DPIRD’s CropScout app has new sweep net module
The DPIRD MyPestGuide CropScout application is designed to assist growers, consultants and other field technicians apply spray thresholds for pests in crops.
An upgraded version of this app can now be downloaded for free from Android and iOS stores. The app has a new module that allows users to enter numbers of native budworm, diamondback moth (DBM), and pea weevil sweep netted in pulse and canola crops in winter/spring and the app calculates whether numbers are above or below spray thresholds.
Native budworm spray thresholds vary by crop type and also by anticipated grain price and cost of control.
DBM thresholds vary by plant growth stage and plant stress levels. These calculations are run in the background of the app and each survey result is displayed relative to the calculated threshold.
Once sweep net results are saved, they can be viewed on a map on your mobile phone when you are in mobile range. All other app functionality can be performed out of mobile range, including data entry and capturing the GPS location. Results can be synced with your personal CropScout account and viewed online at the MyPestGuide CropScout page.
Results can also be exported and shared via .csv file as a spreadsheet of results with GPS, or as a .kml file, and viewed on Google Earth or Google Maps.
The MyPestGuide CropScout app was first published in 2018 and has been funded by DPIRD’s Boosting Grains R&D programs. The app started with a “Canola aphid” module which allows users to indicate canola aphids on individual plants and runs the sequential sampling algorithms to optimise the effort required when monitoring crops at a set level of accuracy. Another module, in addition to the latest sweep net module, will be added in the future to assess whether surveyed oat aphids, corn aphids and Russian wheat aphid numbers are above or below established spray thresholds.
The CropScout team is keen to hear feedback from CropScout app users to ensure it is user friendly and is providing decision support for growers, agronomists and field technicians. If you have any comments or suggestions, please email cropscout@dpird.wa.gov.au.
More information on the CropScout app can be found on DPIRD’s CropScout app page.
For more information contact Research Scientist Dustin Severtson, Northam on +61 (0)8 9690 2160.
Article author: Dustin Severtson (DPIRD Northam).