| For 2020 and newer grants, please go to https://grants.ipmcenters.org/ |
|---|
|
|
| Home Current RFAs PD User Guide Projects Login |
|
Funded Project |
|
Funding Program:
Regional IPM Competitive Grants - Northeastern |
|
Project Title:
Promoting IPM Implementation in Greenhouses: Banker Plants, Grower Education and an Assessment of Consumer Attitudes |
Project Directors (PDs):
|
|
Lead State: VT Lead Organization: University of Vermont |
| Extension Funding: $45,382 |
| Research Funding: $41,361 |
|
Start Date: May-15-2005 End Date: May-14-2008 |
|
Site/Commodity: greenhouse |
|
Area of Emphasis: banker plants, consumer education, outreach, biocontrol, biological control |
|
Summary:
This project will promote ways of reducing risks associated with the use of chemical insecticides by increasing opportunities to use biological control, and IPM education. First, we will assess the utility of banker plants for on-site production of predatory mites for control of spider mites on spring bedding plants. Banker plant systems provide a steady release of natural enemies into a crop, offering extended suppression of pests while reducing the cost and increasing the quality of the biocontrol agents. Second, many natural enemies are released innundatively into a crop, several times over a growing season. Shipping costs for these beneficials are considerable. We will determine whether cheaper shipping options, i.e., ground vs. overnight, impact the quality of the natural enemies received. We will also define a simple method to empower growers to perform their own quality control tests on mite shipments. Third, we will continue to develop and present innovative hands-on IPM workshops for growers in ME, NH and VT. Specialists from Europe and North America will participate, and results from our research will be incorporated into the program to aid technology transfer. Finally, we will perform a follow-up survey to measure changes in consumer attitudes and knowledge about IPM, and to see if our efforts to promote IPM have influenced the criteria people use when purchasing greenhouse-grown plants. This will follow a customer survey we will perform in 2005, which will be accompanied by the development and distribution of educational materials on IPM in the intervening years to raise public awareness and appreciation of the importance of IPM to them and the environment. Over time, consumer awareness will be critical to increase growers' use of non-pesticidal management tactics. If customers demand plants that with no (minimal) pesticide residues, growers will have to change their production practices. Together, these initiatives will promote a decreased reliance on toxic pesticides while creating an appreciation among growers' clientele about the benefits of IPM, and greater demand for plants grown using IPM practices.
Objectives: Research: 1. Evaluate the use of banker plants for production of predatory mites in spring bedding plants. 2. Assess the quality of natural enemy shipments received at different times of the year from Regional and National distributors. Extension: 1. Develop, organize, and conduct hands-on IPM training programs for greenhouse growers in ME, NH and VT. 2. Conduct follow-up surveys at garden centers in ME, NH and VT to determine changes in consumer attitudes and knowledge about IPM. Proposal USDA CRIS data Progress Report 2006 Progress Report 2007 Highlighted in July 2008 IPM Insights Final Report Final Report - Handouts |
| Close Window |
|
Northeastern IPM Center 340 Tower Road Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 NortheastIPM.org |
 |
Developed by the Center for IPM © Copyright CIPM 2004-2026 |
|