Potato
These guidelines are based on those developed by D.N. Ferro, C.S. Hollingsworth, R.V. Hazzard, J.C. Howell, R.L. Wick and A.R. Bonanno, published in C.S. Hollingsworth & W.M. Coli (eds). 1999. Massachusetts Integrated Pest Management Guidelines: Crop Specific Definitions. University of Massachusetts Extension Publication IP-IPMA.
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Soil Nutrient Management and Cultural Practices
- Crop rotation is practiced as follows:
- a. Field has not been planted to potatoes for three previous years; 25 pts OR
- b. Field has not been planted to potatoes for two previous years; 20 pts OR
- c. Field has not been planted to potatoes in the previous year. 15 pts
- Fields have been evaluated with an appropriate soil test for nutrient status and pH for the current year. 10 pts OR
Fields have been evaluated with an appropriate soil test for nutrient status and pH within two years. 5 pts
- Soil organic matter status has been tested within three years. 10 pts
- Fertilizer is applied in accordance with soil test results and expected
uptake of
nutrients, accounting for additional nitrogen supplied by organic matter, compost
and cover crops. Expected nutrient uptake is determined from the New England
Vegetable Management Guide. 15 pts - A pre-sidedress nitrogen test is used to determine the need for supplemental nitrogen. 10 pts
- Nitrogen fertilizer is applied by split application. Some is applied through the planter at planting, and some at cultivation or as a side dress. 10 pts
- This year's crop was preceded by a winter cover crop. 10 pts
- If the cover crop was a legume or legume/grass mix, its nitrogen contribution is calculated and fertilizer for this year's crop was adjusted accordingly. 10 pts
Category Total 90 pts
Adjusted Total ______ pts
Pesticides Application and Records
Only pesticides approved and registered for potato in the state are used. Records of pesticide applications are maintained, including date, field and block, target pest, crop stage pesticide name and EPA number, formulation, rate and number of acres treated. Pesticide drift is minimized. Re-entry and pre-harvest intervals are adhered to. Win-PST analysis is conducted for all pesticides considered for use on the farm.
- Pesticide application equipment is calibrated at the start of the
season and the
procedure is recorded. 10 pts - Calibration is checked at least once during the season and equipment is recalibrated as needed. 5 pts
- Records of pesticide applications are maintained and organized. 10 pts
- Records of planting dates and stage of crop of treated fields are maintained. 5 pts
- Water-sensitive spray cards have been used to test the coverage of leaf surfaces in this crop within the past five years, using current pesticide application equipment. 10 pts
Category Total 40 pts
Adjusted Total ______ pts
Disease Management
The two major diseases are maize dwarf mosaic virus, which is vectored by aphids, and Stewart's wilt, vectored by flea beetle. Disease incidence can be reduced by selecting well-drained fields, minimizing mechanical injury, avoiding excessive nitrogen and by controlling insect vectors.
- Certified virus-free seed is planted. 10 pts
- Sanitation is practiced by properly disposing of cull piles (burial or composting) and by removing volunteer potato plants. 15 pts
- Fungicide application intervals for early blight and late blight are based on potential for disease severity due to weather conditions, crop age and disease incidence in the field or the region. 10 pts
- Fields are monitored for diseases including late blight and results are recorded. 15 pts
- Diseases are accurately identified by the farmer, consultant or diagnostic laboratory. 10 pts
Category Total 60 pts
Adjusted Total ______ pts
Insect Management
- Colorado potato beetle (CPB) densities are monitored weekly by scouting
25 to 50
plants per field. 15 pts - Application of insecticides for CPB corresponds to action thresholds specified in the New England Vegetable Management Guide. 10 pts
- Insecticide resistance management for CPB is practiced as follows:
- a. Insecticides from the same resistance group are not applied more than once per season. 20 pts OR
- b. Insecticides from the same resistance group are not applied to the same generation of CPB. 10 pts
- CPB egg masses are flagged at the beginning of each CPB generation to determine egg hatch and proper timing of microbial insecticides. 5 pts
- If systemic insectide (e.g. neonicotiniod group) is used, its use is limited to the following resistance management approach (Maximum 20 pts):
- a. Whole-field soil-applied systemic application is applied no more than once every two years. 10 pts OR
- b. Foliar application is limited to one generation of CPB per season. Foliar application is not made where systemic application was made. 10 pts OR
- c. Soil application is made as a perimeter treatment to outer six rows or twenty feet in non-rotated fields or adjacent to fields previously planted to potato. 10 pts
- Non-chemical Colorado potato beetle control methods are employed, such as propane flaming, delayed planting, straw mulch, trench traps or trap crops (15 points). 15 pts
- Aphid densities are monitored weekly by examining at least 25 leaves per week. Aphid species are identified and insecticides are selected which will best control the species present. Application of insecticides for aphids corresponds to action thresholds specified in the New England Vegetable Management Guide. 10 pts
- Potato leafhopper densities are monitored by examining 50 leaves per week. Application of insecticides for potato leafhopper correspond to action thresholds specified in the New England Vegetable Management Guide. 10 pts
- Insecticide for other pests are applied only after field scouting has determined damage or the presence of potentially damaging numbers. 10 pts
Category Total 100 pts
Adjusted Total ______ pts
Weed Management
- 1. This year's fields were scouted for weeds in the previous year,
at mid- to late
season. Weeds were identified and mapped. This information was used in the
current weed management program. 10 pts - 2. Weed management includes one or more of the following:
- a. Herbicide use is supplemented by at least one cultivation or hand weeding; 5 pts
- b. Herbicide rates are reduced through banding of herbicides & cultivation; 10 pts
- c. No herbicides are applied and weeds are controlled through cultivation. 15 pts
- d. Herbicide rates are reduced by delaying application until, or
after,
crop emergence. Bonus: 5 pts
- Weeds in fields, alleys and roadways are prevented from going to seed. 10 pts
- Fields are scouted in midseason for weeds. Location and species of
uncontrolled
weeds are mapped and the information is used in planning for next year. 10 pts - Outbreaks of new or problem weed species are controlled, using chemical
or
non-chemical means, to prevent spreading or seed production. 10 pts - A trial plot is maintained to test a different weed management technique.
The
methods and results are recorded. Bonus: 10 pts
Category Total 55 pts
Adjusted Total ______ pts
Education
- Manager has a current copy of the New England Vegetable Management Guide. 5 pts
- Manager attends one or more state/regional/national Extension vegetable
training
session during the current year. 5 pts - Manager subscribes to the UMass Extension Vegetable Notes & IPM Message. 5 pts
Category Total 15 pts
Adjusted Total ______ pts
Grand Total 360 pts
Adjusted Grand Total ______ pts
Percentage of adjusted total %
