A Survey of Kentucky High Tunnel Vegetable Growers: Production Challenges Faced and Strategies Used To Overcome Them

Kentucky vegetable growers use high tunnels (HTs) to increase profitability and resilience. Increased disease, pest, and weed pressure over time threaten these benefits. We surveyed Kentucky vegetable growers in 2024 to assess soilborne disease, plant-parasitic nematode, pest, and weed challenges they faced in HTs and the strategies used to manage them. Additionally, we assessed growers’ use and willingness to use soil solarization. The results suggest that a large percentage of survey respondents are not familiar with soilborne diseases and plant-parasitic nematode problems in HTs but are aware of arthropod pest and weed problems. Common pest and weed problems faced by respondents include aphids, whiteflies, crabgrass, morning glory, and chickweed. Strategies used to address these problems include insecticides and hand weeding. Approximately 19% of respondents indicated they had used soil solarization, and those who used it were very satisfied with the results. Among those who indicated they had never used soil solarization, more than 70% indicated they were willing to try it. Among the respondents who indicated they were not willing to use solarization, a common reason was not having enough information about it. This result suggests that information providers could increase efforts to make HT vegetable growers familiar with this practice and how it can be implemented, potentially adding another strategy for pest, disease, and weed management.