IPM Alert System for Arborist, Landscape Managers and Nursery Managers

Speaker: Stanton Gill, Regional Specialist, Central Maryland Research and Education Center, University of Maryland Cooperative Extension

Abstract:

Project title: IPM Alert System for Arborist, Landscape Managers and Nursery Managers - Expanding Adoption of IPM Through Rapid Pinpointing of Insect and Diseases in the Nursery and Landscape with a Grower Electronic Network

Project coordinator: Stanton A. Gill, Regional Specialist, Central Maryland Research and Education Center, University of Maryland Cooperative Extension,
Team members:
Paula Shrewsbury, Entomology Specialist, Department of Entomology
University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, College Park, MD,
Ethel Dutky, Pathology Specialist, Department of Entomology, University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, College Park, MD,
Suzanne Klick, technician ,
Chuck Schuster, Extension Educator, University of Maryland Cooperative Extension
Montgomery County Office,
Ginny Rosenkranz, Extension educator, University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, Wicomico County office
Involved in project: 400 members of Landscape Contractors Association, Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association, Maryland Arborist Association, Professional Ground Maintenance Society, Frederick Association of Landscaper and Nursery Managers.

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The University of Maryland Cooperative Extension has developed a rapid electronic IPM dispersal system that improve IPM method adoption for approximately 400, landscape management managers, nursery managers, arborist and 5 professional IPM scouts in Maryland , District of Columbia and Northern Virginia..
Issue :
Arborist, landscape managers and nursery managers need to a have a near real time reporting system in place so they have knowledge of insects and diseases activity and make information decisions on the best IPM control strategies. Many green industry professionals are adopting IPM methods, but need help expanding their efforts. They need help in pinpointing insect and disease most susceptible stages and selecting reduced risk pesticide control options.

Brief narrative
The electronic IPM Alert System is based on integrating stakeholder participating in an e-mail, electronic pictures, and website rapid transfer of pest activity and IPM information. This system provides an electronic means for sharing immediate insect and disease outbreak alerts, near real-time, precise lifecycle information , forecast, and other timely information between growers, landscape managers, arborist, IPM scouts, Extension professionals and researchers. The system encourages precise decision –making by stakeholders. Events to be reported include insect and disease development status and build-up, phenological plant correlation, degree day information, levels of biocontrol agents, and other pest-related occurrences..

This system helps green industry professionals embrace a program that allows them to input information that benefits themselves and others in the green industries in improving insect and disease control through an IPM approach.
In 2004 we electronically published three trial weekly issues in Spanish to reach the Spanish speaking workers. We are applying for a Northeast IPM grant to expand this effort in 2005.
Action

Ø Active and inter-active participation of 400 professional horticulturist in program
Ø Integration of Email, electronic pictures and Web sites information exchange.
Ø Near-real time pest warnings, life stages of insects and life cycles of disease.
Ø Facility to share pest news locally and regionally.
Ø Features: Pest alerts notices, electronic, color pictures of pests and beneficials, low risk pesticide options, beneficial organisms, plant phenology, and local degree day information.
Outcomes and Impacts
Participants were electronically surveyed in 2004 with 80 filling our survey. Results showed:
Ø Improved IPM decision making and better management actions by arborists, landscape managers and nursery managers.
Ø Increase awareness of beneficial organisms.
Ø Increase selection of low-risk pesticides which have minimal impact on beneficial organisms.
Ø Better timing of applications for control of disease and insects.

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