For as long as there has been an Ornamentals component at NYSIPM, we’ve educated growers in methods to reduce pests while limiting pesticide use. To evaluate adoption of IPM practices by New York State greenhouse floriculture growers, surveys were conducted in 2000, 2007, and 2019.
The 2000 and 2007 surveys showed that certain IPM practices are common—over 90% of growers removed weeds and diseased plant materials from the greenhouse, scouted, and identified diseases and insects before controlling them. Other practices, however, were done infrequently, showing the need for additional training. We acted. Starting in 2008, we held annual IPM In-Depth programs and took hands-on demonstrations on the road around the state. 2019 survey results show that growers are now more likely to consider monitoring salt levels using soil and foliar analysis, use trap or banker plants, participate in grower-to-grower networks, and consult trained Extension educators. And the recorded increase in the use of beneficial predators and parasitoids suggests a potential reduction in pesticides.
Most importantly, the relationships begun through these IPM interactions keep New York State blooming.
Project Leader: Elizabeth Lamb. See the NYSIPM Greenhouse page on our website.
See the full 2019-2020 Annual Report at eCommons.
