Jarret Miles-Kroening master’s defense
As an entomologist and horticulturalist, master’s student Jarret Miles-Kroening appropriately taglined his thesis public defense “Come for the berries, stay for the hoverflies!” On June 28 at 1:30 pm Jarret recounted the immense work he has done for his master’s thesis over the last two years to investigate how different types of mulches affect the growth and quality of day-neutral strawberries, as well as the presence of the tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris), a major strawberry pest. He also investigated the effects of the mulches on the pollinators that visit the crops, including a wide diversity of hoverflies (Syrphidae) which are often overlooked as pollinators.
This research is important to larger efforts to improve organic pest management strategies for organic strawberry growers in Wisconsin, as organic strawberry production is currently limited and in high demand. Additionally, day-neutral strawberries produce fruit throughout the growing season and can therefore tap into more of the market for local fruit by providing fresh local strawberries at more times of the year.
Jarret is co-advised by Dr. Christelle Guédot and Dr. Amaya Atucha of the departments of Entomology, and Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences respectively, and will receive his master’s in Horticulture with an emphasis in sustainable organic production. He worked not only with a team of researchers at UW-Madison, but also a team at the University of Minnesota. See the last scouting report in strawberries from this project for more information about the methods he used in the field: Organic Day Neutral Strawberry Scouting Report for September 28, 2023 – Wisconsin Fruit.
Jarret’s public defense was engaging and detailed and inspired a barrage of enthusiastic questions that demonstrated the interest of his audience. The Guédot lab is sad to see Jarret go, and we wish him the best of luck in his next endeavors!
