NE PMC On Target
Internal newsletter of the Northeastern Pest Management Center
Delaware report of vol. 3, no. 1 January 2003
|
NE PMC On TargetInternal newsletter of the Northeastern Pest Management Center Delaware report of vol. 3, no. 1 January 2003 |
Annual Pesticide Conference on Worker Protection Safety
A spinach stakeholders meeting was held in Milford DE on December 13, 2002 in preparation for a 2004 spinach Pest Management Strategic Plan workshop. Pests and pest control measures were reviewed by University of Delaware subject matter specialists. Growers and processors were urged to identify future constraints on spinach production.
WEED CONTROLDr. Mark VanGessel, Weed Scientist, discussed University of Delaware field trials with registered soil applied herbicides and promising alternatives. He posed the questions, "Are there any other products that would have a fit?" and, "How do weed problems change from spring to fall?" Dr. VanGessel asked attendees to think into the future and consider how much spinach would there be over the next 2-3 years. He pointed out that we need to treat these fields early in spring and years in advance to drive chickweed seed banks lower.
DISEASES
Dr. Kate Everts, Plant Pathologist, reported on a white rust predictive model research project. The model for fungicide applications is based on leaf wetness. Dr. Everts urged attendees to consider the following questions:
- How many sprays can you apply and still make a profit?
- Would a model be useful or is the disease control margin too small?
- Are there other products that might provide better control?
- Are there other critical diseases that need to be address? Rhizoctonia?
A question was posed on aphid control using White Rust products. There is a need to stop aphids from sticking to spinach leaves when the aphids get an entomopathogen. Near the end of the meeting, Dr. Everts asked if attendees wanted her White Rust model now. The response was affirmative. Discussion was held on varieties, resistence and susceptibility to disease.
INSECTS
Joanne Whalen, IPM Coordinator, discussed Beet Armyworm, Web Worms, and the Green Peach Aphid. She reported on registered pesticides and promising alternatives. Joanne asked if all growers sprayed this year for aphids. The response was affirmative. She then asked about the future: What was needed for insect pest management? She asked growers to alert her to any other insect pests in Delaware spinach. Discussion was held on weather forecasting. Joanne asked if attendees would like UD to move in this vein. The response was affirmative.
PESTICIDE REGISTRATIONS
Ed Kee, Vegetable Specialist, stated that the federal government wants more documentation of grower needs, especially for section 18's. He suggested a committee be formed under the umbrella of the Vegetable Growers Association. This committee would discuss three crops/year one day before the growersâ meeting in January. For example: spinach, lima beans, and pickles (as we are doing this year). When the committee discusses needs in spinach, all spinach growers and processors would be invited to listen. The committee would have representation from the major crops in Delaware.
Major points made in discussion were:
- Growers can not afford to give up on a crop after money has already been invested in it.
- Growers can not risk losing any old chemistry ö they may need to use old products again some day if current products suddenly stop working.
- The University of Delaware needs input from growers. EPA is looking for economic information. An educated guess is better than nothing.
Final discussion was held on how to get information to growers and processors. The conclusion was: (1) posting to the web and (2) holding an annual spinach meeting separate from other commodity meetings.
Return to On Target Jan '03 contents
The latest Pesticide Briefs has been posted at: http://www.udel.edu/pesticide/briefs.htm CONTENTS:
(1) NEW HANDLING PROCEDURE FOR LINDANE SEED TREATMENTS
(2) NEW APPLICATION RESTRICTIONS FOR METHAMIDOPHOS (MONITOR)
(3) VOLUNTARY CANCELLATION OF FENAMIPHOS (NEMACUR)
(4) OXYFLUORFEN (GOAL) REREGISTRATION ELIGIBILITY DECISION DOCUMENT
(5) RESTRICTIONS TO ENDOSULFAN (THIODAN, PHASER) APPLICATIONS - COMMENT DEADLINE 1/6/03POLICY CHANGES
(6) MOSQUITO CONTROL APPLICATIONS MAY NEED A CLEAN WATER ACT PERMIT
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
(7) CAN PLANT-INCORPORATED PROTECTANTS REPLACE OP‚s? CONSUMER INFORMATION
(8) LABEL INSTRUCTIONS TIGHTENED ON FLEA & TICK CONTROL PRODUCTS FOR PETS
(9) EPA ORDERS COMPANIES TO STOP MARKETING UNREGISTERED ANTHRAX DECONTAMINATION PRODUCTS
(10) EPA ORDERS TWO COMPANIES TO STOP MARKETING INEFFECTIVE HOSPITAL DISINFECTANT PRODUCTSTHE LOCAL SCENE
(11) PESTICIDE INFORMATION NETWORK ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETS IN DOVER
Return to On Target Jan '03 contents
Registration brochures for the Annual Pesticide Conference on Worker Protection have been mailed out.
- Information is also on the web at: http://www.udel.edu/pesticide/Cal.htm#annual
- The agenda is posted at: http://www.udel.edu/pesticide/forweb~1.pdf
- and the registration blank is at: http://www.udel.edu/pesticide/forweb~2.pdf
Susan Whitney,
Mid-Atlantic Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies - DE
Return to On Target Jan '03 contents
NE PMC On Target - Delaware report, Jan 2003
Centers for Pest Management are sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture
This page developed and managed by Jim VanKirk, NE PMC Coordinator