Integrated Pest Management

Nebraska Conservation Planning Sheet No. 10 revised August 2011

What is Integrated Pest Scouting for pest, including Management (IPM)? weeds, diseases & insects, a IPM is not a single method but, rather, a series of pest key component of IPM management evaluations, decisions and controls. The two primary goals of IPM are to prevent environmental risks if possible and then to mitigate environmental risks that cannot be prevented. The practice is site-specific in nature, based on approaches suited for a particular crop, pest & location. Where to Get Help IPM strategies (Prevention, IPM is managing to limit For assistance in planning an IPM Avoidance, Monitoring and agricultural pests. It reduces adverse system, contact local NRCS office, Suppression or “PAMS”) shall be effects on plant growth, crop Extension office, or a private crop incorporated into the planning production, and the environments. consultant. process and employed to prevent or When possible, cultural methods, Requirements of IPM mitigate pest management risk for such as crop rotations, are used to A comprehensive IPM plan identified natural resource concerns. reduce use. By reducing the utilizing “PAMS” strategies will be IPM combines biological, cultural, need for , the potential for developed to document how pest and other alternatives to chemical surface and ground-water management risks will be prevented or control with the planned use of contamination is reduced. mitigated. IPM must be crop and/or pesticides to keep pest populations IPM utilizes chemical methods land use specific and adhere to below damaging levels, while only when needed. When pesticides applicable elements and guidelines minimizing harmful effects of pest are used, the pesticide is selected accepted by the University of control on humans and natural based on how well it controls the Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL). resources. pest(s) and the potential of the IPM strategies shall be employed to IPM is environmentally responsible pesticide to be lost in the environment. prevent or mitigate risks identified & economically practical crop Where the Practice Applies natural resource concerns. protection. This practice applies on all land For identified water quality How it Helps the Land where weeds, insects, diseases, concerns related to pesticide leaching, Conservation of environmental animals and other organisms solution runoff and adsorbed runoff, quality (i.e. water, air, soil, wildlife (including invasive and non-invasive the current version of the USDA- and plant life) is an important species) pose a threat to the NRCS WIN-PST program will be element of integrated pest designated land use. used to evaluate potential risk to management. Herbaceous Weed Control (Code humans and/or fish, as appropriate, for Practices that maintain 315) includes the treatment of each pesticide to be used. environmental quality can conserve invasive, noxious and prohibited Additional mitigation techniques natural enemies that may help lower plants. shall be employed when WIN-PST Woody (non-herbaceous or non- pest threats of target insects. IPM Soil/Pesticide Interaction Hazard succulent) plants including those that techniques that minimize Ratings are intermediate or higher and are invasive & noxious shall be treated environmental impact will contribute if planned conservation practices do through Brush Management practice to the stability of agricultural not provide adequate mitigation. (Code 314). systems.

PAMS Techniques • When necessary to use chemical 8. When warranted, additional IPM guidelines can be obtained controls, consider the following to monitoring plans for prevention from the UNL or Cooperative determine the potential impact on when pesticides are applied. Extension or may be supplemented water quality: 9. Method for record keeping. from appropriately certified o Pesticide efficacies, meaning IPM Record Keeping professionals. Refer to UNL that the product chosen will All applicable records must be publications for guidance on crop successfully full fill the kept for at least three years or longer if specific IPM strategies. intended results. required by local, state, or federal Example IPM Prevention, o Pesticide characteristics such regulations and include: Avoidance, Monitoring, and as solubility, toxicity, • Monitoring or scouting results Suppression techniques include: degradation products, mobility, including the date, pest persistence, adsorption; and • Prevention includes the use of population / degree of infestation, relationships to site pest-free seeds and transplants, and the crop or plant community characteristics such as soil, cleaning tillage and harvesting condition. geology, depth to water tables • When & where each pest equipment between fields, and and proximity to surface water. suppression technique was appropriate cultural practices. Site conditions, such as slope, o implemented. • Avoidance includes the use of pest climate; and sensitive areas. • When & where special IPM resistant crop varieties, transgenic • Consider selecting pesticides that crops, crop rotations, pesticide techniques were implemented to are less hazardous to human health. rotation, trap crops for pests, mitigate site-specific risks (i.e. • Consider present soil moisture, planting dates, nutrient and water soil incorporation of a pesticide to anticipated weather conditions, and management, and other cultural reduce its surface runoff to a irrigation plans to achieve the options to prevent pests from nearby stream.). greatest efficacy and reduce reaching economically damaging • Pests being treated, pesticides potential for offsite transport. levels. applied, sketch or map of area • Consider method of pesticide • Monitoring includes pest scouting, being treated, and all such as ground or aerial crop monitoring, soil testing for applications (NE-CPA-29 or NE- spraying, chemigation, wicking, nutrients, soil water monitoring, CPA-39). application of granules, etc., and weather monitoring to target because the degree of drift and Restricted Use Pesticide Record suppression activities at the volatilization will vary considerably Keeping appropriate time and ensure that by method. In addition to the above, restricted pesticide applications are based on Plans & Specifications use pesticide application records economic thresholds. Monitoring include the following and any The IPM plan shall be prepared in also ensures that cultural and additional records required by federal, accordance with the criteria of this biological techniques are state or local laws and regulations for standard and shall describe the appropriate. pesticide application. • Suppression includes cultural, requirements for applying the practice • Brand/product name biological, and chemical controls to to achieve its intended purpose. • EPA registration number manage pest populations at an The IPM plan shall include at a • Total amount of RUP applied economic level. When appropriate minimum: • utilize non-chemical options such 1. Purpose/Goals/Objectives, Crop/site treated as mechanical-cultural methods, 2. Plan map & soil map of affected • Field location including cultivation and early area, • Acres treated harvest and/or biological controls. 3. Location of sensitive areas, • Application date 4. WIN-PST Soil/Pesticide • IPM Considerations Name of certified applicator Interaction Hazard Report (for • Certification number The following IPM principles each planned pesticide and major Operation, maintenance, and should be considered when soil type in pest management appropriate: area) as applicable, safety • Adequate plant nutrients & soil 5. Identification of appropriate Maintain records of pest moisture, including favorable pH & mitigation techniques required for management for at least three years. soil quality, can reduce plant stress, the resource concern based on the Review and update the plan improve plant vigor & increase final risk rating in the WIN-PST periodically to incorporate new IPM plant’s overall ability to tolerate Soil/Pesticide Interaction Hazard technology, respond to cropping pests. Ratings (See Tables I & II of NE system and pest complex changes, • On irrigated land, irrigation water Tech Note 110), and avoid the development of pest management should be designed to 6. Prevention & Avoidance resistance. avoid conditions conductive to activities, Maintain mitigation techniques disease development & minimize 7. Scouting plan & threshold levels identified in the plan in order to off-site contaminant movement. for each pest, ensure continued effectiveness. Develop a safety plan for search/QuickSearch/ needed to eliminate storing and individuals exposed to chemicals, Pay special attention to all disposing of excess. Triple rinse including telephone numbers & environmental hazards and site- pesticide containers and empty the websites of emergency treatment specific application criteria listed water used to rinse pesticide centers; and the telephone number for on pesticide labels and contained in containers into the spray tank. the nearest poison control center (See Extension and crop consultant Post signs around sites that have Table III, NE Tech Note 110). recommendations. been treated and pesticide storage Pesticide applications shall follow Follow label requirements for areas according to label directions label instructions and UNL mixing/ loading and application and/or Federal, State, and local laws. recommendations. setbacks from wells, intermittent Follow restricted entry intervals after Replace worn nozzle tips, streams and rivers, natural or application. cracked hoses, and faulty gauges. impounded ponds and lakes, or Pesticides shall be stored in Calibrate application equipment reservoirs. original labeled containers according to UNL Extension When adding water to spray tanks, according to label requirements. guidelines and/or manufacturer keep air space between water supply Dispose of leftover pesticides and recommendations before each hose and spray tank to prevent back- container according to label seasonal use and with each major siphoning of pesticide mixture into requirements and never reuse them for chemical change. water supply. Always monitor the other purposes. Consider recycling Additional O&M, Safety for filling of spray tanks to prevent containers at pesticide waste collection sites. Pesticide Use overflows or back-siphoning. Applications made through Return unopened pesticides to the All pesticide users are encouraged supplier. to obtain training to become certified irrigation systems will follow state and local laws and regulations including All pesticide application records in pesticide application even if they do shall be in accordance with Nebraska not apply restricted use pesticides. chemigation requirements administered by the Natural Resources Department of (NDA) and Pesticide labels have signal words USDA Agricultural Marketing indicating how toxic they are to District (NRD). When chemigating, users must Service’s Pesticide Record Keeping humans: Program. “Danger/Poison” skull and cross obtain necessary permits from the bones appear on labels of pesticides local NRD. All chemigation systems For more information refer to NRCS considered highly toxic. must be equipped with the Nebraska Field Office Technical “Warning” appears on labels of appropriate safety equipment to Guide (eFOTG) Section IV, pesticides that are moderately toxic. prevent backflow of chemicals into Conservation Practice Standard– “Caution” appears on labels of the water source. Integrated Pest Management, pesticides that are slightly toxic to Pesticides used in chemigation (595) at http://efotg.nrcs.usda.gov/ relatively non-toxic. shall be labeled for this method of efotg_locator.aspx?map=NE, or visit application. your local NRCS office. Maintain appropriate Material Accurately measure and mix all Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). pesticides. Mix only the amount www.greenbook.net/

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