Project title: IPMinfo app to provide pest and disease information to growers and PCAs

Submitter: Surendra K. Dara, Strawberry and Vegetable Crops Advisor and Affiliated IPM Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, 2156 Sierra Way, Ste. C, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. Email: Phone: 805-720-1700.

Project leader: Surendra K. Dara

Project description: ‘IPMinfo’ is an app for iPhones that provides information on biology, symptoms of damage, and management options for various strawberry pests and diseases. The strawberry industry in California is valued at more than $2 billion producing nearly 90% of fresh market and processed strawberries in the US. Strawberry crop is vulnerable to various pests and diseases and timely information to identify the problem and take appropriate management action are critical to prevent crop loss. Smartphones have become very popular in the agriculture industry and several growers, pest control advisors (PCAs), and other members of the industry frequently use their smartphones to access information relevant to their crop issue. Although the UC IPM website is a valuable resource about pest and disease management information, several growers and PCAs do not always use the website because of reasons expressed during conversations over the years which warranted the need for an improved outreach tool. Some of those reasons are listed below:

i)Sometimes there is too much information about a particular issue and it is in a format that can be overwhelming to a non-technical person.

ii)Some of the information is outdated and Pest Management Guidelines are not frequently revised to reflect the changes.

iii)Some sections have limited or no pictures to help identify the problem.

iv)It is easier if there is a dedicated point of access for strawberry pests and diseases without going through various layers of search or information sources on the website.

v)Web resources are convenient to view when using a computer, but it would be better to have another tool available for easy access through a phone to use in the fields or outside the office.

vi)Although UC IPM website is available, searching for a particular topic and navigation are not always easy on a phone.

The key points of this feedback suggest that growers and PCAs are looking for a tool where information can be easily accessed, available in a format that is simple to follow, convenient for non-technical people, has an even balance of text and images, and provides multiple sources of information without an overwhelming experience. IPMinfo is developed to address these issues and provide a one-point access to pest and disease information. Content is simplified and divided into multiple sections within each pest and disease so that users find it easy to follow. More photosthan what are available on UC IPM website are added wherever possible to help user understand multiple stages of pest or disease progression. User can access more details and specific management options through links to UC IPM pages provided in respective pest and disease sections.

‘Strawberries and Vegetables’ and ‘Pest News’ are my two electronic newsletters that have wide readership. These newsletters can also be accessed through IPMinfo, which takes users to related and other current information.

Complete details of the IPMinfo app and its features can be viewed at Additional key points about the app include,

i)Innovative -It is the first app from University of California to provide IPM information. Since UC is the leader in agricultural research and extension, it fits well with our mission of providing innovative research and outreach solutions. Smartphones are becoming an important tool in information access and decision making in agriculture and developing an app like IPMinfo provides a unique opportunity to extend information while bringing users to reliable UC sources. Other IPM apps have been developed by other universities, but they are not relevant to Califronia growers and some of them are not comprehensive or not free.

ii)Efficient -IPMinfo offers an easy and quick access to reliable pest and disease information especially when the users are in the fields or not in front of their computers. Since it is a free application, it is more likely to be used, therefore improving the efficiency of UC-generated information. Intuitive and clutter-free interface makes navigation to the information of interest easy.

iii)Expandable - Although this app is developed for strawberry crop, the template can be easily expandable to other crops and to include Spanish version.

iv)Integration -Including links to eNewsletters and UC IPM content provides access to already existing resources for additional information.

v)Collaboration - This app was developed collaboration with a small IT team, which required regular communication and collaboration.

vi)Success - Developing apps even is a very time consuming and expensive process, but this app was developed with a very small budget. Developers started working on it in September, 2014 and a beta version was available in November, 2014. Demonstration during a November strawberry extension meeting received excellent feedback and the first downloadable version of the app was available in December. After fixing some glitches and addressing other minor issues, the latest version was released in April, 2015. So far about 150 people downloaded the app and the feedback received from some of them indicates the success of the app.

The following includes all feedback received so far:

“I just got it on my phone. It downloads quickly. I like that it starts out having you choose your crop (of course there is only strawberries right now – guessing that is on purpose for beta testing). The pictures are crucial for lay gardeners like me – not sure who his audience is? It crashed when I went to “pests” but then opened right back up again. The pics take a while to load and I think I would like them a little larger to really be able to match up my problem. Overall I think it is awesome and VERY useful. The pictures really make it work. I am worried that IPMinfo as a name for the app will make it difficult for a wide audience to find (not sure most people understand what IPM is).”
Shannon
Community Education Supervisor II
UC CalFresh Nutrition Education Program

“Great tools you are providing for all !! A delicate balance of life and deathIn pest control.

I know you are part of our productionTeam, solving real crop production problems for all.”

Daniel T. Ibarra

Agronomist / PCA 75347

“What a great app. This is a modern day of information instantly. As a new-comer to the strawberry community this will be great to help me learn current issues.”

Michael Turner

Sales/Trader

Ag Specialties, LLC

“Good info and navigation.”
Parm Randhawa
California Seed & Plant Lab

“This is a great resource Surendra. You might consider adding a Spanish translation to the app as well.”

Dave Murray

Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce and

Chair, Research Committee, California Strawberry Commission

“I really like the IPM app, great job!”

Chris Jenkis

Driscoll’s

“You are awsome!!!” (referring to the app)

Pam Marrone
Marrone Bio Innovations

Additional information and media coverage:

  • IPMinfo preview on iTunes:
  • Growing Produce article about the app:
  • California Ag Today:

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