Integrated Pest Management Project

DOWNLOAD – 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.