This study aimed to investigate the technology adoption of IPM technology among orchard farmers of Dalahoo Township by means of Davis, Technology Acceptance Model. The statistical population consisted of orchard farmer’s Kermanshah Province attended in IPM program (N= 130) that 97 of them were selected as sample through simple random sampling technique. A researcher- made questionnaire consist of nine main sections was designed. Cronbach’s alpha cofficient of 0.77 showed that the questionnaire was reliable in gathering data. In order to determine the construct validity and fitting the designed model, factor analysis and structural equation modeling was used. Results showed that there was an inverse relationship between individual and organizational factors with perceived usefulness and between innovation factors with perceived ease of use, while there was a significant positive relationship between other factors. Based on findings, implementing training courses with better quality for orchard farmers are recommended.

In this paper, a nonlinear loss minimization control strategy for an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) based on a newly developed sliding mode approach is presented. This control method sets force the speed control of the IPMSM drives and simultaneously ensures the minimization of the losses besides the uncertainties exist in the system such as parameter variations which have undesirable effects on the controller performance except at near nominal conditions. Simulation results are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed controller.

The adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy by farmers of Bathinda cotton belt of Punjab, India resulted in reduction of insecticidal applications. There was 3- 4 times reduction in insecticidal applications in IPM villages (4.86-5.33) over the non-IPM villages (15.16-18.12). A general trend of reduced insecticidal applications of both conventional as well as new insecticides, in IPM villages as compared to non-IPM ones, was observed. However, the use of endosulfan was significantly more in IPM villages (1.07 and 0.85 applications) over non-IPM ones (0.49 and 0.32 applications) in 2002 and 2003, respectively. The use of the remaining insecticides was significantly less in IPM than in non-IPM villages. There was no application of non-recommended insecticides and mixtures in IPM villages while it was observed in non-IPM ones only. Further, farmers in IPM villages showed increased preference for relatively new insecticides (imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, indoxacarb and spinosad) over the conventional group of chemicals. The adoption of IPM strategies resulted in significantly reduced pest incidence (32-75%), reduced plant protection and total input costs (17-34 and 15-21%, respectively) and an increase in net profit (54-88%) in addition to conservation of natural enemies (0.8- 1.0 natural enemies/ plant in IPM over 0.4-0.7/ plant in non-IPM villages).

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the quality of IPM/FFS training courses based on QFD method among orchardists of Illam Province. Also, as part of the QFD study, a need assessment survey was conducted to extract the educational needs of target group based on Borich model. The study population consisted of all the northern grape and pomegranate growers participated in the IPM/FFS training courses (N=420). A sample of 201 persons was selected through a simple random sampling manner. To collect data, a questionnaire was administered which its validity and reliability were confirmed. The second part of needed data was gathered by conducting an interview with extension specialists. Data analysis was performed using SSPSV20 and Edraw maxv20 software. The completed QFD chart was revealed that both of the “seeking ideas regarding the satisfaction of IPM/FFS training courses” and “holding classes in accordance with the principles of adult education and facilitation” were identified as the most relevant service characteristics to the participants’ needs, by showing the absolute and relative weight of 502.11, 8.64 and 469.35, 8.07, respectively. This means that these two service characteristics showed a significant impact on addressing the participants’ needs. Among the service characteristics, “promotion of interest to use substitute solutions” and “seeking ideas regarding the satisfaction of IPM/FFS courses” had strong positive relationship with almost others. At last, the study followed by some suggestions to better implementing the IPM/FFS training courses.

This study was conducted in order to analyze the impacts of IPM/ FFS programs on various outcomes by a broad range of stakeholders - including farming communities, local and national governments, and researchers - who are supporting such programs in Iran. This study is unique in that it uses an impact evaluation with a sociological perspective to explore the trigger and accumulation function of the effects of IPM/FFS programs in conformity with the community capital and adaptive management approaches. A total of 86 IPM/FFS stockholders were sampled. The principal component analysis was used to identify the impact factors of IPM/FFS programs and explore several factors, including the enhancement of social welfare, the improvement of farm health and safety, technical and social (leadership) skills development, risk management and marketing, improvement ofproduction quality as well as expansion of farmers’ experiential abilities, and the establishment of adaptive ecological management. According to the trigger and accumulation function of the effects of IPM/FFS programs, it was concluded that the IPM/FFS stimulated social learning and that it strengthened human and political capital by developing technical, social and leadership skills, which apparently prompted social and financial capital through expanding the range of local activities, relationships and policies related to improved agro-ecosystem management (natural capital). Finally, based on the trigger and accumulation function of the effects of IPM/FFS programs, in particular for providing long-term effects, an adaptive management approach was recommended to emphasis on developmental impacts through a participatory approach.

In modern agriculture, the first step in organic production, is the elimination of chemical residues. In this hio-management system, the substitution of agrochemicals (eg: pesticides, plant hormones, chemical fertilizers, etc.) was based on the use of biological agents and soil organic matters, that are considered as majer principles and the basic method.The agricultural management of organic system consist on, of not using any kind of chemical materials in: farms, fruit orchards, especially on apple tress. For this reason, in organic plant protection programmers, the first step was to avoid the use of pesticids.The cultivation of apple orchards in Iranian plateau, which possess different climatic regions and elevations, is well developed. Accordingly apple trees show much adaptation to such variations. Therefore the fauna of apple pests and their natural enemies show a great biodiversity, and they also occure on other Pomoidea. (pear, quince) and Prunoidea (plum, peach, ...).Such bioecological adaptation and biodiversity are important factors in biocenotic potentiality of apple orchards, especially in late maturing varieties of apple (Red and Golden delicious), and it has created rich community of natural enemies in our IPM programmers. The bioregional relationship of apple orchards fauna in different parts of Iranian plateau (Khorassan, Azerbayjan, H'), provided us the basic element in our research project to develop an IPM programms for organic production strategy by eliminating the use of agrochemicals. For this purpose we included both applied as classic and natural biological control to deal with the following important and cosmopolitan pests:-Cydia pomonella (L) (Lep. Tortricidae, Olethreutinae)(Synonyms: Carpocapsa =Laspeyresia)-Leucoptera scitella (Zell) (Lep. Lyonetiidae)- Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausm.) (Horn. Aphididae)- Aphis pomi DeG. (Horn. Aphididae)- Panonychus ulmi (Koch) (Aea. ri Tetranychidae)- Podosphaera leucotricha Salmon (Erysiphaceae- Ascomycetaceae)In the text of the above IPM programme for controling Cydia pomonella, in its different developpemental stages, such as: egg. larva, adult, and at the 2-4 annual generations, the following methods and materials were used:- Inundative release of Trichogramma spp. - Other biotic agents (Carpovirusine and Sex pheromon traps ...)- Mechanical method by installing belt trap on tree trunks.In this integrated control, to reduce the population density of codling moth, the level of economic damage was lowered to the range of 0.8 to 12.07%.In monitoring the population growth rate of other potential pests (European red-mite, leaf mining moth, aphids, ...) we provided support for their parasitoids and predators by protecting green coverage under trees, regular Irrigation. Practicing winter oil spray, and if necessary, at the time of growth, in spring, and even during the summer time, and excluding chemical pesticides use.Referring to IPM in apple orchards, and their faunistic studies in different regions of Iranian plateau, during 1990 -99 researches were carried out on the following key species parasitoids and predators in our IPM programmers:- Trichogramma embryophagum Hartig. (Hym. Trichogrammatidae)- Tetrastichus amaethystinus Ratz. (Hym. Eulophidae)- Lasiopticus pyrastri L., Epistrophe balteata, ... (Dip, Syrphidae)- Chrysoperla carnea Steph., Chrysopaseptempunctata, (Neur. Chrysopidae)- Oriou.'Ihorvathi (Reuter), O.bulgaconus, ... (Het. Anthocoridae)-Harmonia congfubata, Stethorus punctillum Weise (Col. Coccinellidae)-AeolothripsintermediusBagnall. (Thys.Aelothripidae)In conclusion: The biocenotic potential of apple orchards in Iranian plateau, and thecosmopolitan aspect of mentioned species, provide an opportunity to develop IPM programme, for production of organic apple in national level.