This $323,135 Project Grant award from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Crop Protection and Pest Management (CPPM) Competitive Grants Program will support Washington State University's efforts to help pear growers in Washington and Oregon implement new integrated pest management (IPM) tools. The project aims to reduce the use of broad-spectrum insecticides and insecticides of concern for wildlife, lower spray costs, and increase beneficial insect populations on at least 1,500 acres of pear orchards. Key activities include developing and deploying new scouting methods, economic thresholds, selective pest control materials, and phenology models to improve IPM practices in the pear growing regions. This 3-year award, running from September 2024 through August 2027, leverages WSU's expertise in agricultural research and extension to deliver these IPM innovations to pear growers.
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