A total system approach to sustainable pest and weed management in grapevines: Research, demonstration, and cost benefit analysis project
Abstract
This research and demonstration project of Total System Approach/Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in wine grapes was conducted along the model of fully integrating its research and extension aspects. This approach has been advocated by many leading universities in the field, including the University of California, and is now required by the USDA (US Department of Agriculture) for research grants, to maximise practical relevance of research outcomes and their uptake in grower communities. The key aims of this project were to collect baseline data required to advance IPM and sustainable management of pests in Australian viticulture in order to reduce pesticide use in wine grapes in the long term, and facilitate greater reliance on biological control.
To this effect, (1) field data on naturally present biological control providers in vineyards and their seasonal population changes and succession in abundance were collected from vineyards practicing IPM for at least 3 years. (2) Effects of a large number of viticultural pesticides on a key species of biological control providers (predatory mites) were investigated through rigorous laboratory methods that met international standards required for designating pesticides as safe to beneficial organisms. (3) Effects of selected insecticides on green lacewings, brown lacewing, and damsel bugs were also investigated to indicate which of the novel insecticides recently registered in wine grapes could be damaging natural biological control services in vineyards. (4) Comprehensive guidelines for sustainable grapevine production: IPM were devised in a user friendly form, ready for use by growers as a self assessment guide of their progress towards sustainable pest management, and allowing them to easily identify the next most feasible adoption step they may undertake. An interim final report (31 October 2006) was produced. This final report (31 October 2007) including additional publications and pesticide testing was also produced.
Summary
The project investigates beneficial insects in vineyards that are of direct relevance to low input, ecologically based, sustainable pest management (IPM). Monitoring techniques for day-to-day use to the wine industry are being devised, and the role of these organisms in the vineyard agro-ecosystem investigated, while undertaking practical field-demonstration and evaluation of IPM.Toxicity of pesticides to key beneficials is studied.