How IR-4 Can Be a Tool for Nursery Growers

Pesticide use is a central part of modern nursery production. Newer pesticides may be safer for the applicator, address resistance management, and better target pest species, which reduces nontarget activity and pest resurgence. However, the relatively small horticultural sector growing native plants for reforestation does not attract the level of research investment as commodity crops, and pesticide manufacturers may be unaware of what nursery managers need. IR-4 is an organization funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture that supports research into pesticide use on specialty crops, with the aim of expanding legal access to useful pesticides. Research direction comes from a public workshop and growers through a needs survey and communication with regional coordinators. IR-4 also serves as a repository of information on pesticide efficacy and crop safety. These research summaries represent comprehensive and current collections of information on pesticide use and are available through IR-4’s website.

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Author(s): Paul Rhoades, Nabil Khadduri, Emily Senegal-Thyroff, Thomas Stevens, Mika Tolson

Publication: Tree Planters' Notes - Volume 68, Number 1 (2025)

Volume: 68

Number: 1