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Testing new product efficacy against pests and diseases in support of the Minor Use Pesticide Program

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The Background

The Minor Use Pesticide Program is a federal program that conducts and coordinates trials to collect data on pesticide product efficacy, crop tolerance and crop residues, or to screen pesticide products for the control of pests, diseases and weeds for which effective control is unknown.

The data generated by these trials is used in regulatory submissions to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) for new minor uses of pesticides.

This year, Vineland was awarded 4 trials to test product efficacy against diseases of greenhouse lettuce and landscape roses, screen products against a new pest, Thrips parvispinus, and determine the crop tolerance of an herbicide in sweet potatoes.

The Goal

Generate product efficacy and crop tolerance data of pesticide products to support the registration of pesticides for new crops or against new pests and diseases.

The Objectives

Set up the target crop in the greenhouse or field. The pest or disease is either introduced in the crop or will colonize the crop naturally by creating favourable environmental conditions.
The test product(s) are applied according to commercial practices and their effect on the pest or disease, and the crop is observed.
At the end of the trial, the marketability and yield of the crop is determined.