METHODOLOGY OF AN IPM IMPACT ASSESSMENT: DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF A PROTOCOL IN MICHIGAN TART CHERRIES

An integrated pest management (IPM) impact assessment protocol was applied to the IPM program for tart cherries in Northwest Lower Michigan. Four pest management scenarios were developed for typical tart cherry growers in the region, the level of adoption of each of the 91 scenarios was determined, and the profitability and environmental and human health effects from adoption of each of the scenarios was assessed. Data was collected through personal inter-views with IPM specialists in tart cherries in the Northwest Lower Michigan region and using secondary data sources. Analysis of the different pest management scenarios revealed that a moderate amount of IPM adoption yielded the best profitability and environmental and human health results. The analysis highlighted the usefulness of the protocol as an IPM assessment tool and emphasized key areas where improvements in the protocol could be made, namely in improving the methods of data collection.