Pests monitoring and scouting in banana

1. Pests monitoring and scouting in banana End Next

2. Scouting procedure Scouting Map example is a rather large image sized at 750px by 525px (pixels). It is displayed in a landscape format and is meant to represent an 8½" x 11" (inch) piece of paper. On this Map is the following (starting in the upper left):The • Document title: • “Green Methods Scouting Map Example” Previous End Next

3. Date and Name Field: • This is for the date of inspection and the inspector’s name. • For this example: 6/14/2005; Watson, B. • There is also a small check box (upper-right) for the purpose of “marking” the whole document to indicate there are noted items on the map. • A Map Key: • Green triangle representing a “flagged” plant and a yellow square representing a yellow sticky trap. Previous End Next

4. More Fields: • Greenhouse name, Structure number (optional of course), and Crop: For this example: Pest-Free Gardens, #3, Bedding, respectively. • That makes up the top 15% of the document. • What follows is a large rectangle representing a greenhouse. • In the shape are additional rectangles which are meant to be greenhouse benches. • The greenhouse shape is broken down into eleven (11) sections of 250 square feet each. Previous End Next

5. here are two benches in each of these sections, with exception to section “K.” The latter is a long work-type bench located on the vent end/back-wall of the structure. This makes the bench count at twenty-three (23). Previous End Next

6. Being that one section should be 250 square feet, the total size of this greenhouse is roughly 2750 square feet. There is one “flagged” plant and one sticky trap in each section. The sections are labeled A-K, the benches are labeled 01-22 (the work bench is not numbered). Each section has a small check box allowing it to be “marked” to refer to later. This indicates that area has some issue. Further markings can also be made to indicate where in a marked area pests were found, more specifically. Previous End Next

7. Below the image are a number of fields looking for inputted data. • The fields are as follows: • Notes: Great the general notes. In this case the weather of the past week was commented on “Hot and Humid” and a general summary is given: “Things are looking’ good.” Section Fields (A-K) and “Other.” • The Other is marked in this case as outdoor locations right outside the structure. Previous End Next

8. In this example sections D, H, K and Other are marked in red ink (versus blue used elsewhere) detailing the problems in those areas. • Specifically: D = Possible powdery mildew; • H = Mites found on bench 16; • K = Gnats found near potting table; • Other Area = Grasshoppers noted in numbers outside the back end-wall of the structure. Previous End Next

9. Another “Notes” field where details can be given regarding observations, corrective measures, and even things to do. In this example it was noted that “Aphidius” had been put out, that “Fallacis” and “nematodes” need to be ordered, and that Section D needs a copper-sulfate treatment. Previous End Next

10. Scouting Map Source: GreenMethods.com Previous End Next

11. Banana Sucking Pest Scouting and Monitoring Previous End Next

12. Monitoring Traps for banana aphids Sticky traps are quite valuable to growers. They are used for one of two things: Trapping or monitoring. Putting traps out in numbers can be effective in reducing airborne adult populations of certain pests like aphids and whiteflies and fungus gnats by trapping them. Yellow Sticky Traps Previous End Next

13. If used at the rate of one trap per 250 square feet, though — or one per 1000 square feet in larger or monoculture greenhouses — and checked, pests counted, on a regular schedule, changed as needed, and the results charted, sticky traps can be an effective monitoring tool. Blue Sticky Traps Previous End Next

14. Magnifiers & Scopes A common 30-power mini-scope can be very helpful to scouts. Using a unit like that shown in the photo, place the scope over the bug or eggs, turn on the light, peer inside, adjust the focus wheel, and see all, with remarkable clarity. These are fairly low-priced units and really worth their weight to a serious scout. Mini Scopes Previous End Next

15. Magnifying Glasses/Loupes In response to the small field of view drawback of the mini scope above, a low-power, 25x, jewelers’ loupe or common hand lens is also good thing to carry. In the field, anyway. If you’re a mid-size or large scale grower, it might be a good idea to get a fixed unit, next. Previous End Next

16. Stereoscopes The stereoscope or dissecting microscope, identifiable by its two eye-pieces instead of one common to most microscopes, is the scout’s best friend it they have a lab or bright place in the head-house. The advantages are typically better quality and a larger field of view over the above-mentioned and comparable powerful handheld mini-scope. Previous End Next

17. Weekly scouting and disease records • Well-managed farms scout field weekly to estimate disease severity or "youngest leaf spotted.“ • Thus provides a quantitative record how effective the disease control program is and also when to apply the next fungicide application, and can also help to detect the possible emergence of fungicide resistance in the pathogen population. Previous End Next

18. Scouting and Record keeping Scouting, which is the monitoring of pest populations and crop developments, is a fundamental activity in implementing IPM. It improves a grower's ability to make sound pest management decisions through knowledge of the pest and natural enemy populations. If used carefully, scouting will help prevent crop damage while eliminating unnecessary pest control treatments Previous End Next

19. At large banana farms, scouts monitor for black leaf streak disease levels weekly. Previous End Next

20. Then, fungicide spray applications are scheduled based upon the data collected. Shown below is an international disease rating scale used by some farmers. The idea is to scout fields regularly looking for plants of the same age (to be determined by the farmer, although plants pre-flowering are best) and gathering and recording disease information, usually on a sheet of paper on a clipboard. Some farmers simply collect data on "youngest leaf spotted" (youngest leaf showing symptoms, based on the idea that if young leaves become heavily diseased, then bunch yield and fruit quality will be very low. Previous End Next

21. Scouting - monitoring or investigating. • Scouting procedure • The document title • Date and Name Field • A Map Key • More Fields • Monitoring: • Monitoring Traps for banana aphids by using Yellow and Blue Sticky Traps. • Magnifiers & Scopes • Magnifying Glasses/Loupes • Stereoscopes • Weekly scouting and disease records • Scouting and record keeping Let us sum up Previous End