Assessment of pesticide use in the U.S. potato industry

Abstract

Pesticide use in US fall crop potato production was surveyed for the years 1990 to 1994. The purpose of the study was to provide information about the relative importance of each pesticide and potential alternatives. The objectives were to: (1) inventory pesticides used on potatoes, (2) rank the target pests and (3) estimate the economic value of the major pesticides. Extension specialists working on potatoes in twelve states provided the main source of survey data. The most commonly used pesticides in four categories were: fungicide —chlorothalonil, insecticide —methamidophos, herbicide —metribuzin, and “other” -diquat. The most frequent target pests were: early blight (Alternaria solani), late blight (Phytophthora infestans), aphids (primarily Myzuspersicae), Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), lambsquarter (Chenopodium album), and pigweed (Amaranthus spp.). The pesticides that provided the most annual value to potato growers were methamidophos ($281 million), diquat ($86 million), metribuzin ($81 million), CIPC ($56 million) and esfenvalerate ($52 million).