If Plants Could Talk...About IPM

Are You Prepared to Fight Pests That Can Attack Your Profits?

Apple scab. Fire blight. Sooty blotch. Aaagh! Most orchards have to contend with these destructive diseases. Is your Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program doing enough to address these problems cost-effectively while minimizing environmental impacts? Probably not… if you are using only traditional, passive pest control methods. Have you seen what's new? Technology advancements have improved the way that orchard growers can monitor and manage disease-producing conditions. This allows them to use more environmentally friendly methods while simultaneously minimizing input costs.

Improve Crop Yield and Quality with the Right IPM Tools

Rapidly changing weather conditions can cause serious damage to crops and impact plant health. However, there is a way to stay ahead of devastating foliar diseases. High-tech tools are now available to improve monitoring of environmental weather data – specifically temperature and leaf wetness. This can be done on site in your orchard's exact microclimate, which means you get accurate, real-time readings instead of relying on general, less timely data from a county extension office or some other source. Site-specific data leads to more efficient pest control decisions, so that you can accurately time sprays and only spray when necessary.

Monitor Environmental Data Like Never Before

Need help getting started? Take a look at the Spectrum WatchDog® products shown below. Then contact Cynthia Turski, our IPM expert, for assistance. Cynthia can answer any product-related questions you may have – from selecting, installing and operating these monitoring devices to making the most of Spectrum's weather data software and disease models. She is your go-to consultant for disease-control information and advice!

WatchDog Data Loggers

The WatchDog A-Series loggers are the most affordable way to track environmental conditions for analysis. These devices will deliver the information you need for timely, accurate data that will result in increased profits.

Most WatchDog products can be used in conjunction with Spectrum's SpecWare software. Disease models, such as the one shown below, can be purchased and used to forecast disease pressure using field-tested and validated algorithms.

WatchDog Plant Disease Stations

Choose from two types of plant disease stations to monitor plant disease severity. SpecWare Software is required to download and analyze data.

WatchDog 1000 Series Plant Disease Micro Station	WatchDog 2000 Series Plant Disease Station
Includes a WatchDog Micro Station Model 1450, leaf wetness sensor and rainfall sensor. Data log current and historical plant disease severity indicators University-validated disease models (sold separately) can be added for more accurate monitoring	Includes a WatchDog Mini Station Model 2450, leaf wetness sensor and rainfall sensor. Receive real-time conditions and set condition alarms to your PC Wireless communication available View current conditions as well as track severity indicators from onboard plant disease models University-validated disease models (sold separately) can be added for more accurate monitoring

WatchDog WeatherTrackers

No computer required

Here is another way to keep tabs on the conditions affecting your crops: use our WeatherTrackers for grapes and apples. Placed right in your vineyard or orchard, a WeatherTracker device records and displays site-specific data to help you make timely management decisions.