HOR 265 Integrated Pest Management: Scouting and Monitoring

Lecture Hours: 1
Lab Hours: 3
Credits: 2

Monitors crops to prevent infestations to create an effective IPM program and to make good crop decisions. Covers how to identify the objectives of a monitoring program, sampling methods, tools, and techniques, the role of precision agriculture, and using monitoring records to develop a long-term monitoring plan.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Identify monitoring objectives.
Understand the role of sampling in a monitoring program.
Identify the most effective sampling method and tools.
Develop, use, and interpret monitoring records.

Content Outline

Monitoring objectives
Role of sampling in monitoring
- Defining the sampling unit
  - Sampling accuracy and precision
  - Factors affecting sampling and precision
  - Improving sampling results
Sampling methods
- Feeding damage
- Sticky traps
- Shaking
- Pitfall traps
- Pheromone lures
- Number and sample size
- Monitoring tools and techniques
  - Visual
  - Knockdown
  - Suction
  - Netting
  - Trapping
- Digital monitoring tools
  - Precision agriculture
  - Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  - Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
- Predictive tools
  - Phenology models
  - Disease forecasting
  - Plant mapping
  - Growing degree days
Monitoring records
- Sampling records
- Graphs
- Data sheets and files
- Field maps
- Electronic databases
Interpreting and using monitoring results
- Relating monitoring results to treatment thresholds
- Follow-up monitoring after treatment
- Evaluating the efficiency of the monitoring technique
Designing a monitoring plan