Project Number: 5447-21220-002-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Apr 22, 2004
End Date: Aug 31, 2005

Objective:
Insect and weed pests continue to develop resistance to conventional and emerging control technologies and continue to invade increasingly broader host and geographical ranges. The therapeutic control strategy of killing pests with toxic chemicals has prevailed for over 50 years. Safety problems and ecological disruptions continue to ensue, and there are recurring appeals for effective, safe, and economical alternatives to prophylactic pesticide use. The objectives of this research project are: 1) To conduct research on the basic biology, behavior, and ecology of key pests and beneficial insects in corn/soybean/wheat agricultural systems; and 2) Synthesize basic research results to develop integrated pest management systems and decision aids that support development and implementation of ecologically-based sustainable approaches to the management of native and invasive insect and weed pests through a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methodologies that reduce pest populations to acceptable levels while minimizing impacts on human health and the environment.

Approach:
Our interdisciplinary research brings emerging technological advances and integrated pest management practices together to develop short- and long-term pest management strategies for sustainable agriculture. These pest management strategies are based upon reduced insect resistance to genetically modified crops, improved cultural pest control, and risk assessment models for decision support. Our approaches are: 1) To characterize the ecology, behavior, and genetics of insect and weed pests in agricultural systems of the northern Great Plains as a basis for developing and evaluating resistance management and pest control strategies, such as crop sequencing within integrated pest management systems; 2) To determine pest-crop interactions and pest-landscape relationships to develop sampling/monitoring technology, optimize management tactics, assess yield loss potential, establish action thresholds, define management zones, and develop risk assessment models; and 3) To improve understanding of the complex interactions between pest and beneficial insects and the impacts of agronomic practices on beneficial insects in corn/soybean/wheat cropping systems. Benefits of this research include reduced chemical usage, improved efficiency, and cultural control options for pest management, leading to integrated production systems based upon a better understanding of agroecological principles.