Demonstrating an integrated pest management strategy in forage- and seed-brassica crops using a collaborative approach

Abstract

An integrated pest management (IPM) strategy was compared with farmers' conventional pest management practices on twelve spring-and autumn-sown seed and forage brassica crops. Demonstration trials were conducted in Canterbury from spring 2015 to autumn 2017 by splitting farmers' paddocks in half and applying the two management approaches side by side. A farmer participatory approach was used, with management decisions based on monitoring pests and biological-control agents. Farmer and adviser training with a focus on monitoring and identification was carried out. Biological-control agents capable of contributing to pest control were identified in all brassica crops. There was a 35% reduction in the number of insecticides applied under IPM compared with conventional management, negligible crop yield differences, and the type of insecticides applied was different. IPM adoption at these farms was high by the end of the 3-year project with 11 of the 12 farmers implementing IPM across 90-100% of their brassica crops. This project was a starting point for an industry-wide change of practice to IPM, which has become more widespread since its completion.

Climate change impacts on pest ecology and risks to pasture resilience

“…In turn, this will increase the risk of insecticide resistance developing because diamondback moth has evolved resistance against all insecticide classes it has been exposed to (Shelton et al 1993;Liu et al 2003;Eziah et al 2008): New Zealand populations have a similar propensity (Cameron et al 1997;Walker et al 2012). Integrated pest management (IPM) is recommended to reduce reliance on insecticides, minimise the risk of resistance and maintain control of diamondback moth (Walker et al 2016;Horrocks et al 2018). For pastoral farmers who use forage brassicas regularly as part of their feed supply, particularly in cooler southern regions, greater awareness of this pest and careful consideration of control options to minimise the risk of insecticide resistance will become more important.…”

“…In turn, this will increase the risk of insecticide resistance developing because diamondback moth has evolved resistance against all insecticide classes it has been exposed to (Shelton et al 1993;Liu et al 2003;Eziah et al 2008): New Zealand populations have a similar propensity (Cameron et al 1997;Walker et al 2012). Integrated pest management (IPM) is recommended to reduce reliance on insecticides, minimise the risk of resistance and maintain control of diamondback moth (Walker et al 2016;Horrocks et al 2018). For collaris, but climate models and experiments suggest that D. semiclausum is more vulnerable to higher temperatures than diamondback moth and that this may lead to reduced parasitism rates in response to climate change (Dosdall et al 2012;Furlong & Zalucki 2017;Schreven et al 2017).…”

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Small-Scale Farms in Developed Economies: Challenges and Opportunities

“…Educational farm walks and tours have long been popular as Extension methods, and there is considerable scope for individual farmers to share their knowledge in this way, and perhaps to engage the wider community in collaborative in situ IPM trials. There is evidence that active involvement in such trials helps support the adoption of IPM by farmers and gardeners by reducing their use of broad-spectrum insecticides and increasing their incorporation of biological control [125,126,127]. While such activities usually require some input from professional IPM practitioners to support the participants, a linked network of such projects could leverage their involvement and extend their impact while minimizing costs.…”

Integrated management protocol for New Zealand endemic wheat bug (Nysius huttoni) in forage brassicas

“…The use of a trap plant in Brassica fields along with the use of less susceptible kale cultivars, and encouraging farmers to integrate these with other Integrated Pest management (IPM) strategies, such as biological, mechanical control, and the use of 'soft' chemicals, can reduce pest pressure and pesticide use (Horrocks et al, 2018). A pest management protocol can be developed using the two kale cultivars in a 'push-pull' pest management strategy (Khan et al, 2001).…”