THE ECONOMICS OF AGRICULTURE OFTEN MOTIVATE GROWERS TO ADOPT CERTAIN PRACTICES. HOWEVER, SOME OF THE ECONOMIC OUTCOME OF PEST MANAGEMENT APPROACHES ARE POORLY DESCRIBED OR UNDERSTOOD. IN THE CASE OF SPECIALTY CROP PRODUCTION, GROWERS OFTEN RELY ON INSECTICIDE APPLICATIONS FOR SEASON-LONG PEST CONTROL. WHILE A WEALTH OF RESEARCH GENERALLY ESPOUSES THE BENEFITS OF THRESHOLD-BASED INSECTICIDE PROGRAMS, NO STUDY HAS COMPILED ALL FINDINGS TOGETHER AND PROVIDE EVIDENCE THAT THRESHOLD-BASED INSECTICIDE APPLICATION PROGRAMS ARE MORE EFFECTIVE AND LESS COSTLY OVER THE CONVENTIONAL PEST CONTROL APPROACH. THIS PROJECT WILL BE AIMED AT DEFINING THE BENEFITS OF THIS PEST MANAGEMENT APPROACH AS WELL AS DEFINE DRAWBACKS AND FURTHER AREAS OF NEED. THUS, SUPPORTING A LONG-TERM GOAL TO PRODUCE EFFECTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS THAT INTEGRATE PEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.

Ohio State University, The, Columbus OH

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