Integrated Pest Management - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Integrated Pest Management

By C. Kohn

Based on

Pest Management for Retail Greenhouses and Garden

Centers

by

Leanne

PundtSlide2

Why Integrated Pest Mgmt (IPM)?

Over 90% of flowering plants and 75% of crops depend on insect pollinators

Pollinators are an integral component of natural ecosystems that make the natural energy flow and nutrient cycling necessary for crop production possible.

Integrated

Pest Management

(IPM) practices have

been developed

to improve pest control

while minimizing

impacts on

beneficial species, such

as pollinators

.

http://

www.fws.gov/contaminants/Documents/IPMpol.pdf

Slide3

What is IPM?

Definition

:

A

long-term pest

control technique that relies on combinations of crop

rotation, cultural practices,

biological controls, and

pesticides

Pesticides are used only as a last resort and according to strict guidelines

Key words: long term ; combination Slide4

Benefits of IPM

Minimizes loss of pollinators, which…

Increases plant productivity

Reduces economic losses

Minimizes health risks (what kills an insect in small doses kills pets and animals in large doses)

Decreases risk of pesticide resistance

Protects the environment, which…

Increases plant productivity and reduces economic losses

Finally – It’s more effective!Slide5

Background

Plants often come to retailers and eventually to you through large supply chains.

This increased transportation of living plants increases the spread and depth of an insect infestation

Nutshell: it’s pretty much impossible to buy plants completely free of insects

If you have bought plants, you will have insects

If you raise plants from seed, the risk is lower but still substantial. Slide6

Principles

The

basic principals of successful integrated pest management (IPM)

include

:

Inspecting

incoming plants

Regular

, consistent

monitoring

Sound

cultural

practices

(crop rotation, spacing, etc.)

Accurate

identification

of insects, diseases and cultural issues

Prompt

, timely pest management

decision-making

Good

communication

between all members involving in this

decision-making process

including scouts, pesticide applicators, managers, owners etc.Slide7

Inspection of Plants

The most important aspect of IPM is inspection of plants on arrival.

The entire plant from leaves to roots should be carefully observed.

DO NOT purchase or accept plants that…

Have rotting roots

Have viral or bacterial diseases (spotting, mosaic patterns, ringed circles, blotchy spots)

Have nematodes (microscopic root worms)

Just plain do not look right!

Quarantine and treat plants on arrival before moving them with others Slide8

Prevention

Select insect-resistant plants

Keep records of what varieties have done the best

Consult extension agents to determine if a plant is considered resistant

Sanitation (next slide) Slide9

Prevention - Sanitation

Cleanliness is a key element of prevention.

Remove all dead or dying plant material immediately

A hospital does not leave dead bodies and cut-off limbs in the hallway; neither should a garden or greenhouse

Keep floors clean, swept, and sprayed down

Prevent standing water (which would encourage the growth of fungus, algae, and some insects)

Regularly disinfect materials and equipment, as well as greenhouse floors

Soap is very effectiveSlide10

Prevention - Monitoring

Have a weekly monitoring program in place

Hang sticky-cards above your plants to trap insects for identification

Use indicator plants (plants that are more susceptible and will show symptoms earlier)

Inspect plants while caring for them (watering, fertilizing, etc.)

Scotch tape analysis can help for smaller pests

Stick a piece of scotch tape to the underside of the leaf and examine with a magnifying glassSlide11

Prevention - Record Keeping

Keep track of all decisions

Approximate pest numbers and locations

Approximations do not have to be exact

E.g. you can make up your own scale based on previous experience – mild, moderate, extreme

Records will help you to determine if treatments are effective, if pests are recurring, and if pesticides are necessary. Slide12

Cultural Practices

Most plant health problems come from poor management, not from insect infestations

I.e. poorly trained humans are a worse problem than insects

Watering tends to be a big issue – avoid overwatering or

underwatering

Large amounts of water infrequently is better than daily small amounts

The soil should be allowed to slightly dry in-between

waterings

to prevent pests.

Overwatering or too-frequent watering increases the risk of mold, fungus, and pathogenic algae Slide13

Cultural Practices – Water, Fert

.

Watering should occur earlier in the day

Late-day watering increases the risk of foliar (leaf) disease (water sits on the plant surface overnight, encouraging pathogen growth)

Time of standing water should be minimized

Fertilization is also a major contributor to plant health problems

Over-fertilization increases plant susceptibility to insect predation

Under-fertilization will reduce plant growth and reduce the plant’s ability to ward of predation Slide14

Cultural Practices – Temp, Air

Temperature –

Too-cool temperatures can increase rot, blight, and dampening off diseases

Too-warm temperatures can increase the risk of drought and water-loss, reducing a plant’s ability to fight predation

Airflow –

Good airflow is necessary to allow for transpiration and reduce moisture build-up that encourages mold and fungal growth Slide15

Cultural - Sanitation

Discard diseased plants once they are found.

Isolate questionable plants and return them with the rest if nothing is found.

Remove all debris, dead plant matter, and weeds that can harbor insects

Keep all dead plant matter in sealed plastic bags until they are ready to be disposed of

Dispose of dead plant material as soon as possible Slide16

Cultural – Mechanical, Rotation

Mechanical controls can include the use of screens, nets, fences, or traps.

These can be as effective as nearly any other treatment for a specific pest.

Crops should be rotated regularly so that their respective pests are able to die out during off-years.

Pruning and thinning can also reduce infestations. Slide17

Biological Control

If pests are a problem, biological control may be an effective alternative to chemical pesticides

Biological control is the use of predators of pests to manage pest levels.

E.g.

predatory mites,

ladybugs,

green lacewings

or host

specific parasitic wasps

Natural predators of pests do not work quickly; they are best used as preventative measures

Biological control cannot be used with pesticides (the pesticides would kill both the pest and the predators)

Insecticide residues can affect predators up to 3 mo’s after application. Slide18

Pesticides

Pesticides should only be used as a last resort

Pesticides can be a part of IPM, but only if all other measures fail

The term pesticide refers to

insecticides, herbicides

, fungicides, and various

other substances

used to control pests

.

A pest, by this definition, is a living organism that can cause damage to a desired plant, animal, or structure

This could be insects as well as weeds and even animals such as rodents or deer Slide19

Classes of Pesticides

Two major groups of pesticides exist –

1. Restricted use: to use and apply these kinds of pesticides, you must undergo training and certification in most states

Unclassified/General Use: the equivalent of over-the-counter; anyone can purchase and use these

All pesticides should be considered dangerous! All pesticides should be applied according to directions and with care!

Pesticides should only be applied as needed. Slide20

Pesticide application

IPM

promotes calculated

and targeted applications

of pesticides

that are more specific to the

pest species.

Plants should be monitored after pesticide application to determine the effectiveness of the treatment and whether or not an additional treatment is necessary

Records should be kept of the effectiveness and cost of the pesticide application.

http://

pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/uo190.pdf

Slide21

Choice of Pesticides

Choosing the correct pesticide to

control the

pest(s) in your home, lawn, or

garden requires

a certain amount of planning.

Many

types of

pesticides exist

to treat a specific pest, and

a variety

of pesticide formulations

are available

to the consumer

.

http://

pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/uo190.pdf

Slide22

Pesticide Considerations

1. Is the pesticide appropriate for your specific pest?

2. Can you use this pesticide, or is a professional needed?

3. Have you tried all other non-chemical options and have they all failed?

4. Is this the least-toxic pesticide option?

5. Have you read the label thoroughly and understand the instructions?

6. Do you have a place to keep a record in case of medical, veterinary, or environmental problems? Slide23

Pesticide Labels

The label provides information about

the active

ingredient, how to mix and

apply the

product, when and where to apply

the product

, how to store and dispose of

the product

, as well as safety and

environmental precautions

and first aid instructions.

The pesticide label is a legal

document, and

misusing a pesticide product is

a

violation

of the law

.

http://

pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/uo190.pdf

Slide24

Components of a Pesticide Label

Trade & Brand Name

Ingredients

Use statement (restricted or general)

Emergency Phone Number

Registration Number

Cautionary words –

Caution, Warning, Danger, and Danger: Poison

– reflect the risk of injury from the product

Hazards, Storage, Disposal

Directions for Use Slide25

Final Comments on Pesticides

Always wear protection!

Shorts, sandals, and t-shirts are NOT adequate

Clothes should cover all extremities

Clothes should be washed after application

Washers should be allowed to run an additional cycle while empty after washing pesticide-affected clothes.

Pesticides must be stored in their original container (federal law) in a cool, dry area

Pesticides must be disposed through special programs

Ingested pesticides should be diluted with water (do not induce vomiting unless instructed); poison control should be called immediately.