Pesticide Applications:
Insecticide applications should be made only when necessary. For control of diseases, fungicides are most effective when applied before disease begins to increase. The potential for very rapid increase is greatest shortly before harvest when the canopy is most dense or anytime during prolonged periods of rainfall. For example, effective squash bug control is dependent upon sufficient penetration of the leaf canopy by the insecticides to contact and kill the bugs. Insecticides and fungicides should be selected based on proven effectiveness.
Pesticide applications are timed and combined with other pest management practices to reduce the need for frequent applications.
Minimizing the amount of pesticide used reduces the cost and helps protect the environment. The pH of the water used affects how effectively the pesticide works. Some pesticides begin to break down as soon as they are combined with alkaline water in the tank, especially when the pH of the water is very high. As a consequence, the active ingredients start to change to inactive ingredients before the pesticide ever leaves the tank! The degree of pest control may be somewhat to greatly decreased or even lost completely. If a spray tank is allowed to stand for several hours or overnight before the contents are used, as much as 50 percent of the active ingredient may be lost.
Agricultural chemicals may be applied using a spay can or a mist blower. Some advantages of using a mist blower include:
- Uniform distribution of the chemicals throughout the crop foliage.
- Droplet size is much smaller, good coverage can be achieved with fewer chemicals.
- Reduces the potential for groundwater contamination.
Proper selection, calibration and operation of spray equipment is important in achieving optimal pest control, as well as in meeting environment and safety requirements.
Pesticides can be extremely dangerous to human and animal health if they are not handled properly. They represent a chemical hazard for workers in the fields for persons exposed to them as well as for consumers of fruit, vegetables and root crops contaminated by inappropriate treatments. All pesticides applications should be recorded on a pesticide record sheet.
A pesticide record sheet should contain information on:
- Crop data (variety, planting date)
,
- name of pesticide used,
- place of application
- , dosage
- application dates,
- period of time before harvest
- and the name of the person responsible for application
- .
Field Scouting for Pest and Disease Development:
Fields should be scouted at minimum once per week after planting by walking across the entire field and can be a useful guide in making decisions regarding pest control.
If known, scout for diseases in areas of a field in which diseases tend to appear first.
Some keys areas to look comprise:
- Flower- flower drop an d the presence of insects
- Fruit- physical presence, damage due to scarring or the presence of insect ‘frass’ or droppings
- Area of stem above root zone fungal infections.
Some foliar diseases will appear where air circulation is reduced and leaves remain wet, such as in low areas and along borders sheltered by trees. Foliar diseases typically appear first on crown leaves close to the base of the main stem. Root diseases tend to appear where soil remains wettest, such as in low areas and in heavier soils.
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