EVALUATION OF AN ONION THRIPS PEST-MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FOR ONIONS IN NEW-YORK

An integrated pest management (IPM) program which includes sampling pl ans and treatment thresholds for onion thrips has been developed for u se in New York State. In 1986, a service-oriented IPM scouting program was conducted for onion growers in several areas of New York. Growers were informed of pest infestation levels, but used their own judgment as to whether or not to apply an insecticide. In 1993, on-farm demons trations of the IPM program consisted of pairs of onion fields, one ma naged using the IPM program and the other using grower practices, Pest densities and pesticide inputs were obtained for all fields. In 1993, yield and quality at harvest were also quantified. Results from both years were evaluated to determine compliance by onion growers to the r ecommended IPM protocols and their impact on pest control practices. R esults confirmed that the use of the IPM program significantly reduced insecticide inputs without adversely affecting onion yield or quality . The number of insecticide applications and amount of formulated inse cticide per hectare were significantly less in IPM than in conventiona l fields. In addition, insecticide costs and environmental impact were reduced significantly in the IPM fields. An economic comparison of IP M vs. conventional fields showed that IPM resulted in a small savings after subtracting the cost of scouting, These demonstrations have show n that there are ecological and economic savings when using IPM. Growe r interest in adopting onion IPM strategies should increase as a resul t of these demonstrations.