A handheld decision support system to facilitate improved insect pest management in Australian cotton systems
Decision support systems (DSS) are widely accepted in the Australian cotton industry for assisting with integrated pest management (IPM), crop nutrition and other aspects of information transfer. EntomoLOGIC, part of the CottonLOGIC software suite, is one example. To operate EntomoLOGIC, users select sample areas in their cotton fields and collect information on the types of beneficial and pest insects present, their stage of development and quantity. The software is then used to predict future pest numbers, using weather data, and indicates when pest numbers are over defined economic thresholds. Cotton pest managers can then use this information to make their own decisions on when and how to control pests. For many years, users have requested an electronic device that can be taken into the field to streamline the data entry process, run models of pest development, generate in-field reports of pest status, access historical data for insects and crops, and most of all, save time. To address this, many of the pest management components of EntomoLOGIC were developed for handheld devices that run the Palm operating system (Palm OS). Previously, users had to write the information they collected in the field on paper cards, then copy it to their desktop computers. Associated software was developed to manage the transfer of data between the handheld device and the existing CottonLOGIC desktop software. It can support applications where multiple handheld devices are used to collect pest information. Its value to the users has been established by extensive field testing and independent evaluation. The system has helped with maintaining data integrity, consistency when there is more than one person collecting information, and time savings in collating information for pest management decisions using an IPM approach. The system specifications, software development, delivery, and the application of the handheld system are described.
handheld decision support systems pest management cotton