A survey conducted at the recent Crops and Spraying open day at Teagasc, Oak Park, found that the majority of Irish growers practise some form of integrated pest management (IPM). However, the survey indicates that they may not recognise those practices as IPM.
The survey conducted by Henry Creissen, a post-doctoral research scientist at Oak Park, indicates that careful consideration is being paid to the selection of appropriate crop varieties. It found that the Department’s recommended list has the greatest influence on variety choice, followed by adviser recommendation and past performance.
Rotation is also a form of pest management and the survey found that less than 10% of farmers do not practise any form of arable rotation. It also indicated that approximately two-thirds of growers regularly adjust pesticide inputs in response to a perceived pest threat. And a similar number frequently assess pesticide performance.
There are many different IPM techniques available and it is up to the grower and adviser to decide which are most appropriate to a specific situation. IPM techniques include preventative measures, such as the selection of resistant crops and cultural control techniques, and reactive measures, such as the adjustment of a pesticide programme to meet specific threats.
This survey was conducted as part of a four-year Department-funded project, which aims to improve awareness and adoption of IPM techniques by Irish growers. The findings indicate that IPM is being practised at levels higher then were perceived. However, more detailed surveys are planned in the years ahead to help better understand further potential for IPM in Irish cereal production systems.
A survey conducted at the recent Crops and Spraying open day at Teagasc, Oak Park, found that the majority of Irish growers practise some form of integrated pest management (IPM). However, the survey indicates that they may not recognise those practices as IPM.
The survey conducted by Henry Creissen, a post-doctoral research scientist at Oak Park, indicates that careful consideration is being paid to the selection of appropriate crop varieties. It found that the Department’s recommended list has the greatest influence on variety choice, followed by adviser recommendation and past performance.
Rotation is also a form of pest management and the survey found that less than 10% of farmers do not practise any form of arable rotation. It also indicated that approximately two-thirds of growers regularly adjust pesticide inputs in response to a perceived pest threat. And a similar number frequently assess pesticide performance.
There are many different IPM techniques available and it is up to the grower and adviser to decide which are most appropriate to a specific situation. IPM techniques include preventative measures, such as the selection of resistant crops and cultural control techniques, and reactive measures, such as the adjustment of a pesticide programme to meet specific threats.
This survey was conducted as part of a four-year Department-funded project, which aims to improve awareness and adoption of IPM techniques by Irish growers. The findings indicate that IPM is being practised at levels higher then were perceived. However, more detailed surveys are planned in the years ahead to help better understand further potential for IPM in Irish cereal production systems.
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