AN INTEGRATED SYSTEMS-APPROACH TO POTATO CROP MANAGEMENT

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production in Wisconsin requires the extensive use of pesticide, fertilizer, and irrigation. The development of a comprehensive integrated pest management program to aid in the reduction of agrichemical inputs needed for potato production in Wisconsin was the objective of a regional integrated pest management research project conducted during 1987 and 1988. The cultivars 'Russet Burbank' and 'Superior' were managed under conventional management (typical grower practices) and Potato Crop Management (PCM) systems. PCM uses such techniques as computerized disease forecasting, dynamic treatment thresholds for insect pests, nutrient needs assessment, crop emergence models, and precise irrigation management based on environmental parameters. The program is designed to optimize pesticide, fertilizer, and irrigation inputs to reduce the environmental impact associated with potato production while maintaining economic profitability. Use of PCM to manage Russet Burbank resulted in an economic benefit of $142.36 snd $97.04/ acre in 1987 and 1988, respectively, when compared with a conventional management program. For Superior, however, use of PCM led to losses of $209.95 and $93.70/acre in 1987 and 1988, respectively. Variable performance of insect control, weed control, and/or inadequate N fertilization contributed to losses in this short-season cultivar. Results from field testing of PCM led to the development of a PCM computer program which was released for sale in February 1989 and revised during 1990.