Ellen Bauske, Geoffrey Zehnder, Edward Sikora, and Joseph Kemble

U.S. CONSUMERS have indicated increasing concern regarding the use of pesticides in food production. As a result of public concern, the federal government mandated that by the year 2000,75% of all cropland should be farmed using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices. To reach this end, IPM must be clearly defined and the current level of IPM use in the region determined. Applicable research and technology can then be identified and educational needs and appropriate distribution methods determined to promote IPM to target producers.

Fresh-market tomatoes are an excellent model crop for development and implementation of IPM strategies. Over 30,000 acres of tomatoes are grown in the Southeast annually. Growing conditions, cultural practices, and pests are similar across the region. Also, tomatoes are a “high-input” crop, increasing the potential for significant financial savings as a result of utilizing IPM practices.

A survey was developed by farmers, consultants, and university personnel from the Southeast. The survey was distributed to tomato growers by mail, at county meetings, and other relevant venues. Frequency of use was rated for each practice listed on the survey (always = 3; often = 2; sometimes = 1; and never = 0). The total possible score was calculated and the level of IPM use determined. A score of 0-50% was considered a low level of IPM use, 51-75% a medium level, and 76-100% a high level. Growers were also asked to identify insect, disease, and production problems as well as any technology or research developments that they felt would benefit the industry.

Overall, Alabama producers ranked fifth in the region in IPM implementation with an average score of 57%. However, there is little indication that they are over-applying pesticides. Alabama's farmers make the fewest fungicide applications in the Southeast and use fewer insecticide applications than producers in Georgia and North Florida. IPM does not necessarily result in lower pesticide use. In some cases growers may be under-managing pest problems and IPM will actually result in increased pesticide usage. On the other hand, many professionals use very conservative thresholds in their disease and insect scouting programs and this may result in relatively high levels of pesticide use.

The results of this survey show that in four of the seven southern states more than 75% of the tomato acreage is in the medium- or high-IPM category. These states have met or exceeded the state IPM teams' criteria for practicing IPM and have met the federal mandate of IPM on 75% of the fresh-market tomato cropland (see table). The other three states, including Alabama are well on their way to achieving the federal mandate.

In the process of creating this survey, the state IPM teams have outlined a clear definition of IPM in fresh-market tomato production. These survey results establish a baseline which can be used to measure the success of programs designed to increase IPM adoption. The survey also provided an opportunity for farmers throughout the region to identify pest problems of importance to them. It can be used to influence the Extension/research agenda in the universities in the Southeast.

Bauske is an Extension Associate of Horticulture, Zehnder is an Associate Professor of Entomology, Sikora is an Assitant Professor of Plant Pathology, and Kemble is an Assistant Professor of Horticulture.