Project Report
Numerous diseases and insects threaten vegetable production across the Southeast, creating economic losses and increasing the need for effective, up-to-date IPM strategies.
An app, MyIPM for Vegetables, was developed to address the lack of a collective, mobile-friendly IPM resource for disease and insect management in commercial cucurbit and tomato production in the Southeast.
By leveraging the existing MyIPM platform and the expertise of Southeastern Vegetable Extension Workers, this project provides growers, Extension educators, and consultants with quick, accessible, science-based IPM decision-making tools.
MyIPM: Vegetables – Expanding the Reach of the MyIPM App and Southeast Vegetable Extension Workers
Diseases and insect pests pose ongoing challenges for vegetable producers throughout the United States, resulting in crop damage and increased management costs. While IPM strategies for managing these pests are continually evolving, stakeholders often lack access to a single, mobile-friendly resource that integrates current IPM recommendations for the Southeast.
To address this gap, collaborators developed MyIPM for Vegetables, a smart device-based IPM tool focused on diseases and insects affecting cucurbits and tomatoes. This project leveraged the existing MyIPM platform, the expertise of research and Extension specialists across southeastern universities, and the long-established Southeastern Vegetable Extension Workers (SEVEW) group to generate and curate content and build the supporting database.
During the project period, collaborators were trained to enter content into the MyIPM database and to develop at least 10 disease and insect profiles for each of tomatoes and cucurbits. The team also created educational outreach materials, including a postcard and a how-to guide, and delivered presentations to inform stakeholders about the tool and how to use it effectively.
Outreach efforts, which included newsletters, Extension events, and presentations at scientific conferences and stakeholder meetings, reached almost 10,000 people. Although only a small number of users completed the online evaluation, respondents reported increased ability to recognize vegetable diseases and insect damage, improved knowledge of management strategies, and anticipated benefits to yields and profitability. Many indicated plans to incorporate MyIPM for Vegetables into their IPM programs.
In total, the project produced 45 Extension publications, including a guide to using the app and resources on numerous cucurbit diseases and pests, along with seven conference presentations and two conference papers. MyIPM for Vegetables is available for download on both Apple and Android devices, making IPM information accessible anytime, anywhere.
Project Leader
Dr. Rebecca Melanson, Mississippi State University