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Top 10 Management
Tips
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Soil Management:
Providing sufficient amounts of crop residue on the soil
surface improves organic matter of the soil. Soil testing
and applying proper amounts of fertilizer and micronutrients
provides for optimum growing environment.
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Cultural
Practices: The
pest’s environment is disrupted by rotating crops, and
timely harvesting of crops. Planting cover crops can
suppress weed pressure and provide nitrogen and better soil
tilth.
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Planting: Plant
crops that have good vigor and that can tolerate or resist
common problems. The timing of planting should coincide
within the optimum planting dates recommended. Row spacing,
intercropping, trap crops and other alternative strategies
can be looked at to discourage or detract pests.
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Pest Trapping: Traps
that attract insects are placed near target crops.
This can be done in conjunction with a larger network within
state or multistate areas to track infestations of some
insects. This information can be utilized later when
populations reach a critical point.
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Monitoring :
Growers or scouts inspect representative areas of the fields
regularly to determine if pests are approaching a damaging
level.
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Forecasting: Site
specific or local weather data is consulted to predict if
and when pest outbreaks will occur. Treatments can then be
properly timed, preventing crop damage and saving spray
applications.
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Biological
Controls: Growers
should promote and attract many natural enemies that can
inhibit pest populations. Import and use additional
biologicals where cost effective.
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Thresholds: Before
treating, the pest population should reach a level that
could cause economic damage. Until that threshold is
reached, the cost of yield and quality will be far less than
the cost for control.
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Chemical
Controls: Growers
select the most effective and appropriate pesticide and
properly calibrate sprayer. Weather conditions are checked
prior to spraying to confirm proper coverage and minimum
drift.
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Record Keeping: Records
of soil management, planting dates, weather data, treatments
and other appropriate information are kept for future weed
and pest management decisions.
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