Integrated Pest Management

Pesticide Training, Exams, and Recertification Meetings

The University of Maryland Pesticide Safety and Training program was created to assist agricultural producers and businesses with timely information regarding pesticide use and recommendations. Farms use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to solve pest problems while minimizing risks to people and the environment.

Botrytis is a major disease threat as harvest approaches. Botrytis cinerea is a fungus that affects many plant species, especially wine grapes, where it is commonly known as Botrytis bunch rot or gray mold.

A list of resources for Grape Pest and Weed Management

IpM Scouting Tips posted in the Fruit and Vegetable News.

In July 2023, the EPA posted 10 years (2013-2022) of pesticide incident (see glossary) data on its website. This was done to increase transparency and provide a better understanding of pesticide exposures, including exposures to vulnerable populations.

At 3 to 4 weeks after bloom, the risks of black rot (BR), Phomopsis (Ph; including cane and leaf spot, and fruit rot), and powdery mildew (PM) are decreasing. Downy mildew (DM) will be the main threat. While most Botrytis bunch rot infections occur around bloom and fruit set, bunch closing and veraison may also be critical points for protection when weather conditions are favorable for infection, especially on susceptible varieties.

The growth period from 2 weeks pre-bloom until 3 to 4 weeks post-bloom is the most critical for protecting foliage, and especially flowers and newly set fruit from black rot (BR), Phomopsis (Ph), powdery mildew (PM), Downy mildew (DM), and Botrytis bunch rot infections.

Listed below are the corn trait packages to make it easier to understand seed guides, sales material and bag tags. It is an abbreviated version of the Bt trait table plus related extension materials free online at: https://www.texasinsects.org/bt-corn-trait-table.html. Information listed Includes the name of each trait package, bag tag code, Bt toxins expressed (Cry1 types and Vip3A for caterpillars, Cry3 types for rootworms), refuge requirement (RIB=% refuge in the bag or REF=% structured refuge) and herbicide tolerance (GLY= glyphosate /Roundup-Ready, LL=glufosinate/Liberty Link, 2,4D or group 1 ‘fops’ type herbicides). Note that older trait packages, with limited or no commercial availability, are listed, so you can look back and interpret previous year’s planting records, seed guides, and research results.

Common Fruit Herbicides*