PM - 1 -- Pest Management and IWM Planning

![](media/image1.png){width="11.0in" height="0.10416666666666667in"}

**Poor water management is probably the biggest cause of pest
infestations. Learn the water requirements of plants and the
water-holding properties of the soil at each location. Monitor soil
moisture around the plant\'s root zone and adjust irrigation according
to seasonal need. Maintain adequate but not excessive water in the soil
to ensure plant survival and good growth. Too much or too little water
damages or kills plants.**

**Insufficient water causes leaves to wilt, droop, and drop.
Drought-stress promotes sunburn and sunscald, shoot and branch dieback,
bark cracking, cankers, and some fungi. Beetles, mites, and chewing or
sucking insects may attack drought-stressed plants.**

**Excess water, especially near the root collar, is a primary cause of
root and crown diseases and increases weed populations. Poor placement
of water also promotes some diseases. Splashing water spreads fungal
spores and wet foliage promotes some foliar and fruit diseases, such as
leaf spots, rusts, and brown rot. Use low-volume drip irrigation or
mini-sprinklers instead of overhead sprinklers where feasible.**

**The first step in pest management is to identify the type and level of
infestation of pests (pest scouting). See table this section for
Estimated Simple Economic Threshold Levels for selected common insect
pests of New Mexico.**

> **[Estimated Simple Economic Threshold Levels for selected common
> insect pests of New Mexico^1^]{.underline}**.

+-----+-------+---------+----------------------------------------------+
| C   | PEST  | TH      | NOTES                                        |
| ROP |       | RESHOLD |                                              |
|     |       |         |                                              |
|     |       | LEVEL   |                                              |
+-----+-------+---------+----------------------------------------------+
| A   | Al    | 15-20   | Plant size dependent, foliar insecticide,    |
| lfa | falfa | larvae  | normally 1^st^ cutting only economic, not    |
| lfa | w     | /sweep  | normally present in 1^st^ year hay           |
|     | eevil |         |                                              |
+-----+-------+---------+----------------------------------------------+
| A   | Al    | 25%     | Plant size dependent, foliar insecticide,    |
| lfa | falfa | damaged | normally 1^st^ cutting only economic, not    |
| lfa | w     | stems   | normally present in 1^st^ year hay           |
|     | eevil |         |                                              |
|     |       | (2      |                                              |
|     |       | larva   |                                              |
|     |       | e/stem) |                                              |
+-----+-------+---------+----------------------------------------------+
| A   | A     | Greater | Plant size dependent, foliar insecticides,   |
| lfa | phids | than 15 | may be economic throughout the season,       |
| lfa | (pea  | per     | multiple generations per year, population    |
|     | and   | sweep   | increase following some insecticide          |
|     | blue  |         | applications                                 |
|     | a     |         |                                              |
|     | phid) |         |                                              |
+-----+-------+---------+----------------------------------------------+
| Ch  | P     | M       | Economic threshold level is variety          |
| ile | epper | ultiple | dependent; imported pest, multiple           |
|     | W     | indi    | generations per year                         |
|     | eevil | viduals |                                              |
|     |       | caught  |                                              |
|     |       | in      |                                              |
|     |       | ph      |                                              |
|     |       | eromone |                                              |
|     |       | trap    |                                              |
+-----+-------+---------+----------------------------------------------+
| Pec | Pecan | 3-5%    | Dependent on crop load and price, sample nut |
| ans | nut   | egg     | clusters, 3 generations per year             |
|     | caseb | i       |                                              |
|     | earer | nfested |                                              |
|     |       | c       |                                              |
|     |       | lusters |                                              |
+-----+-------+---------+----------------------------------------------+
| Pec | Black | 1 aphid | Sample compound leaves, foliar insecticides, |
| ans | pecan | per     | multiple generations/year, do not tolerate   |
|     | aphid | c       | heat                                         |
|     |       | ompound |                                              |
|     |       | leaf    |                                              |
+-----+-------+---------+----------------------------------------------+

+-----+-------+---------+----------------------------------------------+
| C   | PEST  | TH      | NOTES                                        |
| ROP |       | RESHOLD |                                              |
|     |       |         |                                              |
|     |       | LEVEL   |                                              |
+-----+-------+---------+----------------------------------------------+
| Pec | Black | 25/c    | Economic problem during a heavy production   |
| ans | mar   | ompound | year                                         |
|     | gined | leaf    |                                              |
|     | aphid |         |                                              |
+-----+-------+---------+----------------------------------------------+
| Oni | T     | 3       | Individual plant samples, multiple           |
| ons | hrips | -5/leaf | generations per year                         |
|     | sp.   |         |                                              |
+-----+-------+---------+----------------------------------------------+
| Cot | Bol   | 5-10%   | Individual plant samples after boll          |
| ton | lworm | larvae  | development, 3 + generations/year,           |
|     |       | i       | populations may migrate from drying corn     |
|     |       | nfested |                                              |
|     |       | plants  |                                              |
+-----+-------+---------+----------------------------------------------+
| Cot | T     | 1-      | Seedling pest, individual seedling sampled,  |
| ton | hrips | 4/plant | normally use insecticide at planting,        |
|     |       |         | multiple generations                         |
+-----+-------+---------+----------------------------------------------+
| Cot | Pink  | 15%     | Consider days to harvest, multiple           |
| ton | Bol   | i       | generations per year                         |
|     | lworm | nfested |                                              |
|     |       | bolls   |                                              |
+-----+-------+---------+----------------------------------------------+
| C   | So    | 20% egg | Individual plant samples, two generations    |
| orn | uthwe | or      | per year                                     |
|     | stern | larvae  |                                              |
|     | Corn  | i       |                                              |
|     | borer | nfested |                                              |
|     |       | plants  |                                              |
+-----+-------+---------+----------------------------------------------+
| C   | We    | 5-7     | Individual plant samples, larvae controlled  |
| orn | stern | adults  | with at-planting insecticides, one           |
|     | Corn  | per     | generation per year                          |
|     | Roo   | plant   |                                              |
|     | tworm | prior   |                                              |
|     | A     | to      |                                              |
|     | dults | brown   |                                              |
|     |       | silk    |                                              |
+-----+-------+---------+----------------------------------------------+
| C   | We    | 2^nd^   | Larvae controlled with at-planting           |
| orn | stern | year in | insecticides, one generation per year        |
|     | corn  | corn    |                                              |
|     | roo   | and     |                                              |
|     | tworm | p       |                                              |
|     | l     | resence |                                              |
|     | arvae | of      |                                              |
|     |       | adults  |                                              |
|     |       | the     |                                              |
|     |       | p       |                                              |
|     |       | revious |                                              |
|     |       | year    |                                              |
+-----+-------+---------+----------------------------------------------+
| Wh  | A     | 10/stem | Consider dry-land vs. irrigated, can be      |
| eat | phids |         | controlled with at-planting insecticide,     |
|     | (     |         | multiple generations                         |
|     | green |         |                                              |
|     | bug)  |         |                                              |
+-----+-------+---------+----------------------------------------------+
| Wh  | Ru    | Det     | 50% infestation level result in 25% yield    |
| eat | ssian | ermined | loss, foliar or controlled with at-planting  |
|     | Wheat | by      | insecticides, multiple generations           |
|     | Aphid | yield   |                                              |
+-----+-------+---------+----------------------------------------------+
| Gr  | Head  | 1.5-2   | Normally one generation in grain sorghum     |
| ain | worms | per     |                                              |
| S   | (fall | head    |                                              |
| org | or    |         |                                              |
| hum | ear   |         |                                              |
|     | worm) |         |                                              |
+-----+-------+---------+----------------------------------------------+

+-----+------+----------+----------------------------------------------+
| C   | PEST | T        | NOTES                                        |
| ROP |      | HRESHOLD |                                              |
|     |      |          |                                              |
|     |      | LEVEL    |                                              |
+-----+------+----------+----------------------------------------------+
| Gr  | G    | Growth   | Leaf samples and plant observations          |
| ain | reen | stage    |                                              |
|     | bugs | d        |                                              |
| S   |      | ependent |                                              |
| org |      | (        |                                              |
| hum |      | physical |                                              |
|     |      | damage   |                                              |
|     |      | present  |                                              |
|     |      | to leaf  |                                              |
|     |      | necrosis |                                              |
|     |      | at later |                                              |
|     |      | stages)  |                                              |
+-----+------+----------+----------------------------------------------+
| Gr  | Euro | Present  | Sweep net samples after pod formation        |
| een | pean | in the   |                                              |
| Be  | corn | field    |                                              |
| ans | b    |          |                                              |
|     | orer |          |                                              |
+-----+------+----------+----------------------------------------------+
| L   | Corn | Less     | Individual plant samples                     |
| ett | ear  | than 1%  |                                              |
| uce | worm | infested |                                              |
|     |      | plant    |                                              |
+-----+------+----------+----------------------------------------------+
| L   | Cab  | Less     | Individual plant samples                     |
| ett | bage | than 5%  |                                              |
| uce | loo  | infested |                                              |
|     | pers | plants   |                                              |
|     | and  |          |                                              |
|     | beet |          |                                              |
|     | a    |          |                                              |
|     | rmyw |          |                                              |
|     | orms |          |                                              |
+-----+------+----------+----------------------------------------------+

# ^1^ Excerpt from Practical Integrated Pest Management, Draft Developed and Presented by Brad Lewis, Research Entomologist, NMSU 

**for NRCS Nutrient and Pest Management Training, 2002, NM Water Quality
Tech Note 15,**
[**http://www.nm.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/tech-notes/Water/water15.doc**](http://www.nm.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/tech-notes/Water/water15.doc)

**Integrated pest management should be used when feasible; this would
include biological, mechanical, and cultural controls (could also
include judicious chemical control). Consider potential for spray drift
when applying pesticides with sprinkler irrigation.**

**Pesticide applications associated with irrigation systems need to be
applied according to Irrigation Water Management practice standard and
Pest Management standards,
<http://www.nm.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/fotg/section-4/std-specs.html> .
The application rate (in/hr) for material applied through irrigation
shall not exceed the water holding capacity of the soil root zone.
Application amounts must be adjusted to match the soil intake rate.**

**In order to evaluate site-specific risks of pesticide application on a
given field, the Windows Pesticide Screening Tool located at
<http://www.wsi.nrcs.usda.gov/products/W2Q/pest/pest_mgt.html> with
instructions at
<http://www.nm.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/tech-notes/Water/water9.doc>
needs to be run and the Pest Management Job Sheet filled out. This will
help in evaluating the type of risk to surface and ground water and
choosing an alternative NRCS conservation practice or management
practice to reduce the risk, such as leaching, adsorption, and runoff
practices (this section).**

Conservation Treatment Technique Summary Guide for Pesticide Losses

  ------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- ------------ --------------------------
  **Conservation           **Pesticide Loss                                **Comments**
  Treatment:**             Pathways^1\ ^**                                 

                           **Leaching**      **Adsorption**   **Runoff**   

  **Management Practices**                                                 
  **^[2]{.underline}^**                                                    

  Biological               ++                ++               ++           Pesticide use can be
                                                                           reduced.

  Cultural (planting       ++                ++               ++           Pesticide use can be
  dates)                                                                   reduced

  Cultural (variety)       ++                ++               ++           Pesticide use can be
                                                                           reduced

  Formulation              +++               \+               \+           Less soluble pesticides
                                                                           move slower

  Lower Application Rate   +++               ++               ++           Most effective with highly
                                                                           soluble pesticides

  Mechanical (grubbing)    ++                ++               ++           Pesticide use can be
                                                                           reduced

  Mechanical (pruning)     ++                ++               ++           Pesticide use can be
                                                                           reduced

  Mechanical (roller chop) ++                ++               ++           Pesticide use can be
                                                                           reduced

  Mechanical (tillage)     ++                ++               ++           Pesticide use can be
                                                                           reduced

  Mechanical (vacuum)      ++                ++               ++           Pesticide use can be
                                                                           reduced

  Mechanical (weeding)     ++                ++               ++           Pesticide use can be
                                                                           reduced

  Partial Substitution     +++               ++               ++           Use pesticides with lower
                                                                           environmental risk

  Partial Treatment        ++                +++              +++          Banding and directed
                                                                           spraying, most effective
                                                                           with strongly adsorbed
                                                                           pesticides

  Scouting                 +++               +++              +++          Required to identify pest
                                                                           to be controlled; apply
                                                                           pest management based on
                                                                           economic threshholds

  Set-back                 ++                ++               ++           Greater distance from
                                                                           surface water and less
                                                                           inadvertent application to
                                                                           water body, greater
                                                                           distance to entry point

  Soil Incorporation       \+                ++               ++           Reduces amount of
                                                                           pesticides at the soil
                                                                           surface, reduces macropore
                                                                           flow

  Timing of Application    +++               +++              +++          Pesticide losses decrease
                                                                           with time between
                                                                           application and storm
                                                                           events

  **Conservation                                                           
  Practices**                                                              
  **[^3^]{.mark}**                                                         

  Conservation Cover (327) \+                +++              +++          For use when land is
                                                                           retired from production

  Conservation Crop        ++                +++              +++          Pesticide use can be
  Rotation (328)                                                           reduced due to rotational
                                                                           effects on pest complex

  Constructed Wetland      \-                \+               +++          Deposition of sediment and
                                                                           treatment of runoff;
                                                                           leaching can be expected
                                                                           below wetlands

  Contour Buffer Strips                      +++              +++          Control runoff and
                                                                           sediment losses

  Contour Farming (330)                      \+               \+           Infiltration improved,
                                                                           runoff reduced

  Contour Orchard (331)                      \+               \+           Control runoff and
                                                                           sediment losses somewhat

  **Conservation           **Pesticide Loss                                Comments
  Treatment:**             Pathways^1\ ^**                                 

                           **Leaching**      **Adsorption**   **Runoff**   

  **Management Practices** \+                ++               \+           Reduces transport of
  **^[2]{.underline}^**                                                    adsorbed pesticides

  Cross Wind Trap Strips                     ++                            Reduces transport of
  (589)                                                                    adsorbed pesticides

  Field Border (386)                         +++              ++           Buffer action reduces
                                                                           runoff and suspended
                                                                           sediment

  Filter Strip (393)       \+                +++              ++           Reduces runoff, sediment
                                                                           deposited above filter
                                                                           strip

  Forage Harvest           ++                +++              +++          Scheduling harvest periods
  Management (511)                                                         effectively to control
                                                                           pests can reduce pesticide
                                                                           use.

  Grade Stabilization                        +++                           Reduces mass movement of
  Structure (410)                                                          soil and adsorbed
                                                                           pesticides

  Grassed Waterway (412)   \+                ++               \+           Some trapping of adsorbed
                                                                           pesticides

  Irrigation Land Leveling \+                ++                            Reduction of suspended
  (464)                                                                    sediment and transport of
                                                                           adsorbed pesticides

  Irrigation System Tail   \-                ++               ++           Reductions in runoff and
  Water Recovery (447)                                                     suspended sediment

  Irrigation Water         ++                \+               \+           Reductions in runoff and
  Management (449)                                                         suspended sediment

  Pasture and Hay Planting ++                +++              +++          Rotation including
  (512)                                                                    perennial grasses and
                                                                           legumes generally require
                                                                           fewer pesticides

  Prescribed Grazing                         +++              ++           Proper management of
  (528A)                                                                   grazing and browsing
                                                                           animals improves plant
                                                                           health reducing the need
                                                                           for pesticides

  Residue Management,                        ++               ++           Significant reduction in
  No-Till (329A)                                                           adsorbed and highly
                                                                           soluble pesticide leaving
                                                                           a field

  Residue Management,                        +++              ++           Significant reduction in
  Mulch-Till (329B)                                                        adsorbed and highly
                                                                           soluble pesticide leaving
                                                                           a field

  Residue Management,                        +++              ++           Significant reduction in
  Ridge Till (329C)                                                        adsorbed and highly
                                                                           soluble pesticide leaving
                                                                           a field

  Residue Management,                        ++               \+           Slight to moderate
  Seasonal (344)                                                           reductions in adsorbed and
                                                                           highly soluble pesticides
                                                                           leaving a field

  Riparian Forest Buffer   \+                +++              +++          Slight to significant
  (391)                                                                    reduction in pesticide
                                                                           contamination of shallow
                                                                           ground water and surface
                                                                           water
  ------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- ------------ --------------------------

  ------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- ------------ --------------------------
  **Conservation           **Pesticide Loss                                Comments
  Treatment:**             Pathways^1\ ^**                                 

                           **Leaching**      **Adsorption**   **Runoff**   

  Row Arrangement (557)                      ++               ++           Slight to moderate
                                                                           reduction in runoff and
                                                                           sediment loss.

  Sediment Basin (350)                       ++               ++           Moderate reduction of
                                                                           sediment and runoff

  Subsurface Drainage      ++                ++               \-           Moderate reductions in
  (606)                                                                    pesticide movement in
                                                                           ground water and adsorbed
                                                                           pesticides on suspended
                                                                           sediment

  Terrace (600)            \-                +++              ++           Moderate to significant
                                                                           reductions of runoff and
                                                                           suspended sediment
                                                                           carrying soluble or
                                                                           adsorbed pesticides

  Tree and Shrub           ++                +++              +++          Moderate to significant
  Establishment (612)                                                      reductions in pesticide
                                                                           usage

  Waste Storage Facility   \+                ++               ++           Wastes containing
  (313)                                                                    pesticide residues are
                                                                           properly contained and not
                                                                           exposed to environmental
                                                                           element

  Waste Treatment Lagoon                     +++              +++          Pesticides in runoff and
  (359)                                                                    adsorbed to suspended
                                                                           sediment are captured and
                                                                           degraded

  Waste Utilization (633)  \+                ++               \+           Increased microbial
                                                                           degradation of pesticide
                                                                           residues

  Water & Sediment Ctrl.                     ++               ++           Moderate reduction of
  Basin (638)                                                              sediment and runoff

  Well Decommissioning     +++                                             Closure of entry points of
  (351)                                                                    pesticides into ground
                                                                           water

  Wetland Wildlife Habitat ++                ++               ++           Filtering and degradation
  Management (644)                                                         of pesticides entering
                                                                           wetland environments

  Windbreak Establishment                                                  To control air movement
  (380)                                                                    avoiding physical or
                                                                           volatile chemical drift.
  ------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- ------------ --------------------------

**^1^** Effects are rated as slight (+/-), moderate (++/\--), or
significant (+++/\-\--).

**^2^** Additional information on management practices can be obtained
from pesticide labels, NMSU pest management publications, and pest
management consultants.

**^3^** Details regarding the effects of conservation practices on
surface and ground water contamination by pesticides are contained in
the Conservation Practice Physical Effects found in the National
Handbook of Conservation Practices.