PMEP Home Page Pesticide Use Information for New York State NAPIAP Survey - Carrots - 1996 Carrot Survey: Introduction

Introduction

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the carrot growers of New York State for generously giving their time to help our research.

Introduction

This report presents the result of a pesticide use survey given to New York State carrot growers summarizing their pesticide use and other data for the 1996 growing season. New York State ranks tenth nationally in carrot production, producing 500,000 cwt. in 1994, valued at $5,287,000 (1994 Agricultural Chemical Usage:Vegetables, p.27). Carrots were grown on ap proximately 1,400 acres with an average yield of 400 cwt/acre, in 1994.

Wholesale buyers, processors and consumers demand high quality carrots, without blem ishes. Producing high-quality carrots in New York can be difficult, due to the many pests that attack carrots, reducing yield and quality. In order to produce high-quality carrots, growers must control these various pests. This has lead to a dependence on several pesticides to control these various pests. Detailed information on pesticide use patterns and benefits is lacking. That is the reason for conducting this survey.

Detailed and accurate pesticide use information is vital in documenting the need for current pesticides, determining the need for new research into alternative controls, and calculating the economic damage caused by particular pests. Of particular concern in New York State is the root-knot nematode. Due to the fact that most fumigant-type nematicides have been phased out, growers are left with few options. The most commonly used pesticide for root-knot nematode is Vydate.

This survey was administered in person by Extension educators, where possible, and by mail. In total, 11 surveys were returned and account for the majority of carrot acreage grown in the state. The survey respondents reported growing carrots on a total of 800 acres in 1996. Table 1 shows the acreage and geographical makeup of our survey respondents.

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