Center for Integrated Plant Systems Funding Priorities

Building addition to CIPSThe IR4 and Pesticide Analytical Programs are presently housed in the National Food Safety and Toxicology Center, but have been notified they must move these programs in early 2001. They occupy four offices and two laboratories at this time, and new facilities must be identified. In the short run, the Pesticide Analytical Laboratory may move to the renovated MDA Geigley Laboratory located on Harrison Road. However, this is only a short-term solution because physical proximity of these programs to their research partners is important. In addition, recent and future new hires in Pest Management Departments with strong affinities to applied and integrated research need and will need research laboratories. A building addition housing 6-12 new laboratories would accommodate current and future program needs.

Food Safety Analytical LaboratoryThe Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) is forcing the agriculture community of producers, processors, and research and extension scientists to rethink approaches to pest management. The future of pest control appears to moving in the direction of fewer broad-spectrum pesticides, more selective pesticides and much more reliance on pesticide alternatives, including pheromone disruption of insect mating. The Food Safety Analytical Laboratory is a critical component of MSU response to these changes. Chemical analyses are critical to understanding longevity of alternatives, placement, potential residues on harvested crops, and efficacy. This laboratory will combine the current Pesticide Residue Laboratory with efforts underway in Agriculture Chemical Ecology.

Environmentally friendly agriculture endowments Endowments are needed to promote the development and application of pesticide-free pest management practices into mainstream agriculture. Research endowments ($50,000), endowed graduate assistantships ($250,000) and named laboratories ($500,000) are needed.

Endowed undergraduate assistantships A key component of the CIPS IPM program is the coordination of integrated research and extension projects in specific crop areas. Providing undergraduates the opportunity to participate in summer field research projects is a way to expose them to the benefits of integrated approaches to problem solving. In some instances, the students could be housed at an out state research station for the summer.