Challenges faced by the IR-4 Programme and US specialty crop growers

The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) was enacted in August 1996 and required the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reassess all existing and new crop protection active substances using a new set of health and environmental standards to further protect infants and children. The initial fear that many minor or specialty crop use registrations would be lost without adequate replacements has largely been overcome by an aggressive programme by the International Research Project no. 4 (IR-4) in partnership with the EPA and the crop protection industry to register new, safer, reduced risk products for specialty crop pest control needs. Since the FQPA, the EPA has approved over 5600 new specialty crop uses resulting from IR-4 residue programmes. This amounts to about 56% of the over 10 000 clearances received by the IR-4 programme in its 43 year history and about 50% of all new uses granted by the EPA since FQPA. The positive outcomes from these efforts have been partially negated by the lack of tolerances or Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) in countries to which US produce is exported. This has forced some US specialty crop growers to continue to use older, less desirable products. IR-4 has been addressing this challenge by cooperating in the NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) countries with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Pest Management Centre and Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency to harmonize MRLs through joint projects and regulatory reviews. IR-4 has also provided leadership for the International Crop Grouping Consulting Committee to harmonize specialty/minor crop groupings and representative crops for residue studies with the long-term goal being to globally harmonize MRLs.     

Chemical composition and repellent activity of essential oils from the leaves of Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Eugenia uniflora against Diaphania hyalinata L. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Diaphania hyalinata is an important pest in organic melon crops and has caused considerable harm to growers in northeastern Brazil. The aim of the present...     

Spatio-temporal analysis of crop rotations and crop sequence patterns in Northern Germany: potential implications on plant health and crop protection

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Crop sequence patterns are considered as those schemes farmers apply within a single field to succeed crops over time, regardless of whether the same crop...     

Some Aspects of New Technology for Protection of Field Crops in Poland (Machinery and Techniques)1

The Institute for Plant Protection at Poznan (Poland) examines the biological efficacy of new plant protection equipment or techniques. Examples of recent studies include: 1) a sprayer with a lateral reach of up to 40 m under favourable conditions, which has been successfully used on crops liable to mechanical damage from traditional tractor sprayers (oilseed rape at flowering, field bean, seed crops of sugar beet and onion, sunflower, maize); 2)equipment for spraying potatoes against Thanatephorus cucumeris at the time of planting; 3) use of passage-ways for sprayers in cereal crops, results having shown that spraying from passage-ways gives better biological results and that adjoining plants compensate the losses due to absence of plants in the passage-ways.     

Drip application of methyl bromide alternative chemicals for control of soilborne pathogens and weeds

BACKGROUND: Producers of several high‐value crops in California have traditionally used preplant soil fumigation with methyl bromide/chloropicrin combinations. Although methyl bromide has been phased out since 2005, several crop industries, including cut flower producers, have continued methyl bromide use under Critical Use Exemptions, a provision of the Montreal Protocol. This research was conducted to evaluate newer, emerging methyl bromide alternative chemicals. RESULTS: Two field trials were conducted to test several emerging chemicals in combination with metam sodium as replacements for methyl bromide. Emerging chemicals included 2‐bromoethanol, dimethyl disulfide, furfural, propylene oxide and sodium azide. Weed and pathogen populations were measured after chemical application, and seed viability was assessed from weed seed previously buried in the plots. In the first trial, the emerging chemicals did not improve pest control compared with metam sodium alone. However, in the second trial, several of these chemicals did improve the pest control performance of metam sodium. CONCLUSIONS: The emerging alternative chemicals have the potential to provide better control of soilborne pathogens and weeds when used with metam sodium than metam sodium alone. Registration of these materials could provide California growers with a broader choice of tools compared with the limited methyl bromide alternatives now available. Published 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Dutch approach: a combination of meteo‐based decision‐support systems*

Reduction in the amount of active substance and reduced dependence on chemical plant production products are the main items in the Dutch Government Multiyear Crop Protection Plan. There are problems in reaching this goal, as weather conditions in The Netherlands are very beneficial to all kinds of fungal diseases. Such diseases have to be controlled by applications of preventive fungicides, and it is quite regular to use a spray interval of 6–7 days. Another problem is application at the wrong time. With the help of decision‐support systems (DSSs), it is possible to calculate the period of protection by a product, the danger of an infection period and the moment of highest efficacy. DLV‐Meteo offers advice based on five DSSs for individual pests (Prophy, onion leaf spot disease, Botrypré, Mycos and Contapré) and on a general DSS for application at the time of day that ensures highest efficacy (Gewis).     

Extent and Economics of Biological Control of Tetranychus urticae and Trialeurodes vaporariorum in Danish Glasshouses1

A survey was conducted among Danish tomato and cucumber growers concerning the use of biological and chemical control in Danish glasshouse crops in 1982. The survey revealed a widespread use of biological control of Tetranychus urticae and Trialeurodes vaporariorum on glasshouse crops of cucumber and tomato (87 and 77 % of the area, respectively). The growers estimated biological control to be cheaper than chemical control, and showed a pronounced preference for biological control (82 % of the replies). In cucumber crops, the area on which biological control was uninterrupted throughout the growing season was greater than in tomato crops, despite the fact that more chemical applications against other pests and diseases were necessary on cucumber crops. A list of the pesticides most commonly used in glasshouses in conjunction with successful biological control of spider mite is presented. Guidelines for biological and chemical control of spider mite on cucumber and whitefly on tomato are given.     

Book reviews

Book reviewed in this articles:
Fungicide Resistance in Crop Protection , edited by J. Dekker and S. G. Georgopoulos.
1981 British Crop Protection Conference - Pests and Diseases (Proceedings of the 11th British Insecticide and Fungicide Conference).     

Pesticide residue levels in soils and crops from 37 states, 1972--National Soils Monitoring Program (IV).

Residue data from the 1972 (FY--73) National Soils Monitoring Program are summarized. Composite samples of agricultural soil and mature crops were collected from 1,483 of the 1,533 selected 4-hectare sites in 37 states. Analyses were performed for organochlorine and organophosphorus compounds, trifluralin and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); analysis for atrazine was performed only when pesticide application data indicated current-year use. Organochlorine pesticides were detected in 45 percent of the soil samples. The most frequently detected compound was dieldrin, found in 27 percent of all soil samples. Other compounds detected, in order of frequency, included DDT, aldrin, chlordane, and heptachlor epoxide, found, respectively, in 21, 9, 8, and 7 percent of all soil samples. Crop samples were collected from 727 sites. All were analyzed for organochlorines; analyses were performed for organophosphates and atrazine only when pesticide application data indicated current-year use. For all crops, 40 percent of the samples contained detectable levels of organochlorines and 10 percent contained detectable levels of organophosphates. Atrazine was not detected.     

Managing the risk of insect resistance to transgenic insect control traits: practical approaches in local environments

BACKGROUND: Growers have enthusiastically embraced crops genetically modified to express Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins for insect control because they provide excellent protection from key damaging insect pests around the world. Bt crops also offer superior environmental and health benefits while increasing grower income. However, insect resistance development is an important concern for all stakeholders, including growers, technology providers and seed companies that develop these genetically modified crops. Given the marked benefits associated with Bt crops, insect resistance management (IRM) must be a consideration when cultivating these crops. RESULTS: The technical data and practical experience accumulated with Bt crops in many global regions can inform different aspects of resistance management leading to robust, science‐based IRM plans. A range of elements should be considered in assembling any IRM strategy, including: pest biology/ecology, product deployment patterns, local cropping systems, insect susceptibility monitoring, stakeholder/grower communications, and a remedial action plan should resistance develop. Each of these elements is described in more detail, with specific examples of how these elements can be combined and tailored to the local/regional environments and grower practices. CONCLUSION: IRM plans need to be suitable for the given production situation. What works for large monoculture production systems in North America is unlikely to be appropriate for the small, more diverse agriculture of southeast Asia or Africa. Though it is clear that Bt crops impart considerable value to growers, it is also clear that it is in the best interest of all stakeholders to preserve Bt proteins for the long‐term benefits they provide. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

A farmer's approach to the socio-economic aspects of crop protection

The period since 1945 has been one of extraordinary development in British agriculture. A period during which the science of Crop Protection has advanced from practically nothing to where it is today—an accepted and essential part of everyday farming. The speed of these developments has put pressure on the industry and on the individual farmer. At the same time the economic climate of the 1960's has sharpened the search for efficient, low-cost production. The farmer has no choice but to use every weapon in his armoury. Safeguards against misuse of chemicals seem to be basically satisfactory up to the point of sale. There is, however, the basic point of whether the food producer has grown to be too dependent on chemical control, whilst neglecting good husbandry, which may be both cheaper and more effective.     

Technical performance of some commercial glyphosate-resistant crops

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) crops have been sold commercially in the USA since 1996. The use of glyphosate alone or with conventional pre- and post-emergence herbicides with different modes of action gives growers many options for affordable, safe, easy, effective wide-spectrum weed control. Despite the overwhelming popularity of this technology, technical issues have surfaced from time to time as US growers adopt these crops for use on their farms. The types of concern raised by growers vary from year to year depending on the crop and the environment, but include perceptions of increased sensitivity to diseases, increased fruit abortion, reduced pollination efficiency, increased sensitivity to environmental stress, and differences in yield and agronomic characteristics between transgenic and sister conventional varieties. Although several glyphosate-resistant crops are commercially available, maize, soybean and cotton constitute the largest cultivated acreage and have likewise been associated with the highest number of technical concerns. Because glyphosate is rapidly translocated to and accumulates in metabolic sink tissues, reproductive tissues and roots are particularly vulnerable. Increased sensitivity to glyphosate in reproductive tissues has been documented in both glyphosate-resistant cotton and maize, and results in reduced pollen production and viability, or increased fruit abortion. Glyphosate treatments have the potential to affect relationships between the GR crop, plant pathogens, plant pests and symbiotic micro-organisms, although management practices can also have a large impact. Despite these potential technical concerns, this technology remains popular, and is a highly useful tool for weed control in modern crop production.     

Implementation of integrated pest management in Israel

Supervised control programs were initiated by the Extension Service in the deciduous orchards of Upper Galilee and the Golan almost 20 years ago. The integrated pest management (IPM) project on fruit crops and vines, launched as a systematic state-wide program in 1991, covered 23% of the total acreage at the end of 1996. The program has reached a critical mass and generates a steady demand for this new kind of advisory service. The project has set the right pattern for intensive and continuous collaboration among research, extension and grower. The program has been successful in reaching out to growers with the help of a newly formed group of local and regional pest scouts; the field-level implementation is the responsibility of the extension system. A reduction of approximately 30% in the use of pesticides has been achieved. The project prepares the ground for environment-friendly and sustainable cropping systems, generating produce competitive on both the local as well as foreign markets. The program on indoor vegetables, flowers, herbs and spices initiated in 1992, had to address first the problem of the sweetpotato whitefly. The field program methodology relies on the establishment of model farms and plots. The model plots are used to examine supervised control scenarios which could, in turn, be diffused to all growers. A 30-50% reduction in the use of pesticides was achieved on the model farms. The program represents an integration of supervised control, fully fledged IPM, and biological control practices. The program on corn and cotton covers the entire acreage under these two crops. The cotton program is supported by an integrated resistance management component. Three area-wide pest management programs were initiated: in the Arava and Bet She’ an valleys, and in the Golan.     

Use of models to assess the reduction in contamination of water bodies by agricultural pesticides through the implementation of policy instruments: A case study of the Voluntary Initiative in the UK

Through normal agricultural use, pesticides may reach environmental water bodies via several routes of entry. Various policies and initiatives exist to reduce the effects of pesticides in the environment. One such initiative in place in the UK is the Voluntary Initiative (VI). The VI is a voluntary scheme put forward by the Crop Protection Association with other crop protection and farming organisations to reduce the environmental impacts of pesticides. Mathematical models of pesticide fate can usefully be applied to examine the impact of factors influencing the contamination of water bodies by pesticides. The work reported here used water quality models to examine how changes in farmer behaviour could potentially impact pesticide contamination of environmental water bodies. As far as possible, uncalibrated, standard regulatory models were used. Where suitable models were not available, simple models were defined for the purposes of the study and calibrated using literature data. Scenarios were developed to represent different standards of practice with respect to pesticide user behaviour. The development of these scenarios was guided by the Crop Protection Management Plan (CPMP) aspect of the VI. A framework for the use of modelling in the evaluation of the VI is proposed. The results of the modelling study suggest that, in several areas, widespread adoption of the measures proposed in the VI could lead to reductions in pesticide contamination of environmental water bodies. These areas include pesticide contamination from farmyards, spray drift and field runoff. In other areas (including pesticide leaching to groundwater and contamination of surface water from field drains) the benefits that may potentially be gained from the VI are less clear. A framework to evaluate the VI should take into consideration the following aspects: (1) groundwater is more at risk when there is a combination of leachable compounds, vulnerable soils, shallow groundwater and high product usage; (2) surface water contamination from drains is most likely when heavy rain falls soon after application, the soils are vulnerable and product usage is high; (3) surface water contamination from drift is most likely when the distance between the spray boom and water body is small and product usage is high; (4) surface water contamination from farmyards is dependent on the nature of the farmyard surface, the competence of the spray operator and the level of product usage. Any policy or initiative to reduce pesticide contamination should be measured against farmer behaviour in these areas.     

The tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in Tunisia: current status and management strategies

The tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) was first identified in the region of Akkouda in October 2008 before it spread to all tomato‐producing areas in Tunisia. The introduction of this pest disturbed existing pest control programmes in greenhouses and open fields, forcing Tunisian growers to use more chemicals to reduce its impact on their crops. A national programme was adopted to control T. absoluta, including cultural practices, the use of pheromones, the installation of insect‐proof screens in greenhouses, and the use of organic insecticides including Bacillus thuringiensis Kurstaki (Bt) and plant extract‐based products. In addition, a few experiments in biological control, using the predatory Mirid Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Heteroptera: Miridae) and the parasitoid wasp Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), were conducted in greenhouses and open‐field crops (producing tomatoes for fresh consumption as well as for processing). This paper describes the status of T. absoluta in Tunisia, including data collected from sex pheromone traps installed in six tomato‐producing areas (Takelssa, Korba, Teboulba, Bekalta, Sousse and Kairouan) between 2009 and 2011, and control strategies in greenhouses and open fields.     

Pesticide usage in some vegetable crops in Great Britain: real on-farm applications

The last decade has seen an increasing requirement throughout the United Kingdom (UK) for accurate, timely information on pesticide usage on fresh produce such as vegetables to satisfy government legislation and provide data as part of the registration and review process of pesticides. These data, collected by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affair's Pesticide Usage Survey Group (PUSG), provide information on current and past usage patterns and allow the impact of use on the environment, operator and consumer to be more accurately assessed from actual usage patterns rather than worst-case scenarios. Surveys of commercially grown carrot, Brussels sprouts and onion crops in Great Britain were undertaken at regular intervals between 1986 and 1999, using fully stratified samples of growers. Only on Brussels sprouts was there a significant decline in pesticide use over this period, but the frequency of treatments increased on all three crops, reflecting the recent introduction of more active molecules and lower dose rates. The implications for growers of EU Directive 91/44 are discussed if active ingredients are lost because they fail to achieve Annex 1 listing.     

REVIEW

The Pesticide Manual. A World Compendium (7th edition). Published by the British Crop Protection Council (1983). Price £30.00 (or £36.00 from outside UK)     

Eradication of the first outbreak of Xanthomonas fragariae in the United Kingdom

Xanthomonas fragariae was identified in the UK in strawberry fruiting crops in October 2004. As this pathogen had not been confirmed in the UK before and is listed as a quarantine organism by the EU and EPPO, emergency official action was taken to contain and eventually eradicate this pest. In order to eradicate this disease the affected growers were given the option of either destroying the crop to eradicate the disease immediately or maintaining the infected plants for the life of the crop for fruit production with hygiene measures to prevent the spread of the disease to uninfected crops. The affected growers chose to maintain the crops with hygiene measures to contain the disease. The crops continued to be monitored and no further symptoms were identified in either the infected crop or other crops on the farms.     

An advisory service for the occurrence of Phytophthora infestans on tomato in Emilia-Romagna region1

The Emilia-Romagna region is one of the leading areas in Italy for its high production of industrial tomatoes. A warning service for the occurrence of late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans has been operating for 3 years in the region. Its aim is to reduce the number of sprays which are usually carried out on tomato crops to prevent the disease (7–8 sprays depending on year and area). Climatic data from weather stations covering all the region is used by the warning service to inform farmers every week of the risk of disease occurrence and provide them with precise spray recommendations for blight control. A forecasting model based on climatic data (IPI Model; Infection Potential Index) has been elaborated by the Plant Protection Service of Emilia-Romagna region and is now used together with a network of unsprayed tomato plots and, in the high-risk areas, with aerobiological monitoring of P. infestans sporangia. The IPI Model uses daily data on temperature, RH and precipitation, and shows good reliability for ‘negative prognosis’ of the disease; the other forecasting parameters become more important when the risk is higher. This warning service has allowed growers to reduce sprays by 50% on average. Further reduction in treatments should be possible, especially in low blight-risk areas.     

中国农药“走出去”现状与趋势分析

我国是全球农药的生产和出口大国,农药的出口贸易对中国农药"走出去"有着重要的意义。本文介绍了我国农药当下"走出去"的现状,对农药出口所面临的机遇和挑战进行了探析,并就此提出了相应的策略与建议。