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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Hilo, Hawaii » Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center » Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #413260
Research Project: Postharvest Protection of Tropical Commodities for Improved Market Access and Quarantine Security

Location: Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research

Title: MyIPM smartphone applications – Tools to increase adoption of integrated pest management

Author
item REAY-JONES, FRANCIS - Clemson University
item SCHNABEL, GUIDO - Clemson University
item BRYANT, TIM - Clemson University
item LAFOREST, JOSEPH - Clemson University
item MELANSON, REBECCA - Clemson University
item Acebes-Doria, Angelita
item BLAAUW, BRETT - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: Journal of Integrated Pest Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/23/2024
Publication Date: 1/23/2025
Citation: Reay-Jones, F.P., Schnabel, G., Bryant, T.B., Laforest, J., Melanson, R.A., Acebes-Doria, A.L., Blaauw, B. 2025. MyIPM smartphone applications – tools to increase adoption of integrated pest management. Journal of Integrated Pest Management. 16(1):3. https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmae038.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmae038

Interpretive Summary: This is an overview of the series of MyIPM mobile applications (MyIPM, MyIPMRowCrop, MyIPM Hawaii, MyIPM for Vegetables), designed to facilitate IPM adoption by providing comprehensive pest management recommendations covering diseases, insects, and weeds for multiple U.S. commodities. These features include high-resolution images for accurate pest identification, non-chemical integrated management information, detailed life cycle and epidemiology information, and categorization of active ingredients by mode of action for effective pesticide rotation and resistance management, which are accessible using Apple and Android devices. These mobile applications are designed to complement traditional Extension and outreach materials, further providing a valuable and handy tool for growers and stakeholders.

Technical Abstract: Global agricultural productivity faces significant challenges due to pest-related crop losses, and while Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a sustainable approach to mitigate pest risks, it is also inherently complex, which limits its implementation and adoption by farmers. This paper provides an overview of the MyIPM series of smartphone applications, designed to facilitate IPM adoption by providing comprehensive pest management recommendations, covering diseases, insects, and weeds for multiple U.S. commodities. Key features of the apps include high-resolution images for accurate pest identification, non-chemical integrated management information, detailed life cycle and epidemiology information, and categorization of active ingredients by mode of action for effective pesticide rotation and resistance management. The MyIPM apps complement traditional Extension outreach methods, offering portable access to a wealth of pest management information. In addition, the paper highlights three practical examples - managing blossom blight and brown rot of peach, addressing sugarcane aphids in grain sorghum, and managing urban pests in Hawaii and postharvest quarantine of Hawaiian crops for export - demonstrating how the MyIPM apps streamline IPM decision-making for farmers. Overall, the MyIPM series of apps provides a valuable tool for modern agriculture, offering users a wealth of IPM knowledge at their fingertips, supporting the adoption of more sustainable and effective practices.