Kentucky Integrated Pest Management
Annual Summary 1990

ABSTRACT

Five counties participated in formal Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs in 1990: Webster, Butler, Shelby, and Union Counties in Kentucky, and Gallatin County in Il- linois. In all, 52 farms were enrolled in formal county IPM programs, encompassing 437 fields (13930 acres). Data were obtained on the incidence of insect, weed, and disease pests in three counties (7,870 acres) and additional data on insect pests was obtained from the remaining two counties. Scouts working for Kentucky Seed Improvement Association, Inc. surveyed an additional 4,732 acres in 10 counties. Fulton and Todd Counties used IPM training and materials, but did not have formal IPM programs. A total of 93,377 acres in crops and 929.330 bushels of stored grain were scouted by farmers themselves, usually after receiving training through the IPM scout schools held at various times during the growing season. Thus, 105,656 acres of Kentucky crops were involved in some type of integrated pest management in 1990 (Johnson, 1990 ms).

The majority of acres in the 1990 county-based IPM programs were planted in corn (62.9%), followed by soybeans (14.7%), wheat (12.6%), and alfalfa (8.6%). Grain sorghum (1.1%) and tobacco (0.04%) were very small components of the crops that were scouted in these programs.

Pests were identified as "most common" if they occurred in 50% or more of the fields planted in a particular crop. There were only two diseases that were common during 1990: Powdery mildew and Leaf rust, both in wheat. Approximately one-half of the fields reporting Powdery mildew problems were over the reporting value for this disease. About one-third of the fields with Leaf rust exceeded its reporting value.

Alfalfa weevil was reported in over 90% of alfalfa fields, all of which were over the reporting value. Fall armyworm and Sorghum midge were common in the grain sorghum fields scouted.

A number of weeds were reported in over 50% of the soybean or grain sorghum fields scouted. These included Morningglory and Cocklebur in soybeans, and Trumpet creeper, Giant foxtail, Morningglory, Horsenettle, and Honeyvine milkweed in grain sorghum.

Extension specialists were asked to provide lists of pests of particular concern for each crop in the IPM program. Pests in this category found in alfalfa in 1990 included Sclerotinia crown and stem rot and Leaf spots. Alfalfa weevil and Potato leafhopper were reported; Potato leafhopper was found in only about 28% of the alfalfa fields scouted, with about25% of those over the reporting value. Three weeds of particular concern in alfalfa were reported: Dock, Mustards, and Thistle, each occurring in less than one-third of the fields scouted. A very small amount of Stewart's wilt was reported from corn fields in the program. This was the only disease of concern in corn reported. All but one of the insects of particular concern in corn were reported, although percentages stayed around 30% of all corn fields surveyed. These included European corn borer, Black cutworm, Armyworm, Fall armyworm, and Southern and Western corn rootworm beetles. Honeyvine milkweed, Cocklebur, and Johnsongrass were the only weeds of concern reported. Each was reported in less than 20% of the fields surveyed. No soybean diseases of particular concern were reported, however, we do not have data on Soybean cyst nematode in the surveyed fields. Insects of particular concern reported for 1990 were Green cloverworm, Grasshoppers, and Bean leaf beetle. Cocklebur was the most widespread of weeds of concern in soybeans, followed by Velvetleaf, Johnsongrass, and Giant ragweed. Powdery mildew, Leaf rust, and Septoria leaf blotch were quite widespread and severe in wheat fields in 1990. Aphids and Cereal leaf beetle were the only insects of concern to be reported in wheat and these were generally in low numbers. Two weeds were reported: Wild garlic and Henbit, although these were found in less than 10% of the wheat fields surveyed. No grain sorghum diseases were reported in 1990. Fall armyworm, Aphids, and Sorghum midge were reported from the three grain sorghum fields surveyed. No weeds of particular concern were reported from these fields. One five-acre tobacco field was surveyed: Angular leaf spot was reported at values exceeding its reporting value, Flea beetle was also found. Three weeds of concern, Redroot pigweed, Yellow nutsedge, and Ragweed, were reported as well.

	Original document: 5 December 1996 Last updated: 5 December 1996