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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.
2010 Project Description
The IR-4 program identified and prioritized minor-use entomology, plant pathology, and weed science 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 and solicit IR-4 needs within the state (and submit appropriate Pesticide 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 workshops.
2010 Impact
During 2010, there were on-going IR-4 research projects in Kentucky with Drs. Kenny Seebold, Dan Potter, and Amy Fulcher. Dr. Seebold is continuing his evaluation of biopesticides for management of P. capsici and powdery mildew on vegetables. Dr. Dan Potter conducted an IR-4 efficacy trial for Euonymous scale on Euonymous. Dr Fulcher has been involved with growth regulator studies on ornamanetal plants.
As liaison, Dr. Ric Bessin submitted several Pesticide Clearance Requests during this period and supporting them for 'A' research priorities. News from the IR-4 program has been periodically sent to the local ag industry through the Kentucky Pest News newsletter and in an article in the College of Agriculture Magazine. Dr. Bessin acted as the entomology coordinator during the regional priority setting conference call and attended the national food use IR-4 workshop in Las Vegas where priorities were established for 2011.