Alerting Crop Producers to Pest Outbreaks: Statewide Insect Pest Surveys and A Rapid Technology Transfer System Speaker: Dr. Ayanava Majumdar Extension Entomologist (Peanuts, Vegetables) State SARE Coordinator, AU Gulf Coast Research & Extension Center 8300 State Hwy 104, Fairhope, Alabama 36532 Cell phone: 251-331-8416 ESA 58 th Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA (Symposium)
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Alerting Crop Producers to Pest Outbreaks: Statewide Insect Pest Surveys and Rapid Technology Transfer System
This presentation provides a description of the IPM project in Alabama that is based on technology convergence in the digital age. This presentation also discusses some of the major findings of the two-year insect survey project that demonstrated that sustainable agricultural practices in the long run can reduce insect outbreaks and need for corrective action. The presentation was delivered at the Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America 2010, San Diego, CA.
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Alerting Crop Producers to Pest Outbreaks: Statewide Insect Pest Surveys and A Rapid Technology
Transfer System
Speaker:Dr. Ayanava Majumdar
Extension Entomologist (Peanuts, Vegetables)State SARE Coordinator, AU
Gulf Coast Research & Extension Center8300 State Hwy 104, Fairhope, Alabama 36532
ESA 58th Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA (Symposium)
Presentation Layout• Overview of SARE & ACES in Alabama• Current & Emerging Pest Issues• Constraints to Technology Adoption• Participatory Ext./Res. projects:
– Insect Pest Monitoring Program & Synchronized Information Transfer System
– Net house Vegetable Production (time permitting)
• Summary
Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Program (SARE Grants, 1988-2009)
• Main goal: Empowering farmers, establishing a feedback system
• N = 132 small or limited resource farmers (LRFs)
• Survey locations: AL Sustainable Agriculture Network, Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, ACES Regional meetings
• Also referenced: Tackie et al., 2004, 2009; Molnar et al. 2002, 2006
Results I: Socio-economic Constraints • 64% earned <$10,000 annual sales (Tackie et al., 2004)• 40% high school educated (Tackie et al., 2004)• 4 acres per farm • Barriers to technology adoption:
– Lack of knowledge of Ext. resources: 40-50%– Difficult to access information: 30%– Difficulty in finding products: 20%– High cost of organic materials: 10%*– Low availability of reliable data: 10%– Difficulty in implementing recommendations: 10%– Lack of time: 5%*
* Added by growers during surveys.
• 10-44% respondents could not identify IPM tactic
• 11% indicated IPM should be clearly emphasized in Ext.
• 44% respondents not aware of Extension IPM resources
• Specific pest management challenges:– Timely pest detection, <10% use pheromone traps
– Insect pest ID poor (53% have ‘worms’, 22% ‘aphids’, 20% ‘beetles’)
– Crop scouting, priority 1-4 out of 5, 35% adoption rate
Results II: Technical Constraints
Ecological Pest ManagementFrom Altieri, Nicholls, and Fritz (2005): Manage Insects on Your Farm (SARE)
Ecological Pest Management System or EPM incorporates the broad knowledge of the agro-ecosystem to choose pest management tactics that are timely, environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
Goal of EPM: Maintain Healthy Plants From Root to Foliage
Starting Point for EPM…• Emphasis on Pest Detection & Correct Identification:
– INSECT PHEROMONE TRAPS for improved scouting– Trap Catch = Pest Density X Pest Activity (Taylor, 1963)– Insect Monitoring Project (2009-2010)– Highest trap catches in slideshow (May-Sept.)
Corn rootworm trapSticky wing trapStink bug trap
Pheromone-Based Insect Monitoring
Advantages :• Detect low populations• ‘Quantify’ pest pressure• Species specific • Reusable• Site-specific IPM Action Plan
Disadvantages:• Weather sensitive• No info about crop injury• Scouting still important• Training needed
Intensive Grower (& REA) EPM training, 2008-2010:• Meet a critical need of LRFs (capture attention)• Integrating multiple observations into ‘systems approach’ • Improve decision making for pest management• Where to find reliable information
EPM Training for Agents & Producers
Regional Extension Agent training in improved scouting practices
IPM training to LRFs in Alabama
Alabama Insect Survey Locations
2009 (8,500 insects)
Peanut farm
Vegetable farm
2010 (16,624 insects)
Insect Trap Catches in Alabama Vegetables2010 2009
The IPM Communicator(A FREE electronic newsletter)
On-line Impact Evaluation, 2010 (n=58):• 34% farmers, 28% company representatives, 38% others• 53% read for 15 minutes and 22% for 30+ minutes• E-subscriptions growth rate = 12%• 94% support continuation of the newsletter in 2011• Six financial gains reports: $3,550 in pesticide saving
Questions?
Sustainable Insect Pest Management
• Insect pest detection & identification are critical needs
• Insect pest pressures vary by location & farming practices
• Growers encouraged to develop site-specific IPM plan
• Timely information to limited resource farmers important
• Technologies under evaluation: Net house, trap cropping, high tunnels
• Extension IPM program must have high ‘visibility’ even with limited resources