Location: Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research
2018 Annual Report
Objectives
Provide efficacy, phytotoxicity and yield data and residue samples for analyses to support the registration or re-registration of minor use pesticides for the control or modification of behavior of pests through Interregional Project No. 4. [NP 304, C3, PS 3A2]
Approach
Determine needs for minor use pesticides by consulting producers, processors, fieldmen, or their associations. Select pesticides for testing based on needs, efficacy, economics, and safety to the crop and its environment. Conduct studies on candidate pesticides in the field, nursery or greenhouse to obtain efficacy, phytotoxicity and yield data, and residue samples for analyses in accordance with protocols, standard operating procedures, and good laboratory practices.
Progress Report
The Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) is the primary entity in the United States to facilitate registrations of conventional pesticides and bio-pesticides on specialty food crops and non-food ornamental horticulture crops. The IR-4 Project at USDA-ARS Wapato tested candidate pesticides on 10 food crops for residues and efficacy against pests and on 22 ornamentals for crop safety (phytotoxicity) evaluation. Information from these field trials will be used to support petitions submitted by IR-4 Project to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the registration or reregistration of pesticides for use on minor crops and ornamentals.
Accomplishments
1. Pesticide residue levels in specialty food and ornamental crops. Registrations are necessary to prevent damage to the crops we eat or the plants that enhance our environment. ARS researchers in Wapato, Washington, in collaboration with Inter-Regional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) personnel at Rutgers University in New Jersey, tested candidate pesticide residues on 10 food crops. Three efficacy crop safety trials on mustard greens and two on quinoa were completed. Twenty-two ornamentals were tested for effectiveness against pests for crop safety (phytotoxicity) evaluation. It was found that levels of residues on food crops of most of the pesticides tested were below the levels established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and were safe to use on minor crops. This information will be submitted to EPA by the IR-4 Project to enable registrations of needed pesticides for use on minor food crops and ornamentals.
