Advances in conventional methods of disease management

Abstract

Conventional agriculture, including disease management, is in a constant state of change as a result of scientific developments, societal pressures, and financial constraints. Progress in managing disease while protecting the environment has occurred in two main areas, the development and registration of reduced risk fungicides and improvements in integrated pest management and integrated crop management programs. There has been expedited registration of several effective reduced-risk fungicides in both Canada and the United States, and growers have rapidly adopted their use. The integrated crop management approach expands on integrated pest management for crop production with the goal of optimizing plant health and economic returns, with a minimum negative effect on the environment. Disease management can be improved through understanding the effects of nutrients such as nitrogen and calcium on disease development and by using fertilizers and other materials that stimulate host-plant resistance. Surveys indicate that the majority of farmers in both Ontario and California use fewer pesticides than are recommended by calendar spraying. In California, there was no reduction in pesticides used for disease management from 1993 to 2000, but growers did switch to newer pesticides. Pesticide use in Ontario declined by 2000 t of active ingredient from 1993 to 2003, a change that is partially attributed to integrated pest management programs.