IPMnet NEWS April 2005, Issue no. 136 ISSN: 1523-7893 Š Copyright 2005 IPM NEWS --- international IPM news and programs UK Proposes Pesticide Strategy The UK agency dedicated to increasing pesticide safety and reducing negative impacts on the environment has launched an ambitious country-wide comments period/consultation on a proposed National Pesticides Strategy. The Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD), an agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), has crafted "A National Strategy for the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products" as part of a policy aimed at ideally minimizing environmental risk from pesticides without limiting crop protection benefits for growers and consumers. The Text is online at www.pesticides.gov.uk is soliciting "feedback" comments and views on the draft version from hundreds of organizations and individuals representing a broad sweep of interests that could be affected by adoption of the proposed strategy. The Directorate seeks information as to how the strategy might affect product availability, targeted use reduction, and related issues. As drafted, the strategy is intended to assist in formulating national policy covering all uses not just agricultural of crop protection products. Partial regulatory elements could well be one outcome of adoption, though establishment of specific pesticide reduction targets is not foreseen, according to public information. *> PSD, Mallard House, Kings Pool, 3 Peasholme Green, York, YO1 7PX, UK. Fax: 44-1904-455733. Phone: 44-1904-455775.information@psd.defra.gsi.gov.uk. thanks to Crop Protection Monthly for information. Fresh Produce Pest Management Boosted Several years of effort by U.S. growers of fresh (as opposed to processed) produce food crops and other entities have culminated in U.S. federal legislation supporting, among key features, new crop protection tools and pest management systems, as well as research for resolving the impact of foreign pest and disease invasions. According to a press release from the 3,000-member Western Growers Trade Association (WGA), the legislation the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act of 2004authorizes US million annually for five years and, "will ensure a reliable and safe food supply," plus be "an important
boost for the nation's health and nutrition," noted an association representative. Association members grow, pack, and ship 90 percent of the fresh vegetables and nearly 70 percent of the fresh fruits and nuts grown in Arizona and California, or about half the U.S.-grown produce. *> C. Nieto, Western Growers, PO Box 2130, Newport Beach, CA 92658, USA. CNieto@wga.com . Fax: 1-949-863-9028. Phone: 1-949-863-1000. Web: www.wga.com excerpted with thanks from a WGA press release. GLOBAL IPM SNAPSHOTS Ulex europaeus (gorse) seedlings were severely impacted by the combined effects of Sericothrips staphylinus (gorse thrips), Lolium perenne (ryegrass) competition, and simulated grazing (clipping). *-> J.T. Davies, Jamie.Davies@dpiwe.tas.gov.au. ยก@ Leaving an unsprayed area, or strip can be useful for evaluating herbicide performance, weed management, and possible crop impact. *-> C. Mardell, MardellC@canola-council.org. ยก@ Improving sanitation of banana fields in Uganda reduced damage by Cosmopolites sordidus (banana weevil), and increased both maturation rates and yields. *-> C.S. Gold, C.Gold@cgiar.org. ยก@ Research results show Cyrtobagous salviniae (salvinia weevil) to be an effective biocontrol for the pernicious invasive aquatic plant, Salvinia molesta (giant salvinia). *-> P.W. Tipping, PTipping@saa.ars.usda.gov. back to top IPM MEDLEY --- publications and other IPM information resources PUBLICATIONS PERUSED TWO RECENT TITLES FROM CRC PRESS Ecotoxicology expert J.H.V. Stenersen presents a concise, though wide ranging, treatise in CHEMICAL PESTICIDES * MODE OF ACTION AND TOXICOLOGY, an exploration of those oft used products endemic to a large portion of modern agriculture. The 276-page work not only dwells on how pesticides function, it objectively examines the tradeoffs between benefits from, and consequence of, usage. Beyond discussing action modes, chapters in the hardbound, 2004 volume also address important topics such as resistance, targeting (including misses), and "pesticides as environmental hazards" with special attention to the DDT controversy. A very short section crosses over into adjacent territory to introduce Bacillus thuringiensis, its toxins, and their operational chemistry. Even formula-phobes who will experience discomfort viewing the extensive organic chemical notation in this volume should find useful information in the text portions as well as the ample bibliography. While somewhat a field from IPM, per se, another new (2005) title introduces REGIONAL-SCALE RISK ASSESSMENT, THE RELATIVE RISK APPROACH, subject matter that could have a bearing in designing well balanced IPM programs. Editor W.G. Landis has selected a variety of international case studies based on the relative risk approach to demonstrate how it functions and its potential for developing useful information. This 301-page, hardbound guidebook is said to be a vehicle for designing a flexible management plan. *> CRC Press, 2000 NW Corporate Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA. Fax: 1-561-998-0876. orders@crcpress.com. ยก@
SPINY APPETITE or, "one insect's transformation from biocontrol hero to potentially devastating pest" could be the subtitle for a new (2004) title published by the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture. In 44 pages and more than four dozen full color illustrations, BIOLOGY, HISTORY, THREAT, SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL OF THE CACTUS MOTH, Cactoblastis cactorum, presents useful information about a single genus that spectacularly helped control various invasive Opuntia species in Australia and South Africa, but through natural, accidental, or possibly deliberate spread has now become a threat to natural stands of Opuntia spp. in the Americas as well as other dependent plants and animals, plus the industry based on various uses of prickly pear. After introducing the biology of C. cactorum authors H.G. Zimmermann, et al present a table of the insect's impact on various hosts, the locations, and the results. The softbound text next traces historic biocontrol events including what now is regarded as an ill-conceived dispersal to the Caribbean, with consequent threat to Mexico and other nations that utilize Opuntia species (approx. 120,000 Opuntia fruit growers in Mexico alone). Both PDFwww pdf and HTML versions are available. *> W. Enkerlin, FAO/IAEA, PO Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, AUSTRIA. Fax: 43-1-26007-21632. W.Enkerlin@iaea.org. WEB, PUBLICATION, CD, AND VIDEO NOTES PESTICIDE REGULATORY REPORT PUBLISHED A chart showing interesting trends in new pesticidal active ingredients (AIs) is but one item in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Office of Office of Pesticide Programs' FY 2004 ANNUAL REPORT. The chart, based on 1987-2004 data, shows a clear and steady decline in "conventional regular" AIs matched against a sharp upswing in "biological" AIs and more modest increased rates in both "conventional reduced-risk" and "antimicrobial" AIs. The report's title is, "Taking Care of Business: Protecting Public Health and the Environment," and the online version can be found at www.epa.gov A 32-pagehardcopy version includes an interactive CD-ROM with links to the same supporting documents linked to the online report.*> Q. Borges-Silva, OPP, USEPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460, USA. Phone: 1-703-305-5017.Borges-Silva.Quentin@epa.gov. ยก@ WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT REPORT Under the banner of "Innovative Solutions to Human-Wildlife Conflicts," the (U.S.) National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) has published ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2004, a 68-page illustrated summary of programs and their recent results. The illustrated, softbound work covers: developing methods; provision of wildlife services; valuing and investing in people; and, information and communication. Several featured projects relate to wildlife damage to agriculture. A web version of the document can be found at www.aphis.usda.gov click on "publications," then ?" under "annual accomplishments report." *> NWRC, 4101 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA. Fax: 1-970-266-6032. Phone: 1-970-266-6000.
¡@ CORN DISEASES (Spanish version) ENFERMEDADES DEL MAIZ: UNA GUIA PARA SU IDENTIFICACION EN EL CAMPO (4a edicion): El propósito de este manual es que sirva de guía a los técnicos agrícolas y los productores de maíz en el campo. Contiene descripciones y fotos de más de 50 enfermedades causadas por hongos, bacterias, virus y mollicutes, que afectan los cultivos de maíz en todo el mundo, e información básica sobre los patógenos y sus síntomas. Una clave para el diagnóstico facilita la rápida identificacióón de las enfermedades y sus efectos. En esta cuarta edición, se actualizó la nomenclatura y se agregaron nuevas enfermedades y datos relativos a éstas, así como fotos de mejor calidad. PDF. 119 paginas. www.cimmyt.cgiar.org *-> CIMMYT, Apdo. Postal 6-641, 06600 Mexico, D.F., MEXICO. LVillasenor@cgiar.org. Fax: 52-55-5804-7558. ¡@ ESCAPED GARDEN PLANTS BECOME PROBLEMS A recently published report reveals that 40 percent of the most troublesome "weeds" for Australia's farms and livestock industry have escaped from Australian gardens resulting in huge costs. The straightforward 2005 report, JUMPING THE GARDEN FENCE Invasive Garden Plants in Australia and their Environmental and Agricultural Impacts, was prepared by senior scientists and commissioned by WWF-Australia. In its 173 pages the document examines impacts of invasive "garden plants" on both agriculture and natural ecosystems; species known as garden plants were found to comprise 70 percent of Australia's total (agricultural, noxious, and natural ecosystem) weed population; their cost to the country, a breath-taking estimated A billion annually. Authors R.H. Groves, et al, note that most of the escaped plants were originally introduced for ornamental horticulture and, despite laws and publicity, "many serious environmental and agricultural weeds continue to be imported into Australia," and offered for sale. The report, freely downloaded from www.wwf.org.au (scroll down) names key offending species and calls for stricter monitoring and enforcement. *> WWF-Australia, Level 13, 235 Jones St., Ultimo, NSW2007, AUSTRALIA. Fax: 61-612-9281-1060. VDew@wwf.org.au. NON-CHEMICAL WEEDING VIDEO The Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute (CRMPI) has prepared a 30 minute video, "Natural Controls for Noxious Weeds," said to document the advantages of using non-chemical weed control methods. Beyond explaining weed problems, the narrative presents several successful programs involving biological, manual, and cultural control. Copies of the video can be ordered. *> CRMPI, PO Box 631, Basalt, CO 81621, USA. Phone/fax: 1-970-927-4158. Jerome@crmpi.org. PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES INTEGRATED WEED MGMT.
(IWM) POST-DOC, Dijon, FRANCE * Develop a multi-criteria assessment of cropping systems focusing on control of weed infestations and reduction of environmental impacts. * REQUIRES: PhD in an IWM-related discipline; excellent writing skill; broad interest in IPM; familiarity with environmental impact assessment methods; French and English speaking and writing ability. * CONTACT: N.M. Munier-Jolain, INRA, UMR BGA,BP 86510, 21065 Dijon Cedex, FRANCE. Fax: 33-0-380-69-3222.MunierJ@dijon.inra.fr. EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, & SERVICES CENTER OFFERS APPLICATION EXPERTISE Operating from a laboratory packed with pesticide application equipment and the latest scientific devices for conducting impartial evaluations, The International Pesticide Application Research Centre (IPARC) in the UK has been a global leader for improving pesticide application research for over four decades. Activities of the Centre, a unit of Imperial College (London), focus on the overall mission of providing "safe and efficient application for chemical and biological pest management." In recent years, IPARC has evolved and broadened its mandate to include biopesticides, and to emphasize, "practical and cost-effective techniques to manage pests, while reducing the use of chemical pesticides and promoting the efficacy of natural processes and alternative biological agents," such as delivery systems for entomo-pathogenic nematodes and improved spore separation and formulation techniques for mycopesticides, according to published information. In addition to hardware research, evaluation, and development, IPARC manages an active training component that draws participants from throughout the world, and particularly from developing nations. Innovations such as the rotary controlled droplet applicator, trailing booms, and knapsack-style application equipment have evolved at IPARC to assist in "applying less pesticide more safely by spraying more efficiently." The Centre has notably specialized in the needs of small-holder farmers and application techniques for managing migrant pests and vectors. *> D.J. Wright, IPARC, Biol. Sci., Imperial College, Silwood Park, Ascot, Berks SL5 &PY, UK. D.Wright@ic.ac.uk. Fax: 44-0-20-7594-2339. Phone: 44-0-20-7594-2248.Web: www.dropdata.net NOTABLE & QUOTABLE Judging Aliens . "Given that the impacts from alien species can be direct, indirect, cumulative and/or complex, unexpected, surprising and counter-intuitive, and that they often only show after considerable lag times, any alien species must be considered 'guilty' until proven 'innocent,' where the risk of becoming invasive is concerned." M. De Poorter and M. Clout, ALIENS, 19/20, 2004. ยก@ Crop Disease Resistance . "The success of fungicides in the recent past has tended to reduce the importance of breeding for disease resistance in cereals and alternative disease management practices. Because of the
development of fungicide resistance and the lack of new active compounds, disease control could eventually be compromised. Future sustainable disease control requires an integrated approach that exploits diversity in host plant resistance genes, chemicals, and alternative agents such as plant defense activators and biological control agents." Rothamsted Research, Annual Report 2003-2004. back to top IPM RESEARCH/TECHNICAL PAPERS --- categories and topics related to IPM THIS MONTH'S SELECTED TITLES Phytopathology "Biology and Biocontrol Potential of Ampelomyces Mycoparasites, Natural Antagonists of Powdery Mildew Fungi," Kiss, L., et al. * BIOCON. SCI. AND TECH., 14(7), 635-651, November 2004.. "Risk Assessment for Engineered Bacteria Used in Biocontrol of Fungal Disease in Agricultural Crops," Timms-Wilson, T.M., et al. * PLANT AND SOIL, 266(1-2), 57-67, January 2005. Weed Science "Ecology of Interaction Between Weeds and Arthropods," Norris, R.F., and M. Kogan. * ANN. REV. OF ENTOM., 50, 479-503, 2005. "How to Model the Effects of Farming Practices on Weed Emergence," Colbach, N., et al. * WEED RSRCH., 45(1), 2-17, February 2005. Entomology "Effective Trapping Methods for Assessing Invertebrates in Vineyards," Thompson, L.J., et al. * AUSTRAL. JRNL. OF EXP. AGRIC., 44(9), 947-953, October 2004. "Influences of Fertilization on Aphis gossypii and Insecticide Usage," Chau, A., et al. * JRNL. OF APPLD. ENTOM., 129(2), 89-97, March 2005. Bt Sub-section "The Impact of Transgenic Plants on Natural Enemies: A Critical Review of Laboratory Studies," Lovei, G.L., and S. Arpaia. * ENTOMOLOGIA EXP. ET APPLI., 114(1), 1-14, January 2005. Vertebrate Management "Successful Eradication of Invasive Rodents from a Small Island through Pulsed Baiting Inside Covered Stations," Orueta, J.F., et al. * BIOL. INVASIONS, 7(1), 141-147, January 2005. General "Methyl Bromide Alternatives for Weed and Soilborne Disease Management in Tomato Lycopersicon esculentum ," Gilreath, J.P., and B.M. Santos. * CROP PROT., 23(12), 1193-1198, December 2004. "The Behavioural Response of Slugs and Snails to Novel Molluscicides, Irritants and Repellents," Schuder, I., et al. * PEST MGMT. SCI., 60(12), 1171-1177, December 2004. back to top U.S. REGIONAL IPM CENTERS AND THE IPM-CRSP --- news, developments Program Emphasizes Partnerships
The Michigan State University IPM program has published its 2004 ANNUAL REPORT under the theme of "generating partnerships to bring better pest management to Michigan." Throughout the 12-page document, boxes list partner departments and organizations involved with various activities coordinated through the IPM program. The attractively designed report naturally stresses the state's prominent tree fruit industry and its focus on an area-wide systems approach to pest management. Another section reports on, "sustainable IPM [that] includes organic options." The annual report, which can be found at www.ipm.msu.edu doubles as vol. 11, no. 1, Spring 2005 of the program's periodic communication "The IPM Report."*> MSU IPM Program, B18, Food Safety & Tox. Bldg., Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. BrewerM@msu.edu Phone: 1-517-353-4951. thanks to J.N. Landis for information. IPM Program Awards Planning Grants Seventeen planning grants to develop international IPM activities ranging from attacking potato diseases in East Africa to designing IPM programs for fragile ecosystem perennials in Latin America and Caribbean were recently announced by the U.S. Agency for International Development funded IPM Collaborative Research Support Program (IPM-CRSP). In all, eleven regional planning grants, five global theme planning proposal grants, and one impact assessment grant were awarded, according to the CRSP's management entity. Program partners currently include20 U.S. educational institutions with additional as yet to be named national and international groups expected to become involved. The planning grants were awarded to bidders for use in a two-step process of articulating programmatic conception, followed by seeking out additional collaborating entities to include in fully fleshed out proposals due for review later this year. A listing of initial proposal preparation grant winners and partner institutions can be found at: www.ag.vt.edu IPM CRSP, 2270 Litton Reaves Hall, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0334, USA. Fax: 1-540-231-3519. Phone: 1-540-231-3516.ipm-dir@vt.edu. thanks to M. Rich and E.A. Heinrichs for information. back to top U.S. AID's IPM-Collaborative Research Support Program (IPM CRSP) back to top IPMNET CALENDAR --- recent additions and revisions to a comprehensive global (N)ew or [R]evised Entries (only) 2005 (N) 24-25 May * REGISTRATION OF AGROCHEMICALS IN EUROPE, Brussels, BELGIUM. Contact: L. Beachus, IBC, Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer St., London W1T 3JH, UK. cust.serv@informa.com. Fax: 44-0-1932-893893. Phone: 44-0-1932-893856. Web: www.ibc 20-24 June * SHORT COURSE: AGROECOLOGICAL PEST MANAGEMENT IN THE PRODUCTION SYSTEM, Havana, CUBA. Contact: L.L. Vazquez, INISAV, CP 11600, Habana, CUBA. LVazquez@inisav.cu. Fax: 537-202-9366. Web: www.inisav.cu. 25-28 June * 2ND ASIAN CONFERENCE ON PLANT PATHOLOGY, Singapore, SINGAPORE. Contact:
ACPP, c/o Integrated Meetings Specialist, 1122A Serangoon Rd., Singapore 328206, SINGAPORE. acpp2005@inmeet.com.sg. Fax: 65-629-55792. Web: www.2ndacpp.org. Phone: 65-629-55790. (N) 05-07 October * 26TH CONGRESO ASOCIACION COLOMBIANA DE FITOPATOLOGIA Y CIENCIAS AFINES (ASCOLFI), Bogota, COLOMBIA. Contact: ASCOLFI, Calle 37A, #27-33, Palmira, Valle, COLOMBIA. ascolfi@telesat.com.co. Fax: 92-275-0557. Web: www.telesat.com.co 26-29 November * 3RD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON IPM ROLE IN INTEGRATED CROP MANAGEMENT AND IMPACTS ON ENVIRONMENT & AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS, Giza, EGYPT. Contact: A.A. Hamed, Prog. Comm. Chair, 7 Nadi El-Seid St., Dokki, Giza, EGYPT. Fax: 20-336-5175. Phone: 20-337-2193. plant_protection@hotmail.com. Web: www.arabscientist.org (N) 22-26 May * 20TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON VIRUS AND VIRUS-LIKE DISEASES OF TEMPERATE FRUIT CROPS, and 11TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM OF SMALL FRUIT VIRUS DISEASES, Antalya, TURKEY. Contact: K. Caglayan, Plant Prot. Dept., Mustafa Kemal Univ., 31034 Antakya-Hatay, TURKEY. Fax: 90-326-245-5832. Caglayan@mku.edu.tr. Phone: 90-326-245 5836. (N) 20-26 August * 8TH INTERNATIONAL MYCOLOGICAL CONGRESS, Cairns, AUSTRALIA. Contact: C. Pearce, DPI, PO Box 652, Cairns, QLD 4870, AUSTRALIA. Ceri.Pearce@dpi.qld.gov.au. Fax: 61-7-4035-5474. Phone: 61-7-4044-1642. (N) 11-14 September * 7TH INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF CHROMOLAENA AND MIKANIA, Pingtung/ Taiwan, REPUBLIC OF CHINA. Contact: R. Muniappan, AES, Univ. of Guam, Mangilao, Guam 96923, USA. Fax: 1-671-734-6842. RMuni@uog9.uog.edu. Phone: 1-671-735-2142. (N) 19-22 November * 9TH ARAB CONGRESS OF PLANT PROTECTION, Damascus, SYRIA. Contact: S. Al-Chabi, GSCAR, PO Box 113, Douma, SYRIA. S.Shaabi@acpp-sy.org. Web: www.9acpp * 2010 No (N) ew or [R]evised listings to report for these years.