Location: Vegetable Research
2018 Annual Report
Objectives
To obtain efficacy and residual data of insecticides, miticides, herbicides and fungicides on vegetable crops and ornamentals against insects and mites.
Approach
Field evaluations of insecticides, miticides, fungicides, and herbicides will be conducted on vegetable and ornamental crops. Research will be conducted according to IR-4 protocols and good laboratory practices. No specific treatments can be mentioned ahead of time because program needs change depending on industry requests. Residue samples will be assayed by appropriate federal, state, or private laboratories.
Progress Report
Field data were collected in cooperation with the IR-4 Project (previously named Interregional Research Project #4) and cooperating crop protection industries. The IR-4 Project is a national minor-use pesticide program. Food crop residue and performance trials with insecticides, fungicides and herbicides were conducted for food crop studies. Also, pesticide performance trials were conducted for ornamental (environmental horticulture) crop studies. Food crop samples were provided to cooperators for pesticide residue analyses, and completed field data books were provided to the IR-4 Project headquarters. Also, a scientist on this project in Charleston, South Carolina, coordinated the food and ornamental minor use program for all USDA-ARS locations. This work supports the registration of needed pesticides for use on specialty crops. The pesticides in the study will eventually be available for use by specialty crop producers who have a limited number of pest control options available for their productions.
Accomplishments
1. Research supporting the registration of pesticides on vegetable and ornamental crops. There is a need for data to support the registration of new pesticides for use on vegetable and ornamental crops. Therefore, ARS researchers at Charleston, South Carolina, have developed information on potential pesticides in cooperation with the IR-4 Project and cooperating crop protection industries. Research on 3 insecticides, 2 fungicides and 10 herbicides were completed for 15 food crop residue studies [including bean (snap), cabbage, cantaloupe, cucumber, greens (mustard), pepper (bell and non-bell), pea (edible podded and succulent shelled), peanut, squash (summer), spinach, and tomato]. Also, 11 fungicide performance trials were completed for studies on ornamental crops [including Aster, Buddleia davidii (butterfly-bush), magnolia, petunia, Pelargonium species, rhododendron, roses, and Vinca (periwinkle)]. Results from this work are being used to support the registration of needed pesticides on specialty crops, and many of these pesticides will subsequently be available for use by growers. The trials provide a pipeline of data in support of registering pesticides to address grower needs for specialty food crops.
