IR4 UPDATE: NEW PEST CONTROL PRODUCTS BEING RESEARCHED FOR THE FRUIT CROPS INDUSTRY
The IR4 Specialty Crops Program was established to assist in the registration of pest control products for minor uses. The national program, headquartered at Rutgers University and operating through four regions with a network of scientists in every state develops lists of grower needs, prioritizes projects and develops protocols to secure EPA tolerances that lead to labels. Every year IR4 works on pest control products needed by the fruit industry. Pest control products being researched for 2006 include: Insect and disease control in tropical fruit crops: Lepadopterous larvae control in peaches with Avaunt, Danitol, and Spintor: Mite and raspberry crown borer control in blackberry: Weed control in blueberry with Sandea and Spartan: Botrytis and anthracnose control in strawberry.