Pest Management

soybean aphid on leafIntegrated pest management (IPM) applied research focuses on the interactions between crop pests (insects, nematodes, plant disease, and weeds) with crop growth and yield. The current and developing pest management issues faced by southwest Minnesota crop producers drive our research.

Pests continue to adapt and develop resistance to current management practices. Our research explores new management technologies but also examines ways to integrate existing and traditional pest management methods to reduce economic yield losses from pests.

We evaluate host plant resistance, crop protection chemistry, cultural practices (e.g. planting date, crop rotation), and other tools to identify multifaceted pest management strategies. These integrated strategies help producers manage pests in an economical and environmentally conscious manner that preserves management options.

Of particular emphases are studies to help understand the complex interactions between corn and soybean genetics and crop growth with insect and nematode pests.

Strong collaboration with University of Minnesota and regional research and Extension faculty, the seed and agricultural chemistry industry personnel, crop advisors, and southwestern Minnesota producers helps us produce relevant and robust research and extension products.

We provide the following resources relating to crop and pest management: 

Research Program Contact

Agricultural Programs

IPM Links

Minnesota Crop News - blog from University of Minnesota Extension 

Integrated Pest Management videos - playlist of YouTube videos from IPM Specialist Bruce Potter

University of Minnesota Extension Crops videos - playlist of YouTube videos from University of Minnesota Extension

Newsletter Subscriptions

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