Non-Pesticide
Voluntary Best Management Practices that Help Control Pests |
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Managing
Weeds, Insects and Diseases: Effective BMPs that Help Control Pests
Effective control of pests - weeds, insects and diseases - is
critical to assuring healthy crops. We know of many different approaches
to managing pests, including preventing the introduction of pests
in the first place, optimum timing of activities, crop rotation,
mechanical control techniques, and even encouraging natural enemies
of pests. These various options, along with the judicious use of
pesticides, help us manage pests safely, responsibly and economically
- while also protecting our lakes, rivers and streams, as well as
the ground water many of us depend on for our drinking water supplies.
Help Crops Help Themselves
- Promote tolerance to pests by providing crops with proper
amounts of nutrients and water, as well as soil conditions that
favor rapid establishment and vigorous growth.
- Select crop varieties that are resistant to pests and
adapted to growing seasons and hardiness in respective areas of
the state. (For information on hardiness and resistance to certain
pests, refer to Minnesota Variety Trials,
published annually by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station
- University of Minnesota.)
- Adjust planting dates to optimize crop competition with
weeds, minimize insect infestations and manage other pest problems.
- Increase ability of crops to compete with weeds by using
higher plant population density within recommended ranges, using
narrow row spacing, and choosing varieties with dense, rapid growth.
- Use companion crops, cover crops and crop residues, when
appropriate, to suppress weed growth.
Prevent the Introduction and Spread of Pests
- Consider disease potential when selecting planting sites,
dates and seeding rates.
- Use disease-free and weed-free seed to prevent diseases
and weeds from being introduced.
- Control alternate host plants of insects and diseases.
- Minimize moisture conditions optimum for disease development
by carefully managing irrigation water applications.
- Use weed-free feed to prevent the spread of weeds by
livestock.
- Control reinfestation sources of weeds on adjacent property
such as fencerows, ditch banks and roadways. (Take care to avoid
damage to non-target organisms and threatened or endangered species.)
- Use good sanitation practices to remove soil, crop residues,
weed seeds and diseases from equipment before moving to other
fields.
Assess the Need for Pest Control
- Scout fields to properly identify pest conditions and
beneficial organism activity.
- Assess pest population levels, stage of development
and potential for damage.
- Determine stage of crop growth and plant condition when
evaluating the need for, timing and effectiveness of post-emergence
pest controls.
- Observe other conditions, such as fertility problems
and soil compaction that may influence the need for action, as
well as the type of action needed.
- Consider economic injury levels (EILs) and economic treatment
thresholds when determining whether control is necessary. (For
EILs and economic treatment thresholds for certain pests and crops,
contact the University of Minnesota Extension office in your county or region.)
- Select appropriate control techniques, considering
effectiveness, cost and environmental impact. Control techniques
may be cultural, biological, chemical or mechanical. An effective
pest management program may include aspects of one or all of these
techniques.
Maintain
Field Records
Keep field records of pest control activities and pest populations.
Field records should include:
- soil test results
- crops planted, growth and development, yield
- pest problems (species present and distribution)
- controls applied
- date control applied
- results
These field records will assist in comparing and evaluating the
effectiveness of various pest management techniques. To record field information, templates are available (PDF) from Purdue Cooperative Extension Service – Purdue University. If pesticides
are used, read and follow label restrictions and procedures. For more information, contact our licensing unit at 651-201-6615 or visit the Private Pesticide Applicator Certification and Pesticide Applicator Licensing sections of our website.
Rotate Crops and Optimize Timing
- Rotate crops with different life cycles, growth habits
and tolerance to weeds, insects and diseases.
- Mow or till at an appropriate time to prevent reseeding
of weeds and deplete food reserves of perennial weeds.
- Time harvests to control weed seed production or minimize
losses from diseases and insects.
Use Mechanical Control Techniques to Manage
Pests
- Use crop cultivation and shallow tillage operations to
control weed seedlings.
- Pull weeds by hand or use a hoe for smaller, additional,
weed infestations. (Don't let them gain a foothold.)
- Use tillage practices to bury diseased crop residues
when appropriate. (These practices may increase soil erosion.)
Encourage Pest's Natural Enemies
- Consider biological control methods that have been proven
effective in controlling perennial weeds, insects and diseases.
- Protect natural enemies of pests.
- Promote the use of natural enemies of pests or their
products.
Minnesota Department of Agriculture • University
of Minnesota Extension • USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Working cooperatively to balance pest management and water
quality protection. October 2008 |
Photos courtesy of University of Minnesota Extension
Service
MDA Contact
Ron Struss
Ron.Struss@state.mn.us
651-201-6269
Pesticide & Fertilizer Management Division
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