More Research Needed To Develop Pest Control Options (Opinion)
May 7, 2014 
Rosemary Gordon
Just days before we sent this issue to the printer, USDA announced the availability of approximately $66 million in Specialty Crop Block Grants to state departments of agriculture for projects supporting specialty crop production. As directed by the Farm Bill, the block grants are allocated to states taking into consideration both specialty crop acreage and production value.
Applicants are encouraged to “develop projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.” One project area mentioned involves controlling pests and diseases.
As weeds are major pests, especially in states like California where growers are also experiencing an increase in regulations, it would only make sense that funding is allocated to research new tools. The news about the Specialty Crop Block Grants made me think of a recent conversation I had with Steve Fenni-more, Extension vegetable weed specialist at the University of California-Davis, where we discussed weed control technology. We also talked about the need for research.
Fennimore explained that he had written a proposal to secure funding for research on European robotic weeders that have the potential to save time, labor, and money. Just before our phone conversation, however, he got the news that he would not receive funds for research — at least not now.
That is unfortunate because not only would conventional growers greatly benefit from the high-tech tools, so would organic growers. It is no secret organic producers have their hands full keeping their crops weed-free, spending countless hours hand weeding.
The equipment may be expensive, but once you think about the big picture and the reduction in labor costs — long term — an implement of this sort may be a great “tool” for the toolbox. (To read Fennimore’s weed blog, go to bit.ly/1m3OqhG.)
A similar situation exists involving the use of fumigants. Strawberry growers in California are seeing diseases such as charcoal rot and Fusarium wilt rear their ugly heads since moving away from the silver bullet that was methyl bromide. In Florida, tomato growers also are faced with disease challenges in the absence of the fumigant. Yes, other materials are available for growers to use, but additional control strategies are needed.
Hopefully some of the money allocated for specialty crops will lead to new pest control tools. And let’s hope the next time Fennimore requests funding for weed control devices, he gets it. In the end, his efforts may save you time and money.
For more information on the grants, go to 1.usa.gov/1eF3LFD.
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