From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Mon Jul 3 22:31 EDT 1995
Date: Mon, 3 Jul 1995 21:30:59 -0500
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From thodges@beta.tricity.wsu.edu Fri Dec 9 03:31:57 1994
Date: Fri, 9 Dec 1994 11:31:57 -0800 (PST)
From: Tom Hodges <thodges@beta.tricity.wsu.edu>
Subject: CAMASE_NEWS no.4, December 1994 (fwd)
Message-Id: <Pine.ULT.3.91.941209113121.4244B-100000@beta>

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 9 Dec 1994 16:48:00 +0100
From: M.C.Plentinger AB-DLO tel:08370-75961 <M.C.PLENTINGER@ab.agro.nl>
To: Multiple recipients of list CAMASE-L <CAMASE-L@HEARN.nic.SURFnet.nl>
Subject: CAMASE_NEWS no.4, December 1994

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

N E W S L E T T E R

O F

A G R O - E C O S Y S T E M S

M O D E L L I N G

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Published by AB-DLO December 1994, No.4
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

\==================================================================\
\ \
\ CONTENTS \
\ \
\ ANNOUNCEMENTS \
\ ditribution list \
\ Software quality \
\ AGMODELS-L and SOILS-L \
\ SOMNET \
\ Soil database \
\ Call for data organization \
\ \
\ FORTHPCOMING MEETINGS \
\ \
\ NEW BOOKS \
\ SB ModelMaker \
\ Wheat Model Comparison \
\ \
\ THE MARKET PLACE, WITH: \
\ The Toulouse Research team \
\ FARMSOFT '94 \
\ Request for saline water irrigation \
\==================================================================\

====================================================================
EDITORIAL

The CAMASE model register contains already 100 entries: real
simulation models and modules, tools and courseware.
We will tell more about what is in it, and how to get it
out, the next time.

The many models will bring us quickly to another issue:
model quality. The more users of models are different
from developers, and the more simulation provides a basis
for prediction, optimization and scenario studies, the
more 'quality' needs attention. It comprises Good
Programming Practices, documentation (scientific,
technical, users manual), evaluation, user and update
agreements. It has been suggested that a formal 'quality
label' might be needed for models. This is an important
area for us, since too often models remain
unprofessional, and left in a stage where the fun (and
time) of making them runs out before the testing and
documentation is completed. We will have to do better.

We wish you a very stimulating Christmas holiday and a
very valid 1995.

Frits Penning de Vries,
Marja Plentinger
====================================================================

* * *

THE REGISTER OF AGRO-ECOSYSTEMS MODELS

k e y w o r d s:
d i s t r i b u t i o n l i s t
s o f t w a r e q u a l i t y
A G M O D E L S - L a n d S O I L S - L
S O M N E T
s o i l d a t a b a s e
m o d e l s
d a t a o r g a n i z a t i o n

* Distribution list
We received requests for copies of the CAMASE_NEWS
mailing list. Only addresses for postal mail will be
supplied. Please let us know when you don't object that
also other registered data are supplied to other people.

* Software Quality
We received the following references on our request in
the previous CAMASE_NEWS for anything on 'model quality'.
If you can add more titles: please, send them to Frits
Penning de Vries.

- Scholten, H., 1994. Blueprint of a supramodel for
quality assurance of the simulation modelling process.
Submitted to European Simulation Symposium, Istanbul,
Turkey, October 9-12, 1994
Contact: Dr. H. Scholten, Wageningen Agricultural
University, Department of Computer Science, Dreijenplein
2, 6703 HB Wageningen, The Netherlands
Telephone: +31.8370.84631
Telefax: +31.8370.84731
Internet: hscholten@rcl.wau.nl

The following references include methodological studies
of Mean Squared Error of Prediction (MSEP) and
applications of the MSEP criterion to mechanistic models.
- Wallach, D. and B. Goffinet. 1987. Mean squared error
of prediction in models for studying ecological and
agronomic systems. Biometrics 43, 561-573.
- Wallach, D. and B. Goffinet. 1989. Mean squared error
of prediction as a criterion for evaluating and comparing
system models. Ecological Modelling 44, 299-306.
- Wallach, D., P. Loisel, B. Goffinet and R. Habib. 1990.
Modelling the time dependence of Nitrogen uptake in young
trees. Agronomy Journal 82, 1135-1140.
- Wallach, D. and B. Goffinet. 1991. Letter to the editor
concerning "A method for testing whether model
predictions fall within a prescribed factor of true
values, with an application to pesticide leaching".
Ecological Modelling 54, 137-141.
- Colson, J., D. Wallach, J. B. Denis, J. W. Jones and A.
Bouniols. 19XX. The mean squared error of yield
prediction by SOYGRO. Agronomy Journal. In press.
Contact: Daniel Wallach, INRA, Department of Biometrie,
B.P. 27, 31326 Castanet Tolosan Cedex, France.
Telephone: 33.61285277
Telefax: +33.61285335
Internet: wallach@toulouse.inra.fr

* AGMODELS-L and SOILS-L
These groups are for the discussion of Agricultural
Simulation Models. The creation of these lists has been
sanctioned by the Electronic Communications Committee of
the American Society of Agronomy. At present, these lists
are not moderated.

Simulation models: Any and all simulation models which
pertain to agriculture or the environment may be
discussed. In the future, probably a FAQ (frequently
asked questions) file will be available which would
contain a brief description of all the simulation models
in existence.

Subscription: The list owner is Jerome Pier on
jpi@uni.edu.
To subscribe send an e-mail message to:
LISTSERV@UNI.EDU
containing the following message (leave the subject line
empty):
SUB SOILS-L your name
or
SUB AGMODELS-L your name

* SOMNET
SOMNET: A Global Network of Soil Organic Matter and Long
Term Experiments. To register for participation in SOMNET
please contact:
Mr. P.E. Smith
IACR Rothamsted
Harpenden
Herts AL5 2JQ
United Kingdom.
Telephone: +44.582.763 133
Telefax: +44.582.760 981
Internet: pesmith@bbsrc.ac.uk

* Soil database
On January 1st, 1995 a network activity within the Human
Capital and Mobility Program of the EU will start on
'Using existing soil data to derive hydraulic parameters
for simulation models in environmental studies and in
landuse planning'. In this network 18 institutes in 10
different EU member states collaborate to create a major
database of measured soil hydraulic characteristics (i.e.
water retention and hydraulic conductivity) of European
soils. At present these characteristics are usually
fragmented, of different degree of detail, of varying
reliability and are held in different institutes
scattered over Europe. It is foreseen that creation of
this database will provide the presently lacking source
of information to run models of crops and vegetation,
water and nutrient balances for issues related to land
use, agricultural production and the environment.

CAMASE is well under way to make a register of agro-
ecological models, many of which are in reach of good
soil data. While the two projects are being carried out,
they intend to launch in the future a new concerted
action (and to seek funds from the EU) to make best use
of this emerging wealth of data and models.

This note is to request those who are interested in this
endeavour to contact one of us. Please state whether you
have data available to contribute to the database and for
which issues you are interested to use these data and
models. Also state the relevant qualification of yourself
and your team.

Dr. J.H.M. Wosten, The Winand Staring Centre for
Integrated Land, Soil and Water Research (SC-DLO),
Internet: j.h.m.wosten@sc.agro.nl
Prof. Dr. F.W.T. Penning de Vries, Research Institute for
Agrobiology and Soil Fertility (AB-DLO),
Internet: pdvries@ab.agro.nl

* Call for data organization
Crop modelling requires well-organized datasets of field
experiments, for model development, calibration and
validation. A draft of a user-friendly database
containing the results of 10 intensively monitored sugar
beet fields from field trials in Belgium and The
Netherlands is developed. The objective is to enlarge the
database for several crops, different types of field
trials, etc. so that it becomes a multi-purpose database.
If you have any suggestions for the further development
of the database, or if you like to work with such a
database or have data to insert in the database please
contact:
Ir. Hilde Vandendriessche
Soil Service of Belgium
W. de Croylaan 48
B3001 Belgium
Telephone: +32.16.225426
Telefax: +32.16.224206

* * *

FORTCOMING MEETINGS

- GCTE and related Meetings: GCTE Wheat Network
Experimental Data Synthesis, Reading, United Kingdom,
27-31 March, 1995.
Contact: John Ingram, GCTE Focus 3 Office, University of
Oxford, Department of Plant Sciences, South Parks Road,
Oxford OX1 3RB, United Kingdom
Telefax: +44.865.275 060
Internet: ingram@vax.ox.ac.uk

- The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)
is organizing a Training Program on Computer Simulation
for Crop Growth and Nutrient Management at IFDC, Muscle
Shoals, Alabama, 8-19 May, 1995. In this program
participants will learn how a comprehensive simulation
model of crop growth and nutrient dynamics is constructed
and how this can be applied to real world problems.
Contact: Coordinator, Human Resource Development Unit,
International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC),
P.O.Box 2040, Muscle Shoals, Alabama 35662, United States
Telephone: +1.205.381.6600
Telefax: +1.205.381.7408
Internet: ifdc.general@cgnet.com

- Conference to be held in Brussels, Belgium, May 9-12,
1995.
The symposium aims to provide a forum for presentations
and discussions of recent advances of mathematical
modelling and simulation in Agriculture and bio-
industries.
Abstracts (300-500 words) are to be mailed by November
15, 1994. Acceptance of abstracts are by January 15,
1995.
For information and correspondence e-mail:
labauto@labauto.ulb.ac.be

- If you would like to be considered for invitation to
NATO ARW to be held May 22-26, 1995 on Evaluation of Soil
Organic Matter Models using Long Term Experimental
Datasets please contact
Mr. P.E. Smith, IACR Rothamsted, Harpenden, Herts AL5
2JQ, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44.582.763 133
Telefax: +44.582.760 981
Internet: pesmith@bbsrc.ac.uk

- The First International Conference on Multiple
Objective Decision Support Systems for Land, Water, and
Environmental Management: Concepts, Approaches, and
Applications is planned for July 23 to 29, 1995 in
Honolulu, Hawaii. To receive a circular announcing a call
for papers for the Malama 'Aina 95 MODSS conference, send
your requests to:
Telefax : +1.808.956.6539
Internet: AGRSS@uhunix.uhcc.hawaii.edu
Include your mailing address.

* * *

NEW BOOKS

- Fresco, L.O., L. Stroosnijder, J. Bouma and H. van
Keulen (eds.), 1994. The Future of the land: mobilising
and integrating knowledge for land use options. An
international interdisciplinary conference was held in
Wageningen, The Netherlands, from August 22-25, 1993.
John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. pp. 409
The book can be ordered at: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.,
Baffins Lane, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 1UD, United
Kingdom
Telephone: +44.243.779777

Articles in this book
- Velden, M. van der, J. van Valckenborgh, J. van
Orshoven, K. Smets, A. Grillet, L. Hubrechts, J.A.
Deckers, D. van den Broucke & J. Feyen, 1994. A Support
System for Planning Sustainable Agricultural Land use in
Flanders.
- Stroosnijder, L., S. Efde, T. van Rheenen and L.
Agustina, 1994. QFSA: A New Method for Farm Level
Planning.
- Knickel, K.W., 1994. MSBB-A Concept and Microcomputer
Application for Agro-environmental Land Use Analysis and
Planning.

- Wopereis, M., M. Kropff, J. Bouma, A. van Wijk and T.
Woodhead, 1994. Soil Physical Properties: Measurement and
Use in Rice-Based Cropping Systems. SC-DLO, WAU, and
IRRI, Philippines. 111 pp.
This manual focuses on measurement and use of soil
physical properties in irrigated and non-irrigated
soils. The theoretical background of the methodologies is
briefly discussed. Relevant software and user manuals are
available on two diskettes.
In Chapter 1 several direct laboratory methods for
measurement of soil hydraulic conductivity and water
retention characteristics are introduced. The RETC
program, developed by Van Genuchten et al (1991) can be
used to parameterize such data (diskette 1).
In Chapter 2, field monitoring techniques dealing with
soil-water interactions such as measuring depth of ground
water table and soil-water pressure potentials are
explained. Field monitoring techniques for rooting
studies and soil-mechanical properties are explained in
Chapter 3.
The theory of geostatistics is being used increasingly to
optimize sampling strategies. Chapter 4 gives guide-lines
for optimizing sampling strategies for soil physical
properties at three different levels - field, village,
and regional. One of the diskettes available separately
from IRRI contains easy-to-use geostatistical software.
A brief introduction to crop growth simulation models is
given in Chapter 5.
Associated data needs and the possible application of
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in extrapolation
of agro-ecological and simulated information are also
discussed.
Contact: International Rice Research Institute
P.O.Box 933
1099 Manila
Philippines
Telefax: +63.2.818.2087. 522.4240
Telex: (ITT) 40890 RICE PM
Internet: postmaster@irri.cgnet.com
ISBN 971-22-0048-5

- Van Evert, F.K. and G.S. Campbell, 1993. CropSyst: A
Collection of Object-Oriented Simulation Models of
Agricultural Systems. Agronomy Journal Vol. 86, No. 2
Construction and maintenance of the large simulation
models required for agricultural systems may benefit from
the application of modern programming methods. In
particular, object-oriented programming (OOP) methods
claim several advantages over conventional procedural
methods. We sought a programming approach that would
allow:
- interchanging of component models within and between
whole-system models,
- incremental model building without rewriting existing
code,
- maintenance of more than one model of a component, and
- construction of a user-friendly interface from which
all parameters can be assigned and component models run.
The objective of this work was to investigate the use of
object-oriented programming (OOP) as a tool for creation
and management of whole-system models for agricultural
applications.
Contact: F.K. van Evert
ICRISAT
Sahelian Centre
B.P. 12404
Niamey
Niger
Internet: ICRISAT@CGNET.COM

* SB ModelMaker
A tool to develop simulation models quickly, accurately,
and clearly, with less work.

What is Modelmaker?
For many, writing a (large) computer program will demand
a new set of skills requiring a large investment in time
to develop. The primary objective of ModelMaker is to
overcome this by providing an easy to use software
environment which allows you to simply type in your
equations and then run the model, with no need for
programming.

Advantages of ModelMaker In addition to this primary
objective, developing models using ModelMaker has a
number of other advantages which apply equally well to
those with extensive programming experience.
- The equations of the model are instantly accessible
both to the developer and any subsequent user. There is
no fumbling through computer code to find the key
relationships, they can be viewed, printed and changed at
will! Anyone working with the model will easily be able
to find out 'what is going on inside'.
- Instant Output. Every variable in the model can be
output easily, either tabulated or as a graph, on screen,
on paper, or to a file. No need to load files into
graphics packages or modify programs to print out
different data.
- Instant access to a wide range of mathematical
techniques is built into the system. Choice of methods
for solving differential equations, interpolation, and
optimization procedures to fit your model to observed
data. All available via menus and buttons, without the
massive effort of writing code and reading textbooks.
Contact: SB Technology Ltd., Slington House, Rankin Road,
Basingstoke RG24 OPH, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44.256.468186
Telefax: +44.256.472046

* Wheat Model Comparison
From: GCTE News No.7, September 1994

The GCTE Wheat Model Comparison, which produced a
surprising divergence of yield predictions when models
were given identical meteorological datasets (based on
smoothed, 30-year means), has generated considerable
interest, and an ambitious research programme for the
GCTE Wheat Network.
The model comparison showed a scatter of potential yields
of 5 to 12 t/ha for a European site and of 4 to 9 t/ha
for a North American site, even when the same time course
of Leaf Area Index was imposed on all 10 models. An
interesting point is that there was no apparent
relationship between model output and model complexity.
This comparison showed that much work has yet to be done,
both in modelling and experimental areas. "Real" datasets
will next be used to refine models, while the models will
be used to design further experiments that will produce
datasets that can in turn be used to test the models'
robustness to components of global change. Although this
iterative process has just begun, it is essential in
improving our prediction of global change impacts on crop
production.
The wheat model intercomparison was featured in IGBP
Newsletter No. 18, June 1994.

For more details on the GCTE Wheat Network:
John Ingram, GCTE Focus 3 Office, Department of Plant
Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford
OX1 3RB, United Kingdom
Telefax: 44.865.275.060
Internet: ingram@vax.ox.ac.uk

* * *

THE MARKET PLACE

Do you feel that the research of your team is
insufficiently known? In this section, we welcome a short
description of your systems research group. Descriptions
of the CAMASE core groups are already lined up for this
and forthcoming issues.
We will also welcome offers of specific expertise or
data, and calls for the same.

* The Toulouse research team
Toulouse Agronomy Station is one of the 18 research
laboratories of INRA Agronomy Department. Our group is
currently involved in cropping systems management under
water constraints. A long-term experiment comparing
various crop rotations managed under different input
levels (N-fertilization, sprinkler irrigation,
pesticides) was the core of our activity ... before we
discovered the interest of simulation in cropping systems
studies!

EPIC: A cooperative work was undertaken in 1984 with
USDA-ARS (Temple, Texas) in order to test the interest of
EPIC (Erosion Productivity Impact Calculator) model in
the conditions of southwestern France. Our experimental
design was the main support of calibration and validation
of the model. The model revealed some weaknesses in the
simulation of drought constraints.
Improvements were made to better describe the water
extraction pattern and crop sensitivity to water stress
with phasic development. Presently, good results have
been obtained with maize, sunflower and wheat. Multi-
locations validation is under development with different
partners.

A major use of revised EPIC model (named EPICPHASE) is to
define management strategies on long-term series with a
special interest for irrigation and more generally water
management under limited water resources. Connections
with linear programming models have been established (G.
Flichman, IAM Montpelier) to use the model as a data
generator in the analysis of policy decisions in various
EEC countries (Poland EEC project).

Recently, we developed a version devoted to tactical
decisions including real-time options (EPICTPR) which is
under operational testing in different locations.

For further information and contact:
Dr. Ph. Debaeke & Dr. M. Cabelguenne,
INRA, Station d'Agronomie, B.P. 27, Castanet-Tolosan
Cedex, France
Telephone: +33.61.285 029/+33.61.285 035
Telefax: +33.61.735 537
Internet: debaeke@toulouse.inra.fr /
cabelgue@toulouse.inra.fr

* FARMSOFT '94
The second edition of the international catalogue of
agricultural software.

Custom made software: Farmsoft '94 introduces an
international selection of software custom made for the
agricultural sector-farmers, farmers associations,
extension and consultants.
It is the joint product of a team of experts from seven
EU countries (Belgium, France, Germany, The Netherlands,
Italy, Portugal and Spain) and Israel.
This international catalogue is complementary to national
catalogues, and is specially dedicated to the software
packages that are suitable for international exchange; it
is also a full-sized benchmark for the experiment of
common description formats for describing software.

Questionnaire: Prior to software selection, a
questionnaire was sent to 357 program developers from 23
countries - spanning the world wider than that to which
the partitioning members belong. The software
applications included were selected using objective
criteria related to each countries' level of computer
adoption for agriculture.

The criteria were:
- more than one year commercial market presence;
- developer's credentials;
- number of installations;
- originality (a criterion geared to include software of
interest in an early stage of development).

The result is Farmsoft '94 which contains 164 programs
for 93 firms from 13 countries. This edition introduces
new presentation methodology, a thesaurus to compare
technological terms in several languages, enhanced and
better program descriptions and several indices.

Contact persons for additional information and copies
are:
- Belgium:
Jean Jacques Claustriaux, University of Gembloux, tel:
+32.81.622512; Guy Spoiden, Ministry of Walone region,
tel: +32.81.321211
- France:
Vincent Wahl, Ministry of agriculture, tel:
+33.1.49554625; Jean-Louis Carel, FNSEA, tel:
+33.1.45631177
- Germany:
Suzanna Lehnert, FCL, tel: +49.2532.1531
- Israel:
Ehud Gelb, Ministry of agriculture, tel: +972.3.6971844
- Italy:
Guido Bonati, INEA, tel: +39.6.4870793
- Portugal:
Fernando Costa and Ana Maria Mourao, Ministry of
agriculture, tel: 351.1.3556600
- Spain:
Jose Antonio Nunez Butragueno and Jose Luis Ceca, IRYDA,
tel: +34.1.3473719
- The Netherlands:
Jan Kamp, ATC, tel: +31.3200.34900

* Request for saline water irrigation
At the Institute of Irrigation (Napoli, Italy) we are
planning to start a research program concerning the
effects of secondary salinization on the production of
horticultural crops.
We are planning to carry out field experiments to
investigate short- and middle-term effects of irrigation
with saline water on crop production.
Since the group includes researchers with different
skills (soil science, agronomy, agrometeorology), we will
be interested also in studying the effects of
salinization on soil structure and hydraulic properties,
as well as on crop evapotranspiration.
One of the most important aims of the research is the
validation, and, if necessary, the implementation of a
model describing the above mentioned processes.
We would like to know which models are at present
available for our purposes. We are aware that there may
be a lack of simulation studies and data concerning
horticultural crops and Mediterranean agro-ecosystems. A
model dealing with a field crop would meet our
requirements, provided that soil-plant-atmosphere
interactions are taken into account.
For the present we would like to know which models are
available and their main characteristics. Moreover we
would like to be informed also about models dealing with
salinity at regional scale.
Thanking you in advance.

Contact:
Francesca De Lorenzi
Institute of Irrigation C.N.R.
P.O.Box 101
80040 S. Sebasmano al Vesuvio (NA)
Italy
Telephone: +39.81.7717325
Telefax: +39.81.7718045
Internet: cnrdelor@inacriai.criai.it

====================================================================
CAMASE: A CONCERTED ACTION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF
QUANTITATIVE METHODS FOR RESEARCH ON AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS AND THE
ENVIRONMENT.

The objectives of CAMASE are to advance quantitative research
on agricultural systems and their environment in the EU-countries,
by improving systems research in participating institutes through
exchange and standardization of concepts, approaches, knowledge,
computer programs and data.
CAMASE relates to a small network of research groups, and a
broad group of scientists receiving information. The network
consists of scientists from five groups in Europe: Denmark (Royal
Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen), France
(Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Toulouse), Spain
(Cordoba University, Cordoba), Scotland (Institute of Ecology and
Resource Management, Edinburgh) and The Netherlands (AB-DLO, TPE-
WAU and SC-DLO, Wageningen).

With CAMASE_NEWS, we aim to improve communication among
scientists working in agro-ecosystem modelling and interested in
better access to appropriate models, data, and related tools,
instruction materials. CAMASE-core groups and others can
contribute spontaneously or will be invited to contribute.
Responsibility for the opinions expressed rests with the authors.

CAMASE_NEWS will appear four times per year. Please submit news
items for CAMASE_NEWS and requests for new subscriptions to:

F.W.T. Penning de Vries/M.C. Plentinger
DLO-Research Institute for Agrobiology and Soil Fertility (AB-DLO)
P.O.Box 14
6700 AA WAGENINGEN
The Netherlands
Telephone: +31.8370.75961
Telefax: +31.8370.23110
Internet: camase@ab.agro.nl

After an e-mail request for subscription, you will receive a
form to give your address, which is necessary for postal mailings.
====================================================================



From thodges@beta.tricity.wsu.edu Mon Dec 12 21:56:38 1994
Date: Tue, 13 Dec 1994 05:56:38 -0800
From: thodges@beta.tricity.wsu.edu (Tom Hodges)
Message-Id: <9412131356.AA15041@beta.tricity.wsu.edu>
Subject: (fwd) Wireworms on potatoes

Path: serval.net.wsu.edu!netnews.nwnet.net!oracle.pnl.gov!osi-east2.es.net!cronkite.nersc.gov!dancer.ca.sandia.gov!overload.lbl.gov!lll-winken.llnl.gov!uwm.edu!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!torn!news.unb.ca!nbt.nbnet.nb.ca!mailserv.nbnet.nb.ca!jwalsh
From: jwalsh@mailserv.nbnet.nb.ca (John R. Walsh)
Newsgroups: sci.agriculture
Subject: Wireworms on potatoes
Date: Mon, 12 Dec 1994 11:51:04
Organization: McCain Foods Ltd.
Lines: 32
Message-ID: <jwalsh.58.000BDA46@mailserv.nbnet.nb.ca>
NNTP-Posting-Host: jwalsh.nbnet.nb.ca
X-Newsreader: Trumpet for Windows [Version 1.0 Rev A]

Hello,
I am a potato agronomist working in the Saint John river valley of New
Brunswick, Canada. My area of specialty is potato storage and postharvest
physiology but I deal with farmers on all aspects of potato production. I
recently had a farmer ask me about the effect of ploughing and spraying of sod
ground being prepared for potatoes for the first time.
Their original practice was to plough the ground in August or early
September, harrow it once in September and then plough it again late in the
fall. The problem with this is that every time you work the ground it costs a
fair bit of time and money. They did not, however, ever have any problems with
wireworms.
Recently they switched to a newer, cheaper sod preparation method. They
would spray the ground with roundup in August, then plough late in the fall
after potato harvest was over. This was definitely cheaper but they
encountered serious wireworm problems for the first time in the potato crop
planted the following spring. They thought that maybe because Roundup does not
affect the roots that the wireworms may have benefited from the change in
practices. Are they right?
Since I know virtually nothing about wireworms I would appreciate any
information that could be provided. This would not only include an answer to
the question posed, but also things like the genus and species of the pest,
information on its lifecycle as well as known and accepted control practices,
trapping or soil testing methods.

Thanks

John Walsh | "I'm still waiting..."
McCain Foods Ltd. |
Florenceville, NB Canada | Talking Heads - "Stop making sense"
jwalsh@nbnet.nb.ca |

--
Tom Hodges Cropping Systems Modeler ___ ___
USDA-ARS / \_/ \
Rt. 2, Box 2953-A Telephone: 509-786-9207 | |
Prosser, WA 99350 Fax: 509-786-4635 \______/^\/
USA potato tuber
============= thodges@beta.tricity.wsu.edu ========================
...photosynthesis makes the world go around... Mr. Potato Head


From thodges@beta.tricity.wsu.edu Tue Dec 13 01:19:11 1994
Date: Tue, 13 Dec 1994 09:19:11 -0800 (PST)
From: Tom Hodges <thodges@beta.tricity.wsu.edu>
Subject: wireworm in potato
Message-Id: <Pine.ULT.3.91.941213091604.17079A-100000@beta>

Please respond directly to John Walsh (jwalsh@nbnet.nb.ca) as well to the
list if it might be of general interest. Tom

Tom Hodges Cropping Systems Modeler ___ ___
USDA-ARS / \_/ \
Rt. 2, Box 2953-A Telephone: 509-786-9207 | |
Prosser, WA 99350 Fax: 509-786-4635 \______/^\/
USA potato tuber
============= thodges@beta.tricity.wsu.edu ========================
...photosynthesis makes the world go around... Mr. Potato Head

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jwalsh Tue Dec 13 05:56:56 1994
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!jwalsh
From: jwalsh@mailserv.nbnet.nb.ca (John R. Walsh)
Newsgroups: sci.agriculture
Subject: Wireworms on potatoes
Date: Mon, 12 Dec 1994 11:51:04
Organization: McCain Foods Ltd.
Lines: 32
Message-ID: <jwalsh.58.000BDA46@mailserv.nbnet.nb.ca>
NNTP-Posting-Host: jwalsh.nbnet.nb.ca
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Hello,
I am a potato agronomist working in the Saint John river valley of New
Brunswick, Canada. My area of specialty is potato storage and postharvest
physiology but I deal with farmers on all aspects of potato production. I
recently had a farmer ask me about the effect of ploughing and spraying of sod
ground being prepared for potatoes for the first time.
Their original practice was to plough the ground in August or early
September, harrow it once in September and then plough it again late in the
fall. The problem with this is that every time you work the ground it costs a
fair bit of time and money. They did not, however, ever have any problems with
wireworms.
Recently they switched to a newer, cheaper sod preparation method. They
would spray the ground with roundup in August, then plough late in the fall
after potato harvest was over. This was definitely cheaper but they
encountered serious wireworm problems for the first time in the potato crop
planted the following spring. They thought that maybe because Roundup does not
affect the roots that the wireworms may have benefited from the change in
practices. Are they right?
Since I know virtually nothing about wireworms I would appreciate any
information that could be provided. This would not only include an answer to
the question posed, but also things like the genus and species of the pest,
information on its lifecycle as well as known and accepted control practices,
trapping or soil testing methods.

Thanks

John Walsh | "I'm still waiting..."
McCain Foods Ltd. |
Florenceville, NB Canada | Talking Heads - "Stop making sense"
jwalsh@nbnet.nb.ca |



From toma@crl.com Tue Dec 13 12:18:58 1994
Date: Tue, 13 Dec 1994 20:18:58 -0800 (PST)
From: Tom Armstrong <toma@crl.com>
Subject: Re: (fwd) Wireworms on potatoes
In-Reply-To: <9412131356.AA15041@beta.tricity.wsu.edu>
Message-Id: <Pine.SUN.3.91.941213201324.16129A-100000@crl8.crl.com>

We have grown some potatoes for the last 5 years or so under organic
farming practices. Nearly every year there has been some incidence of
wireworms. Damage has been minimized by digging early. Last year we had
wireworms show up in potatoes planted in newly cleared ground that had
not been farmed for 20 years. Are wireworms spread by the seed potatoes?

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Tom Armstrong toma@crl.com Sequera Ranch s.1892 San Gregorio, CA
Barnyard Technology--- Ideas for tomorrow -> from yesterday's scrap.
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