Oct 6, 2006

NCSU Developing Fungicide Web SiteSource: North Carolina State University

A plant pathologist at North Carolina State University is developing a Web-based database to give farmers in the Southeast instant access to fungicide recommendations and links to region-specific integrated pest management practices.

Dr. Frank Louws, a plant pathologist and North Carolina Cooperative specialist in the College of Agriculture at North Carolina State University, and his colleagues are using a $49,164 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service to create a database that will be a primary source for updates to fungicide recommendations and regulations. The grant was made available through the Southern Regional Integrated Pest Management Grants competition.

In the past, growers had to rely on a variety of printed manuals to find recommendations on how to manage pests and diseases. These manuals were only updated annually making it difficult to get the most current information. By creating a Web-based information bank, users will be able to type the name of a pest or disease into an online form and immediately get a list of fungicide recommendations.

Louws said the project initially would focus on plant disease management recommendations for the Southeast. He said the vision for the project is to develop the infrastructure that would be adaptable for weed, insect and horticultural recommendations.

To find out more about the project, you can view Louws grant proposal at www.sripmc.org/projects/ProjectInfo.cfm?ProposalID=264.