SCG > Sustainable Agriculture & Forestry Programs > Integrated Pest Management Program > Funding > 2003-2004 Final Reports > Watson

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2003 - 2004 CUIPM Grants -
Final Reports

Peach Integrated Pest Management School

Project Leaders
Tony Watson
County Extension Agent
P. O. Box 509
Edgefield, SC 29824

Greg Henderson
County Extension Agent
P. O. Box 509
Edgefield, SC 29824

Problem addressed: In recent years the Peach Industry in South Carolina has seen dramatic changes in production practices. Changes have been caused by such occurrences as loss of most organs-phosphate insecticides, disease control failures and excessive orchard growth, in most orchards in South Carolina. In addition, many, producers do not fully understand the interrelated factors of peach production, as how pest biology relates to pest management. To address this problem a comprehensive Integrated Pest Management School for peach producers was held from February 10-12, 2004. During this school, producers were taught the biology of important pest occurring on peach. This was a very comprehensive program that included sessions of plant pathology, entomology, weed science, horticulture, nutrition management and economics.

Results: Each presenter was asked to submit several questions which related to the important points of their presentation. From these questions a pre-test was designed to evaluate the knowledge of the participants. Following completion of the school, participants were given the same test to evaluate their knowledge gained as the result of the school. There were 19 questions on the tests with several having multiple parts. In addition a program evaluation sheet was given to each participant. The evaluation questions asked were as follows:

  1. Was the information presented in an understandable format?
  2. Did the program meet your needs as a producer?
  3. Did you gain any knowledge by participating in this program?
  4. Will information or knowledge gained by attending his program help you save money in your operation?

Participants were asked to score their responses to each question on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being the least favorable and 5 being the most favorable.

In regards to question 1 which related to the information being presented in an understandable format, participants rated this a 4.76 out of 5 with a range of 2 to 5.

Question 2, relating to the program meeting the needs of the producers was rated a 4.77 with a range of 2-5.

Question 3 asked if the participant gained any knowledge. This question received the highest response level of all questions. Participants related this a 4.89, again with a range of 2 to 5.

Question 4, which related to the program helping producers save money received a rating of 4.4 with a range from 2-5.

The response to these questions would indicate participants were very satisfied with the program and increased their knowledge of Peach-Integrated Pest Management.

The pre-post test which was a direct measurement of the important points taught during the program also indicated knowledge increased as the result of participating in the school.

Pre-test scores averaged 41% on a score of 7.75 out of 19 questions with a range of 21 to 73.69%. Post-test results were very encouraging, documenting a 33% increase in knowledge gained. The average for the post-test was 74.42% with a range of 42.11 to 94.74%.

Overall the results indicated a very successful Peach IPM School.

Agenda for the Integrated Peach Pest Management School
February 10-12, 2004

Tuesday February 10, 2004
12:30 Registration
Welcome and Pre-test
Mr. Greg Henderson and Mr. Tony Watson
1:00 Remarks from the South Carolina Peach Council
Mr. Joe Watson
1:15Update on EPA's Strategic Agricultural Initiative Grant Program
Ms. Lora Lee Schroeder
1:30Principles of Pest Management Mr. Tony Watson
2:00Peach Nutrition
Dr. Butch Feree
3:00Break
3:15Peach Varieties-- Disease susceptibility, tolerance and future research.
Dr. Desmond Layne
Entomology Section
Dr. Dan Horton
4:00Identification and Biology of Insect Pests
4:30Biology and Control of Insect Pests
5:30Insecticides and control or factors affecting control decisions
6:00Adjourn
Wednesday February 11, 2004
Morning Moderator -- Greg Henderson
Weed Science
Mr. Wayne Mitchem
8:00Weeds and Weed Identification
8:30Biology, lifecycles and Control
9:30Herbicides - classes, modes of action and application timing.
10:00Break
Plant Pathology Section
10:30Disease Specimen Identification
Dr. Phil Brannen
11:00Brown Rot, Scab, Gumosis and Nematodes
Dr. Phil Brannen
12:00LUNCH
Afternoon Moderator -- Dr. Desmond Layne
1:00Bacterial Pathogens of Peach
Dr. Dave Ritchie
2:00Root Diseases of Peach
Dr. Guido Schnabel
2:30Exotic Diseases Peach Leaf Curl, Peach Rust, Powdery Mildew
Dr. Eldon Zehr
3:00Break
3:30Fungicides and Modes of Action
Dr. Guido Schnabel
4:00Sprayer Calibration
Mr. Roger Galloway
4:30Possible New Peach Thinner
Mr. Bobby Boozer
6:00Adjourn - Reception, light hor d'oeuvres, sponsored by South Carolina Peach Council
Thursday February 12, 2004
Moderator - Mr. David Parker

Plant Pathology ( cont'd)
8:00Viral and Viral Like Disorders of Peach
Dr. Simon Scott
8:30Resistance Management
Dr. Walker Miller
9:30Understanding the Crop (Peach Physiology) Tree and fruit growth, development and thinning.
Dr. Greg Reighard
11:00Evaluation
Watson and Henderson
11:30Worker Protection Standards
Dr. Bob Bellinger
11:45Peach Budgets and Economic Analysis
Mr. Greg Henderson
12:30Lunch and Adjourn
2:00Optional - Pruning Discussion at Musser Farm Time, weather and interest permitting this will be an informal demonstration and discussion on the reasons and techniques of pruning.
Specialists, Agents

Questions or comments:
Amy Nichols
Associate Coordinator
IPM and
Sustainable Agriculture
Programs
Contact

Dr. Geoffrey Zehnder
Professor of Entomology, Soils & Plant Sciences
IPM and
Sustainable Agriculture
Programs
114 Long Hall, Box 340315
Clemson, SC 29634-0315
864 - 656 - 6644
Contact

Last revised:
8/4/2006
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