Unit 4 Ornamental Pest Management Flashcards
Name several things you need to make an accurate diagnosis of a pest problem
Description of the type and extent of plant damage, identification of the pest, familiarity with the life-cycle of the pest, a good estimation of the size and distribution of the pest population, and whether it is increasing or decreasing
Define the term “Integrated Pest Management”. List IPM tactics used in ornamental pest control.
Integrated Pest Management refers to the use of a combination of pest control tactics. IPM programs use many types of techniques in a single plan or strategy to reduce pests and keep their damage to an acceptable level. IPM tactics include monitoring and early detection, sanitation, and cultural, mechanical (physical), biological and chemical control methods.
What is cultural control? List several cultural control tactics used in plantscapes
Cultural control involves changing the plant’s environment, its physical condition, or the behavior of a pest. Cultural control methods for ornamental pest control include:
Varying planting times
Planting trap crops
Cultivating soil
Hand weeding or handpicking insects
Adjusting plant placement, spacing or row width
Thinning
Isolating infected plants
Pruning and destroying infested plants or plant parts
Removing soluble salts
Changing the light, heat or humidity regimen in an interiorscape
Changing watering and fertilizing programs
What is biological control? Give one example.
Biological control involves using some aspect of the pest’s biology to control it. Examples include use of natural enemies, introduction of genetically altered competitors (release of sterile male insects), use of pheromones to draw insects to a drap, or use of hormones to prevent normal development.
What is mechanical control? Give some examples.
Mechanical examples use some device or machine to control pests. Examples include aerating soil, use of traps, and using barriers to discourage or exclude pests
What is sanitation? Give 2 examples.
Sanitation is general cleanliness. Sanitation reduces the levels of pathogens and other pests in the plantscape. Using pest-free seeds or seedlings is a sanitation strategy. Careful disposal of diseased parts pruned from plants is too. Sanitation also involves using clean growing media, containers, and tools. Washing plants with soap and sanitizing feather dusters used in interiorscapes are examples of sanitation.
When and where are biological controls most effective?
Biological controls are the most effective where there are large groupings of plants. They do not work well on single plants where the pest population is low. Without enough food to live on, the beneficial insects starve and die off.
Why is the timing of a pesticide application imprtant?
To be effective, pesticides must be applied correctly and at the proper time and rate. In many cases, pesticides need to be used at a certain stage in a pest’s life cycle. Applying them too early or too late is a waste of time and money. In addition, poorly times applications may pose a threat to the target as well as to other organisms and the environment.
When making a pesticide application, why is proper coverage important?
Uniform coverage, directed at the target pest, is necessary for effective pest control. For example, if an insect lives underneath leaves, an overtop foliar application may be ineffective. Spot treatment with herbicides is an effective way to control isolated weeds. However, broadcast applications must be uniform or results will be streaked and spotty.
What is phytotoxicity? How can you recognize this problem?
Phytotoxicity is injury or damage to a sensitive plant caused by a chemical exposure. Symptoms of phytotoxicity include:
Death of rapidly growing tissues
Stunting or delayed development
Misshapen or distorted stems, leaves or fruits
Russeting or bronzing of leaves or fruit
Dead spots or flecks on leaves, dead leaf tips or margins, and dead areas between leaf veins
You might expect phototoxicity if you see plant damage but no sign of pest presence. Another warning sign is injury that occurs suddenly or over a short period of time that does not spread from plant to plant. Consulting spray records might give you a clue if pesticide use is causing phototoxic effects. Records may document the use of a pesticide near a sensitive plant showing signs of injury.
Describe some pesticide uses that might result in phototoxicity.
Application of a pesticide during adverse environmental conditions
Use of a pesticide contrary to label directions (wrong site, wrong rate)
Movement offsite from a target area to a sensitive area (drift, runoff)
Accumulation of persistent residues in the soil or on the plant
How can you avoid causing phototoxicity when using pesticides?
To avoid phototoxicity, be certain the plant you plan to treat is listed on the product label. Measure and prepare chemical carefully. Use the proper rate and application techniques. Follow label directions for the number and timing of applications. Apply and store pesticides according to label directions. Do not treat stressed plants. Do not allow offsite movement. Do not treat plants when they are subjected to extreme heat or cold.
Describe the proper methods for cleaning and disinfecting tools, containers and equipment.
Remove heavy accumulations of soil, plant sap, and other debris. Disinfect items using a surface-applied chemical or heat. If you use alcohol, dip or swap the material and allow it to dry. Do not rinse. If you use sodium hypochlorite (bleach), dip, spray or brush it on. Keep the treated surface wet for at least 10 minutes. Then rinse wit clean water. Heat-treat materials at 180-200 degrees for 20 minutes. Store tools and equipment properly to avoid contact with dirty surfaces or infected plants or plant parts.
How may a disease enter a landscape?
On debris from diseased plants
On infected soil found on tools, hose ends, reused containers and potting mixes.
In water, either free standing or from reservoirs
Via air borne spores or pollutants
From infected plats, seeds, seedlings, or rooted plant parts
On insect or mite vectors, and
when cultural practices used are unfavorable to good plant health.
Describe some cultural control practices for controlling bacterial diseases
Remove and destroy infested plants or plant parts, isolate infected plants, avoid splashing water on plant foliage, disinfect tools and equipment. Reducing water and fertilizer applications may be effective in some situations. Cool temperatures may control some bacterial diseases.
List some effective ways to control viral diseases
Purchase virus-free plants. Destroy virus-infected plants. Disinfect tools and equipment. Avoid wounding plants. Control insect vectors.
List some general ways to manage fungal diseases
Sanitation, removal of infected tissues, and use of fungicides are usually effective.
Describe some specific ways to prevent or control leaf spot diseases.
Avoid splashing water on leaves. Decrease humidity and increase airflow by thinning plants. Sanitation, removal of infected tissue, and use of fungicides are also effective.
How cam you manage powdery mildew?
Water plants early in the day when the foliage is likely to dry. Be sure there is good air circulation. Do not crowd plants. Thin them as necessary. Do what you can to reduce humidity and avoid humidity water on leaves. Some fungicides are effective in certain situations if used properly.
What conditions promote root infections, root rots and damping off? How can plant managers prevent these diseases?
Root diseases flourish in low oxygen situations. They usually occur when soil is damp or waterlogged and cool. To prevent them, provide a favorable root environment. Depending on the situation you can use fungicides treated seeds, root dips or soil drenches.
Describe how to manage crown gall
The best way to manage this difficult disease is to choose resistant plants. Sanitation is also a good preventative measure. Do not use infected soil. Discard any infected plants. Disinfect tools. Biocontrol measures are effective in certain situations. There are few effective chemical control options for crown gall.
Describe how to control fireblight
Note plant growth stages and weather conditions to monitor disease development. Use bacteriacides, prune old infections, and sanitize cutting equipment.
Name several leaf, bud and stem feeding anthropod pests
Aphids, lace bugs, bagworms, borers, foliar mealybugs, gypsy moths, Japanese beetles, leaf miners, mites, pine tip moths, scale, weevils, webworms, tent caterpillars, whiteflies and thrips feed on above-ground plant parts.
