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A National Agricultural Program to Clear Pest Control Agents for Minor Uses
R.T. Bessin
Department of Entomology
Non-Technical Summary
Registration of new and manitenance of exisiting pesticides for minor-uses in the economic and safe management of pests of Kentucky's plants remains an issue.
To serve as Kentucky's liaison concerning minor-use pesticide issues within the established framework of ARS and IR-4.
To provide general guidance and scientific advise for minor-use pesticide activities impacting Kentucky. Provide educational support for the IR-4 program to Kentucky clientele served by this program.
2009 Project Description
The IR-4 program identified minor-use needs for pesticides on crops for which there is insufficient economic incentive for major companies to pursue these small, but necessary uses. IR-4 conducts research on efficacy and collects necessary data to obtain tolerances and eventually Section 3 federal labels. As agriculture is very diverse in Kentucky, this program is of particular importance to our producers of minor acreage crops. The role of the state liaison is to identify IR-4 needs with in the state (and submit appropriate Pesticde Clearance Requests PCRs), coordinate research efforts with cooperators within the state and regional IR-4 staff, and to participate in regional and national IR-4 workkshops.
2009 Impact
During 2009, there were on-going IR-4 research projects in Kentucky with Drs. Ricardo Bessin and Kenny Seebold. Dr. Seebold is continuing his evaluation of biopesticides for management of P. capsici and powdery mildew on vegetables. Dr. Ric Bessin conducted an IR-4 efficacy trial for stink bugs on peppers but the study was lost due to disease and unfavorable weather conditions.
As liaison, Dr. Ric Bessin submitted several Pesticide Clearance Requests during this period for permetghrin on tomatoes, boscalid on tomatoes and bifenthrin as a soil application to manage grape root borer on grapes. The 2008 PCR for diquat aided in the process to obtain an EPA Crisis exemption for June 2009.
News from the IR-4 program was periodically sent to the local agriculture industry through the Kentucky Pest News newsletter and in an article in the College of Agriculture Magazine. Dr. Bessin attended the regional IR-4 workshop and provided input into the development of regional entomological priorities for the national food use workshop.
2009 Publications
Bessin, R. 2009. The IR-4 Project: Filling a needed role for Kentucky. Kentucky Pest News Newsletter. 1194: May 5, 2009.