Field Crops

Smart Pest Management Solutions for Today's World

One of Arizona’s longest standing agricultural endeavors is with field crops such as cotton, alfalfa, corn, small grains, and sorghum. These crops make up a significant portion of Arizona’s agricultural production. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) provides today’s field crop managers and producers effective tools for managing pests while minimizing risks to human health and the environment.

Alfalfa

Corn and Sorghum

Cotton

Guayule

Small Grains

Events

Risk Reduction

Featured Outputs

Nondormant Alfalfa Varieties for Arizona 2019

Alfalfa varieties differ in fall dormancy, defined asgrowth during the fall. Nondormant alfalfa varieties are usually planted in mild winter areas for their ability to grow in the fall. Nondormant, very nondormant, and extremely nondormant alfalfa varieties (fall dormancy class 8, 9, and 10) are adapted to elevations below 4000 feet in Arizona.
Promoting the Use of Predators

New research has identified critical levels of predators that impact economic spray decisions for whiteflies. By working with the beneficials found naturally within a field, reliance on chemical controls could effectively be reduced.
Predicting and Mitigating Resistance Development in Whiteflies

Insecticidal resistance in whiteflies is a real problem, threatening economic and effective pest control. Research is being done on whitefly resistances to currently used chemical controls and the potential of usage patterns to contribute to the development of these resistances. Effective resistance mitigation begins with the application of the first principles of resistance management.
Everyone’s a Winner with Selectivity

Using selective chemistries is safer for the user and environment. This includes the beneficial predators found within fields that are important for controlling pests such as whiteflies and Lygus bugs. Selective chemistries are an important component of Arizona’s insect cotton IPM program. Current research is being conducted on the newest chemistries to determine their selectivity towards non-target organisms, such as beneficials.

IPM Shorts

Jul 2020

Cotton Insecticide Use Guide - Knowing and Balancing Risks (PDF, 1 MB)

Many factors must be considered when choosing an insecticide, such as cost, efficacy, risk of resistance, and safety to non-target organisms. This Cotton Insecticide Use Guide summarizes the diverse risks of insecticides used to control three pests, helping you make well informed pest management decisions.
Jun 2020

Selective and Effective Cotton Chemistry, Mexican Products (PDF, 1 MB)

Cotton insecticide target efficacy, impact on non-target arthropods and other pesticide risks.
Jun 2020

Utilización de Depredadores en Algodón (PDF, 3 MB)

La guía del inspector acompañante para “Making Whitefly & Predator Counts”. Esta guía portátil proporciona instrucciones para el muestreo de mosca blanca y predators. La tablas proporcionan una guía para tomar decisiones sobre cuando fumigar para manejar eficazmente mosca blanca. Disponible tanto en inglés como en español.