Producer perceptions and pest management practices in Iowa alfalfa

In June 1997, 1900 self-administered surveys were sent to Iowa alfalfa (Med icago sativa L.) producers. The sample was split into early adopter and gen eral populations. Early adopters were those producers who purchased potato leafhopper [Empoasca fabae (Harris)] resistant alfalfa seed during the firs t year it was available commercially. The general population was randomly s elected and no producer was present in both populations. Producers were ask ed questions on pest perceptions, management practices, and perceptions of leafhopper-resistant alfalfa, Seven hundred forty-seven usable surveys were returned. Results showed that the early adopter population farmed larger p roduction systems and produced more alfalfa per acre than the general popul ation. Overall, producers from the early adopter population had greater fun damental knowledge of serious alfalfa pests than producers from the general population. The potato leafhopper was reported as the most important pest in both populations. Producers seemed confused between the injury symptoms of potato leafhopper and alfalfa weevil [Hypera postica (Gyllenhal)] injury , and it was apparent that leafhopper injury symptoms were often confused w ith drought stress. Positive relationships were found between the frequency of scouting, the frequency of insecticide use, and alfalfa yield. The majo rity of producers expected leafhoppers to avoid resistant alfalfa varieties , resulting in smaller pest infestations. Adoption of leafhopper-resistant alfalfa probably will be limited by producers' knowledge of previous yield loss from this pest. Results of this survey will be used to develop improve d educational materials on insect pest management in alfalfa.