Plant Pest & Disease Management

Pests affecting plants, like soil-borne diseases, insects and fungi, are a central focus of Georgia's pest management efforts. Commercial producers contend with the thrips, aphids, moths and other bugs that indiscriminately prey on their crops, while conditions like mycotoxin in corn and tomato spotted wilt virus cost farmers both cash and crops.

UGA Extension helps Georgia's producers deal with these challenges. Still, anywhere from tens of thousands to millions of dollars are spent dealing with these issues every year, depending on the product and pest.

The state's well-known contest with the boll weevil demonstrates the potential scale of pest damage and thus the relative value of preventative measures. The beetle decimated Georgia's cotton industry from 1915 until a focused eradication program begun in 1987 eventually recovered yields.

Websites

UGA-affiliated sites

Forages Insect Management Includes PDF resources on insects affecting forages.

Georgia Pest Management Handbook The Georgia Pest Management Handbook gives current information on selection, application, and safe use of pest control chemicals.

Sustainable Agriculture at UGA Brings together information on sustainable agriculture including pest management and other resources.

Integrated Pest Management Program at UGA Integrated pest management is a science-based decision making process that employs biological, mechanical, cultural and chemical control methods is such a way as to minimize economic, environmental and public health risks associated with pests and pest management practices.

Structural Pest Management Program at UGA The program's primary focus is the extension of academic expertise and research-based information regarding pest management practices and options.

Landscape Pest Management Includes brief descriptions and identifying images for a variety of insect pests. Also includes brief summaries of recent research.

Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus Describes the disease in detail for peanut, tobacco, and other vegetable crops. Includes resources for identifying thrips.

Bugwood Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health The Bugwood Center develops and utilizes partnerships and information technology to advance invasive species management, integrated pest management, and forest health.

UGA Department of Crop and Soil Sciences Learn more about the crop and soil sciences department at the UGA College of Agricultural of Environmental Sciences.

UGA Department of Entomology Learn more about the entomology department at the UGA College of Agricultural of Environmental Sciences.

UGA Department of Horticulture Learn more about the horticulture department at the UGA College of Agricultural of Environmental Sciences.

UGA Department of Plant Pathology Learn more about the plant pathology department at the UGA College of Agricultural of Environmental Sciences.

External sites

Georgia Pest Control Association Information for future and existing pest control professionals.