Maine potato growers have a lot on their minds. They need to manage their
business, keep a watchful eye on pests, and protect a crop that's worth
$130 million annually. It could be hard to sleep at night, if it weren't
for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Potato IPM Program.
Maine's potato IPM program relies on people, publications, and technology
to reduce pesticide use while maximizing crop yields. At its core is a
multidisciplinary
team of specialists and seasonal employees who work with 200 cooperators
in the major production areas of the state. These producers benefit from
computer-assisted pesticide recommendations derived from data collected
by 150 small weather stations. A computer modeling program uses the data
to predict the development of disease, allowing growers to adjust their
fungicide spray schedules to disease pressure. In 1991, potato growers reduced
the fungicide load statewide by 48 tons. In 1994, disease forecasting combined
with a red postcard "warning system" to growers prevented millions
of dollars in losses from late blight.
State IPM Coordinator
James F. Dill
491 College Avenue
UMCE
Orono, ME 04473 1295
207-581 3879; jdill@umce.umext.maine.edu
return to IPM in the Northeast Region 1996 Report, Table
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