Development and Implementation of an Extension IPM Program for Long Island

Author： Wright Robert J. Kain David P. Moyer Dale D.

Publisher： Entomological Society of America

ISSN： 0013-8754

Source： Entomological Society of America. Bulletin, Vol.33, Iss.4, 1987-01, pp. : 239-245

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Abstract

The insect component of an extension integrated pest management (IPM) program for fresh market potato production on Long Island, N.Y., was developed and implemented during 1981–1985. Sampling procedures and preliminary action thresholds for Colorado potato beetles (CPM), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), were developed with data obtained in commercial potato fields during 1981–1983. The use of alternative CPB control procedures was promoted with on-farm demonstrations and by written and oral presentations. Sampling procedures and action thresholds for green peach aphids, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and potato aphids, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas), were adopted from those used in potato IPM programs in upstate New York. Grower participation in the scouting program ranged from 8 growers with 130 hectares (ha) in 1982 to 22 growers with 411 ha in 1985. Evaluation of the Long Island potato IPM program was conducted in several ways. Insecticide use by growers was compared wim IPM program recommendations based on action thresholds to determine the extent to which growers followed the recommendations. In 1984 and 1985, growers who followed the recommendations >60% of me time sprayed less often for CPB and aphid control than did the remaining participating growers, while maintaining acceptable levels of insect control. Based on estimated insecticide costs, growers who followed the recommendations >60% of the time saved from 84 to 143 per ha, compared with participating growers who followed me recommendations less often. Two surveys were completed in 1985. One was developed to determine the opinion of participating growers concerning me IPM scouting program and to discover the areas of program operation that needed improvement. Another survey was conducted to determine the impact of all IPM educational activities on commercial potato growers on Long Island.