IPM Research and Extension Priorities Identified by Southern Region IPM SERA-003 in 2007

Research and Extension IPM Priorities were developed at the 2007 SERA-003 meeting on March 20, 2007 in San Antonio, TX.

Utilizing a facilitated modified Delphi technique, fifteen IPM experts including landgrant university IPM Coordinators and IPM researchers determined priorities by participating in brainstorming, priority ranking, and priority validation strategies to gain consensus on IPM that should be addressed over the next three years. A total of 44 research and 34 Extension priorities were identified by the experts. Through a combination of brainstorming, idea sharing, group consolidation, priority ranking, dollar ranking, and individual issue ranking scale, six research and nine Extension priorities were established that define the IPM Extension priorities in the Southern Region.

These six research priorities include:

• Resistance management for pesticides including GMOs
• Vector/ Virus management of crops.
• IPM at home- inside / outside (landscape, community)
• Development of decision aids for management of pests for all crops.
• Managing sucking bugs using ecological approaches.
• Research on evaluation techniques for IPM.

Nine Extension priorities include:

• Develop usable tools to measure adoption/impact of IPM.
• Develop interactive web based educational resources for County Extension Agents.
• Develop future IPM professionals including university students.
• Deliver real time IPM management recommendations.
• Develop and implement resistance management educational materials.
• Develop home/ landscape IPM resources in Spanish/English.
• Develop educational programs to reduce pesticide use on high value crops.
• Deploy multi-disciplinary regional IPM program for ______ crop.
• Provide basic IPM courses via distance education.