Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-4rdpn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T13:17:21.464Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Pest Management Recommendations and Water Quality Concerns: An Illinois Agribusiness Perspective

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

George F. Czapar*
Affiliation:
Economic Development, and Extension Educator, Crop Systems, University of Illinois Extension, Springfield Center, P.O. Box 8199, Springfield, IL 62791
Marc P. Curry
Affiliation:
Economic Development, and Extension Educator, Crop Systems, University of Illinois Extension, Springfield Center, P.O. Box 8199, Springfield, IL 62791
William H. Brink
Affiliation:
Economic Development, and Extension Educator, Crop Systems, University of Illinois Extension, Springfield Center, P.O. Box 8199, Springfield, IL 62791
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract

Midwest growers rely heavily on agrichemical retailers and crop consultants for making pest management decisions. A survey was mailed to 793 fertilizer and agricultural chemical dealers in Illinois to help understand their basis for pesticide recommendations, sources of information, and water quality concerns. Survey response rate was approximately 55%, and results indicated that agrichemical retailers use several sources of information, including manufacturers, universities, and company training programs. Newsletters and fact sheets were recognized as the most useful types of university resources, whereas videos were deemed the least useful. Product effectiveness was identified by 85% of the respondents as being the most important factor affecting pesticide selection. Soil erosion was listed as the greatest threat to water quality. Filter strips and best management practices were suggested as being the most likely to succeed in protecting water quality.

Type
Research
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literature Cited

Baker, J. L. and Mickelson, S. K. 1994. Application technology and best management practices for minimizing herbicide runoff. Weed Technol. 8: 862869.Google Scholar
Czapar, G. F., Curry, M. P., and Gray, M. E. 1995. Survey of integrated pest management practices in central Illinois. J. Prod. Agric. 8: 483486.Google Scholar
Czapar, G. F., Curry, M. P., and Wax, L. M. 1997. Grower acceptance of economic thresholds for weed management in Illinois. Weed Technol. 11: 828831.Google Scholar
Fernandez-Cornejo, J. and Jans, S. 1999. Pest management in U.S. Agriculture. Agriculture Handbook No. 717. Washington, DC: Resource Economics Division, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 84 p.Google Scholar
Hirschi, M., Frazee, R., Czapar, G., and Peterson, D. 1997. 60 Ways Farmers Can Protect Surface Water. Urbana-Champaign, IL: College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 317 p.Google Scholar
Littell, R. C., Milliken, G. A., Stroup, W. W., and Wolfinger, R. D. 1996. SAS System for Mixed Models. Cary, NC: SAS Institute. 633 p.Google Scholar
Owen, M.D.K., Hartzler, R. G., and Buhler, D. D. 1998. What influences weed management decisions? Weed Sci. Soc. Am. Abstr. p. 31.Google Scholar