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Since 2004, the UA Vegetable IPM Team has annually surveyed PCAs and growers to
document insect pest activity and pesticide usage in Arizona lettuce through interactive
workshops. We will be holding the 2014 Lettuce Insect, Disease and Weed Losses Workshop
next Thursday, April 24 at the Yuma Agricultural Center beginning at noon (a yummy
lunch is provided at no cost). The information provided by PCAs and growers during
these workshops can be very useful to the lettuce industry. First, the data can
be extremely helpful in addressing state and federal regulatory issues by providing
“real world" information on insect pest status and insecticides usage. In the past
data generated from the surveys has been used to support registrations of key insecticide
products (i.e., Lannate). Secondly, from an academic perspective, the results of
these surveys provide us with a historic record of insect occurrences which allows
us to prioritize some of our research and educational activities. Over the years,
insecticide usage data has provided valuable support for grant proposals. Finally,
and perhaps most importantly for PCAs, it can translate their efforts into economic
terms for their growers and confirms their value to the lettuce industry by showing
the importance of key insect pests and their cost-effective management in desert
lettuce production. For example, survey results from the
Lettuce Insect Losses and Insecticide Use Summary: 2004-2013 shows that
on average, 1) costs associated with pest management fees have increased steadily
where the cost of scouting and making management decisions by PCAs are well over
$20/acre, 2) Leps, aphids and thrips are the most important economic pests in fall
and spring lettuce, and 3) the use of older, broadly toxic insecticides (OP/Carbamates/Endosulfan)
has dropped significantly, whereas use of the newer, softer reduced-risk chemistries
(e.g., Radiant, imidacloprid, and diamides) continues to increase. Of course, PCAs
already know this, but these surveys document this information for those less involved
with the day-to-day activities of IPM in desert lettuce. Hopefully PCAs and growers
see the value in this process and will join us next week at
2014 Lettuce Insect, Disease and Weed Losses Workshop. See you there!
Click picture to listen to John’s update To contact John Palumbo go to: jpalumbo@ag.arizona.edu |
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For questions or comments on any of the topics please contact Marco Pena at the Yuma Agricultural Center.
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