Integrated Pest Management in Cannabis
We are looking for grower collaborators! If interested, please contact postdoctoral researcher Dr. Kadie Britt (kadieb@ucr.edu)
California Dept. Pesticide Regulation Information on Pesticide Use in Cannabis/Hemp
Project Background
The recent legalization of hemp in the United States has introduced a unique and potentially profitable new crop into the agricultural landscape. Hemp is especially attractive to growers in the Western US where water supplies are more limited. In California, hundreds of growers have been experimenting with production of hemp over the past few years. While there is much excitement, there are still many hindrances to successful crop growth and cultivation, particularly with regards to integrated pest management strategies. Much remains unknown about best management practices for hemp, including strategies for the management of arthropod pests.
Cannabis Research and Extension Projects
Our goal is to determine the arthropod pest complex on hemp and cannabis, characterize current management strategies, and screen novel chemical/biological controls. Information gained from this work will serve as a baseline for the development of improved monitoring and IPM strategies for cannabis/hemp in California.
Objective 1 – Characterize Insects Found on Cannabis/Hemp
Collect insects from multiple indoor and outdoor commercial hemp operations in inland and coastal regions of California to characterize pest populations and their associated damage to crops throughout the growing season.
Objective 2 – Insect Collection Kits for Cannabis Growers
Grower collection kits will be assembled and distributed to determine insect and mite pests of concern to commercial cannabis growers in California.
Objective 3 – Grower Survey to Determine Current Practices and Priorities
We plan to conduct an online grower survey paired with dozens of in-person interviews across the state to characterize current cannabis/hemp pest management practices, priorities and research/extension needs.
Objective 4 – Hemp Insecticide Trials
In addition to field sampling and survey efforts, small plots of hemp will be established at the UC Kearney Ag. Center (Parlier, CA) in order to evaluate the efficacy of novel chemical and/or biological control strategies.