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Wild Blueberry Fact Sheet
Blueberry Grower's Code Of Practice For Pest
Management
About this Publication
In the year 1970, a group of active blueberry growers working
with representatives from the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture
and Marketing formed an organization and aptly named it “Blueberry
Producers Association of Nova Scotia". The organization of this
group did not take place overnight. Already two attempts at
organizing had collapsed. With months of preparation, this new
organization was formed and over the years has grown. Now known
as the "Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia"
(WBPANS), it has developed into one of the strongest commodity
organizations in Nova Scotia.
The Association has advised government on many policies affecting
the industry, been active in promotional programs, and lead
in support of innovative technology. During this time blueberries,
in terms of acreage and exports, have become the most important
horticultural crop in the province.
As we move towards the twenty-first century, one of our areas
of concern is the environment. Blueberries are one of the most
environmentally friendly food crops produced and we are proud
to initiate this publication, Blueberry Grower’s Code of Practice
For Pest Management. Common sense is the guide for using pesticides
to grow blueberries. Our goal is to promote greater use of common
sense by everyone involved in the industry.
Introduction
Pesticides are best employed within a strategy of integrated
pest management (IPM). IPM depends on detailed knowledge of
pest and crop biology and combines natural control for pests
with synthetic pesticides. Pesticides can help to attain sustainable
development of the blueberry industry.
The Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia recognizes
the importance of pesticides as components of IPM. Pesticides
must be registered by the federal government. The registration
process involves a rigorous review of data on the products toxicity,
environmental impact and degradation. Pest control products
can be used safely and have no long term impact on the environment
when used according to label directions! The Association developed
this Grower’s Guide to assist producers in improving management
of pesticides within the industry.
The Association identified six concepts that are crucial to
responsible use of pest control products. The philosophy of
each concept should be incorporated into all decisions regarding
pest management and pesticide use. These concepts are:
- Integrated Pest Management
- Application Technology
- Protection of Environmentally Sensitive Zones
- Effective Storage, Cleaning and Container Disposal
- Applicator Safety
- Public Information and Good Neighbour Policy
Producers can use the Guide to evaluate their own practices, identify
areas for improvement and further training.
Following the Guide will allow growers to maximize value of
their pesticide inputs, protect the environment, and more effectively
communicate with the general public the benefits and risks of
pesticide use in blueberry production.
Integrated Pest Management
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) involves a "whole system" approach
to producing a crop of blueberries and managing associated plants,
insects, disease organisms and vertebrates. IPM strives to maintain
a balanced ecosystem of plants, animals and microorganisms while
maintaining sufficient crop production to ensure a profitable
enterprise for the grower. These concepts can be applied to
controlling vegetation, insects or diseases.
IPM utilizes all possible tools and techniques to manage a
pest population in an economical and environmentally safe way.
Monitoring or scouting the crop to determine levels of pests
and natural controls is essential. This information is used
to determine appropriate pest management techniques.
IPM Requires
- correct identification of both pests and beneficial organisms
such as parasitic wasps, which help control spanworms and
leaftiers;
- knowledge of pest biology, so treatments can be applied
at the most effective time;
- ongoing monitoring of pests, usually on a weekly or bi-
weekly basis;
- application of an economic threshold level or tolerance,
ie, the level of pest activity at which a treatment must be
applied to prevent unacceptable crop losses from occurring;
- application of a treatment when pest populations exceed
threshold levels. This may consist of a pesticide, a biological
control, physical controls such as cutting weeds or cultural
controls such as plant nutrition.
Pesticides are only applied when pest populations exceed established
levels or tolerances known to result in unacceptable crop loss.
Accurate identification of weeds, insects and diseases is essential
to IPM; growers should familiarize themselves with the major
pest problems. Natural pest controls are used whenever possible.
Pesticides are selected to minimize possible adverse affects
and are used to augment naturally occurring controls when possible.In
many years beneficial insects and other naturally occurring
phenomena such as weather conditions may prevent pest populations
from reaching levels that would warrant use of pesticides.
Application Technology
Pesticide use in IPM assumes accurate application of a recommended
rate to a defined target. Accurate application requires determining
the volume of spray or dry product delivered by equipment over
a specified unit of land – usually an acre or hectare. This
process of determining delivery volumes is known as calibration.
Calibration of equipment is crucial for the economic well-being
of the farm as well as ensuring environmental integrity. Pesticides
are expensive! Excessive use through inaccurately calibrated
equipment may lead to crop injury, residues that will prevent
sale of the crop and loss of operating capital.
Spray droplet size is an important consideration to maximize
efficient dispersal and deposition of pesticide on the target.
Herbicides are usually more effective with relatively large
droplet sizes, while insecticides are usually more effective
when applied as mist size droplets. Choosing the correct spray
and application pressure will ensure generation of the appropriate
droplet size. Farm machinery dealers, private consultants, IPM
and machinery engineering specialists with the Nova Scotia Department
of Agriculture and Marketing can provide assistance.
Weather conditions and terrain are factors that will also
influence equipment and droplet size choices. The larger droplet
sizes that should be used with herbicides are less vulnerable
to off- site movement as a result of wind and air currents.
Granular applicators are particularly suited to rough terrain.
Spot treatments with back-pack sprayers or "wipers" are appropriate
to control pest populations confined to small areas
Protection of Environmentally
Sensitive Zones
Pesticides are safe and effective tools in pest management when
used according to label directions. Product labels specify use
procedures and practices that will mitigate against adverse
environmental effects. Users are legally required to adhere
to label requirements! Failure to do so may seriously damage
the environment and result in prosecution of the offender.
Contamination of ground and surface water supplies is perhaps
the greatest environmental concern relative to use of pesticides.
Products that are highly soluble in water and slow to degrade
are more risky than products that are of low water solubility
and degrade quickly. Research has shown that most contamination
occurs as a result of accidents and carelessness; ie spills
of concentrated pesticides into or near wells or bodies of water
or spraying over open wells. The implication is that risk of
water contamination can be minimized by taking extra precautions
to ensure that spills and over-sprays do not occur. Maintenance
of an appropriate width unsprayed buffer zone between treated
areas and bodies of water will prevent pollution of streams
and ponds.
Products that are highly soluble in water may wash down-hill
and accumulate at the bottom, harming sensitive terrestrial
or aquatic life found there. For this reason highly soluble
pesticides should not be used on steep terrain.
Hilly fields in early stages of development may be especially
vulnerable to erosion. Herbicides remove most weedy vegetation,
leaving the soil bare in areas where blueberries have not completely
filled in. Heavy rainfall may then wash top soil away causing
exposure of sub-soil and siltation of streams. Once top soil
is gone the crop may never establish in these areas. Therefore,
herbicides should be used carefully in developing fields so
as to maintain some grass or weedy vegetation in areas where
the crop had not yet spread. Grassed waterways should be considered
on particularly sloped fields.
Consider developing buffer zones of unmanaged vegetation around
sensitive areas like streams and swamps or near potable water
supplies. In some instances buffer zones are legally required,
either by Federal or provincial law. Always consult the product
label!
Understanding properties, such as toxicity, water solubility
and persistence of the product is essential to assure correct
use. Growers must ensure that label instruction relative to
precautions and setbacks from sensitive areas are followed.
Effective Storage,
Cleaning and Container Disposal
Many accidents with pesticides occur not in application, but
in storage. Children and adults can inadvertently contact chemical
containers and spilled concentrate when pesticides are improperly
handled and stored. Children have been known to confuse pesticides
with food products and consume them, when they were not stored
in their original container.
Just as medicines should be kept under lock and key, so too
should stored pesticides. Special storage rooms or cabinets
which can be locked are mandatory. Ventilation of storage units
is advisable to prevent the buildup of potentially toxic fumes.
Pesticides should be stored in their original containers. Check
all containers periodically for leaks. If leaks have occurred
take measures to prevent additional leakage and use an absorbent
material to soak-up the spilled product. Check with the Department
of the Environment (NSDOE) or the manufacturer to determine
how to clean up leaked material or dispose of unusable product.
Pesticide storage areas should be posted. Local fire departments
should be notified when large quantities are being stored on
farm. Build storages of non-combustible or fire retardant materials.
Keep safety equipment and a fire extinguisher close by. Absorbent
material like dry peat moss should be on hand in case of a spill
or leakage.
On-farm storage for private use can be very safe with the
application of common sense. The first step is to store as little
as possible. Try to buy only enough pesticide to cover your
land base requiring treatment. Knowledge of label rates and
land measurement is necessary for this. Vendors can assist in
the process of determining pesticide volumes required for a
treatment.
Retail or wholesale storages are regulated under the provincial
Pest Control Products Act and must meet specifications outlined
in the Regulations.
Cleanup and proper disposal of application equipment and containers
is essential for economic reasons and to ensure environmental
integrity. Equipment should be thoroughly cleaned with large
volumes of water. The rinsate should be sprayed-out over a large
land area, preferably the same area treated with the pesticide
in the first place. For instructions regarding decontamination
of equipment when used with specific products, consult the label.
Product containers should be flushed with a spray of water
and shaken vigorously a minimum of three times, This is commonly
referred to as "triple-rinsing". Jet-rinsers, available from
most farm chemical outlets, can be attached to the by-pass line
of the sprayer and provide a very effective and efficient means
for triple-rinsing. Rinsate from triple-rinsing is disposed
of by adding it to the spray tank as the applications mix is
being prepared.
Research has shown that the short time taken in triple-rinsing
containers is much more than paid for the by product saved.
Knowing that containers are clean and do not pose a health or
environmental hazard will give peace of mind and a clear conscience!
Rinsed containers should be punctured to prevent re-use. Clean,
dry containers can be taken to a recycling depot.
Applicator Safety
Pesticide labels all carry information regarding necessary safety
precautions to be taken by applicators to minimize their exposure
and risk of injury. Depending upon the toxicity (ability to
poison) of the individual pesticide, differing levels of personal
protection are recommended. Minimum personal protective equipment
that should always be used when handling concentrates would
include safety goggles, coveralls, nitrile rubber gloves and
apron. Coveralls over regular clothes are a good idea for applicators.
Disposable coveralls are available; however, if non- disposable
clothing is used, remember to wash it in a separate cycle from
the family wash. Product labels will stipulate wearing a respirator
and chemical resistant clothing when necessary.
Growers must be able to recognize and respond to label safety
precautions. Additional sources of information of safe use might
include Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing
specialists, technical sales representatives and staff of Nova
Scotia Department of the Environment.
Two facts worth remembering are:
- The greatest risk of exposure occurs during handling of
concentrated pesticides while measuring, mixing and filling
sprayers.
- Pesticide enters the body more readily through the skin
(hands, arms, neck and face are at greatest risk) than by
any means other than intentional or accidental consumption.
The Crop Protection Institute has designated sprayer filling
stations as Rubber Glove Zones, where rubber gloves, protective
coveralls, aprons and eye protection should always be worn.
Public Information and Good
Neighbour Policy
A critical consideration for pesticide applications is public
acceptance and understanding at the objectives of pesticide
use. Growers must recognize that neighbours, and individuals
with right- of-way passage through their land, have a right
to know what pesticides might be used in close proximity to
them, and the risks of such usage. With certain applications,
such as aerial, a public notification process is legally required.
If there is risk of chemical trespass (pesticide movement)
to a neighbour's property it is wise to establish suitable buffer
zones wherein no pesticide application takes place. Width of
buffer zones will vary depending upon the product and application
technology used. Staff of NSDOE or NSDAM may be helpful in suggesting
appropriate buffer zones.
Formalized notification measures are counter-productive to
IPM. Pest management situations often change quickly. A rapid
response to a pest crisis may mean that less pesticide will
be used than if the response is delayed. Therefore, use a notification
procedure at the beginning of the crop protection season that
will accommodate all possible outcomes.
Develop a list of potential treatments detailing product to
be used, possible time span of usage, reason for usage, reentry
intervals and relevant information as to the risk involved with
exposure. The Association recommends approaching neighbours,
individuals in close proximity or with access to your property,
well in advance of the pesticide application season. Explain
the products that might be used, their purpose, and the approximate
time of year use might occur. This is not to say that any particular
application will actually occur. But at least both parties will
understand during which periods of the year pesticide applications
are probable. By doing this it will be easier to work out a
system of notification that is practical and a shared responsibility.
Be prepared to provide as much prior notification as possible.
Perhaps a phone call will suffice. signage at entry points to
fields is a final effort to warn potential visitors of pesticide
work recently done, in progress or about to happen. However,
signs should not be left up indefinitely! Good communication
will help prevent unnecessary problems.
Conclusion
The Grower's Guide presented six major concepts:
- Integrated Pest Management
- Application Technology
- Protection of Environmentally Sensitive Zones
- Effective Storage, Cleaning and Container Disposal
- Applicator Safety
- Public Information and Good Neighbour Policy
Adoption of these concepts should be a goal for every WBPANS member.
These concepts will assist growers to be safe, cost effective
and more fully sustainable. Knowledge and skill are fundamental
to IPM and good pesticide management. All growers are encouraged
to participate in pesticide applicator courses and training that
deals with blueberry production and pest management.
Acknowledgements
The draft "Code of Practice for Pest Management" prepared by
the Nova Scotia Christmas Tree Council inspired and formed a
framework for this material. Other sources of information included
bulletins published by the Crop Protection Institute and Nova
Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing.
Prepared by:
Dr. Doug Doohan, Provincial Advisor, Biology Services, Nova
Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing
This page and all contents Crown copyright ©
1997, Province of Nova Scotia,
all rights reserved.
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