LAB K | Integrated Pest Management

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Name: Zachary Stark

Learning Objectives: Today’s lab will help you gain experience in learning about reading labels
for integrated pest management and calculating the amount of chemicals, whether organic or
conventional, that is required to treat crops.

1. Understanding the Pesticide Label

In lab we have discussed ways to control the plant environment, as well as plant nutrition and
seed germination. Another important element of cultivating plants is integrated pest
management (IPM). IPM in greenhouse and field operations is a large and interesting topic, and
it refers to the various approaches to control issues like diseases and insects. IPM starts with
simple techniques like cultural approaches (tilling the soil to kill organisms, mulching to prevent
disease splashin on leaves) or even using good bugs like lady bugs, orius, or minute pirate bugs to
control issues. However, we sometimes have to turn to using chemicals in IPM for major
problems.

Some chemicals are organic, some are conventional, but all have labels that accurately describe
the products in details. In our lab this week we are going to help you learn how to read a
pesticide label and also calculate herbicide application rates. This will get you started on your
way to understanding how to apply chemicals while keeping yourself and the environment safe.

In the lab files we’ve included a pesticide label for you to read. This particular pesticide is used
for controlling insects on greenhouse-grown plants. The first page of the label lists the active
ingredients as well as the signal word. Signal words are used to indicate the category of toxicity
of the pesticide. We have included a Signal Word Fact Sheet in the lab files as well. Please read
through the fact sheet to learn more about signal words.

The second page of the label includes information about what kind of personal protective
equipment, or PPE, one must wear to be safe. It also discusses other safety precautions.

How and where a pesticide is stored is important for protecting people, animals and the pesticide
itself. It is important to store pesticides with the original container because of the critical
information in the label. The container is designed to hold the chemicals in the pesticide, and
contains the appropriate lid/cap to protect kids and pets. The label will also indicate the proper
way to dispose of pesticides.

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The third page of the pesticide label contains a lot of information on how the pesticide should be
applied. It also mentions a word called chemigation. Chemigation describes the process of adding
chemicals such as plant nutrients, pesticides, soil conditions, growth regulations as well as
biological agents into water flowing through an irrigation system. As plant cultivators it is
important to understand the chemigation systems in the growing operation. This will help
maintain the health of the plants, the plant cultivators and the public.

Finally, the last page instructs the grower on proper application rates. Read through this page to
get an understanding of the different rates of application. This page also describes the types of
insects that are targeted by this pesticide.

Based on the pesticide label provided, please answer the following questions.

Understanding the Pesticide Label

a.) What is the active ingredient?
The active ingredient is Diflubenzuron.

b.) What is the signal word on the label?

The signal word is caution.

c.) What type of PPE must the applicator wear?

They must wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirts with shoes and socks and also a set of
chemical-resistant gloves.

d.) Where should the pesticide be stored?

It should be stored in a dry location.

e.) How can the pesticide be legally applied?

It is legally applied if it used in a way where it does not come in contact with workers or other
people.

f.) What types of insects can this pesticide kill?

Soil inhabiting insects and Foliar feeding insects.

g.) For what crops can the pesticide cause serious foliar injury?
All ornamental plants.

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2. Chemical Calculations
Below are chemical practice calculations to work through. Feel free to watch the video or refer
to the practice calculations below.

EXAMPLE CALCULATION
Note, G after a number indicates the percentage of active ingredients per pound of product, i.e.
the compound that actually gives the provided effect of the chemical. Much of the rest is filler to
allow growers to dilute these potent compounds.

For example, 7G indicates that 7% of one pound of product contains the active ingredient(s).

PRACTICE EXAMPLE: A 7G herbicide is applied at a rate of 5lbs of product/ 1,000 ft2 to 20,000 ft2
area. The herbicide is sold in 40 lb bags.

 amount of active ingredient: = .07 lbs (5 lbs) = 0.35 lbs of active ingredient
 total amount of product needed for 20,000 ft2 area
= 5lbs/1000 ft2 = X/20,000 ft2
= (5(20,000))/1000 = X = 100 lbs product
 pounds of active ingredients = 100 lbs (.07) = 70 lbs active ingredient
 number of bags to purchase = 100lbs/ 40lb bag = 2.5, round up to 3 Bags

a.) A 5G herbicide is applied at a rate of 3 lb of product / 1,000 ft 2 to 16,000 ft2 of lawns. The
herbicide is sold in 20 lb bags.
i) How much active ingredient is in the herbicide?
.15 Lb. of active ingredient
ii) How much product do you need for application?
48 Lbs of product
iii) How many pounds of active ingredient did you apply to the area?
24 lbs of active ingredient
iv) How many bags of product will you need?
3 Bags of product
b.) A 13G organic insecticide is applied at a rate of 0.4 pounds of product / acre to 1400 acres of
fields. The insecticide is sold in 50 pound bags?
i) How much active ingredient is in the insecticide?
.05 Lb. of active ingredient
ii) How much product do you need for application?

iii) How many pounds of active ingredient did you apply to the area?
iv) How many bags of product will you need?
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c.) A 0.5G plant growth regulator is applied at a rate of 3.5 oz of product / 1,000 ft 2 of bench
space to 8,000 ft2 of greenhouse space. The growth regulator is sold in 16 oz containers.
i) How much active ingredient is in the growth regulator?

ii) How much product do you need for application?

iii) How many pounds of active ingredient did you apply to the area?
iv) How many bags of product will you need?