Everything You Wanted to Know About Biological Controls... But Were Afraid to Ask
Florida Sustainable Agriculture Survey Yields IPM Results
by Dr. Marilyn Swisher, Associate Professor of Home
Economics
In late 1994, IFAS completed a major Florida Sustainable Agriculture Survey in which the majority of Florida's dairy, beef, vegetable, citrus, and ornamental producers were interviewed. Dr. Marilyn Swisher, Associate Professor of Home Economics, coordinated survey efforts.
Contributors to the survey included the IFAS Departments of Animal Science, Agronomy, Dairy and Poultry Science, Horticultural Sciences, Environmental Horticulture, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Entomology and Nematology, and Soil and Water Science. Also, the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, the Florida Farm Bureau, and the Florida Nurserymen & Growers Association were surveyed, as well as every Research and Education Center in the state.
The objectives of the survey were to gain information on farm management practices during the last 10 years and to improve future IFAS research and extension programs. The 1994 Sustainable Agriculture Survey provided additional information on the state of adoption of IPM practices by Florida tomato, potato, sweet corn, and wholesale ornamental producers.
Florida Vegetable Producers Adopt IPM
Most of Florida's potato, sweet corn, and tomato growers have adopted IPM programs. The survey indicates that IPM has been adopted in over 80% of Florida's acreage of these vegetables. The management of pest problems through IPM strategies includes a combination of biological, cultural, and chemical controls.
Included in this is the scouting for pests, which consist of insects, diseases, nematodes, and weeds. Control methods rely on a combination of appropriate techniques, including the use of natural enemies, planting of resistant varieties, and the limited use of pesticides, among others.
Scouting
Scouting by professional or in-house scouts to determine crop condition is essential for IPM to function properly. An accurate identification of the pest and the beneficial is necessary before any control measures are taken. All of the potato acreage in the tri-county area (Putnam, St. Johns, and Flagler) is scouted. Most of the sweet corn and tomato acreage in Florida (83% and 86%, respectively) is also scouted. Table 1 shows the total vegetable acreage currently under IPM programs.
| Desired IPM Practice | Potato (1) | Sweet Corn | Tomato |
| Total planted acreage (2) | 24,775 (40,100) (3) | 50,100 | 51,300 |
| Scout over 75% of total acreage | 24,775 acres | 41,580 | 44,120 acres |
| 100% | 83% | 86% | |
| Of those, scout for insect pests | 24,030 acres | 48,100 acres | 49,760 acres |
| 97% | 96% | 97% | |
| Of those, scout for diseases | 24,775 acres | 46,090 acres | 49,760 acres |
| Of those, scout for nematodes | 7,430 acres | 12,520 acres | 16,420 acres |
| 30% | 25% | 32% | |
| Of those, scout for weeds | 10,900 acres | 35,570 acres | 27,190 acres |
| 44% | 71% | 53% | |
| Base insect pest management decisions on scouting reports | 16,850 acres | 35,070 acres | 41,550 acres |
| Base disease management decisions on scouting reports | 13,130 acres | 38,570 acres | 41,550 acres |
| 53% | 77% | 81% | |
| Base nematode management decisions on scouting reports | 2,970 acres | 33,570 acres | 12,820 acres |
| 12% | 67% | 25% | |
| Base weed management decisions on scouting reports | 2,970 acres | 41,580 acres | 20,520 acres |
| 12% | 83% | 40% | |
| ** Data from Sustainable Agriculture
Surveys conducted by IFAS in 1993-1994 (1) Data from Putnam, St. Johns and Flagler Counties (2) 1993 Florida Agricultural Facts, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (3) Total potato acreage in Florida |
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These scouting reports include insect pests in potato (97%), sweet corn (96%), and tomato (97%). Producers also rely heavily on scouting for early identification of diseases in potato (100%), sweet corn (92%), and tomato (97%).
Nematodes are a problem in many Florida soils, so scouting is not as important in potato (30%), sweet corn (25%), and tomato (32%) fields. Scouting for weeds is also important in sweet corn (71%), tomato (53%), and potato (44%).
Management Decisions Based on Scouting Reports
Most of the potato, sweet corn, and tomato producers in Florida base their pest management decisions on these scouting reports. Of those producers who say that they base their management decisions on the scouting reports more than 75% of the time, the tomato and sweet corn producers are the most apt to follow the recommendations.
Tomato growers rely heavily on scouting reports in their insect and disease decisions (81%), their weed (40%), and nematode problems (25%). Sweet corn producers use scouting reports for weed (83%), disease (77%), insect (70%), and nematode (67%) management decisions. Potato growers primarily base their insect management decisions (68%) and disease (53%) management decisions on scouting reports. Nematode and weed problem decisions based on scouting reports are fewer (12% each).
Florida Commercial Ornamental Nurseries Adopt IPM
Integrated pest management techniques are not as well developed in the ornamental nursery industry as for some. Many growers are showing increased sophistication in certain IPM practices. The survey shows that improvement, especially in pesticide use, has been made. Of the 7420 certified nurseries in Florida, 77% of the growers check for diseases daily. Scouting for diseases can reduce pesticide use because growers can detect problems early. Almost all of the growers (92%) apply pesticides only when the need is determined. Calendar applications of pesticides have been virtually eliminated.
Several growers have started using the new IFAS Supplement to the Pest Control Guide. This publication helps growers determine which of the recommended pesticides for a particular pest has the lowest probability of moving into surface and/or water supplies. Thirty-eight percent use it sometimes or regularly. Use should increase as more growers are trained in its use.
Other IPM Surveys
The results of the 1994 Florida Sustainable Agriculture Survey show that Florida farmers have made significant strides toward adopting Best Management Practices designed to maintain profitability and, at the same time, help protect Florida's natural resources. The adoption of integrated pest management practices provides a good example.
Other IPM surveys are currently under way in Florida. Dr. Norm Nesheim and Michael Aerts of the Pesticide Information Office, IFAS, are working with the Strawberry Growers Association to determine which pesticides are being used and which IPM techniques are practiced. Beginning last April, 150 strawberry growers, primarily in Hillsborough and Manatee Counties, were interviewed. As soon as the data are tabulated, survey results will be available.
A statewide survey on IPM practices in the ornamental industry is in the initial planning stage. Dr. Nesheim is working with Dr. Don Short, of Entomology and Nematology, and Alan Hodges, of Food and Resource Economics, to conduct the survey. Ornamental growers will be surveyed on which pests are problems, which pesticides are used, and which IPM practices are used.