IPM Programs for Celery, Tomatoes Aid Growers, Public

The Issue

North American vegetable growers face a compelling need to reduce pesticide use for several reasons, including the decrease in available and effective pesticides due to the development of resistance in pests and to increasingly restrictive state and federal legislation. AES Professor of Entomology John T. Trumble of UC Riverside has led research on novel, low-input pest management strategies that have greatly reduced the use of toxic class-one and class-two pesticides by California celery and tomato growers.

What Has ANR Done?

Dr. Trumble's research provided substantial background information needed to develop and implement new IPM programs. This information included new and effective monitoring techniques; an understanding of plant compensation for insect herbivory, which will affect plant growth, chemistry, physiology, and photosynthesis; and determination of economic thresholds.

The Payoff

50% Decline in Pesticide Use

Pesticide use in California for tomatoes and celery has decreased by more than 50 percent in the past eight years alone due to the development and implementation of new IPM programs. Aside from obvious economic benefits which drive the acceptance of the programs, other significant benefits have accrued. Major advantages include a reduction in the potential for environmental contamination and pesticide poisonings and related health concerns for farmworkers, the virtual elimination of the development of pesticide resistance in key pest species, and a potential reduction in the consumption of fossil fuels used in pesticide applications.

Clientele Testimonial

In response to pest management programs developed at UCR, the California Tomato Commission voted to move as an industry toward IPM strategies. A similar commitment has been made by the California Celery Board, representing growers with more than 70 percent of the U.S. production of celery.

Contact

Supporting Unit:

UCR Entomology Department
 
Dr. John Trumble
Entomology 224
University of California
Riverside, CA 92521
(909) 787-5624 (Voice)
(909) 787-5624 (Fax)
john.trumble@ucr.edu
http://entomology.ucr.edu/people/trumble.html