ISHS Acta Horticulturae 97: VI Symposium on Horticultural Economics
LINKING ECONOMIC AND ACTION THRESHOLDS IN PEST MANAGEMENT: IMPLICATIONS FOR ADVISORY SERVICES |
| Authors: | P. Thompson, G.B. White |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.1979.97.11 |
| Abstract:
Economic theorists have rigorously defined the economic threshold, a concept which gives the economically optimal allocation of pest management resources. Advisory service personnel are specifying action thresholds in the field. The results of an empirical study of a pest management program for apples in New York State are reviewed. In 1978, growers participating in the program saved 25.72 U.S. dollars per acre in pesticide use over nonparticipating growers, a cost reduction of over 25 per cent. No difference in yield or quality of apples was observed between participant and nonparticipant blocks of apples. The program was successful in its objective to reduce pesticide costs while maintaining quantity and quality of apples produced. However, the program did not lead to the attainment of economic thresholds. A gap between the economic thresholds and action thresholds is pointed out. Obstacles to the potential adoption of the economic threshold, as a decision criterion, are reviewed. It is suggested that computer simulation models hold promise for incorporating economic considerations into pest management decisions and to bringing together the work of researchers and advisory service personnel. | |
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