Database Research SummariesImplementation of the Iowa Pest Resistance Management Plan
Research Focus
The focus of this project is to support the management, coordination and accountability to implement community-based pest resistance management as described in the Iowa Pest Resistance Management Plan (IPRMP).
Objectives
- The program manager and accountability coordinator will be hired; the Operating Committees (Science, Pilot Projects, and Communication and Outreach) and their membership established, and work plans developed.
- Pilot projects confirmed, locations determined, and community champions identified.
- Outreach efforts will begin with a logo, dedicated website, and public distribution of the IPRMP and pilot projects.
Results
- Each pilot project is intended to have representation from all sectors of agriculture, including farmers, crop advisers, commodity groups, agricultural retailers, seed dealers, lenders, university research and extension, and representatives from seed and chemical companies. A summary of each pilot field is listed below:
- Pilot 1: Harrison County: Palmer amaranth and herbicide resistant weeds. Tangible progress towards project goals include completion of a postcard survey of grower awareness and management practices, field trials in four cooperator corn and soybean fields demonstrating comprehensive weed management programs, two field days, one video, collection and screening of weed seeds for herbicide resistance, and numerous outreach publications.
- Pilot 2: Western corn rootworm resistance to Bt traits. The best management practices include grower disinterest in crop rotation due to field topography, proximity to ethanol plants, maintaining livestock operations, and lack of confidence in the feasibility of profitable soybean production on their land.
- Pilot 3: Herbicide resistant water hemp in Story County. This county includes seed production fields in addition to commodity production, which in turn may reflect multiple communities of producers and support networks in play, which adds another layer of social and economic complexities. This project will provide a useful comparison with Harrison County for factors related to community team formation and socio-economic constraints.
- Pilot 4: Soybean aphid resistance to pyrethroids. This project serves as a test for the ability to initiate pest resistance management in the early stages of resistance development. Despite a well-documented and supported economic threshold for aphid management, some discussions indicate a belief that the economic threshold is well below that level due to the economics of application, commodity prices, and misinformation; e.g., a concern there is an interaction between soybean cyst nematode and soybean aphid. Also, prophylactic insecticide applications are applied as a tank mix with scheduled fungicide treatments, which in some instances are being applied to enhance yields.
Importance
- This research could change crop management and agribusiness practices, such as improved resistance management decision-making, use of diverse pest management techniques, land rent leases that incorporate PRM plans, among others.
- This will minimize new cases of resistance evolution and lead to sustainable pest management and reduced economic impact of pests on farming profits.
For more information about this research project, please visit the National Soybean Checkoff Research Database.
Funded in part by the soybean checkoff.
