Recent confirmation of the presence of Box Tree Moth (BTM) in the United States has prompted IR-4’s Environmental Horticulture Program to respond with information for growers to help identify and eradicate the pest.
Category: News
Coffee Rust Attacks Hawai’i Coffee Trees; IR-4 Fights Back
Since its first known discovery in Kenya in the mid-nineteenth century, coffee rust has been spreading around the world. Thanks to the IR-4 Project, coffee growers in Hawai’i have a new tool in the battle against this invasive pest.
IR-4 Project Facilitating Two Studies to Track and Mitigate Invasive Pests
Two multi-institutional research studies will soon be underway to analyze the movement and mitigation of invasive pests negatively impacting plants in North America.
SOAR Award: Nomination Deadline Extended to April 19
The IR-4 Project is now accepting nominations for the 2021 SOAR Award. This award honors external partners who exemplify the areas of Service, Outreach, Altruism and Research, while supporting specialty crop growers and the mission of the IR-4 Project. If you know someone who demonstrates excellence in these areas, we encourage you to nominate them for this award. Nominees […]
2020 Annual Report Now Available
The 2020 IR-4 Project Annual Report is now available. The year 2020 was like no other year in the history of the IR-4 Project. Despite a world-wide pandemic changing day-to-day aspects of how we work, funding uncertainty, and the transition of IR-4 headquarters from Rutgers University to North Carolina State University, our dedicated team of [...]
New Crop Groups Approved, Making it Easier for Growers to Identify Pest Management Tools
Two new crop groups have been added to the IR-4 Project Regulation of Crops, Crop Groups, Crop Subgroups and Crop Definitions. The additions will make it easier for growers of various herbs and spices to identify and utilize approved pesticides and biopesticides for pest management solutions for these particular crops. View the new crop groups [...]
Expanding Spider Mite Controls for Specialty Crops
IR-4 Project trial studies show cyflumetofen is an effective spider mite control on a variety of specialty crops. Spider mites can be a major pest on specialty crops including tomatoes, cucurbits, and strawberries. They can be a particularly difficult pest to control in southern states that produce food crops year-round. “Mites on strawberries are especially […]
Top Global Crop Protection Needs Identified Following Virtual Workshops
The Minor Use Foundation has announced the top ten global priority crop protection needs to focus funding and research on during 2021 and 2022. The top priorities were narrowed down following a process that started earlier this year with a list of more than 4,000 new crop protection needs from 56 countries. In September, the […]
Leveling the playing field for grape growers
U.S. grape growers gain the use of permethrin insecticide through IR-4-sponsored residual trials. The United States is the world’s third largest producer of grapes behind China and Italy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that utilized grape production totaled 6.8 million tons in 2019. Grapes were produced on an estimated 935,000 acres with an average […]
Diamondback Moth: The Bane of Brassica Crop Growers
Trying to control the diamondback moth on brassica crops can be a major challenge, especially in those areas where crops are produced year-round. Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L.) is considered to be the most damaging pest of brassica crops worldwide. Growers of brassica crops, including cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussel sprouts and collards, are very […]