IPM Hour

Click on each title link to register for webinars:

Integrated pest management of European pepper moth

PI: Rafia Khan

June 3, 2026

The European pepper moth is an invasive pest that causes significant economic losses in nursery and greenhouse crops, and current management is inhibited by knowledge gaps. This multi-state project aims to improve IPM strategies by studying the distribution, crop preferences, environmental influences, and control options, ultimately reducing losses and supporting growers’ adoption of effective IPM practices.

Utilizing native resistance from wild relatives for integrated insects and disease management in sustainable corn production

PI: Megha Parajulee

August 5, 2026

The fall armyworm is a major global pest of corn that damages leaves, tassels, ears, and can increase toxin contamination. While Bt corn has been effective, resistance is growing, highlighting the need for integrated approaches that combine Bt traits with native host plant resistance to improve long-term management.

Optimizing teosinte to maize microbiome transplant strategies to enhance insect resistance in maize

PI: Julio Bernal

September 2, 2026

This 3-year project aims to enhance maize resistance to key pests such as the fall armyworm and western corn rootworm by transplanting beneficial microbes from ancestral plants. Through lab and field research, the goal is to optimize teosinte enrichment, screen diverse maize and teosinte accessions, and isolate and evaluate microbial inoculants to improve pest management while reducing reliance on chemical control.

Turning the Combine from a Weed Seed Spreader to a Weed Seed Predator

PI: Michael Flessner

October 7, 2026

Multiple herbicide-resistant weed species threaten sustainable crop production by reducing the effectiveness of herbicides and increasing weed management costs. This project evaluates the efficacy and costs of seed impact mills in soybean and wheat systems. Adoption is promoted through farm-based research and outreach to improve weed management and reduce the spread and impact of resistant weeds.

Integrated Weed Management Programs For Tomato Using Ai Machine Vision And Georeferenced Weed Mapping To Reduce Herbicide Inputs

PI: Nathan Boyd

November 4, 2026

This project develops integrated weed management programs for vegetable production using smart spray technology to map and monitor weed populations and enable precision herbicide applications. By comparing precision approaches with conventional practices, the study aims to improve weed control efficacy, reduce herbicide and labor inputs, and promote the adoption of IPM in plasticulture systems.

Enhancing Sustainability of Insect Management in Furrow-Irrigated Rice in the U.S. Mid-South

PI: Blake Wilson

December 2, 2026

This project investigates insect pest dynamics in furrow-integrated rice systems across the U.S. Mid-South, where rapid adoption has outpaced research. Through field surveys and experiments, this project evaluates pest prevalence and the economic value of insecticidal seed treatments to develop a guide for growers on selecting them. This tool supports more effective and sustainable pest management strategies.