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HISTORY OF THE PROGRESS REVIEWA complete management system for SLWF is a goal for the future, but at present, it is in the formative stages. Extensive fundamental, ecological, and biological research on the SLWF and its natural enemies has revealed potential components for incorporation into an ecologically based management system. Farm practices, such as water-use patterns, proximity of alternate host crops, and spatial considerations, are being implemented to achieve whitefly population reduction. Knowledge of the complex host interrelationships among cultivated crops, crop growing sequences, and urban community hosts has focused awareness that the entire farm community must concern itself with population suppression programs. The mechanisms involved in the complex interaction of host plants and SLWF population dynamics are largely unknown. Although insecticides alone or in combination have been found to provide adequate control on major cultivated crops, insecticide resistance management is a particularly important factor that must be addressed. Development of biological and other non-chemical control, disease and silverleaf whitefly-resistant plant types, and an expansion of our current knowledge of whitefly and natural enemy taxonomy, physiology, biochemistry, and genetics are essential to development of long-term management systems. Both National plans outline a coordinated, cooperative program involving federal and state agencies, universities, and the agricultural industry. Research needs, goals and objectives, and technology transfer to clientele (scientific community, legislators, regulators, the agricultural industry, and the public) are reviewed on an annual basis. The plans are flexible allowing responsiveness to changing needs and priorities with appropriate adjustments to terminate, redirect, or add priorities based on funding, current knowledge, and program needs. The program goals are the development of environmentally and socially acceptable area wide, community-based SLWF management. USDA agencies (ARS, APHIS, and CSREES),
state agencies, state agricultural experimental stations, and the cotton,
vegetable, ornamental, nursery crop and chemical industries participated
in development of the plan to promote research, establish priorities, avoid
duplication of effort, and maximize the use of existing resources.
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