What is What is Integrated Pest Integrated Pest

ManagementManagement(IPM) ?(IPM) ?

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

Create an understanding of IPMCreate an understanding of IPM

Importance of IPM to ProducersImportance of IPM to Producers

Importance of IPM to the environmentImportance of IPM to the environment

Importance of IPM to human health and Importance of IPM to human health and safetysafety

What are IPM strategiesWhat are IPM strategies

Advantages and limitations to IPMAdvantages and limitations to IPM

Why Study IPM?Why Study IPM?

Why a new approach to pest Why a new approach to pest management is neededmanagement is needed::– 1920’s cotton pest management1920’s cotton pest management– ““Pesticide Treadmill” of 1960’s – 1970’sPesticide Treadmill” of 1960’s – 1970’s

Pesticide resistancePesticide resistance

Secondary pest outbreaksSecondary pest outbreaks

Environmental concernsEnvironmental concerns

– IPM concept “reborn” in 1970’sIPM concept “reborn” in 1970’s

IPMIPM is: is:

A pest management philosophy that A pest management philosophy that utilizes all suitable pest utilizes all suitable pest managementmanagement techniques and methods to keep pest techniques and methods to keep pest populations below economically populations below economically injurious levels. Each pest injurious levels. Each pest managementmanagement technique must be technique must be environmentally sound and compatible environmentally sound and compatible with producer objectives.with producer objectives.

““A pest management A pest management philosophy….. “philosophy….. “

– Recognizes there is no “cure-all” in pest control.Recognizes there is no “cure-all” in pest control.Dependence on any one pest management method will have Dependence on any one pest management method will have undesirable effects.undesirable effects.

– Determine and correct the cause of the pest problem.Determine and correct the cause of the pest problem.Understanding Pest biology and ecology is essential.Understanding Pest biology and ecology is essential.

Manipulate the environment to the crop’s advantage and to Manipulate the environment to the crop’s advantage and to the detriment of the pest.the detriment of the pest.

– Recognizes that eradication of a pest is seldom Recognizes that eradication of a pest is seldom necessary or even desirable, and generally not necessary or even desirable, and generally not possible.possible.

Some damage is unavoidable and acceptableSome damage is unavoidable and acceptable

IPM is a continuum, not an end.IPM is a continuum, not an end.

PoorPoor

FairFair

GoodGood

BetterBetter

BestBest

““Utilizes all suitable pest Utilizes all suitable pest managementmanagement tactics…………..” tactics…………..”

Pesticides Pesticides CulturalCulturalMechanicalMechanicalSanitarySanitaryNaturalNaturalBiologicalBiologicalHost Plant ResistanceHost Plant Resistance

NOTE: Some tactics fallInto several categories.

Should Pesticides be used in an Should Pesticides be used in an IPM Program?IPM Program?

Pesticides can to be used in an IPM program, Pesticides can to be used in an IPM program, however only as a last resort and of course in a however only as a last resort and of course in a manner that is legal.manner that is legal.Pesticides are to be used when there is no risk of Pesticides are to be used when there is no risk of environmental damage or when benefits outweigh environmental damage or when benefits outweigh the risks. Use pesticides only when other control the risks. Use pesticides only when other control practices aren’t available, economical or practical.practices aren’t available, economical or practical.Must monitor pest populations in the field.Must monitor pest populations in the field.– Identify the pestIdentify the pest– Compare pest population and the economic thresholdCompare pest population and the economic threshold– Life stage susceptible to pesticide?Life stage susceptible to pesticide?– Crop stage and preventable loss.Crop stage and preventable loss.

What is “Cultural Control”What is “Cultural Control”

Agronomic practices that are designed to:Agronomic practices that are designed to:– Optimize growing conditions for the crop. Optimize growing conditions for the crop.

Anything that increases a crop’s competitive Anything that increases a crop’s competitive edge will result in increased tolerance to pests edge will result in increased tolerance to pests often resulting in reduced pesticide use.often resulting in reduced pesticide use.

– Create unfavorable conditions for the pestCreate unfavorable conditions for the pest

What is Mechanical Control?What is Mechanical Control?

Uses machinery and/or other tools to Uses machinery and/or other tools to control pestscontrol pests– TillageTillage– Physical barriersPhysical barriers

What is Sanitary Control?What is Sanitary Control?

Methods to avoid introducing a pest into a Methods to avoid introducing a pest into a fieldfield

– Cleaning field equipmentCleaning field equipment

– Planting certified seed Planting certified seed

– QuarantinesQuarantines

What is Natural Control?What is Natural Control?

– Enhancement of naturally occurring pest Enhancement of naturally occurring pest management methodsmanagement methods

Beneficial insectsBeneficial insects

Beneficial diseasesBeneficial diseases

What is Biological Control?What is Biological Control?

Manipulation of biological organism to Manipulation of biological organism to control pestscontrol pests– Release of predators/parasites/disease of an Release of predators/parasites/disease of an

insect or weedinsect or weed– Can be time consuming, expensive and Can be time consuming, expensive and

difficultdifficult

What is Host Plant Resistance?What is Host Plant Resistance?

Manipulating the crop to withstand or Manipulating the crop to withstand or tolerate peststolerate pests– Natural breeding methodNatural breeding method– Genetically modified plantsGenetically modified plants– Not a permanent method of controlNot a permanent method of control– Examples: Glandular-haired Alfalfa, Bt Corn, Examples: Glandular-haired Alfalfa, Bt Corn,

““To Keep Pests Below the To Keep Pests Below the Economic Injury Level”Economic Injury Level”

Economic Injury Level:Economic Injury Level:– Cost of control = $ amount of damage caused by Cost of control = $ amount of damage caused by

the pestthe pestIncludes amount of pest damageIncludes amount of pest damage

Cost of each control practiceCost of each control practice

– Are determined through extensive researchAre determined through extensive research

– Economic Injury Level is the information that is Economic Injury Level is the information that is necessary to develop an Economic Threshold, necessary to develop an Economic Threshold, which is used by crop advisorswhich is used by crop advisors

Economic ThresholdEconomic Threshold

Pest Population at which a grower must Pest Population at which a grower must take action to prevent a pest populations take action to prevent a pest populations from reaching the economic injury levelfrom reaching the economic injury level

– Economic threshold is slightly below the Economic threshold is slightly below the economic injury leveleconomic injury level

– Pest populations must be increasingPest populations must be increasing

Time

PestDensity

Economic Injury Level

Economic Threshold

Pest Population

Economic Threshold Example: Economic Threshold Example: European Corn Borer on CornEuropean Corn Borer on Corn

Field Sampling Data needed:Field Sampling Data needed:– % plants infested% plants infested– Ave. number of larvae/plantAve. number of larvae/plant

Crop Management Data NeededCrop Management Data Needed– Expected yield (bu/A)Expected yield (bu/A)– Expected selling price of the cropExpected selling price of the crop

Cost of pest controlCost of pest control

1st Generation European Corn BorerEuropean Corn Borer

Economic Threshold WorksheetEconomic Threshold Worksheet

(1) ___% of 100 plants infested x ___average # of borers/plantA = ___average borers/plant.

(2) ___average borers/plant x 5% yield loss per borer = ___% yield loss.

(3) ___% yield loss x ___expected yield (bu/A) =___ bu/A loss(4) ___bu/A loss x ___$ expected selling price/bu =___ $ loss/A(5) $__ loss/A x___ % controlB = $ ___ preventable loss/A(6) $___ preventable loss/A - $ ___cost of control/A = $ gain (+) or

loss (-) per acre if treatment is appliedA Determined by checking whorls from 20 plants.B Assume 80% control for most products

1st Generation European Corn BorerEuropean Corn Borer

Economic Threshold WorksheetEconomic Threshold Worksheet

(1) 0.67 (% of 100 plants infested) X 2 (average # of borers/plant)A+ = 1.34 (average borers/plant).

(2) 1.34 (average borers/plant) X 5 (% yield loss per borer) = 0.067 (% yield loss).

(3) 0.67 (% yield loss) x 120 (expected yield in bu/A) = 8.04 (bu/A loss)(4) 8.04 bu/A loss x $2.25 expected selling price/bu = $18.09 $ loss/A(5) $18.09 (loss/A) x 80 (% controlB) = $ 14.47 (preventable loss/A)(6) $14.47 (preventable loss/A) - $ 15.00 (cost of control/A) = - $0.53 (gain (+)

or loss (-) per acre if treatment is applied)

A Determined by checking whorls from 20 plants.B Assume 80% control for most products

Potato Leafhopper Threshold for Potato Leafhopper Threshold for AlfalfaAlfalfa

Alfalfa HeightAlfalfa Height Economic ThresholdEconomic Threshold

(leafhoppers/sweep)(leafhoppers/sweep)

< 3 inches< 3 inches 0.2/sweep0.2/sweep

6 inches6 inches 0.5/sweep0.5/sweep

8-11 inches8-11 inches 1.0/sweep1.0/sweep

> 12 inches> 12 inches 2.0/sweep2.0/sweep

Economic Threshold Concept Economic Threshold Concept doesn’t work for all pests and doesn’t work for all pests and

pest typespest typesInsectsInsects

WeedsWeeds

DiseasesDiseases

““Each Pest Control Each Pest Control Technique Must be Technique Must be

Environmentally Sound”Environmentally Sound”

Risk vs. BenefitsRisk vs. Benefits

AndAnd

“Compatible with With “Compatible with With Producers Objectives”Producers Objectives”

What IPM Is and Isn’tWhat IPM Is and Isn’t

Stresses a multi disciplinary approach to Stresses a multi disciplinary approach to pest managementpest management– EntomologyEntomology– Plant PathologyPlant Pathology– NematologyNematology– Weed ScienceWeed Science– Crop Sciences (Horticulture/Agronomy)Crop Sciences (Horticulture/Agronomy)– Soil ScienceSoil Science– EcologyEcology

IPM is not staticIPM is not static

New PestsNew Pests– Soybean aphids, bean leaf beetle, Soybean aphids, bean leaf beetle,

New Races/strains of pestsNew Races/strains of pests– Western corn rootwormWestern corn rootworm

Weed Species shiftsWeed Species shifts– Roundup ready technologyRoundup ready technology– Tillage systemTillage system

Pesticide ResistancePesticide Resistance– Colorado Potato BeetleColorado Potato Beetle– Common lambsquartersCommon lambsquarters

Four Basic Principles of IPMFour Basic Principles of IPM

1) Thorough understanding of the crop, 1) Thorough understanding of the crop, pest, and the environment and their pest, and the environment and their interrelationships interrelationships

2) Requires advanced planning2) Requires advanced planning

3) Balances cost/benefits of all control 3) Balances cost/benefits of all control practicespractices

4) Requires routine monitoring of crop 4) Requires routine monitoring of crop and pest conditionsand pest conditions

1a. Understanding Crop Growth 1a. Understanding Crop Growth and Developmentand Development

How do you grow a healthyHow do you grow a healthy

crop?crop?

When is the crop mostWhen is the crop most

susceptible to pest damage?susceptible to pest damage?

When is the crop under stress?When is the crop under stress?

1b. Understanding the Pest1b. Understanding the Pest

Proper ID Proper ID Understanding of Pest Life cycleUnderstanding of Pest Life cycle– When is it presentWhen is it present– When is it most susceptible to control-When is it most susceptible to control-– ””Weak Link”Weak Link”

Meadow Spittlebug nymph

Potato Leafhopper nymph

Giant foxtail

Large crabgrass

1c. Understanding the Pest and 1c. Understanding the Pest and Their Life CycleTheir Life Cycle

When is the pest presentWhen is the pest present

When is it most susceptible toWhen is it most susceptible to

control-”Weak Link”control-”Weak Link”

When is too late to controlWhen is too late to control

1d. Understanding the 1d. Understanding the EnvironmentEnvironment

How does it affect crop growthHow does it affect crop growth–StressStress–Time within susceptible stageTime within susceptible stage

How it affects pest How it affects pest developmentdevelopment

–High mortalityHigh mortality–High survivalHigh survival

Basic Principles of IPM Basic Principles of IPM

1) Thorough understanding of the crop, 1) Thorough understanding of the crop, pest, and the environment and their pest, and the environment and their interrelationshipsinterrelationships

2) Requires Advanced Planning2) Requires Advanced Planning

3) Balances cost/benefits of all control 3) Balances cost/benefits of all control practicespractices

4) Requires routine monitoring of crop 4) Requires routine monitoring of crop and pest conditionsand pest conditions

Basic Principles of IPMBasic Principles of IPM

1) Thorough understanding of the crop, 1) Thorough understanding of the crop, pest, and the environment and their pest, and the environment and their interrelationships interrelationships

2) Requires Advanced Planning2) Requires Advanced Planning

3) Balances cost/benefits of all control 3) Balances cost/benefits of all control practicespractices

4) Requires routine monitoring of crop 4) Requires routine monitoring of crop and pest conditionsand pest conditions

Basic Principles of IPMBasic Principles of IPM

1) Thorough understanding of the crop, 1) Thorough understanding of the crop, pest, and the environment and their pest, and the environment and their interrelationships interrelationships

2) Requires Advanced Planning2) Requires Advanced Planning

3) Balances cost/benefits of all control 3) Balances cost/benefits of all control practicespractices

4) Requires routine monitoring of crop 4) Requires routine monitoring of crop and pest conditionsand pest conditions

Potato leafhopper scouting Potato leafhopper scouting

Equipment: Equipment: – 15 in diameter insect sweep net.15 in diameter insect sweep net.

Timing:Timing:– Start on regrowth of second crop alfalfaStart on regrowth of second crop alfalfa

Frequency: Frequency: – Scout once each week.Scout once each week.

Scouting pattern: Scouting pattern: – walk a W-shaped pattern in the fieldwalk a W-shaped pattern in the field

Potato leafhopper scouting Potato leafhopper scouting

Take 20 consecutive sweeps in each of 5 Take 20 consecutive sweeps in each of 5 areas along the W-shaped pattern (100 total areas along the W-shaped pattern (100 total sweeps)sweeps)

Count the total number of Potato leafhopper Count the total number of Potato leafhopper nymphs and adults divide by 100 (total nymphs and adults divide by 100 (total number of sweeps)number of sweeps)

Potato Leafhopper Potato Leafhopper Economic ThresholdEconomic Threshold

Alfalfa heightAlfalfa height Treat if PLH number Treat if PLH number are = or > than listedare = or > than listed

3 inches3 inches 0.2/sweep0.2/sweep

6 inches6 inches 0.5/sweep0.5/sweep

8-11 inches8-11 inches 1.0/sweep1.0/sweep

> 12 inches> 12 inches 2.0/sweep2.0/sweep

Benefits of an IPM ProgramBenefits of an IPM Program

Protects environment through Protects environment through elimination of unnecessary pesticide elimination of unnecessary pesticide applicationsapplications

Improves ProfitabilityImproves Profitability

Reduces risk of crop loss by a pestReduces risk of crop loss by a pest

Peace of MindPeace of Mind

Disadvantages of an IPM Disadvantages of an IPM ProgramProgram

Requires a higher degree of Requires a higher degree of managementmanagement

More labor intensiveMore labor intensive

Success can be weather dependentSuccess can be weather dependent

Career opportunities in IPMCareer opportunities in IPM

Crop AdvisorsCrop Advisors– IndependentIndependent– IndustryIndustry

Ag. IndustriesAg. Industries– Sales (chemical, seed)Sales (chemical, seed)– Research Research – Technical servicesTechnical services

TeachingTeaching– Cooperative ExtensionCooperative Extension– High schoolHigh school– Technical collegeTechnical college

EducationEducation

2 or 4 year degree2 or 4 year degree

Major Field of StudyMajor Field of Study– AgronomyAgronomy– Soil ScienceSoil Science

Areas of interestAreas of interest– Weed scienceWeed science– EntomologyEntomology– Plant PathologyPlant Pathology

Possible courseworkPossible coursework

Crop ManagementCrop ManagementWeed ManagementWeed ManagementEntomologyEntomologyPlant NutritionPlant NutritionSoil ConservationSoil ConservationEcologyEcologyPlant PathologyPlant PathologyPlant PhysiologyPlant PhysiologyBusiness ManagementBusiness Management