In 2008 a group of research and Extension vegetable entomologists and crop consultants from a number of vegetable-producing states met to discuss pest management issues, challenges and opportunities confronting the fresh vegetable industry. From that workshop Best Management Practice (BMP) recommendations were developed. A continuation of that meeting was held in 2009 and focused on refining the BMPs for vegetable insect control, and in general terms, defined a number of best practices for successful insect management in vegetable crops. In addition, based on the cumulative experiences of the participating entomologists, the strengths and weaknesses of a number of new pesticide technologies (both registered products and compounds currently under development) were identified and included: Radiant, Pyrifluquinazon, Oberon, Movento, Rimon, Coragen, Synapse, and Cyazypyr. Finally, a number of important issues, challenges and opportunities in the control of insects in vegetable crops were discussed based on regional perspectives. Among the topics discussed were shifting pest spectrums, trends toward selective pesticide technologies, resistance management, MRLs, and other production issues. A copy of the 2009 BMPs generated from those discussions can be found at this link.

To contact John Palumbo go to: jpalumbo@ag.arizona.edu

For questions or comments on any of the topics please contact Marco Pena at the Yuma Agricultural Center.
College of Agriculture, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.