Quantifying trade-offs between pest sampling time and precision in commercial IPM sampling programs

A key component of integrated pest Management (IPM) in agricultural systems is field monitoring for pests prior to reaching a management decision. The study objective was to quantify a common design constraint of commercial IPM sampling programs: the trade-off between sampling lime and accuracy of the resulting pest management decision. Using consperse stink bug (Euschistus conspersus Uhler) in processing tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Miller), this paper develops a sample size model based on pest spatial distribution and response from a pest control advisor survey. Results identify a gap between pest sampling programs developed by University researchers and sampling methods adopted at the commercial field level. The sample size model permits variation in pest treatment thresholds and treatment decision accuracy, Conclusions support use of this model to satisfy commercial time constraints while maintaining a reliable level of sampling precision. This study introduces a novel approach to transferring IPM sampling programs from University research to commercial field adoption, (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.