Integrated pest management in the green bean industry
Project VG02030

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Introduction

This project was proposed by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and is facilitated by HAL in partnership with AUSVEG and funded by the vegetable levy. The Australian Government provides matched funding for all HAL's R&D activities. This project aims to build on the work carried out in project VG214 Integrated Bean Rust Management.

Timeframe: 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2006. This project was extended to August 2007 as project VG06016.

Objective

To produce a Ute Guide of insect pests and beneficials that growers, consultants and resellers can use with a good degree of confidence in the identification of the insects in the crop. Such a publication could be left in the vehicle at all times for quick reference.

Project description

Background

The development of an integrated pest management system in green beans has been initiated by growers who are aware of the benefits of this integrated approach and have seen the benefits in the sweet corn and brassica industries.

Heliothis resistance to organophosphates and synthetic pyrethroids is well documented, making management of heliothis and other bean pests difficult. With the small number of insecticides currently registered for use in green/french beans, increasing resistance to these insecticides is a distinct possibility.

New narrow spectrum and beneficial friendly insecticides are needed to help growers implement an integrated pest management (IPM) system. This project will conduct efficacy trials to aid the registration of some of these newer insecticides especially those that are effective on heliothis and a range of other bean pests.

A clearer understanding of the pest and beneficial insect spectrum found in bean crops is also needed, as once an IPM system is put in place minor pests may become more important. An understanding of the pest spectrum and how beneficial insect populations may be augmented, will help growers and crop consultants decide what management practices need to be undertaken to minimise pest levels and crop damage.

Project activities

The majority of the project activities will be in southeast Queensland, some survey work will be done in north Queensland and some of the BMO trials in the Gympie region.

1. Pest and beneficial insect abundance studies

Unsprayed plantings will be monitored during the first year of the project to determine the abundance and range of pests and beneficial insects found in bean crops at different times of the growing season. Insect counts using sweep nets, suction sampling, direct visual sampling, pheromone traps and yellow sticky traps will be used to determine what pest and beneficial insects are present. Properties in the Gympie and north Queensland regions will also be sampled during the first and second years to add to this abundance data.

2. Efficacy trials of new and potential insecticides

These trials will generate data to support registration for use in green beans and assess IPM friendly insecticides. Small plot replicated trials of potential products will be monitored weekly and sprays applied based on pest thresholds. Thresholds used will be based on the local crop consultant's recommendations. They will be compared with information from research in pulse/grain legume crops.

Numbers of pest and beneficial insects will be recorded and damage assessed at harvest. This will be compared with grower and processor requirements. Data collected will be analysed and results made available to bean growers and the chemical companies.

Potential products for evaluation are shown in the table below.

Insecticidal soaps for control of sap sucking insects such as thrips may also be evaluated. Potential use of other biopesticides will also be investigated with assistance from the biopesticides unit at QDPI&F Indooroopilly.

3. Best Management Options (BMO's)

BMO's that will impact on the pest(s) populations whilst safe guarding the beneficial insects likely to be found in bean crops will be evaluated with grower and consultant input. These demonstration plantings will be trialled on the Gatton Research Station and then on growers properties during times of expected high pest pressure.

BMO's will be practical strategies and include a broad range of appropriate pest management options under a range of pest pressures and growing periods. They may include the strategic application of synthetic or biological insecticides, improved pesticide application techniques, insect and crop monitoring procedures and the introduction, protection and fostering of naturally occurring beneficial insects.

An economic analysis of cost/benefits will be carried out on all BMO trials. Pest and beneficial identification workshops will be held in the Lockyer Valley and Gympie regions in conjunction with BMO trials to help growers become familiar with what can be found in their crop.

4. Pesticide application technology

Programs will be developed to improve the effectiveness of the various types of pesticide application equipment used in the industry. Evaluation of current practices will be assessed using techniques developed in other research projects.

This project will make recommendations on how to improve application and penetration of the pesticides into the crop. The various types of nozzles and which ones are most effective will also be investigated in relation to the type of spray application equipment used by growers.

5. Grower database

A grower database will be compiled to aid in the dissemination of research results to all green bean growers around Australia. It will be developed in conjunction with the state Industry Development Officers, state departments of agriculture and local consultants.

Project outputs

Outputs from this project will include:

. milestone reports from specific project activities made available to the Australian green beans industry

. guidelines for best management options made available to the industry as a result of research and on-farm trial work

. DPI&F Notes, (available from the green bean home page ), produced on pest management for green beans.

Project outcomes

Outcomes from this project will include:

. reduced losses from heliothis and other insect pests of bean crops

. a better understanding of the pest and beneficial insect spectrum found in bean crops, this will aid crop consultants in pest and beneficial insect recognition

. alternative narrow spectrum insecticides registered for use in bean crops

. a better understanding of spray application equipment and how it can best be used in bean crops.

Project team

DPI&F information and services

• To access DPI&F's information and services, Queensland residents can contact the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23 for the cost of a local call, from 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). E-mail callweb@dpi.qld.gov.au. Non-Queensland residents phone +61 7 3404 6999.

• Current national information on agricultural chemicals registered for use on all crops is available on the Infopest CD-ROM. Write to DPI&F, GPO Box 46, Brisbane, Qld 4001, E-mail infopest@dpi.qld.gov.au, visit the Infopest web page, or phone +61 7 3239 3967 for further information.

Industry links

• Industry links is a page of links to various sites of interest to horticultural growers.

Acknowledgements

This project is facilitated by HAL in partnership with AUSVEG and funded by the vegetable levy. The Australian Government provides matched funding for all HAL's R&D activities. Sumitomo Chemicals is a voluntary contributor to this project. I would also like to acknowledge Jack Milbank, formally Queensland Vegetable Industry Development Officer, for helping organise the Gympie field day.

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Last updated 23 October 2007