Developing a training and information package for IPM implementation in Brassica vegetable crops

Abstract

The ability to correctly identify a pest or disease problem or to determine disorders within Brassica vegetable crops is critical to making a sound decision on corrective actions and the most appropriate strategy for a particular situation. Most research into problems of Brassica crops has been discipline based, focusing on identification and “best practice” recommendations for managing specific pathogens, insects, nutrient deficiencies or other disorders. A project to develop an electronic knowledge management system, based on Integrated Crop Management principles, aims to bring together insect, weed, disease and disorder information in a comprehensive and integrated multi-media product.

The information and training needs of farmers, advisers, students and scientists will determine the structure of this decision support tool. It will incorporate Lucid™ keys for diagnosing problems in Brassica vegetable crops, linked to “best practice” management strategies that can be delivered via CD and/or the Internet. The CD uses software (WebGIST), developed by the Centre for Pest Information Technology and Transfer at The University of Queensland, that enables the user to view, search and print the information in a format similar to current web browsers. The information is created in HTML so that it can easily be transferred and linked to the Internet. An English prototype CD has already been developed. A proposal has been submitted to the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research to develop a final product, which will be bilingual (English and Mandarin), with the intention to develop a generic English version that can subsequently be customised for other languages and regions.