Making IPM Work:Making IPM Work:Key Components in ActionKey Components in Action

Presented byPresented by

Amber D. VallottonAmber D. VallottonCrop and Soil Environmental Science AgentCrop and Soil Environmental Science Agent

Rockingham CountyRockingham County

Integrated Pest ManagementIntegrated Pest ManagementA sustainable approach to manage pests byA sustainable approach to manage pests bycombining biological, cultural, physical, andcombining biological, cultural, physical, andchemical tools in a way that minimizeschemical tools in a way that minimizeseconomic, health, and environmental riskseconomic, health, and environmental risks-- National Coalition on IPM

ASSUMPTIONS about IPM:ASSUMPTIONS about IPM:

• Is one component of the total crop production system

• Uses a broad interdisciplinary approach to reduce pest populations

• Emphasizes suppression rather than elimination

Review of Key IPM PrinciplesReview of Key IPM Principles• Correct Pest Identification Foundation of all Decision-making

• Understanding Pest Biology and Crop Dynamics– Window of vulnerability in crop = When does pest cause feeding

damage? How much is tolerable?– Treatment window = When crucial to treat?

• Planning Preventive Strategies– Cropping practices to reduce pest attack? = tillage, crop rotation, time

of planting?– Pest-resistant plants?– How to prevent pest pops from exceeding economic levels?– Any natural control agents?

• Monitoring – Periodic assessment of pests, natural controls, crop, and

environmental factors = sampling, field scouting, traps

• Decision-making To Act or not to Act?– Using monitoring information to assess benefits vs. risks of action or

inaction– Estimating pest population size compared to “Economic thresholds” or

“Action thresholds” => Is damage potential of pest more costly than the control?

• Selection of Optimal Pest Control Tactics– Looking at all cultural, physical, biological, and chemical tools to

manage pests while minimizing economic, health, and environmental risks

• Implementation of Options– Using tools in a timely manner with precision and completeness

• Evaluation of Pest Control Actions– Follow-up to determine if choice of controls were appropriate– What went right and what went wrong?– Changes in future to improve effectiveness if same pest problem

occurs?– Changes to production system to get better suppression?

2007 Crop Pest Update2007 Crop Pest Update

Brief snippets emphasizing some of theBrief snippets emphasizing some of the

IPM principles just discussed…IPM principles just discussed…• Alfalfa - Potato Leafhopper• Grasses - Billbug• Soybean - Rust• Corn - Slugs• Insect Resistance Management

SurveySurvey

AlfalfaAlfalfaPotato leafhopper

• After about 8-10 years, particularly troublesome this year…WHY?

• Persistent drought with higher temps meant greater PL migration northward coupled with stressed plant conditions

• Nymphs and adults inject saliva during feeding that causes “V”- shaped yellowing of leaflet tips (i.e. “hopperburn”)

• Infestations are highly variable from field to field and from year to year crucial to monitor individual fields to be able to make sound pest management decisions

• Depending on stem height, economic threshold changes

• Taller alfalfa can withstand higher numbers of PL:

– 14” critical height

– Less than 14” number PL dictates spraying or re-scouting in 7 days

– Greater than 14” and PL no. above threshold, harvest rather than spray!

– Fields just cut more susceptible to damage b/c feeding pressure on young growing plant tissue

– Second through fourth cuttings particularly vulnerable

– Even more damage when drought stressed

Monitoring Essential to PL ControlMonitoring Essential to PL Control

Key to successful PL management is effective scouting program

• 15 year VCE Scouting Program shows scouting pays off!

• Scout mid-late May through mid-August

GrassesGrassesBillbug (hunting and bluegrass)• Adults overwinter along fencerows, & in Spring lay eggs in leaf sheath above crown

• Larvae feeding in stem and crown causes browning & plant death

• In 2006, north SV hit by BB

• Little presence this year, but important to be on lookout in the future IDENTIFICATION

SoybeansSoybeans

• Out of five southeastern VA counties sampled, SR confirmed present in Isle of Wight and Virginia Beach counties on 10/26/2007

• Cooler weather & rains = favorable conditions for rust development on green leaves

• Good news: Crops mature (> R6) so no yield loss 2007

Soybean Rust

• http://www.ppws.vt.edu/ipm/soybeanrust/index.htm

• Into late Fall (before frost) and with Spring green-up, scouting of kudzu crucial overwintering host for SR

• Monitoring will continue across VA and other states– Sentinel plots in Southeast US (10)– Random detection surveys – Commercial plots (when rust detected

within 100 miles, or after tropical storm movement)

– Spore traps (proviso: not definite only that spores MAY be present)

• On-going resistant variety trials

• Next year’s crop Monitor and scout leaf undersides; stay updated with state-wide SR monitoring

CornCornSlugs• Some issues this year with slugs in

fields with heavy residue or weed cover under cool, wet weather conditions

• With droughty conditions not as problematic, and if damage not too severe can be outgrown when temperatures rise, fields dry off, and growing conditions improve

• Injury: pre-emergence damage to seeds in partly closed seed slots and defoliation of young seedlings

• Important to monitor!

- Can inspect by turning over clods of dirt and residues then counting

- Lay out old roof shingles as trap area

• Some strategies that may help

- Mechanically remove trash from furrow to reduce refugia

- Delay planting until warmer temperatures

- If warranted b/c high numbers, some baits available but costly

Insecticide Resistance ManagementInsecticide Resistance Management• IRM is COMPLEX stuff

Focus on BASICS!

• Use of GMO Bt corn varieties steadily increasing, offering effective control of several major corn insect pests

• However, overuse poses some potential risks because of selection pressure for superbugs

Bt Resistance ManagementBt Resistance ManagementHow insecticide resistance develops

Complex processComplex process but here’s the simple version:

• Insecticide is applied

• Sometimes, there are individuals unaffected by insecticide (resistant)

• Resistant individuals pass on their genes to next generations

• Over time, more and more individuals in population unaffected by insecticide

• Eventually can have super bugs that are completely resistant, making insecticide control ineffective

Just far-fetched hype?Just far-fetched hype?Pest resistance to the Bt toxin • 1985 - Indianmeal moth• 1990 - Diamondback moth• 1990s - Lab studies showed resistance in 11 species including ECB

and CO potato beetle No resistance in field, but studies show potential to develop resistance is very real!

• How insects resist Bt toxin is very complex and not well understood

• Unfortunately, resistance may be unavoidable

• IRM goal is not to stop resistance entirely, but to slow its development and extend insecticide’s useful lifespan

Making Sense of Bt Resistance Making Sense of Bt Resistance ManagementManagement

Strategies• Refugia - Maintaining a susceptible population for mating

w/ rare resistant insects– Serves as source of susceptible insects in next generation– Placed alongside treated areas and external to field

• Regardless whether one plants YieldGard®, Herculex®, Agrisure®, or any other type, ALL Bt corn must be planted with non-Bt refuge areas

• In non-cotton growing areas, 80%-20% Rule– MAXIMUM 80% Bt corn acres– Remaining 20% non-Bt corn hybrid

Disclaimer: Commercial products are named in this publication for informational purposes only. Virginia Cooperative Extension does not endorse these products and does not intend discrimination against other products which also may be suitable.

Acceptable Refuge Planting SchemesAcceptable Refuge Planting Schemes

• By maintaining refuge, we will help to reduce the development of Bt-resistance in insect populations and make sure this technology remains available

• Follow EPA refuge and spray guidelines on product label!

• Virginia Tech handout on refuge requirements and spraying options

• Consult seed representative where you purchase Bt corn

• VCE/ Virginia Tech

Shifting gears…Shifting gears…

Agricultural Awareness

Viable, Sustainable Agriculture

Economic Profitability

Environmental Stewardship

Local Food Systems Initiative

Marketing Options

Alternative Production

SystemsPond

Management

Nutrient Management

Water Quality

Bio-residuals Utilization

Best Mgt Practices

Pesticide-Related Issues Soil

Quality

Whole-farm IPM

strategies

My Program DirectionMy Program Direction

May I get your valuable input?May I get your valuable input?

A simple surveyA simple survey

THANK YOU!!THANK YOU!!