Innovative approaches and technologies for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to increase sustainable food production

There is a lack of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tools as well as a relevant policy for a successful implementation of IPM. In SMARTCROP we aimed to meet these challenges. Results obtained in Work Packages (WPs) are presented. WP1 Innovative IPM tools. Tool 1: Sensor-based weed harrowing in cereals: To reduce crop loss and herbicide use in cereals, an innovative weed harrowing method was developed. It combines a novel machine vision algorithm to estimate weed pressure and sensor-based measurements of soil density to automatically adjust harrowing intensity to patchiness in weed pressure and soil density in spring barley. Tool 2: Odors and natural enemies for aphid control: A reduction in aphids when using odors attractive to lacewings was shown in apple (Hungary) and barley (Norway). Best dose and density for the attractant was found. A best prototype formulation for an odor product and a chemical formulation for a lacewing pheromone is identified. A positive effect of odour, flower stripes, and combination of these was seen. Tool 3: Sprinkler irrigation in strawberry. Up to four 1-minute pulses of overhead water misting controls strawberry powdery mildew as effectively as the best fungicides, reduces two-spotted spider mite to same levels as an acaricide and does not seem to negatively affect predatory mites. Dry conditions and water deficiency reduces spore germination and disease development of strawberry powdery mildew. WP2: Effects of IPM practices. Field experiments in annual- (cereals) and perennial (strawberry and apple) crops in Norway have generated new knowledge on effects of different IPM practices on yield, farmer economy, pests and beneficials. Studies in strawberry and apple also documented that different regions and growers have different pest and disease challenges, hence specific IPM regimes are difficult to compare or implement on a national level. Effect on pests and natural enemies of two strawberry covers (coffee pulp or black plastic) tested in Brazil indicated that coffee pulp gives a higher diversity and incidence of natural enemies. Comparable results are found in a Norwegian straw mulch study. Trials with eight strawberry cultivars in Brazil suggested that Three were resistant to spider mite. Interactions plant-pest-natural enemies: Males of spider mite prefer fungal-killed females to healthy live and fungal odours are probably involved in this fatal choice. Suitable abiotic and conditions and light quality/cycle that affects conidial production of a spider mite killing fungus were identified. Bean and strawberry plants inoculated with entomopathogenic fungi resulted in reduction in spider mites and plant pathogenic fungi and improved plant growth. Fungal isolates killing aphids in cereals are more virulent to the aphid species it was isolated from. Reduced fecundity was found for aphids surviving from fungal incubation. Economic risk assessment of IPM practices in winter wheat showed that under current subsidy schemes in Norway a higher level of IPM was more, or at least equally, economic risk efficient for farmers compared to standard practise. WP3 Develop and implement new simulation models. A process-based model describing the three-trophic system of English Grain Aphid and one of its natural fungal enemies in winter wheat was developed. A simple model to estimate the phenological development of spring wheat was developed and integrated with a forecasting weather-based model to predict the risk of blotch disease development. Pesticide leaching by macropore flow through soil columns has been established. The pesticide leaching model MACRO has been tested for improvements with regard to water flow in frozen soil. The SYNOPS WEB Norway tool for environmental pesticide risk assessment developed in the project will be launched winter 2020. A model for the infection process of the apple scab pathogen was developed, and a model for the effect of early spring weather conditions on ascospore maturation is under development. WP4: Innovative policies for a persistent adoption of intensive IPM strategies. Consumer, wholesaler and retailer attitudes to IPM: Norwegian consumers shows a clear connection between the belief that Norwegian strawberries have less pesticide residues than foreign berries and willingness to pay. The more you think this is the case, the greater the willingness to pay for Norwegian strawberries. Policy instruments for increased availability of IPM tools: Sweden and Denmark have authorized 20 microbial Plant Protection Products (PPP) each while Norway has only authorized 4. The most important explanation for the observed differences is different decisions made in the authorization process. Suggestions for innovative policy measures: Most Norwegian farmers are willing to forgo some income to reduce pesticide use. They are, however, rather insensitive to pesticide taxes. We find no clear difference in motivations for change.

Outcome: New IPM tools: 1) Sensor-based weed harrowing. 2) Oudors, beneficials and flowers for pest and disease control. 3) Water misting for disease and pest Control. Impact: Use by industry, uptake by growers. Higher yields and reduced pesticide use. Outcome: New knowledge on IPM practices and implementation into IPM guidelines. Impact: Increased use of Best of IPM. Outcome: Models on: 1) Interaction between plant-pest-natural enemy. 2) Blotch disease. 3) Apple scab. 4) Pesticide transport in soil in cold climates and web application on pesticide risk. Impact: More sustainable pest management by farmers and better risk assessment of pesticides by authorities. Outcome: Knowledge on: 1) Consumer, wholesaler and retailer attitudes to IPM. 2) Policy for increased availability of IPM tools. 3) Policy for increased adoption of IPM. Impact: Better prices for Norwegian farm products, more IPM tools available in Norway and better policy instruments to increase use of Best of IPM.

Norway plans to implement EU´s Directive on sustainable use of pesticides (2009/128/EC) which promotes the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and alternative approaches or techniques (IPM tools) to minimize pesticide use. However, there is a lack of practical IPM tools for farmers with verified effects and usefulness, as well as a relevant policy for a successful implementation of IPM. In SMARTCROP we aim to meet these challenges by: 1) Develop new IPM tools. 2) Test and demonstrate "best practice" IPM and study its effect on pests and natural enemies, yield, profitability and environmental risk of pesticides under northern conditions. 3) Develop new simulation models for pest-natural enemy interactions for a near future implementation of natural enemies into pest warning systems. 4) Refine existing pest warning models and pesticide risk models and apply them in web-based warning or decision support systems (DSS) for northern conditions. 5) Suggest innovative policies for increased adoption of IPM. Two annual (spring barley and winter wheat) and two perennial (apple and strawberry) crops, representing a wide range of growing techniques, financial risk profiles and opportunities for IPM technology will be studied. Fields for research and demonstration will be established. Detailed investigations on interactions between key organisms will take place in laboratories and growth chambers. Several project partners and a reference group represent stakeholders and key end-users, including farmers, agricultural extension service, IPM tool companies, regulatory authorities, wholesalers and retailers. These will actively participate in the project, providing the scientists feedback on the feasibility of approaches and techniques under development. This will facilitate robust IPM innovations and ensure adoption of advanced IPM strategies. Further, participation and evaluation by stakeholders and end-users will help disseminate knowledge to other stakeholders and end-users