INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PROJECT
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- Integrated
Pest Management Final Report
The objective of this project was to assist
potato growers in Saskatchewan to make
more financially effective and environmentally
sound decisions regarding pest control
based on Integrated Pest Management principles.
In 2006 and 2007 we focused on:
Late Blight Control
The disease did not present itself during
the course of the project. The focus was
on prevention, using climatic data in models
(NegFry) and common sense to determine
spray schedules.
Virus Control
The time of arrival and populations of
the aphid species responsible for transmission
of viruses were monitored. Aphid species
capable of virus transfer were identified
in all areas. Spray programs to control
aphids did not seem to be very effective,
based on their limited impact on aphid
populations. Virus-free planting material
and isolation from infected fields continue
to be the best strategies for avoiding
virus problems.
Rhizoctonia
is a concern for some growers. Chemical
control appeared not to be effective.
Rhizoc free planting material, crop rotation,
planting resistant varieties and the elimination
of stress, especially moisture stress,
seem to be the grower’s best tools
to fight this pest.
Colorado Potato Beetle
In the past two seasons there were insufficient
numbers of CPB to justify chemical control.
Wireworm
Thimet, which is the only chemical registered
for this pest in Saskatchewan, was not
very effective in controlling wire worms.
The best wireworm control was achieved
with crop rotation.
Weed Control
Growers were doing an excellent job of
weed control using herbicides and/or mechanical
weed control. The weed history of the field
seem to be the main factor to be taken
into account in planning a weed control
program. This may explain a better level
of weed control occurred on fields in a
fixed rotation as compared to the weed
control seen on rented land.
Funding for this program provided by the
Agri-Environmental Group Planning Initiative
of the Agriculture Policy Framework Agreement.
The completion date for this project is
March 31, 2008.
