Community Education > IPM Guidelines: Field Tomatoes

Introduction
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a systematic approach to pest management that considers all factors affecting crop health, including plant nutrition, horticultural practices, and all suitable means of pest suppression. IPM programs are based on information obtained by sampling and monitoring, and this information is used to make management decisions. Pest management tactics may include biological, chemical, mechanical, and cultural methods. An IPM program for a given crop will include some essential elements, but some practices will not be appropriate in all situations: designing a farm-specific IPM program requires flexibility.

The Massachusetts IPM Guidelines are a list of best management practices, developed cooperatively by growers, university faculty and extension specialists, and private IPM consultants. Additional input was solicited from commodity associations and participants in IPM verification programs and IPM courses. Practices have been evaluated for their practicality and assigned points based on their importance to IPM and/or their difficulty. The guidelines for most crops have been tested and adjusted through the USDA Farm Service Agency ICM cost-share program and through the Partners with Nature program. While these guidelines represent the best management options currently available, they will evolve as new IPM technologies are developed.

IPM Guidelines can be used in a number of ways: 1.) As a checklist for farmers to evaluate their on-farm pest management programs and identify areas where management can be improved; 2.) To verify and document that IPM is practiced on the farm; 3.) As an educational tool which describes the scope and complexity of IPM to farmers, government officials, community groups and the general public.

Definitions
The followings terms are used in calculating points in the IPM guidelines:

Category or Grand Total Practice Points
Refers to the sum of all possible practice points described within a category or individual crop guideline. For example, if a grower used every practice in the guideline, all points would apply.

Adjusted Category or Grand Total Practice Points
Refers to the sum of all practice points appropriate for the crop, within a category or guideline. Because some practices may not apply to the site being assessed, the points associated with that practice may be deducted from the Total Practice Points. Such practices are marked with an asterisk (*) within each guideline.

Bonus Points
Refers to points associated with practices which are of potential value to an IPM system, and are worthy of trial, but are experimental or require exceptional effort. Point values associated with these practices do not contribute to the Total Practice Points but, if the practice is completed, the points are added when calculating Grand Total Practice Points. Bonus points are labeled as such within the guidelines.

Field Tomatoes
by Ruth V. Hazzard, John C. Howell, Robert L. Wick and A. Richard Bonanno

Soil and Nutrient Management and Cultural Practices
Cultural practices are of value in management of nutrients, weeds, diseases, and/or insects. The goal of a sound fertility program is to supply adequate nutrients with optimum timing for maximum economical crop yield, while avoiding excesses that can degrade water quality or adversely affect crop or soil quality.

1. Crop is planted in a field with well drained soil not prone to saturation, and with
   good air circulation to promote rapid drying of foliage. 10 pts
2. One of the following crop rotation systems is practiced:
   • Field has not been planted to Tomatoesfor three previous years; 20 pts
   • Field has not been planted to Tomatoesfor two previous years; 15 pts
   • Field has not been planted to Tomatoesin the previous year. 10 pts
3. Fields have been evaluated with an appropriate soil test for nutrient status and pH
   for the current year. 10 pts
4. Fertilizer is applied in accordance with current soil test results and expected uptake
   of nutrients and expected crop yield, giving credit for nitrogen supplied by organic
   matter, compost, manure and cover crops. Expected nutrient uptake is determined
   from the New England Vegetable Management Guide. 15 pts
5. Organic matter status has been tested within three years. 10 pts
6. If compost or manure is applied, its nitrogen contribution is calculated, and fertilizer
   application adjusted accordingly. *5 pts
7. To minimize nutrient leaching, one of the following is done:
   • Nitrogen fertilizer is applied by split application. One application of
     50 - 80 lb./acre is made just before planting, and one or more applications
     are made as sidedress (or through trickle irrigation). 10 pts
   • Some fertilizer is applied in a broad band in the bed and covered with
     plastic, at planting. This increases nitrogen availability to the plant and
     reduces risk of leaching. 5 pts
8. A nitrate test is taken before side-dressing to determine the level of nitrate-N
   available, and the amount of side-dressed N is adjusted accordingly. 5 pts
9. If nitrogen is applied as a side-dress, it is a nitrate form of N (e.g. calcium nitrate) to
   reduce likelihood of calcium deficiency and blossom end rot. *5 pts
10. Irrigation is provided during periods of inadequate rainfall to minimize plant stress
    and related problems. 10 pts
11. Trickle irrigation system is used to minimize leaf wetness periods. 5 pts
12. If trickle irrigation is used and side-dressing is needed, N is fed through a trickle
    irrigation system under plastic mulch in several applications (preferably 5 or 6 equal
    biweekly treatments) over the course of the season. *5 pts
13. Crop residue is turned under (plowed or disked deeply ) shortly after harvest. 5 pts
14. This year's crop was preceded by a winter cover crop. 10 pts
15. If the cover crop was a legume or legume/grass mix, its nitrogen contribution is
    calculated and fertilizer for this year's crop is adjusted appropriately. *5 pts
16. A trial plot is maintained to test one of the following: organic sources of nutrients
    (e.g., compost, legume cover crops, or soil organic matter), reduced rates of
    fertilizer, or use of the pre-sidedress nitrate test (PSNT) to determine rates of
    sidedressed N. The methods and results are recorded. Bonus: 10 pts

Category Total 130 pts
Adjusted Total ______ pts

1. Pesticide application equipment is calibrated at the start of the season and the
   procedure is recorded. 10 pts
2. Calibration is checked at least once during the season and equipment is recalibrated
   as needed. 5 pts
3. 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
4. A boom sprayer (not an airblast sprayer) is used for foliar applications of pesticides,
   to reduce spread of bacterial disease. 15 pts
5. If staked or trellis Tomatoesare grown, a boom and drop nozzle system is used for
   foliar applications of pesticides, to improve coverage. *10 pts
6. Records of planting and harvest dates and cultivars used are maintained and organized. 5 pts

Category Total 55 pts
Adjusted Total ______ pts

1. Aphids are monitored weekly by direct observation of two fully expanded leaves
   per plant on at least 25 plants per field 5 pts
2. Insecticides are applied for aphid control only if aphid densities exceed 6 aphids
   per leaf. 10 pts
3. From transplant to fruit set, Colorado potato beetle and flea beetle are monitored
   weekly on at least 25 plants per field. Defoliation estimates and percentage of clipped
   stems are recorded. 5 pts
4. From transplant to fruit set, Colorado potato beetle and flea beetle controls are
   applied according to state-specified thresholds. 5 pts
5. From fruit set through harvest, foliar pests (hornworms, spider mites, stink bug,
   tomato fruitworm, CPB and other occasional pests) are monitored through weekly
   scouting of foliage. If pests are present, numbers, percent infestation and percent
   defoliation are recorded. 5 pts
6. From fruit set through harvest, fruit quality is monitored by examining 2-4 fruits per
   plants on at least 25 plants per field. Insect damage and physiological disorders
   are recorded. 5 pts
7. From fruit set through harvest, insecticides for foliar or fruit pests are applied only
   if pest numbers, foliage or fruit injury, or trap captures exceed state-specified
   thresholds. 10 pts
8. If tomato fruitworm (corn earworm) is historically a problem, flights are monitored
   on-farm with pheromone traps, according to state IPM guidelines. *5 pts
9. If caterpillar control is needed (hornworm or fruitworm), microbial insecticides are
   used for control. *5 pts

Category Total 55 pts
Adjusted Total ______ pts

Prior to field planting:

1. 1. Tomato seed has been (MAXIMUM of 15 points):
   • tested and found to be disease-free, 5 pts AND/OR
   • treated with sodium hypochlorite, 10 pts AND/OR
   • hot water-treated seed is used. 15 pts
2. Plants with resistance to soil-borne diseases (e.g., Verticilium, Fusarium) or foliar
   diseases (e.g., early or late blight) are grown. 10 pts
3. Transplants are grown in-state. 5 pts
4. If transplants are grown on-farm, preventative practices are followed;
   (maximum of 15 pts):
   • The growing medium does not include field soil. 5 pts
   • Transplants are grown in a separate greenhouse from ornamental crops. 5 pts
   • Sanitation practices in the greenhouse include cleaning of benches, trays, hose
     nozzles, etc. with a disinfectant and avoiding contamination of the transplant
     medium and hose nozzles. 5 pts
   • Greenhouse is kept weed-free. 5 pts

   • Humidity in the greenhouse is reduced through proper timing of watering,
     ventilation and air circulation. 5 pts

In the field:

1. Plants are grown in stake and weave culture, which can help reduce early blight. 5 pts
2. If early and late plantings are made, they are grown in separate (isolated) fields to
   reduce movement of foliar disease into late plantings. *5 pts
3. High tunnels are employed for early season crop to reduce early blight and
   other foliar diseases. No chemicals are used for disease control. Bonus: 10 pts
4. Fields are monitored weekly for disease. Scouting results are recorded, including
   disease symptoms and percent infected plants and foliage. 15 pts
5. If disease problems occur, diseases are accurately identified (using the help of
   consultants or a diagnostic laboratory if needed). *10 pts
6. From transplant to four weeks after transplant, copper materials are used only if
   farm has a history of bacterial disease of tomato. 5 pts
7. More than four weeks after transplanting, bactericides are applied only if symptoms
   of bacterial diseases are present on farm. 5 pts
8. Initial fungicides for control of early blight and Septoria leaf spot are triggered by date
   (first week of July) or disease forecasting (TOM-CAST, accumulation of 35 DSV
   since planting), whichever comes first. 10 pts
9. After July 1, scheduling of fungicides for control of early blight and Septoria leaf
   spot is based upon one of the following:
   • Disease forecasting (cumulative TOM-CAST DSV = 15, since previous
     spray), based upon local or regional weather information. 15 pts OR
   • If weather conditions favor disease development (i.e. long leaf wetness
     periods and warm temperatures). Weather information is recorded. 10 pts
10. Fungicides and bactericide are applied only when the application will be followed by
    a drying period of at least two hours. 5 pts
11. Precautions are taken to avoid spreading pathogens during pruning and tying of
    plants, including working the crop only when plants are dry. 5 pts
12. If late blight occurs locally, protectant or systemic fungicides are used to prevent the
    outbreak or spread of this disease. *10 pts

Category Total 135 pts
Adjusted Total ______ pts

1. This year's tomato fields were scouted for weeds at the end of the previous season.
   Weeds present were recorded and the information was used in the current crop's
   weed management program. 10 pts
2. One of the following weed management methods is used:
   • Weeds are controlled by cultivation or other non-chemical means, with no
     herbicide applied; OR
   • Herbicide rates are reduced through banding of herbicides and cultivation; OR
   • Tomatoesare transplanted on plastic mulch and herbicides are only used
     between the mulch, so that less than 50% of the soil area is treated; OR
   • Post-emergence herbicides are used as an alternative to pre-emergence
     herbicides, in response to weeds observed and recorded in early-season
     survey, on crops grown either on bare ground or plastic. 20 pts
3. Weeds in fields, alleys and roadways are prevented from going to seed. 10 pts
4. This year's 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
5. Outbreaks of new or problem weed species are controlled, using chemical or
   non-chemical means, to prevent spreading or seed production. 10 pts
6. A trial plot to test a different weed management technique is maintained.
   The methods and results are recorded. Bonus: 10 pts

Category Total 60 pts
Adjusted Total ______ pts

1. Manager possesses a copy of the current New England Vegetable Management Guide. 5 pts
2. Manager attends one or more state, regional or national Extension vegetable
   workshops during the current year. 5 pts
3. Manager subscribes to the UMass Extension Vegetable Notes & IPM Message. 5 pts

Category Total 15 pts
Adjusted Total ______ pts

Grand Total 450 pts
Adjusted Grand Total ______ pts
Percentage of adjusted total %

Selected IPM Articles:
Education and Certification Report FY 1999
Education and Certification Report FY 2000
Adoption of IPM Systems
Sweet Corn IPM Adoption
IPM in Massachusetts Public Schools
Partners with Nature - History
IPM for Bedding Plants - 1996 Survey
Massachusetts IPM Guidelines
Introduction & Acknowledgements
Apple
Cole Crops
Cranberry
Pepper
Potato
Pumpkin & Squash
Strawberry
Sweetcorn
Field Tomato
Greenhouse Tomato
Highbush Blueberry
Pointsettia
Raspberry
Wine Grape