Location: Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research
2020 Annual Report
Objectives
Provide efficacy, phytotoxicity and yield data and residue samples for analyses to support the registration or re-registration of minor use pesticides for the control or modification of behavior of pests through Interregional Project No. 4. [NP 304, C3, PS 3A2]
Approach
Determine needs for minor use pesticides by consulting producers, processors, fieldmen, or their associations. Select pesticides for testing based on needs, efficacy, economics, and safety to the crop and its environment. Conduct studies on candidate pesticides in the field, nursery or greenhouse to obtain efficacy, phytotoxicity and yield data, and residue samples for analyses in accordance with protocols, standard operating procedures, and good laboratory practices.
Progress Report
This is the final report for project 0500-00007-099-00D, "Field Testing of Minor Use Pesticides", which has been replaced by new project 0500-00007-118-00D effective 02 August 2020.
The Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) is the primary entity in the United States to facilitate registrations of conventional pesticides and bio pesticides on specialty food crops and non-food ornamental horticulture crops. The IR-4 Project at USDA-ARS Wapato tested candidate pesticides on 11 food crops for residues and efficacy against pests and on 11 ornamentals for crop safety (phytotoxicity) evaluation. Information from these field trials will be used to support petitions submitted by IR-4 Project to the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) for the registration or reregistration of pesticides for use on minor crops and ornamentals.
Accomplishments
1. Residue and efficacy of pesticides on 21 crops were evaluated. The Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) is the primary entity in the United States to facilitate registrations of conventional pesticides and bio pesticides on specialty food crops (fruits, vegetables, nuts) and non-food ornamental horticulture crops (greenhouse flowers, nursery, landscape plants, and Christmas trees). These registrations are necessary to prevent damage to the crops we eat or the plants that enhance our environment. ARS researchers in Wapato, Washington, in collaboration with IR-4 personnel at Rutgers University in New Jersey, tested candidate pesticides on ten food crops for residues to include two Dill, two Quinoa, Apple, Pear, clover, two Grass, Squash (summer) Carrot and Mint. Three efficacy crop safety trials were performed; one Mustard Greens and two on Quinoa. Additionally, efficacy against pests on eleven ornamentals for crop safety (phytotoxicity) evaluation were completed. It was found that levels of residues on food crops of most of the pesticides tested were below the levels established by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and these products were safe to use on minor crops. This information will be submitted to EPA by IR-4 Project to enable registrations of needed pesticides for use on minor food crops and Ornamentals.
