1A. This field was last planted to tomatoes or other solanaceous crops:
(check only one)

On a four or more year rotation (one year of tomatoes and three years of other crops). = 4 points

On a three year rotation (one year of tomatoes and two years of other crops). = 3 points

On a two year rotation (an alternate planting of tomatoes and another crop). = 1 point

1B. This field was rotated away from other tomato fields in order to minimize pest pressures by:
(check only one)

Greater than 1/4 mile from potato, tomato, egg plant, peppers. = 1 point

Short distance - less than 1/4 mile or adjacent to previous years. = 0 points

1C. Check all that apply in preparing your nutrient management strategy:

Did you take soil samples on this field in preparation for this growing season? = 2 points

Do you request soil organic matter analysis on soil samples taken in preparation for the year of tomato production? = 2 points

Did you have soil pH tested and adjusted field levels with lime as required? =2 points

Leaf tissue samples were taken to monitor crop growth and verify nutrient strategies. = 2 points

1D. Bonus

Did you divide your field into management areas based upon soil types, topography and crop history and did you take separate soil samples from each management area? = 4 points

1E. Check all that apply in your crop nutrition application practices.

Nitrogen application is adjusted based upon tomato variety. = 2 points

Nitrogen rates are adjusted for the contributions of cover crops and N fixing rotation crops. = 2 points

Soil amendments (e.g., properly composted manure, mushroom compost) are tested and applied prior to the tomato production year. N application rates are adjusted for the amendment application both in the year prior and the tomato production year. = 2 points

Nitrogen is applied through preplant and sidedress applications (split) to reduce losses to leaching. = 3 points

Fertility recommendations (P,K. etc.) are used that are adapted for Ontario processing tomato growing conditions in consultation with processor product quality needs. = 2 points

Application of micronutrients is made in response to deficiencies diagnosed by leaf tissue analysis at late flowering. = 2 points

Cover crops are planted soon after harvest to prevent the loss of any residual nitrogen. = 3 points

Farm maps are kept that indicate water courses, well locations, slopes and separation distances from critical features. = 2 points

When spreading fertilizer; water courses, well locations, slopes and field separation distances from critical features are considered. = 3 points

1F. Bonus

Multiple applications of N are delivered through fertigation by drip irrigation. = 3 points

1G. Bonus

Do you take water samples from each well and test for nitrate levels? = 4 points

1H. Check all that describe your water management strategy.

Did you choose a field that has excellent water holding capacity so that the need for irrigation is minimized? = 5 points

Do you maintain crop residue on the soil surface to reduce water loss? = 3 points

Do you have a rain gauge in the field? = 1 point

Do you evaluate soil moisture twice weekly? = 2 points

Do you decide on irrigation timing and amount based on evapotranspiration and rainfall? = 2 point

Do you use drip irrigation to increase water use efficiency? = 3 points

1I.

Did you implement any practice to enhance wildlife or diversity (e.g. buffer zones, windbreaks, planting of field borders for food and habitat, wildlife corridors? = 5 points

1J.

Are you using reduced or no till system in your crop rotation? = 2 points

1K. Bonus

Are you using a reduced or No till system in tomatoes where soils allow? = 3 points

1L.

Did you implement any practices to prevent wind erosion and crop stress (e.g. windbreaks, grass windstrips, conservation tillage, cover crops)? = 3 points

1M. Site Selection
(check all that apply)

Is the field well drained (both natural and tile drainage)? = 2 points

Are there buffer strips along water courses ? (e.g., ditches, streams, etc.) = 3 points

Are erosion control devices in use (tile outlet protection, drop inlet, rock chutes) to manage excessive surface water to a safe outlet? = 3 points

Have grassed waterways been established where necessary? = 3 points

Do you have an accurate herbicide history for the past 4 years? = 2 points

Field Management Decisions Section Total =

2A. Did you ever NOT spray to control a pest, even if scouting records indicated that levels of the pest were at or above the threshold because:
(check all that apply)

The critical period of the pest was nearly over. = 2 points

Because you thought that beneficial species or weather would be able to control the pest naturally. = 2 points

2B. I would characterize pest management strategy in my cropping system as:
(check only one)

Integrated, non-chemical practices (e.g., crop rotation, resistant varieties, cultivation, biological control, etc.,). Pesticides are rarely used only where scouting reports indicate and are selected to have minimal environmental impact. = 5 points

Relies on more than one non-chemical practice (e.g., crop rotation, resistant varieties, cultivation, biological control, etc.) in combination with chemical control that is based on frequent scouting. = 3 points

Rarely uses non-chemical practices to control pests. Pesticide applications are the primary means to control pests and are based on infrequent scouting. = 1 point

2C.

Have you worked with neighboring growers and home gardeners to improve local management of critical pests? = 2 points

2D.

Do you properly maintain your sprayer by changing worn nozzles, maintain lines, lines and pressure gauges? = 3 points

2E.

Is your spray equipment (or the custom applicators' equipment) calibrated before the crop season? = 3 points

2F. Do you use any of these anti-drift techniques? (check all that apply)

Air induction nozzles. = 2 points

Spray only when winds are between 1 and 11 km/hr. = 2 points

Spray only when relative humidity less than 80%. = 2 points

Spray only when temperature is less than 27C. (80°F) = 2 points

Spray only when winds are away from sensitive targets. = 2 points

2G.

Do you assess your sprayer coverage (example: water sensitive paper or fluorescent dye) and where possible, reduce spray pressure and increase water volume for insect and disease control? = 5 points

2H.

Do you post No Entry signs after pesticide application? = 5 points

Pest Management Decisions Section Total =

3A. Whose scouting data did you use to make management decisions on this field?
( check only one)

IPM Trained Scout, Farmer or Consultant using IPM protocols = 4 points

Crop Scout or Consultants = 3 points

Farm Owner, Employee or Processor (Not IPM trained) = 2 points

Truck drive by = 0 points

3B. How did you follow up on the report?

Grower field walk = 4 points

No field check = 0 points

3C. How often was the tomato crop scouted?
(check only one)

Twice weekly = 3 points

Weekly = 2 points

Biweekly = 1 point

Occasionally = 0 points

3D. What was the most common scouting method?
(check only one)

Crop scouts used detailed field maps by variety to follow specific protocols along field borders and in the interior of the field. = 5 points

Crop scouts focused mostly on looking for potential hot spots and spot-checking where problems have occurred in the past. = 3 points

Informal observations of activity on the edge or corners of the field. = 1 points

Informal observations during routine farming operations (e.g., while spraying or while going out to check irrigation equipment). = 0 points

3E. Why did you scout?
(check as many that apply)

To reduce the amount of pesticides you used in order to minimize environmental impact. = 2 points

To determine when levels of a pest in a field reached or exceeded thresholds. = 2 points

To monitor areas of the fields where you knew pests were already a problem. = 1 point

To check on the effectiveness of a pest control measure you took. = 1 point

In response to a local or recent pest report you heard or read about. = 1 point

3F. Which of the following best represents how you or your farm manager used the scouting information collected on this field?
(check only one)

Appropriate strategies were identified by discussion between grower and scout, and field maps, were created by the grower to identify hot spots. = 3 points

Scouting records were analyzed and appropriate strategies identified by the grower and scout. = 2 points

Written records were kept in a file to track changes in pest pressure over time for this field. = 1 point

No written or electronic records were kept of scouting reports on this field. = 0 points

Scouting Section Total =

4A. Which of the following practices did you do prior to the growing season:
(check all that apply)

Did you plant a cover crop last year, to reduce weed pressure? = 2 points

Did you control weed escapes in fall by mowing or herbicide spot spraying? = 2 points

Did you spot spray herbicides to control weeds before planting in spring? = 2 points

Did you use mowing or tillage equipment to control weeds on the field edges or adjacent areas to reduce the chance of weeds migrating into this field? = 2 points

Did you select herbicides in rotational crops according to Herbicide Group chemistry to avoid potential weed resistance in tomatoes? = 3 points

Did you use crop rotation within the last 4 years to reduce weed problems? (e.g. did you control problem weeds in the rotational crops.) = 3 points

Select herbicides in rotational crops to avoid herbicide residues that damage tomatoes? = 2 points

Did you manage small patches of weeds in previous crops before they became large problems? = 2 points

4B. Bonus

Did you maintain surface plant residues as mulch for weed control? = 2 points

4C. Which of the following practices were used during this growing season?
(check all that apply)

Did you scout tomatoes for weeds in a systematic pattern from shortly after and continue each week until canopy closure? = 2 points

Did you keep field records and maps for long-term comparisons based on weed density and species? = 2 points

Did you clean machinery when moving from field to field, to lessen the chance of spreading weeds? = 1 point

Did you use mechanical methods (e.g. cultivations, rotary hoeing, mechanical weeder, flaming) for weed management? = 3 points

Did you use below maximum labeled application rates followed by scouting as a weed management practice? = 2 points

Did you choose post-emergent, low rate sequential herbicide applications - where abeled – based on scouting? = 3 points

Did you spot spray or cultivate for weeds if scouting reports indicated weedy areas within the field? = 3 points

Did you choose herbicides with low (EIQ) Environment Impact Quotient? = 2 points

Did you shut off herbicide booms before stopping or turning at end of row? = 2 points

Did you limit field area wetted by irrigation (surface or buried drip irrigation) to reduce weed seed germination? = 2 points

Did you use the stale seedbed technique where there is a low potential for soil erosion in late plantings? = 3 points

Do you apply herbicides in a band over the crop? = 3 points

4D. Bonus

Did you flame between rows of tomatoes to reduce weed escapes? = 1 point

4E. Bonus

Did you focus weed control practices on the critical period of the first 4-6 weeks? Only controlling late emerging weeds that will set viable seed before harvest? = 3 points

Weed Management Section Total =

5A. Which of the following practices did you use to manage insects prior to planting this year's crop?
(check all that apply)

Culturally manage a tomato insect pest (e.g. wireworm, plant – parasitic nematodes, CPB) in the crop planted prior to tomatoes in this field. = 1 point

Manage the habitat in or around the field to enhance populations of beneficial insects. = 3 points

Avoid planting tomatoes on fields adjacent to previous year's tomatoes or potatoes. = 3 points

Avoid using similar chemical control tactics (e.g. systemics) on fields adjacent to the previous year's tomatoes or potatoes for a resistance management practice. = 2 points

Destroy potato cull piles in the previous fall. = 2 points

Rotate insect control strategies to avoid development of resistance. = 2 points

Use a fall trap crop (e.g. a strip of potatoes that are not vinekilled) to concentrate beetles for more efficient control of overwintering beetles. = 3 points

5B. Which of the following practices did you use to manage insects during the growing season:
(check all that apply)

Target field areas with the least insect pressure for the earliest plantings. = 2 points

Select an insecticide based on preserving natural enemies. = 3 points

Manage the health of the crop to enhance its ability to withstand pest injury. = 1 point

Plant trap crops (e.g. field edges) or use physical barriers (e.g., plastic-lined trenches) along field borders to slow the migration of Colorado potato beetles into this field. = 3 points

Enhance habitat (food and shelter) for beneficial insects, birds, and other organisms. = 2 points

Scout tomatoes for insect pests at least weekly throughout the growing season in a systematic pattern. = 2 points

Keep field records and maps on the density of each insect pest for long-term comparisons. = 2 points

Rotate chemical families of insecticides specifically to avoid the emergence of resistance. = 3 points

Choose insecticide with low EIQ. (Environmental impact Quotient) = 2 points

Make insect control decisions based on scouting information and appropriate threshold. = 3 points

Beneficial populations (predators, parasitoids) were incorporated into treatment decisions for aphids. = 3 points

Apply insecticides in a band over the row when plants are small. = 3 points

5C. Which of the following practices were used as Colorado potato beetle controls:
(check all that apply)

Maps of Colorado potato beetle overwintering sites were developed so that tomatoes can be planted as far as possible from these sites. = 2 points

Colorado potato beetles were scouted using plant counts to determine the number of adults and larvae during growing season. = 1 point

Did you use localized treatments of insecticides for Colorado potato beetles when infestations were localized on field edges? = 2 points

Did you use drench application of systemic insecticide only near Colorado potato beetle overwintering site? = 3 points

Do you use surface plant residues (grass strips, cover crop, mulch) to hamper movement of Colorado potato beetle? = 3 points

Insect Management Section Total =

6A. In order to lower disease potential, which of the following practices did you use prior to planting this years tomato crop?
(check all that apply)

Sample soil for Verticillium species. = 2 points

Sample soil for plant parasitic nematodes. = 2 points

Remove and/or bury potato cull piles (e.g. remnants of last year's crop, waste from cutting, waste from storage) prior to transplanting to prevent the spread of disease. = 2 points

Assess neighbouring area for potential sources of disease inoculum from tomato or potato plant materials (tomato vine, diseased transplants etc.) = 2 points

Avoid planting tomatoes on fields adjacent to previous years tomatoes or potatoes. = 2 points

Choose a crop rotation to lower the probability of certain soil-borne diseases from occurring. = 3 points

Select resistant or tolerant varieties for the suppression of plant disease. = 2 points

Apply compost or other organic soil amendments to increase plant vigor for the suppression diseases. = 2 points

Control weed hosts of plant diseases (e.g., nightshade is a host for late blight.) = 2 points

Select fields with good drainage to minimize plant stress. = 2 points

6B. Bonus

Did you run one or more soil assays e.g. earthworm counts, soil structure, total nematodes etc. in addition to the standard assays for Verticillium or nematodes, to determine populations of soil microbes and/or assess soil health? = 5 points

6C. At planting do you follow these practices? (check all that apply)

Does your processor use properly treated seed? = 3 points

Did your transplant grower follow good disease management practices? = 3 points

Inspect transplants at pick up and at planting. Discard and destroy infected plants. = 3 points

Use good plant practices to minimize transplant stress e.g., hardening transplants, grass wind strips where appropriate, transplant depth. = 3 points

Clean transplanter between fields and plant lots (e.g., power wash and allow to dry.) = 2 points

For extended storage of transplants, use management practices that minimize leaf wetness and maintain plant vigor. = 4 points

6D. Bonus

Did you plant a cover crop specifically for the suppression of Verticillum or plant parasitic nematodes? = 4 points

6E. Which of following practices did you use to control disease during the growing season? (check all that apply)

Scout tomatoes for diseases weekly in a systematic pattern throughout the growing season. = 4 points

Manage fertility for healthy plants that resist disease. = 2 points

Begin monitoring for bacterial disease within 10 days of transplanting. = 3 points

Minimize conditions favourable to disease through irrigation management, variety placement, and control traffic in the field. = 3 points

Start a foliar copper program at first sight of disease and after an extended period of leaf wetness. = 2 points

Cooperate with neighbours to eliminate disease sources in your local area. = 3 points

Utilize disease forecasting model (TOMCAST) to initiate fungicide sprays for early blight, anthracnose and septoria diseases. = 4 points

Utilize disease forecasting model (TOMCAST) to schedule subsequent fungicide sprays for foliar, early blight, anthracnose, and septoria. = 3 points

Keep field records of disease frequency and severity for long-term comparisons. = 2 points

Choose the lowest labeled rate of fungicide based on disease severity. = 2 points

Apply pesticides in a band over the row when plants are small. = 3 points

6F. Bonus

Do you stop spraying foliar copper under dry conditions? = 3 points

Disease Management Section Total =

7A. Prior to harvest, do you:
(check all that apply)

Assess each field at least 1 week before anticipated Ethrel application. = 2 points

Evaluate each harvest block for actual maturity and plant vigor. Plan Ethrel applications in conjunction with harvest plans for each harvest block. = 3 points

Schedule application and adjust rates of Ethrel based upon plant vigour, variety, weather and plant fruit maturity as indicated on the label. = 2 points

7B. Bonus

Have you chosen to not use Ethrel based on natural plant maturity and processing schedules (to enhance fruit quality.) = 3 points

7C. At harvest, do you:
(check all that apply)

Keep harvesting and field husbandry equipment well maintained. = 2 points

Minimize the traffic and potential for compaction during harvest operations. = 3 points

Keep trailer marshalling area away from next year's cropping area. = 2 points

7D. Because damaged fruit requires more caustic for peeling do you use any of these practices at harvest?

Harvesting onto adjacent rows (windrowing or doubling up) when opening a field. = 2 points

Minimize the use of dump carts. = 2 points

Load trailers evenly to a maximum height of 36". = 3 points

Minimize fruit damage by harvester adjustment and operation (e.g., lower elevator height to reduce fruit drop, minimize shaker aggressiveness.) = 3 points

7E. After harvest, do you:

Use timely incorporation of tomato residue to reduce future disease problems. = 3 points

Cover crops are planted immediately after tillage. = 3 points

Harvest Management Section Total =

8A. Did you use weather data (e.g., degree days, leaf wetness, temperature, rainfall, etc.,) in your management decision for:
(check all that apply)

Diseases = 2 points

Weeds = 1 point

Insects = 1 point

Scheduling of planting = 1 point

Scheduling of fertilizer application = 1 point

Did not use weather data = 0 points

8B.

Did you use pest alerts, crop reports or other pest information for management decisions? = 2 points

8C.

In the past year, did you or your farm manager attend any field days or educational meetings with regards to tomato crop management (example: sprayer workshop, Grower Pesticide Safety Course, IPM workshop, summer field days, tomato winter educational meetings or environmental meeting?) = 1 point for each meeting (to a maximum of 5)

8D. Bonus

Have you ever cooperated in on-farm research or demonstration trial? = 5 points

Information Sources Section Total =

Field Management Decisions Section Total =

Pest Management Decisions Section Total =

Scouting Section Total =

Weed Management Section Total =

Insect Management Section Total =

Disease Management Section Total =

Harvest Management Section Total =

Information Sources Section Total =

TOTAL =