Elements of IPM for Cucumber, Melon,
and Summer Squash in NY State

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A. Site Preparation and Selection	Acreage Goal	Points
1) Review previous season’s weed map/list of fields to choose appropriate weed control strategies. See the Weed Assessment List available for use in satisfying this element.	50%	10
2) Crop rotation: 2-3 years away from cucurbits, more if needed for diseases indicated in table above.	75%	10
3) Avoid peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant in rotation with cucurbits to minimize disease problems	25%	3
4) Nutrient management: soil test at least every third year. Fertilize according to test recommendations.	100%	10
5) Do not apply all nitrogen at planting: sidedress or topdress part of the total N application during the growing season.	75%	10
6) Bonus: use trickle irrigation and fertigation	10% 25% 50%	3 5 10
7) Choose sites with good air drainage; not surrounded by woods	25%	3
9) If manure is applied to field, apply only before planting and incorporate	100%	10
B. Planting
1) Resistant varieties: Choose disease resistant varieties and varieties less-preferred by beetle pests when available and feasible	50%	10
2) Use fungicide treated seed. Use seeder box treatment for seedcorn maggot only if conditions dictate	100%	10
3) Turn under any cover crop residue 3 weeks before planting to avoid seedcorn maggot	50%	5
c. Pest Management
1) Calibrate sprayer at least once per season or every time nozzles are changed	100%	10
2) Scout for insects and diseases as recommended in IPM procedures	25% 50% 100%	3 5 10
3) Follow thresholds for pests that have established thresholds	25% 50% 100%	3 5 10
4) Follow management guidelines in the Cornell IPM recommendations or scouting guidelines for pests that do not have thresholds	75%	10
5) Select fungicides based on a resistance management strategy	50%	10
6) Choose labeled pesticides with the lowest environmental impact	10%	3
7) Keep records of pest populations, pesticide applications, and cultural practices	100%	10
d. Post Harvest
1) If washing crop, chlorinate wash water and maintain proper chlorine levels.	100%	10
2) Make late season weed map/list for use the following season. See the Weed Assessment List available for use in satisfying this element.	50%	5
3) Disk down fields after harvest	50%	10
4) Establish a cover crop to scavenge nutrients and control weeds or use spot applications of translocatable herbicide for control of perennial weeds	50%	10

revision date: 2001

Total points available (excluding bonus points): 179

Points needed to qualify: 143

10 bonus points available

TO LEARN MORE...

Specific information on how to apply and use these IPM elements can be found in the following publications:

2000 Cucurbit IPM Scouting Procedures, IPM Bulletin 113

Integrated Crop and Pest Management Guidelines for Commercial Vegetable Production.

A Method to Measure the Environmental Impact of Pesticides. 1992. New York Food and Life Sciences Bulletin Number 139.

The above reference material can be obtained from county Cornell Cooperative Extension offices or by contacting The Resource Center, Cornell University, PO Box 3884, Ithaca, NY 14852-3884, 607-255-2080; email resctr@cornell.edu