate whether reduced-input, ecologically grounded approaches can match or exceed the performance of conventional practices over time. In this introductory session, we will explain the specific production methods being compared and share early observations on weed and insect community dynamics, as well as initial crop performance for paste tomato and watermelon. This is an ongoing, multi-year effort, and we welcome growers to follow its progress in the seasons ahead.
Scotch Bonnet Peppers in the Midwest: Variety Performance and Mechanical Harvest Potential
Presenters: Alexandria Snabes, Petrus Langenhoven, Kranthi Varala, and Brian Schilling
Scotch bonnet peppers (Capsicum chinense) are highly prized for their intense heat and fruity flavor, making them a key ingredient in the rapidly growing craft hot sauce market. Yet large-scale production in the Midwest has been limited by a lack of variety information for regional conditions and the challenges of mechanical harvesting. Purdue researchers have been evaluating 21 Scotch bonnet varieties for yield, fruit development, detachment force, plant architecture, and capsaicin content across two growing seasons. Results show wide variation across varieties: total yield ranged from roughly 4,000 to 24,000 lb/A, heat levels ranged from mild to intensely hot (5,000–500,000 SHU), and fruit detachment force varied significantly, with some varieties showing clear potential for mechanical harvest. Stop by this demonstration to see the trial plots, learn which varieties performed best under Indiana growing conditions, and explore what this research means for growers looking to diversify into specialty pepper production.
Smart Trap for Cucumber Beetle Monitoring and Management
Presenters: Ian Kaplan, Grace Wang, and Amy Bagby, Entomology
Pest monitoring is a cornerstone of IPM and has been shown to reduce inputs, save costs, and improve ecosystem services such as pollination and biocontrol. However, active and consistent scouting is difficult to implement as a routine farm practice. We are collaborating with a team of engineers and computer scientists to create and validate an automated camera trap that would provide real-time data on pest densities. A prototype of this device will be demonstrated in the context of modern IPM approaches for cucumber beetle management in watermelon and other cucurbits. This work is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).
Cut Flower Production
Presenters: Laura Ingwell, Charlie Fox, Entomology. Alexis Sheffield, University of Kentucky Extension
This demonstration plot showcases a diverse range of cut flower species suited to Midwest production, including Dianthus, Lisianthus, Snapdragon, Stock, Centaurea, Zinnia, Celosia, Amaranth, Marigold, and Strawflower. Attendees will explore considerations for cultivar selection in regional markets and observe firsthand how cultural practices – specifically pinching and planting density – influence stem quality, flower timing, and marketable yield. We will also highlight common pest challenges encountered in cut flower production and discuss management strategies relevant to small and mid-scale operations.
Lunch-Time Flash Talk: Robotic Laser Weeding in Vidalia Onion Production
Presenter: Muneeb E. Malik, Ph.D. candidate at the University of Georgia
Weed control in onion production is challenging as onion seedlings compete poorly, herbicide options are limited, and hand weeding can be expensive and labor-intensive. This talk will present ongoing research at the University of Georgia on robotic laser weeding, including how robots, cameras, and lasers can work together to identify and eliminate individual weeds. Attendees will learn about the system, the potential of this technology to reduce labor needs and reliance on herbicides in specialty crops, and how this approach differs from commercially available laser weeders.