Cooperation and Compensation to Mitigate Fungicide Resistance

Abstract

We evaluated grapegrowers’ awareness of fungicide resistance and willingness to adjust fungicide use practices to mitigate this problem in vineyards. We conducted a pilot study surveying a small group of grapegrowers in the United States to assess their knowledge about fungicide resistance and willingness to adjust fungicide use based on the effect that use had on their own farm and their neighboring farms’ profits. We found that though growers are generally willing to adjust their fungicide use practices if assisted with the mitigation of resistance, they were less willing to do so when that adjustment would negatively affect their profits. We also evaluated their willingness to adjust their fungicide use when lost profits were remediated with compensation. To understand the relationship between their willingness to change their practices with compensation and their baseline willingness to do so (without compensation), we conducted a logistic regression. Given the small sample inference, we used bootstrapped estimates and observed an increase on growers’ willingness to adjust their fungicide use when compensation was available. Our analysis underscores the importance of monetary compensation as an incentive to fight against fungicide resistance.