Adoption and perceptions of decision support systems for insect pest management among Washington potato growers

Decision support systems (DSSs) provide growers with data-driven tools to enhance pest management decisions, yet adoption varies across agricultural sectors. This study examines awareness, use, and perceptions of insect pest management DSSs—specifically the Washington State University Potato Decision Aid System (WSU-Potato DAS)—among potato growers in Washington State. A mixed-mode survey (mail and web) conducted in spring 2025 assessed key factors influencing pest management decisions, growers’ familiarity with DSSs, and user experiences with WSU-Potato DAS. Preliminary results show that growers prioritize overall effectiveness, impacts on crop quality and yield, processor requirements, human health, and resistance management when making pest management decisions. Nearly 80% of respondents reported familiarity with insect pest management DSSs, but fewer than half reported using WSU-Potato DAS. Among users, all agreed that WSU-Potato DAS was easy to understand, fit their goal of reducing pesticide use while maintaining crop protection, increased their ability to prevent pest outbreaks, and aligned with best practices recommended by agricultural advisors. As researchers from outside entomology, we emphasize the importance of integrating grower perspectives and social science approaches to understand the human dimensions of pest management technology adoption. These insights can complement entomological research by illuminating the behavioral, perceptual, and practical factors that shape the real-world impact of pest management innovations.