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PEST SCOUTING USING GROWING DEGREE-DAYS – EXTENSION DELIVERABLES AND PROGRAMING TO SOLIDIFY GREEN INDUSTRY ADOPTION

Extension Education

Timothy Waller
Agriculture & Natural Resources County Agent III
Rutgers
Millville

Abstract

The green industry is a highly diverse stakeholder group that encompasses commercial nursery production, landscape professionals, components of diversified farm stands, municipality and environmental stewards, and multiple sectors of distribution / trucking networks, yet they all utilize the same crops supplied through commercial nurseries. As such, regardless of the green industry sector, plants are damaged by the same or similar pests and therefor the entire green industry stands to benefit from synchronized pest management approaches, via the use of growing degree-days (GDD) and pest scouting guides. If each sector is treated individually, the Extension requirements become exponentially more difficult. In efforts to field requests as an agent related to scouting and management of the extreme diversity of insect pests in this crop system, two scouting guides were compiled (one for nursery and landscape and another for conifers). These deliverables can be viewed online, but also printed and placed into work vehicles, farm equipment, placed in common areas, and posted in the pesticide storage/mixing areas. These pest scouting guides outlines host, pest, vulnerable life stages based on GDD throughout the season, and are broadly applicable to any industry culturing plants obtained from commercial nurseries. Additionally, there are links (online version) and QR codes (physical version) that provide more information or link to how-to instructions generated by the author. The final page of the guide is for taking notes, as this resource is meant to be an opportunity to further engage with our stakeholders by promoting the idea that their observations are valid and welcomed. In promoting these guides, and moreover how to use growing degree-days, multiple educational sessions, twilights, and tradeshow outreach events were organized to promote this cohesive IPM tactic across the green industry. Many stakeholders had previously expressed interest in utilizing GDDs but were concerned with the perceived, yet misleading, level of technical difficulty. Merging outreach efforts surrounding this key IPM tool, has greatly streamlined grower adoption and utilization of print and online resources. Furthermore, every outreach opportunity provided the ability to share other current research and bring more people into the offerings of Extension.

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: Timothy Waller
  1. Waller, T. Agriculture & Natural Resources County Agent III, Rutgers University, New Jersey, 08332-9776