![](media/image3.jpeg){width="2.959722222222222in"
height="4.1506944444444445in"}

**Purpose**

Pest management is applied as part of a resource management system to
support one or more of the following purposes;

-   Enhance quantity and quality of crops grown for food and fiber

-   Minimize negative impacts of pest control on soil resources, water
    resources, air resources, plant resources, animal resources, and/or
    humans

## Benefits {#benefits .Subsection-Heading}

## Pest management can result in the following benefits to the producer and the environment: {#pest-management-can-result-in-the-following-benefits-to-the-producer-and-the-environment .Subsection-Heading}

-   Maximize economic returns

-   Minimize environmental impacts

-   Improve food, water and air quality

-   Integrate all aspects of pest management within the agricultural
    production system (Integrated Pest Management -- IPM)

**Elements of Integrated Pest Management**

***Prevention***

*Prevention is the practice of keeping a pest population from infesting
a crop or field, and should be the first line of defense. It includes
such tactics as using pest -- free seeds and transplants, preventing
weeds from reproducing, and cleaning tillage and harvesting equipment
between fields or operations*

***Avoidance***

*When pest populations exist in a field or site, the impact of the pest
on the crop can be avoided through some cultural practice. Examples of
avoidance tactics include crop rotation, choosing cultivars with genetic
resistance to pests, and using trap crops or pheromone traps.*

***Monitoring***

*Activities such as scouting and pest forecasting that can help to
determine if and when suppression activities are needed, or to determine
if a particular pest control strategy is working or not.*

***Suppression***

*Suppression may become necessary to avoid economic loss if prevention
and avoidance tactics are not successful. Pesticides are typically used
to suppress pest populations. However, non-chemical suppression tactics
may include cultural practices, physical suppression, and biological
controls.*

**IPM Activity -- Biological Fumigant**

Green manure cover crops, such as oil radish and mustard, have been
successfully used in crop rotations before sugarbeets, potatoes, onions,
beans, and other row crops. Green manure crops can improve soil quality,
fertility and water infiltration, and suppress soil-borne pests and
diseases. Reductions in the numbers of nematodes, disease problems, and
weeds are thought to be due in part to the presence of glucosinolates in
green manure crops. When the crop is incorporated into the soil, the
breakdown of glucosinolates produces other chemicals that act against
pests. These chemicals are similar to the active chemical
(methyl-isothiocyanate) produced by soil application of a synthetic
fumigant, like metham sodium (from *Using Green Manures in Potato
Cropping Systems,* *Washington State University Extension Bulletin,
EB1951E*).

![](media/image5.jpeg){width="3.292361111111111in"
height="2.4694444444444446in"}

The use of mustard green manures in potato cropping systems has been
successfully demonstrated on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. In field
trials, the potato crop after mustard green manure incorporation
performed as well as the standard treatment with methyl-isothiocyanate
releasing products. Mustard production costs averaged \$120/acre/year
over the 2-year trial.

[Careful management is needed to realize the full benefits of green
manure crops.]{.underline} For potato cropping systems, approximately 15
lbs/acre of mustard seed is planted in mid-August following a grain or
bean crop. Planting time is important to achieve optimal green manure
crop production. Poor field preparation can hinder germination and
growth. Demonstration studies have shown that [irrigation,
fertilization, and/or weed control are required]{.underline}. After
approximately 8-10 weeks of growth, the green manure crop is chopped and
disked.

**[Activity Requirements]{.underline}**

For 2006 EQIP, green manure crops are limited to oil radish or mustard.
Certain varieties may be more effective than others.

Follow the Washington State University Extension Bulletins, *Using Green
Manures in Potato Cropping Systems* (EB1951E) or *Mustard* (EB1952E),
both available online at
[http://grant-adams.wsu.edu](http://grant-adams.wsu.edu/) or
1-800-723-1763. These publications describe crop characteristics and
requirements for use of mustard as a biofumigant. A minimum seeding rate
of 15 lbs/acre for mustard and 25 lbs/acre for oilseed radish is
required. For additional information on green manure cropping with
radish, refer to the University of Idaho Extension publication
*Management of Sugarbeet Nematode*, (CIS 1071), available online at
[http://info.ag.uidaho.edu/Resources/PDFs/CIS1071.pdf](http://info.ag.uidaho.edu/Resources/PDFs/CIS1071.pdf.)
or *Management of Oilseed Radish and Yellow Mustard Green Manure Crops*
at <http://www.uidaho.edu/sugarbeet/nmtds/oilseed.htm>.

Complete attached certification. It is a good idea to track green manure
production costs on a yearly basis (costs include seed, planting,
fertilizer, herbicide, water/power, chopping, etc.), but this is not
required. Attach receipts related to green manure crop production (seed
purchase, for example).

**BIOFUMIGANT CERTIFICATION**

  -------------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------- -----------------
  **Tract and    **Acres**   **Previous   **Planting   **Seeding   **Applied     **Date of Soil
  Field Number               Crop**       Date for     Rate**      Irrigation,   Incorporation**
  or Field                                Green Manure             Fertilizer,   
  Name**                                  Crop**                   and/or Weed   
                                                                   Control?**    

                                                                   **YES NO**    

                                                                   **YES NO**    

                                                                   **YES NO**    

                                                                   **YES NO**    

                                                                   **YES NO**    

                                                                   **YES NO**    

                                                                   **YES NO**    

                                                                   **YES NO**    

                                                                   **YES NO**    

                                                                   **YES NO**    
  -------------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------- -----------------

**Certification:** I certify that I have applied the requirements of the
Biofumigant component of Conservation Practice Standard 595, Pest
Management, as scheduled in the Conservation Plan and/or Program
Contract.

Name:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Conservationist:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_