Project Overview
Annual Reports
Commodities
Practices
- Education and Training: demonstration, networking
- Pest Management: biological control, chemical control
- Sustainable Communities: public participation
Proposal abstract:
The goals of this project are to evaluate the potential for Arizona-native and commercial entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) as an alternative tool for use in desert and semi-desert integrated pest management (IPM) systems, and to educate growers and the Arizona agricultural community about EPN and to seek stakeholder input on their potential future role in IPM programs. To effectively implement EPN for the control of low-desert insect pests in the US, some basic research needs to be established. To accomplish these goals I will focus on several lettuce insect pests as a model system.
Project objectives from proposal:
Specific objectives of this proposal are:
Research Objectives
1) Evaluate EPN efficacy in combination with chemical insecticides in laboratory and greenhouse studies.
2) Conduct field trials to evaluate field efficacy of EPN in combination with chemical insecticides.
Education/Outreach Objectives
3)Develop a statewide extension program aimed at raising grower and pest control advisor (PCA) awareness and knowledge of EPN.
4)Conduct stakeholder input sessions to develop information on how to effectively integrate EPN into future IPM programs.