Project seeks alternatives to neonicotinoids in potato crops

A four-year project funded by the USDA’S Specialty Crop Research Initiative aims to develop and evaluate pest management alternatives to using neonicotinoids in potato crops.

Commonly called neonics, neonicotinoids are a type of insecticide popular throughout the U.S. for 25 years because of their ease of use and low application cost, according to a news release. But growing environmental concerns have shifted demand and raised concerns about rising pest population resistance, along with harm to pollinators.

The new project, supported by Potatoes USA, seeks to develop effective pest management alternatives. Called “Enhancing integrated insect pest management strategies for U.S. potato production systems,” or “Potato IPM,” the project has four objectives:

• Develop and evaluate non-neonic pest strategies in ware and seed potatoes.
• Develop pest prediction and decision-making tools.
• Evaluate the socioeconomic influences and impacts associated with transitioning from neonics to new pest management strategies.
• Facilitate the adoption of new strategies among growers.

Potatoes USA’s Potato Research Advisory Committee selected the Potato IPM project to submit to USDA’s SCRI. PRAC supported the Potato IPM submission with 51 letters of support from national organizations, regional and state organizations, processors, regulators, research entities and growers in 12 states.

PRAC meets each year to discuss research proposals submitted to various funding sources. Since 2016, PRAC’s efforts have helped six projects led by potato scientists win $38.8 million in funding for the industry.