Developing resistance is a major challenge facing all users of agrichemicals – it’s been described by one industry expert as the “crop protection issue of our time”.
However, agrichemical resistance is not only an issue facing the horticultural and arable sectors. It is also impacting on weed management in pastoral farming and along roadsides, railways and in urban environments, further highlighting the importance of resistance management.
The threat of developing resistance and what can be done about it is the focus of this year’s New Zealand Plant Protection Society (NZPPS) symposium, co-hosted by A Lighter Touch. Titled Resistance Management – Today’s Tools for Tomorrow, the day-long symposium is being held in Christchurch on August 11. It proceeds the full NZPPS conference, running from August 12-14.
As agrichemicals have become more specific in their activity, the risks and occurrence of resistance developing in the pests, pathogens and weeds has increased. Integrated pest, disease and weed management strategies, incorporating biological and cultural control methods to reduce the reliance on agrichemicals are being developed and implemented using various approaches appropriate to invertebrate pests, pathogens and weeds. These aim to help prevent and manage resistance. These strategies are being augmented with new technologies as they have been commercialised.
In addition to addressing the issue of developing resistance and what can be done about it, the symposium will discuss alternative solutions and how to integrate them. It will include sessions on herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, biopesticides and non-chemical interventions.
Further information about the symposium can be found on the NZPPS website as it becomes available.
