New Zealand
May 21, 2008
Lettuce growers have a number of
practical new tools at their disposal thanks to a large science
programme that has developed a system of Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) specifically for the outdoor lettuce crops
grown in New Zealand.
Under IPM systems growers monitor crops regularly and manage
pests and diseases in a manner which is sensitive to the
environment by encouraging predators and other biological
control agents. IPM is becoming increasingly popular worldwide
as certain pests and diseases become resistant to chemicals that
have been used on crops for numerous years.
This week, outdoor lettuce growers in New Zealand will each be
mailed a wallet containing a glove-box sized guide and CD-ROM,
which will assist them to implement the new IPM programme.
Project leader, Stuart Davis, general manager operations at
LeaderBrand Produce, says the project is a good example of how
the industry can come together to work on common problems.
“It has also been very encouraging to have the MAF Sustainable
Farming Fund come on board to help with the development of the
tools and particularly the implementation stage where they were
tested and demonstrated to growers in commercial crops,” Dr
Davis says.
“We’ve tried to make the wallet a one-stop shop. The IPM tools
within the wallet provide a comprehensive approach to
identifying and managing both pests and diseases in the field.”
Crop & Food Research Entomologist Graham Walker says he is
looking forward to the lettuce growers following the lead of NZ
outdoor processing tomato growers and brassica growers, who
already implement IPM programmes designed for their respective
industries.
“We know IPM works and it is going to be the answer for an
industry determined to meet consumer demand for sustainable
produce,” says Mr Walker. “The IPM regime will ensure their
crops can meet increasingly stringent market standards.”
Mr Walker says the new system will still allow for the effective
control of diseases and pests with the use of selective
pesticides but only when pest numbers exceed thresholds.
“The glove-box guide will assist growers to get to know the
beneficial organisms that live in their crop including predator
insects such as the brown lacewing, tiny parasitic wasps, the
eleven-spotted ladybird and many others.”
Below are features of an IPM programme
• Effective pest and
disease control
• Production of crops that meet market standards
• Use of techniques that emphasise monitoring in some form
• Reduction of pesticide risks
• Use of selective pesticides in preference to broad
spectrum materials
• Minimal impacts on the environment
Mr Walker says a key message of
the programme is the need to monitor. “There is only one secret
to getting an IPM regime working well and that is the need to
put your boots on and scout the crop. In this way you will get
to know if you have enough beneficial insects or too many
problem insects. Once you know this, you can make a decision to
spray or not to spray and most importantly, what to spray with.”
For more information about the IPM lettuce programme please can
contact Horticulture New Zealand or
Crop & Food Research. The
project was sponsored by the Sustainable Farming Fund and
industry, including Horticulture New Zealand, agrichemical
companies and nursery companies. |
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