Impact of pesticides on beneficial arthropods of importance in Australian vegetable production
Client: Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
Project delivery period: 2017-2020
This project will provide farmers and advisors in the Australian vegetable industry with information about the effects of pesticides on beneficial species of insects and mites. This information is essential for making accurate decisions about the use of pesticides in vegetables grown using Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM is an important and rapidly growing approach to pest management in vegetables in Australia and the information provided through this project will add significantly to successful adoption of IPM.
The final output of this project will be a guide to assist improved pest management with minimal use and appropriate selection of insecticides in Australian vegetable production. As an outcome of this information being available to the vegetable industry, there will be a direct economic benefit to growers due to improved pest management, reduced crop losses, reduced costs associated with pest control and reduced pressure on available chemistry and subsequent pesticide resistance. The minimal use of selective pesticides will also improve worker and environmental safety.
Jessica Page from IPM Technologies will lead a team of entomologists and IPM specialists from IPM Technologies, the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF) to deliver this project.
