To support decision-makers considering adopting integrated pest management (IPM) cropping in Norway, we used stochastic efficiency analysis to compare the risk efficiency of IPM cropping and conventional cropping, using data from a long-term field experiment in southeastern Norway, along with data on recent prices, costs, and subsidies. Initial results were not definitive, so we applied stochastic efficiency with respect to a function, limiting the assumed risk aversion of farmers to a plausible range. We found that, for farmers who are risk-indifferent to moderately (hardly) risk averse, the conventional system was, compared to IPM, less (equally) preferred.

Control of cucurbit pests, such as striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum), spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi) and squash bug (Anasa tristis), in organic systems is difficult due to a lack of effective insecticide options. This has led to the development of many integrated pest management techniques, such as use of row covers, crop rotation and cover crops. This study explored the novel use of strip tillage and row covers to reduce pest pressure in summer squash (Cucurbita pepe) and muskmelon (Cucumis melo) production systems. Results showed that although strip tillage reduced striped cucumber beetle and squash bug numbers, there was a yield reduction in both crops compared with the plasticulture system. Row cover increased marketable yield in both systems, with the highest yield being in the plasticulture system. Unmarketable fruit directly attributed to insect damage was higher in the plasticulture systems, but was not significantly different when compared with the strip tillage system. Although there are many documented positive attributes of strip tillage, results from this study indicate that a combination of plasticulture and row cover may be a superior system for organic cucurbit production.

Integrated pest management (IPM) initially focused on insect pest control. More recently, IPM encompasses a broader concept of management, one which crosses several disciplinary boundaries. This article reports results of research dealing with four integrated management decisions for alfalfa (cultivar selection, inset control, weed control, and end-of-season harvest options).

The success of the Boll Weevil Eradication (BWE) Program is believed to be one factor underlying the recent increase in cotton acreage in the Southeast. We find weak evidence that the initial, eradication phase of the BWE program decreases cotton acreage, and strong evidence that the second, maintenance phase of the program increases acreage. The full benefits associated with a BWE program may not become apparent until acreage adjustments occur, four to five years after program initiation. Our results indicate that for a representative sample county neglecting acreage effects may lead to underestimation of BWE program net benefits by 9 percent-12 percent.

A Volterra model with mutual interferenceconcerning integrated pest management is proposed and analyzed. Byusing Floquet theorem and small amplitude perturbation method andcomparison theorem, we show the existence of a globallyasymptotically stable pest-eradication periodic solution. Further,we prove that when the stability of pest-eradication periodicsolution is lost, the system is permanent and there exists alocally stable positive periodic solution which arises from thepest-eradication periodic solution by bifurcation theory. When theunique positive periodic solution loses its stability, numericalsimulation shows there is a characteristic sequence ofbifurcations, leading to a chaotic dynamics. Finally, we comparethe validity of integrated pest management (IPM) strategy withclassical methods and conclude IPM strategy is more effective thanclassical methods.

Preliminary studies were conducted using four varieties of potted cowpea (Ex-Luanda, Katuli 107. Vita 1, TVx66–2H) to determine plant response to injury to foliar and reproductive structures. Several levels of leaf loss were simulated at two plant growth stages; flowers were excised manually for 10. 15 and 20 consecutive days post-flowering; and pods were removed at several levels, 7–10 days after flowering. Similar tests were carried out during the short rains of Mbita Point Field Station (MPFS) and on a farmer's field at Kodiera, near Homa Bay, using two varieties—a local indeterminate dual purpose type (Ex-Luanda) and a determinate grain cultivar (TVu 1509). Defoliation significantly decreased plant weight and pod and grain production, but not branching and pod dimensions of potted plants. Flower and pod loss did not markedly lower plant weight, pod and seed production, and the effect on branching was negligible. The response of field plants was strongly influenced by crop variety and environment, notably agronomic practices and location. These results have implications for integrated pest management (IPM) which are explored in the context of increased grain legume production.