Reduced Use of Pesticides for Effective Controls of Arthropod Pests and Plant Diseases

Abstract

Abstract Current label recommendations of pesticides for arthropod pests and plant diseases in the nursery and green industry are vague and frequently result in excessive pesticide use. The objective of this research was to demonstrate that modifications of spray application techniques with current spray equipment in ornamental nursery production could reduce pesticide use. The efficacy of half rates and full rates of both active ingredients and carrier was investigated in commercial nurseries with air-assisted sprayers in two tests and a state inspector survey for the control of arthropod pests and plant diseases. Sprayers were optimized with properly sized nozzles and properly calibrated operating parameters. In Test 1, treatments were conducted in approximately 0.5 ha (1.2 A) plot each in three commercial nurseries for control of arthropod pests and diseases, and in Test 2, the same treatment for aphid control was evaluated in a birch tree plot. The survey was a compilation of the pests and diseases that were diagnosed by state inspectors in over 2,800 plant varieties and species from two commercial nursery fields [total about 280 ha (692 A)] after the spray treatments in six growing seasons. Crop damage by 49 insects and 40 diseases were surveyed for different application rates. The studies revealed that insect and disease control using 50% of the label rates was as effective as full rates when quality spray coverage on targets was achieved, resulting in real cost benefits to producers, consumers and the environment.