Adoption of IPM Programs in Woody Ornamental Production

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Adoption of IPM Programs in Woody Ornamental
Production
Norm Leppla UF/IFAS - IPM Florida Timothee
Sallin Cherry Lake Tree Farm
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History of Project

• Clientele Driven- Cherry Lake asked IFAS
• EPA- Funded, regional national application
• Consultation- IPM Institute of North America
• Market-driven- Customers for IPM plants
• Voluntary- Market niche
• Timetable- 2-3 years

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Visit to Cherry Lake Tree Farm
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Land Grant Role in IPM Certification

• The Land Grand Universities have a
  responsibility to be involved in facilitator,
  educator, and expert roles in developing IPM
  guidelines but not in any certification role
  (Indianapolis, 1997)

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Woody Ornamentals Workgroup
Growers, IFAS, IPM Institute, EPA, FDACS, FNGLA
and others
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Objective to create a measurable increase in the
number of producers of woody ornamentals using
reduced risk practices and products by creating a
credible IPM certification program.
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Credible?
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What is IPM?

• IPM is the coordinated use of pest and
  environmental information and available pest
  control methods.
• To prevent unacceptable levels of pest damage by
  the most economical means.
• With the least possible hazard to people,
  property and the environment.

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Why do we need IPM?

• Alien invasive species
• Local invasions
• Pesticide resistance
• Disrupted environments
• Perceptions

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What is IPM these days?
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IPM System

• REDUCE RISK
• Pest outbreaks disease epidemics
• Environmental contamination
• Human health hazards
• Pest mgmt.
• costs

• INCREASE
• Reliability
• Sustainability

Chem
Biological Control
Cultural Physical Methods
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Tactics of IPM

• Sustainability
• Cultural Practices
• Biological Control
• Chemical
  Control
• Physical
  Methods

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Non-Sustainable Weed Control- Leppla Residence
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Sustainability of IPM

• Economics
• Natural resources
• Human welfare

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IPM Practices

• Scouting
• Diagnosis
• Thresholds
• Management
• Evaluation

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Eco-labels
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Eco-labeling Components
3rd Party Auditor
Certification
Chain of Custody
Eco-Label
Standards
Education Outreach
Marketing
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Steps in IPM Certification

• Create a multi-stakeholder work group to provide
  oversight and direction.
• Draft company-specific IPM practices and
  standards.
• Establish quantitative evaluation criteria for
  IPM in the production of woody ornamentals.
• Provide incentives for adopting reduced-risk IPM
  practices.
• Have independent inspectors evaluate and certify
  the level of IPM adoption.
• Create educational materials to inform consumers
  about IPM and the value of IPM-labeled products.

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IPM Education and Certification FNGLA, Disney,
UF/IFAS IPM Institute of North America
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Establishing IPM Practices
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IPM Practices for Woody Ornamentals

• Biological knowledge (8)
• Monitoring and inspection (7)
• Act to control pests when necessary (3)
• Choose least-risk options (8)
• Long-term, preventative practices (13)
• Evaluation and records (2)
• Pesticide management (8)
• Continual improvement (2)

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Biological Knowledge

• Designate an IPM manager.
• Draft an IPM policy statement.
• Maintain an IPM library.
• Attend Extension or industry meetings.
• Know key pests, diseases, weeds, wildlife.
• Have appropriate licenses and certification.
• Train staff to report potential pest problems.

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Act to Control Pests When Necessary

• Follow all label instructions for pesticides.
• Establish thresholds for IPM action.
• Time pest control measures to pests
  susceptibility.

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Monitoring and Inspection

• Systematically scout for pests beneficials.
• Create maps of logical and identifiable
  management units.
• Use traps to monitor insects, if appropriate.
• Mark plants to identify pest/problems.
• Maintain optical aids and collection equipment
  for scouts.
• Maintain diagnostic equipment for scouts IPM
  manager.

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Protect Soil and Water

• Nutrient Management (18)
• Irrigation Management (8)

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Nutrient Management

• Monitor nutrient levels for fertilizer
  applications.
• Choose the best fertilizer application methods.
• Store fertilizer away from sources of water.
• Clean up any spills immediately.
• Apply wash or rinse water to the crop.
• Minimize nutrient leaching.
• Collect and contain irrigation runoff.

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Irrigation Management

• Check irrigation water delivery rates.
• Match irrigation amounts to seasonal
  requirements.
• Use efficient delivery systems.
• Monitor rainfall and adjust irrigation amounts.
• Use backflow protection devices.
• Restrict irrigation to planted, non-pervious
  areas.
• Use efficient container designs and layout.

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Distribution of Practices (Scores for 90 Growers)
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Better IPM Score
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Eco-labeling Costs and Benefits
EVALUATION
SAVE ON PRODUCTION
EDUCATION
HIGHER VALUE COMMODITY
LIABILITY PROTECTION
IMPLEMENTATION
QUALITY ASSURANCE
ENVIRON. STEWARDSHIP
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http//ipm.ifas.ufl.edu