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Northeastern IPM Center Projects |
2020 Program YearRFA: IPM Applied ResearchEarly Detection of Potato Leafhopper Damage Using Unmanned Aerial Systems
Project Director: Chandi Witharana Early detection of disease and insect infestation within crops is essential to lower production losses, reduce environmental risk, and promote environmentally conscious management practices. Innovative pest detection and monitoring methods that are inexpensive while being highly efficient can increase pest management decision-making based on estimates of pest population size. There is a growing interest in adaptation of remote scouting methods that are centered on remote sensing (RS) technologies, to produce low-cost, real-time/quasi real-time, repeatable, and spatially-explicit analytics for IPM applications. Unprecedented advances in unmanned aerial system (UAS) technology and the development of robust, autonomous and lightweight sensors present a unique opportunity for enabling RS technologies for IPM use. UASs are rapidly evolving into standalone RS systems that deliver information of high spatial and temporal resolution in a non-invasive manner. UAS platforms can rapidly survey areas and can be deployed where and when needed. Both the cost and complexity of the UASs have been reduced to the point where an individual can afford a drone and use it in the field with minimal technical expertise. In spite of the potential benefit, very few studies have been conducted to exploit the potentials of UAS for early detection of pest infestation. This reflects a clear knowledge and methodological gap between IPM science and UAS technology. Without a concerted cross-disciplinary effort - remote sensing science, computer science, and IPM science - to build bridges between the IPM community and this new UAS-enabled future, we will never fully capitalize on the plethora of possibilities afforded by centimeter-scale imagery. The proposed research will investigate the practicality of off-the-shelf UAS outfitted with lightweight multispectral and hyperspectral sensors - as remote scouting instruments- in early detection and discrimination of crop infestation by potato leafhopper Empoasca fabae in potato. We propose a two-year project, deploying UAS remote sensing coupled with proximal remote sensing to develop and validate models for assessing and distinguishing early damage by potato leafhopper using UAS spectral reflectance data. Necessity is the mother of invention: innovative approaches to Northeastern hemp disease management.
Project Director: Heather Darby With the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, and the removal of industrial hemp from the list of controlled substances, hemp is now considered a legal agricultural crop. As a result, the hemp industry is growing rapidly and scientifically based research and education is critical to Northeastern farmers succeeding with this new crop. Hemp could be a significant economic driver and could help create new farming and business opportunities and potentially provide social and environmental benefits that complement current agricultural production systems in the Northeast. However, since industrial hemp production has only recently been reintroduced to the Northeast, much of the agronomic information that is currently available to Northeastern growers is either outdated or not relevant to the growing conditions of the region. The proposed project aims to provide this much-needed information to the Northeastern hemp industry through a program that integrates field-based disease management trials and a comprehensive outreach program.
Slug and Natural Enemy Phenology in mid-Atlantic Field Crops
Project Director: David Owens Slugs are important pests of field crops in the mid-Atlantic, especially when crops are grown using reduced or no-tillage practices and with cover crops. Slug activity is heavily dependent on weather conditions, but when slug-favorable weather conditions occur during the crops most sensitive stages (germination to V3/V4), severe stand reductions can result requiring a field or portions of a field be replanted. Slug management recommendations include tillage (a highly disruptive tactic that impacts soil health and water quality) or application of expensive molluscicidal bait. There are two primary species of slugs present in mid-Atlantic corn and soybean fields: grey garden slugs and marsh slugs. These slugs overwinter either as eggs or as adults. Plant damage is most severe when germination coincides with slug egg hatch, and there is some evidence that a bait application is most effective when applied at slug egg hatch. This project seeks to develop a model that will predict slug egg hatch based on accumulated heat units. Fields across the mid-Atlantic will be sampled weekly for slug eggs and juveniles. Temperature and moisture sensors will be deployed in the same fields. In addition, not much is known regarding slug-pathogenic nematode distribution or activity in fields. Mobile stage slugs will be sampled and held for nematode emergence. It is anticipated that this line of research will help farmers identify time periods in which a slug bait might be most effective or a planting window that could be avoided. RFA: IPM CommunicationsDeveloping multimedia materials to educate health care providers on bed bug IPM
Project Director: Changlu Wang The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, emerged as a major urban pest in the U.S. since the late 1990s. Today, bed bug infestations are most commonly found in low-income, senior citizen homes where bed bug management is most challenging. A study shows an average of 12.3% of the senior citizen homes in low-income communities were infested with bed bugs in New Jersey. The resurgence of bed bugs has significant health, economic, and social impact. Health care providers are particularly affected by bed bug infestations. There are 84,000 health care providers in the northeastern U.S. They spend most of the day in clients’ homes and many clients are low-income seniors. They are at high risk of getting bed bugs or spreading bed bugs as they visit different homes. Most health care providers are unprepared for dealing with bed bugs. Educating them on the identification, prevention, early detection, and use of simple non-chemical methods to get rid of bed bugs is extremely important both for protecting themselves and for helping the clients in getting rid of early bed bug infestations. Yet, available educational materials on bed bugs for health care providers is scarce. User-friendly videos demonstrating how to recognize bed bugs and simple and effective methods to prevent and eliminate bed bugs is especially in urgent need. The objectives of this project are to: 1) develop an English and a Spanish short video demonstrating the bed bug biology, prevention, inspection, proper use of non-chemical control tools, 2) develop English and Spanish brochures on bed bug prevention and control for health care providers; and 3) partner with health care industry to educate health care providers on bed bug prevention and control using the new videos and brochures. Potential outcomes are increased knowledge on bed bugs and practice of IPM by health care providers and residents. Use of multimedia materials to educate health care workers will have the following immediate impact: reduced control cost, economic loss, pesticide use, and human health risks associated with improper bed bug control practices. Knowing is half the battle: Increasing awareness of biocontrol as part of IPM through digital outreach
Project Director: Amara Dunn The retirement of its creator necessitates the migration of the website “Biological Control: A Guide to Natural Enemies in North America” to a new domain where it can be maintained and continue to serve as an important resource to a range of audiences, including farmers, extension staff, and the general public. This migration also creates the opportunity to re-design and update the website so that it is more useful and usable to target audiences. Updates will include reducing text, adding pictures, adding additional biocontrol agents, creating and linking short videos, and creating a database of biocontrol agents. This database will make it easier to search for information about specific biocontrol agents, or biocontrol options in specific crops or settings. It will also enable the generation of on-demand fact sheets on biocontrol. These fact sheets will be easier to update and easier to distribute to stakeholders, including those who do not have access to the internet. Updates to the website will be planned using input from focus groups representing stakeholders around the Northeast. The updated Biological Control website will be a great resource for extension agents and stakeholders across all agricultural commodities and among the general public. By improving the usefulness and usability of biocontrol information, this website will increase knowledge and awareness of biocontrol as an important IPM strategy. This increase in knowledge and awareness has the potential to increase the successful use of biocontrol for pest management, decrease the use of chemical pesticides, and decrease risks to human health and the environment, while increasing effective and economical pest management in a variety of settings across the Northeast. RFA: IPM Working GroupA Working Group on Tarping and Soil Solarization
Project Director: Sonja Birthisel Tarping and soil solarization are affordable technologies suitable to vegetable production in the Northeast, with particular applicability to organic systems. These practices have demonstrable utility for weed management, and may have additional IPM applications and benefits to farming systems. However, the mechanisms of action and long-term ramifications of these practices are poorly understood. Researchers at multiple universities in the Northeast are conducting disparate investigations of tarping and solarization, and no platform currently exists to facilitate sharing research results or building larger collaborations on these topics. We propose to form a working group on tarping and solarization that will improve coordination of research and extension efforts in the region.
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2019 Program YearRFA: 2019 Partnership Communications GrantsA decision-making web application for beekeepers
Project Director: Robyn Underwood Honey bee (Apis mellifera) colony losses have increased in recent years and the beekeeping industry is challenged with maintaining colony numbers to satisfy the need for commercial pollination and maintain the honey yield. Even with an intensive management regime, beekeepers in the United States are averaging 40% yearly losses. Various practices are used to manage colonies, with choices available from along the IPM pyramid. Deciding which practices to choose is complicated by regional climate differences, the costs of different treatments, and the vast amounts of information available. Therefore, we propose to create a science-based decision-making tool for beekeepers to streamline the process of diagnosing and treating problems as they arise. School IPM best practices for the northeastern United States website updates and promotion
Project Director: Lynn Braband Pest management in schools has received increased attention in the Northeast and nationwide. In 2013, the Northeast School IPM Working Group (NESIWG) received a Northeastern IPM Center Partnership Grant to develop a website on comprehensive, yet succinct and accessible, best practices for school IPM. This resource has received significant use and stakeholder feedback, while commending the value and need of the resource, indicated that its value will greatly depend on its being supported and kept up-to-date. NESIWG members have been working with the Northeastern IPM Center to update and improve the organization of the website. However, progress has been slow. In order to maintain the value of the resource, salary support is needed for someone to organize and facilitate the process. The organization and content of the NESIWG’s website also need to be addressed. With this project, we will update both websites utilized systematic feedback from stakeholder focus groups in four states and the NESIWG and promote the improved sites regionwide. RFA: 2019 Partnership Issues GrantsDevelopment and evaluation of microclimate-based decision support tools, for sustainable strawberry production
Project Director: Mengjun Hu Strawberry Botrytis fruit rot (BFR) and anthracnose fruit rot (AFR) both are devastating diseases that typically drive fungicide applications. Based on critical environmental factors (i.e. temperature and leaf wetness), the Strawberry Advisory System (SAS) was developed to predict real-time BFR and AFR risks to better time fungicide applications, avoiding unnecessary sprays and costs. However, SAS uses on-farm weather stations for data inputs, which are not capable of monitoring environmental conditions in modified environments. In areas outside Florida and California, row covers are critical to strawberry plasticulture production systems, to increase yield potential by accumulating degree days and increasing floral initiation during fall, and to minimize winter and frost damage. In this project, we propose to examine the precision of BFR and AFR predictive models, comparing canopy-based data inputs vs. weather-station data inputs into these models. Trials at three locations including one organic farm in Maryland and Virginia will allow us to assess the efficacy of the canopy-level sensor system in both “covered” and “non-covered” environments, to understand how row covers alter the environmental conditions related to disease infection. We anticipate that our proposed microclimate monitoring systems will improve the efficacy of disease forecasting, leading to higher marketable fruit yield and lower AFR or BFR incidence for both organic and conventional productions, in comparison with the SAS or calendar-based sprays. These sensor systems will also simultaneously provide frost and soil moisture information to growers for additional risk-management decisions. Furthermore, we will facilitate adoption of the microclimate system through a variety of extension activities. Innovating organic grain growers' IPM toolbox with camera-guided cultivation and selective cutting
Project Director: Ellen Mallory Spring annual weeds, in particular wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis) and wild radish (Raphanaus raphanistrum), remain organic growers’ number one production problem for spring grains, limiting the viability of organic grain systems in the Northeast. When current practices fail to control these weeds, not only is the current crop affected but contributions to the weed seedbank result in increased weed pressure in subsequent crops, creating a vicious cycle. Two new IPM technologies, automated camera-guided cultivation and selective weed cutting, offer organic grain farmers new, scalable tools to reduce in-season weed pressure and weed seed rain. The sensor-based cultivation technology uses a camera and a robotic side-shift unit to guide inter-row sweeps, allowing precision cultivation at high working rates (e.g., 10 km hr-1) in crops seeded on standard 13- to 18-cm row spacing. Seed production by surviving intra-row weeds can then be reduced using the CombCut® (Just Common Sense AB), a novel implement with sets of angled and overlapping narrow knives that allow flexible small grain leaves to pass through but cut off flowers and seed heads of stiff-stemmed plants, like wild mustard and wild radish. When integrated with other weed IPM techniques (e.g., crop rotation, cover cropping, increased seeding rates, and blind cultivation), these new tools have the potential to dramatically improve organic grain farmers’ short- and long-term weed management and thereby reduce their production risks.
Re-evaluate the role of water in disease prediction models of fire blight
Project Director: Quan Zeng Fire blight, caused by a bacterial pathogen Erwinia amylovora, is listed as the #1 disease of apple by the Northeastern Fruit Pest Working Group and apple grower associations. As the pathogens enter trees through open flowers during bloom, antibiotic application to cover those flowers is the most effective and widely used chemical control in fire blight IPM. Because the replication rate of E. amylovora on apple flowers is heavily influenced by environmental factors, weather data can be integrated into disease prediction models to infer risk of disease on a given day / period of bloom. Based on the risk, antibiotics will only be used on days of high risk of infection but not on days with low risk of infection. Although the disease prediction models are of great importance, evidence has shown that their prediction accuracy requires further improvement as false positive predictions were produced in recent years. Based on our field observations, we noticed a strong correlation between water and fire blight incidences, yet none of the current models take water into consideration in determining the pathogen epiphytic growth. In this proposal, we will perform experiment validation, both in the laboratory and in the field, and use these data to improve the accuracy of the RIMpro model. Direct outcome of this grant will be an improved RIMpro model, which will lead to more effective control of fire blight and millions of dollar savings on unnecessary antibiotic sprays. Moreover, it will help to alleviate the impact of the unnecessary antibiotics on human health and the environment. |
2018 Program YearRFA: IPM Partnership Grants 2018 - COMMUNICATIONS PROJECTSA Varroa mite IPM program for New England honey beekeepers
Project Director: Kim Skyrm Honey bees are vital pollinators to agricultural crops and honey producers in New England. However, over the past decade, populations have experienced significant declines attributed to a variety of stressors. Of these, the most common and detrimental is the Varroa mite, Varroa destructor. These parasitic mites feed on bees and transmit viruses reducing the fitness of individuals and success of colonies. While there are a variety of options available for monitoring and controlling Varroa mites, there is a serious deficit in the availability of information, education and training, especially for new beekeepers, on the action steps necessary to successfully implement an IPM program.
Invasion Watch: tools for listing and visualizing invasive plant range shifts with climate change
Project Director: Jeff Garnas Invasive species have negative economic, environmental, and human health impacts. Management, monitoring, and regulation of invasive plants aid in mitigating costs, but land managers and policy makers must prioritize which species to address. As climate continues to change, invasive plants currently in other parts of the United States are expected to shift their geographic distributions to the northeastern U.S., bringing with them their negative consequences to the agricultural, forest, and recreational lands of the region.
Mobilizing existing infrastructure to obtain baseline tick surveillance data
Project Director: Dina Fonseca Incidence of tick-borne disease (TBD) in the northeastern states is increasing. New pathogens have been identified and vector distributions appear to be expanding. Unfortunately, the information and expertise needed to assess risk, inform the public and act proactively is dramatically lacking. Surveillance is the basis of good IPM but requires trained personnel to collect data following standard protocols at multiple locations or over time. In areas without established tick surveillance programs, this would involve hiring and training personnel for a few days of work, making it logistically difficult for most agencies.
RFA: IPM Partnership Grants 2018 - ISSUES PROJECTSTesting ground barriers for swede midge IPM on at-risk small-scale brassica farms
Project Director: Yolanda Chen Swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is an invasive pest that has recently caused up to 100% losses for organic broccoli and brassica crops in New York, Vermont, and Eastern Canada. We have found that a single swede midge larva can cause broccoli and cauliflower heads to be unmarketable, so economic thresholds are extremely low. The lack of effect pest management strategies is undermining the competitiveness of organic brassica production in the Northeastern US. Current recommendations for conventional growers calls for the use of systemic neonicotinoids followed by weekly sprays of foliar neonicotinoids, which effectively reverses previous gains in IPM. Organic growers are currently changed by the lack of effective pest management options. There is especially a need for growers to break the cycle of midge population growth and to prevent the previous year’s infestation from infesting subsequent crops. Currently for organic growers, the only feasible option for crashing the midge population are long (3 years) and widely-spaced (~2 miles) crop rotations. We propose to study if ground covers could be used to effectively on small farms to “clean” the soil and prevent spillover effects from an infested crop to the subsequent the crop. Here, we propose to examine if different ground covers can be effective in: 1) preventing larvae from reaching the soil to pupate, 2) blocking adults from emerging, 3) causing adults to emerge earlier, and 4) reducing adult emergence in the field. Assessing and controlling house mouse infestations in multi-family dwellings
Project Director: Changlu Wang Among the common urban pests, the house mouse is arguably the most important public health rodent pest. They produce allergens, carry secondary pests (fleas, mites) and disease pathogens, and cause significant property damage. Surprisingly, there is little scientific research on this common pest in multi-family housing, creating a void in our understanding of house mouse ecology, monitoring, and best management strategies. This lack of knowledge has hampered the adoption of effective IPM programs for prevention, monitoring, and control of house mice. Contemporary control efforts are often via a hit-and-miss approach from building supervisors, the tenants themselves, or a contracted pest professional via an amateurish lay-down of sticky boards, snap traps, or poison baits per an individual monthly complaint basis rather than a necessary holistic building strategy. The result is a perpetual harvesting program that can (and often does) continue for decades with property management and tenant resources being repeatedly wasted. A highly organized plan is required for whole-building elimination of mice and prevention of re-infestation. Our objectives are to: 1) assess the spatial distribution of house mouse infestation in a multi-family dwelling; 2) evaluate factors associated with the presence of house mouse infestations; and 3) implement and evaluate building-wide house mouse preventative and control strategies for multi-unit dwellings. We will recruit a multi-unit dwelling with 221 units and with known house mouse infestations. In each apartment, as well as throughout non-living areas, we will conduct visual inspections, place monitors, and interview residents and staff. Using all the information gained, we will coordinate with the management office and the existing pest control service provider to implement a building-wide house mouse prevention and control program based upon an individualized treatment approach rather than a cookie cutter/recipe style approach. The effectiveness of the program and dynamics of the house mouse spatial distributions will be assessed at 6 and 12 months after the initial inspection. The anticipated outcome of this project is lower infestation rates and less severe house mouse infestations, reduced rodenticide applications, and scientifically-based house mouse management recommendations specific to multi-family dwellings. Exploring methods to enhance biocontrol of turfgrass diseases in the urban landscape
Project Director: John Inguagiato Pesticide bans on K-8 school grounds, athletic fields, and day care centers throughout the Northeast have out-paced science-based research to identify best practices to manage turfgrass pests in the absence of synthetic pesticides. Biofungicides for turfgrass disease control are available; however adoption has been limited due to ineffective or unreliable control. One reason for this is that introduced biocontrol antagonists must establish and persist in a niche already occupied by a complex biological community. The goal of this project is to enhance efficacy of biofungicides for pesticide-free and IPM through research to improve the establishment and persistence of introduced biocontrol antagonists applied to lawns and athletic fields. Greenhouse and field studies will be conducted to evaluate how pre-treatment of turfgrass with an OMRI-listed surface disinfestant can reduce competition of resident phyllosphere inhabitants and increase biofungicide efficacy against gray leaf spot (caused by Magnaporthe oryzae) and brown patch (caused by Rhizoctonia solani) in CT and MD, respectively. Greenhouse studies will evaluate population dynamics and disease control of introduced biocontrols with or without pre-treatment of a surface disinfestant. Field studies evaluating similar treatments will be conducted to validate greenhouse results on control of gray leaf spot and brown patch in CT and MD, respectively and demonstrate real-world efficacy. In addition to applied research, our approach involves Extension programming to educate regional athletic field managers on best practices for implementing biofungicides in the Northeast. Surveys of athletic field managers before and after research and Extension efforts will be conducted to assess practitioners' perceptions and use of biological controls in turf. Education of stakeholders to diversify and strengthen current pesticide-free and IPM disease programs will contribute to IPM recommendations for sustainable home and school communities. This project is closely aligned with the NEIPMC's IPM and Organic Systems Signature Program to strengthen knowledge and adoption of IPM practices. Improving strawberry transplant vigor with bio-rational treatments for managing black root rot complex
Project Director: Mahfuz Rahman Black root rot complex and crown rot of strawberry caused by soil-borne fungi are limiting factors of sustainable strawberry production in the Northeast. These problems are manifold higher for growers who utilize perennial matted row system with limited crop rotation options. In such cases, fumigation of soil with synthetic chemicals is necessary although organic and small growers who can’t use chemical fumigants due to new regulations and potential health hazards need alternate management options. Strawberry transplant (plug plant) production in probiotic bacteria amended planting mix or dipping plants in suspension of probiotic bacteria or biofumigation of fruiting fields are feasible options for transplant producers and fruit growers. Increased plant vigor due to early colonization of plug root systems by plant growth promoting microbes may exclude colonization of roots/crowns by root rot complex/crown rot causing pathogens and increase yield. From a recently completed SARE project on tomato soilborne disease management, we found that pre-colonization of transplant medium and seeds could significantly improve plant vigor (Appendix1), and those plants stayed infection free when planted in contaminated field soil. In a relevant study conducted abroad through USDA-FAS funding by the PD, we found that plant probiotic bacteria enhanced growth, yield and quality of strawberry (Appendix2). In the proposed work, we will test the hypothesis: ‘early colonization of strawberry plug plants prevents root infection by black root rot complex causing pathogens’ by working with a plug plant producer who has a wide customer base (fruit producers) in the Northeast. Fruit producers will evaluate these plants and non-treated plants on their farms in an experimental setting by planting either in biofumigated or anaerobically disinfested soil or non-treated plots. We anticipate method and result demonstration of advanced strawberry production technique (plasticulture) and IPM based options for management of these diseases will result in quick adoption of these methods by at least 150 growers. Higher yield due to enhanced plant vigor and low soilborne diseases will generate $150,000 additional income. Prioritizing the impacts of range-shifting invasive plants for prevention, monitoring and management
Project Director: Bethany Bradley Prevention of new invasions is the first and most effective stage of IPM, but prevention is only effective when novel invaders are identified and prioritized for management before they arrive. Climate change introduces new challenges for invasive plant management because species' ranges are shifting in response to warming temperatures. As a result, a new set of problematic weedy species is likely to expand into the Northeastern U.S., with a variety of potential negative impacts on crop systems, forests, and natural areas. Previous research has identified 75 invasive plant species that are not currently present in New York or New England, but are likely to expand into the region before 2050. This "watch list" affords a unique opportunity to proactively prevent novel invasive plant introductions as well as implement monitoring and early detection programs to target species when they first arrive. However, these species have a range of potential impacts, from minor reductions in the fitness of a single native species to major impacts such as hosting crop pests, altering fire frequency, or increasing allergens. As a result, some range-shifting invasive plants pose a much greater risk to the Northeast than others. This proposal will synthesize impacts studies for 75 watch list species to prioritize the most impactful species for management. We will use an existing international impacts assessment protocol to assess the potential impacts of each species on crop systems, forest ecosystems, and human health and will create a searchable database of known impacts. In collaboration with natural resource managers, we will use the impact assessments to identify the highest priority "watch list" species for management. We will disseminate this watch list through presentations at the Northeast Regional Invasive Species & Climate Change (RISCC) Management annual meeting and listservs of partner organizations. Additionally, we will convene a working group of representatives from state invasive species advisory councils to identify targets for regulatory listing as prohibited plants. This research will support proactive regulation and management of priority invasive plants expanding into Northeast states with climate change. |
2017 Program YearRFA: IPM Partnership Grants 2017 - COMMUNICATIONS PROJECTSA New England Tree Fruit Management Guide for the Next Generation
Project Director: Daniel R. Cooley The New England Tree Fruit Management Guide (NETFMG) is an annual publication produced collaboratively by Extension and University tree fruit specialists in the six New England states. It provides tree fruit growers in the region with current recommendations on tree fruit production with a focus on pest management. Growers value the NETFMG and consider it one of the most important pieces in Extension’s educational programming. However, the Guide, while comprehensive and detailed, has become excessively lengthy (ca. 300 pp.). Quickly finding answers to pressing questions can be difficult. And while growers increasingly look to the web for answers, the PDF version of the NETFMG is similarly opaque, particularly on smartphones. Collaborators find the Guide difficult to edit and keep current. Finally, the present NETFMG emphasizes chemical control, presenting only limited information on new IPM tactics and technology, particularly decision support systems (DSS) for tree fruit production. Over the past 15 years, apple producers in the region have increased pesticide use while implementation of new IPM tactics has stagnated. In part this may be attributed to content, or lack of it, in the NETFMG. We propose to do a thorough revision of the Guide over the next year, moving it to a web-based content management system that addresses these problems. It will facilitate timely collaborator editing and updating; enable us to relatively easily produce clear and concise online and printed versions; and lay a foundation for linking NETFMG recommendations to other web- based tools for tree fruit management in the future. We believe that DSS technology is now sufficiently advanced that growers should and can use it, though most still need to learn how. The process of learning to use a DSS, and the basics of the models that make it up, is an effective way to educate growers in IPM. Therefore, in conjunction with producing a new NETFMG that places renewed emphasis on IPM we will focus on teaching growers what DSSs are and how to use them. Our goal is to renew New England grower interest in IPM and increase their confidence in trying new IPM methods, leading to more extensive use of IPM tactics in their orchards.
Engaging School Nurses as Key Change Agents to Promote IPM Adoption in Northeast Schools
Project Director: Kathy Murray The incidence of vector-borne disease continues to increase in the northeast. Our region is experiencing an epidemic of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses are increasingly prevalent. Climate change is expected to further increase the threat of emergent vector-borne pathogens. Allergen-producing rodents are very commonly found in schools, posing a risk of asthma exacerbations. Schools with higher student and staff asthma rates have higher absenteeism which negatively impacts academic success. Bed bugs and lice can also increase absenteeism.
RFA: IPM Partnership Grants 2017 - ISSUES PROJECTSDeveloping Aesthetic Injury Level for German Cockroach IPM
Project Director: Changlu Wang German cockroaches are the number one indoor pest in low-income housing. Chronic and high prevalence of infestations are common in residential settings. Cockroaches are not only a nuisance, but also produce allergens that are asthma triggers. Applications of insecticide sprays for cockroach control introduce additional health risks to the inhabitants. A recent survey in 258 apartments shows 26% of the apartments in a low-income community were infested with cockroaches and 71% of the surveyed residents applied insecticide sprays for cockroach control. IPM strategies are widely recognized as more effective than traditional insecticide applications for long-term cockroach management. Two critical steps in cockroach IPM are to accurately detect the presence of cockroach infestations and understand when people start to react to cockroach infestations, both are poorly studied. Our objectives are to: 1) determine aesthetic injury level (AIL) for German cockroach management in apartment buildings; 2) determine the association between AIL and the presence of current cockroach infestation, the apartment condition (sanitation and clutter), as well as the demographic background of the residents; and 3) evaluate the effectiveness of chemical and non-chemical treatments for cockroach elimination in apartments with very low cockroach counts. We will recruit at least 300 apartments from low-income communities where cockroach infestations are common. In each apartment, we will conduct resident interviews (cockroach sighting, insecticide use, non-chemical control method, etc.), inspect for cockroaches, and place glue boards for 2 and 14 days to determine which method best estimates cockroach populations. We will then determine the residents’ AIL based on trap counts, the association of AIL and residents’ background and presence of current cockroach infestations, and the association between AIL and residents’ sighting of cockroaches. Forty apartments with less than 10 cockroaches, based on trap counts, will be selected for elimination study. Twenty of them will be provided with sticky traps, the other 20 apartments will receive bait treatment for cockroach elimination. The cockroach population will be monitored monthly for 3 months to examine the effect of non-chemical and chemical methods on cockroach elimination. The anticipated outcome of this project is reduced insecticide applications, reduced cockroach management cost, and increased effectiveness of the cockroach IPM programs. Developing IPM Tactics for Browntail Moth Outbreak
Project Director: Eleanor Groden Browntail is an invasive moth introduced into North America in 1897. In addition to defoliating hardwood trees including oak, apple, and cherry, larvae pose serious human health concerns due to toxic urticating hairs that can cause a severe rash and/or respiratory distress. After its initial introduction into Massachusetts, the insect's range rapidly spread to six states and two Canadian provinces. By the 1930's browntails had contracted to relic populations in coastal Maine and Cape Cod, Massachusetts. These populations persisted until late 1980's-2003, when browntails went through localized epidemics. Following a brief subsidence, populations have risen to levels higher than anything seen since the early 1900's. In the spring of 2016 24,975 acres were defoliated by browntail caterpillars. This summer moths were trapped in various locations from close to the Canadian border to Millinocket, Maine (130 miles inland) and about 64,000 acres of defoliation by early instar larvae was mapped.
Exploitation of Ecological Traps for the Control of a Mosquito Disease Vector
Project Director: Allison Gardner West Nile virus (WNV) is the most prevalent mosquito-borne pathogen of urban environments in the United States. Because there are no human vaccines available for WNV, vector abatement is the only viable option for the prevention and management of this infectious illness. However, the costs associated with mosquito control impose a substantial economic burden upon public health agencies, and further, concerns regarding the environmental safety of insecticides and public opposition to their application may limit their widespread use. Thus, we propose to develop the more sustainable, ecologically-friendly approach of “attract-and-kill” as an alternative to exclusive reliance upon insecticides for the larval-stage control of a mosquito vector for WNV, Culex pipiens. This strategy, which has gained traction in the management of forest and agricultural pests, uses insect attractants to lure target species to ingest toxins, eliminating the need for widespread and often non-specific insecticide application. Our previous research examining the role of leaf detritus from terrestrial plants in determining habitat attractiveness (i.e., oviposition site selection) and habitat quality (i.e., adult emergence rates) in mosquitoes has identified a naturally-occurring “ecological trap” for Cx. pipiens (leaves from a native plant, Rubus allegheniensis, in aquatic habitats), yielding high mosquito selection for a low-quality habitat. A field implementation further has demonstrated the viability of manipulation of leaf detritus inputs in storm water catch basins as a means to alter mosquito production in these important urban aquatic habitats. The proposed collaboration between vector ecologists Gardner and Lubelczyk and chemical ecologist Staples will advance the long-term goal of developing novel attract-and-kill mosquito control technologies. We propose to identify plant species that cover a range in attractiveness, then use a comparative approach to investigate the chemical basis for oviposition site selection and egg-laying in Cx. pipiens. Volatiles from decomposition of foliar materials from individual plant species will be collected at different stages of decomposition, characterized, and compared across plant taxa to identify common oviposition cues. Ultimately, we predict that combining naturally-occurring oviposition attractants with larvicides and/or toxic plant secondary compounds will enhance the effectiveness of existing mosquito control strategies and reduce the need for widespread application of insecticides. Integrating Cover Crops for Weed Management in Plasticulture Systems
Project Director: Kurt Vollmer Weeds cause significant yield loss in plasticulture production systems. Commercially acceptable weed control is difficult to achieve even with heavy reliance on herbicides. These herbicides often do not provide season long control of weeds in between rows, and several weed species in this region have become resistance to commonly used herbicides, including common ragweed, Palmer amaranth, and smooth pigweed. In order to control these escapes, many hours of hand labor are required. Cover crops have been adopted in many production systems, often to improve weed control. However, fall planted cover crops are not easily integrated into plasticulture systems for weed control due to the constraints of laying plastic mulch in the spring. This project will evaluate spring-seeded grass cover crops planted between rows immediately after the plastic mulch is laid, and integrated with herbicide treatments for weed management and improving soil health. The objectives of this research are to 1) evaluate the integration of a grass cover crop management with pre- or post-transplant herbicides for weed control in between rows of plastic mulch, 2) evaluate five different cover crop grass species for optimal weed control characteristics such as growth rate and biomass production, and 3) evaluate contributions of cover crop species to soil health. Two experiments will take place in the summer of 2017 and 2018. In the first experiment, cereal rye will be sown immediately after bed formation, two termination timings will be made to assess optimal biomass production in conjunction with herbicide applications made pre- or post-transplant. In the second experiment annual rye, barley, oats, cereal rye, and sorghum-sudangrass will be sown immediately after bed formation, and evaluated after two termination timings for optimal biomass production. The effects of each cover crop and/or herbicide treatment and its effects on weed growth and mortality, growth, and seed production will be assessed. In addition, potential soil health benefits from cover crops will be evaluated. Results from these experiments will help identify the benefits of cover crop for plasticulture production that integrates pest management while improving soil health. RFA: IPM Partnership Grants 2017 - WORKING GROUP PROJECTSEstablishing a Northeastern IPM Weeds Working Group
Project Director: Antonio DiTommaso We propose a weed science IPM working group to survey the current state of knowledge in weed seed germination/seedling emergence ecology in the Northeast, and explore knowledge gaps and opportunities for development of a Northeast-specific weed seedling emergence prediction model. Such tools would increase the potential for IPM based weed management by providing real-time information to inform management selection and timing. This working group of weed science researchers will meet in January 2018 and 2019 at the annual Northeastern Weed Science Society (NEWSS) meeting. Northeast Invasive Hardy Kiwi (Actinidia arguta) Working Group
Project Director: Jane Winn Our forests in the Northeast are under pressure from invasive species and climate change. We are finding more and more locations where hardy kiwi (Actinidia arguta) is out of control in forests in the Northeast, but we do not have a handle on how extensive the problem is. We are aware of past and present eradication efforts at locations in NJ, NY, CT, MA, and VT - and yet, until this year, Cornell's website said that the only place where A. arguta is a problem is in Lenox, MA. We are concerned that one of the reasons we are seeing a major surge in the number and severity of infestations of A. arguta is that our changing climate is causing a longer growing season in the Northeast. To protect our forests, we need to get A. arguta under control before it becomes impossible. The fact that stakeholders in the Northeast are not communicating in any meaningful way about this invasive means that we have to quickly mobilize and coordinate our collective efforts before it is too late. Thus, we plan to form a Northeast Invasive Hardy Kiwi (Actinidia arguta) Working Group. This Working Group will be comprised of participants with knowledge of past and current efforts related to the problem. We will share resources and aggregate knowledge in an effort to develop protocols and methods focused on the goal of eradicating A. arguta in the Northeast. We will work closely with NEIPMC to share these methods across platforms to stakeholders in the region. We believe that the eradication is still a realistic goal, but time is of the essence. It is our hope that the Working Group will continue to collaborate on this challenge well beyond the grant period. |
2016 Program YearRFA: IPM Partnership Grants 2016Addressing Unique IPM Needs in Northeast Cider Orchards
Project Director: Terence Bradshaw Growth both regionally and nationally in hard cider production presents new opportunities for fruit growers, as demand for fruit outpaces supplies of culled fruit from orchards managed for fresh market fruit. Cider processors ("cideries") are interested in purchasing both traditional dessert as well as specialty cider cultivars of fruit from orchards intentionally managed for cider apple production. Tolerance for pest damage in cider orchards is greater than for fresh fruit, yet presently promoted IPM programs do not address this reduced-risk approach. In addition, many specialty cider cultivars do not respond to traditional crop thinning materials such as carbaryl, and return bloom-promoting plant growth regulators may be preferable to carbaryl to maintain annual fruit production. This presents new opportunities and challenges for implementing IPM in cider orchards. In this project we will partner with fruit growers to conduct on-farm research to assess reduced-input IPM and alternative thinning programs that may decrease risks and production costs in cider orchards. One experiment will include a landscape-level study of standard IPM program and a reduced-input program tailored for cider apples replicated four times in 5-10 acre blocks across a whole farm planted to traditional dessert apples. A second experiment will include evaluation of standard carbaryl-based thinning programs with and without summer application of plant growth regulators to evaluate potential for improving return bloom on specialty cider apple cultivars with biennial production tendencies. Project results disseminated locally, within regional networks, and in national forums. Work will be coordinated with regional and national researchers similar projects related to cider apple production to increase program impact, address emerging needs, and inform future research based on project results. At project completion, a Cider Apple IPM Guide will be published and distributed to stakeholders. IPM practices will be identified and adopted by growers that reduce management costs while providing high-quality fruit to cideries. The impact of these novel IPM strategies will include increased orchard profitability, reduced pesticide use, and increased entrepreneurial activity through improved fruit supply to regional cideries. Assessment and Evaluation of IPM for Tick Control on School Grounds
Project Director: Andrew Li Children are a subpopulation at high risk for tick-borne Lyme disease. Schools with wooded perimeters, bushy vegetation, and wetlands can harbor ticks and their animal hosts. This project is designed to assess the risk of tick exposure at school properties and the effectiveness of integrated tick control measures. A survey will be conducted to determine the perceived risks of tick bites at schools in four Mid-Atlantic states and gain an understanding of rural and urban attitudes toward tick risk in endemic areas. Questions will be asked to elicit views on risk on school properties, knowledge of control methods and integrated strategies for tick control, access to control methods or guidelines, restrictions to tick management, and realized risk (confirmed tick bites or complaints on school property). Field studies will be conducted in Maryland to assess population density and infection status of the blacklegged tick and other species on school grounds. Six comparable schools with wooded perimeter in Prince George's County, Maryland will be selected, and each property will be divided into sampling plots both in the wooded perimeter and the school grounds. Tick sampling will be conducted by the sweeping method. Ticks collected will be sent to a collaborator for pathogen tests. Mice and other small animals will be captured with Sherman traps and examined for tick infestation. The effectiveness of integrated use of two tick control technologies, 4-Poster deer feeders and Select TCSTM bait boxes, that target adult and nymph stages of the blacklegged tick on deer and rodents, respectively. Control measures will be implemented at three of the selected schools, while the other three serve as untreated control. Tick population densities will be determined by bi-weekly tick sampling at schools to allow comparisons between treated and untreated schools, and before and after treatment at schools where the tick IPM measures are implemented. Results of tick risk survey will help public health and pest control agencies to address tick exposure risk at environment around schools. Evaluation of integrated use of two different tick control technologies will provide much needed efficacy data that can help implementation of more effective tick IPM practice in the Northeast. Evaluate the efficacy of organic materials in controlling fire blight in the Northeastern United States
Project Director: Quan Zeng Fire blight, caused by a bacterial pathogen Erwinia amylovora, is a devastating disease of apples and pears, in large part due to the lack of effective control methods. Application of the antibiotic streptomycin at bloom is by far the most effective management option for fire blight. However, the intensive, long-term use of streptomycin not only leads to the evolution of streptomycin resistance in the pathogen population, but also raises concerns about its potential impact on the environment and human health. On October 21, 2014, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) terminated the use of streptomycin in organic fruit production in the U.S., making identification of effective, non-antibiotic control alternatives an urgent need in the pome fruit industry, particularly the organic pome fruit industry. Although the use of bio-control agents and other organic materials in fire blight management has been explored, efficacy is inconsistent and is largely affected by the climate and growing conditions of specific regions. In this proposal, we aim to identify effective organic management options of fire blight that are suitable for the northeastern U.S. We will achieve this goal by conducting a two-year field trial using various organic materials for fire blight control in two northeastern states, followed by continued testing in commercial cooperator's orchards. This study not only addresses the immediate needs of organic tree fruit growers, that is "what materials to use as the replacement of streptomycin for fire blight control in the northeast", but also lines up well with the goal of the NE-IPM Center and the National IPM Road Map to "minimize adverse environmental effects and human health risk from pesticide use" and "implement economical, effective, and environmentally sound pest management options". Going underground: Conserving insect-pathogenic fungi for biological control
Project Director: Mary Barbercheck Demand for organic feed grains in the U.S. far outstrips supply, and there is a critical need to facilitate organic grain production while maintaining environmental quality and beneficial processes such as biological control. Approved pest control materials are not economical to use in organic agronomic crops and growers rely on cultural practices and biological control to prevent pest outbreaks. Cover crops can promote insect natural enemies and increase yields, but little is known about their effects on an important but often over-looked group of natural enemy -- insect pathogens. We will investigate the effects of cover crops on Metarhizium, both as an endemic soil-borne insect-parasitic fungus and as a plant-protective endophyte growing inside of crop plants, in replicated organic research-station, on-farm, and greenhouse experiments. We expect that the prevalence, diversity, and efficacy of Metarhizium as an insect pathogen will vary according to cover crop type and mixture, and environmental characteristics; and that its ability to form a beneficial endophytic relationship with plants will vary among plant species and Metarhizium species and isolates. This project will benefit farmers who need or want to reduce insecticide use and improve biological control. Information on the role of insect pathogens as biological control agents will strengthen Extension capacity for serving organic growers. Increasing grower ability to produce high-value organic crops to use or to sell can contribute to farm economic viability. Everyone will benefit from reduced environmental and health risks associated with insecticide manufacture, transport, and application. This project supports the NE-IPM Signature Programs "IPM and Organic Systems" by focusing on the effects of production practices and environment on native natural enemies and conservation biological control, and "Next Generation Education" by providing new information for agricultural professionals about cover crops and the role of insect pathogens in biological control. This project leverages and adds a new dimension to the recently initiated USDA OREI-funded regional, multidisciplinary, integrated research-extension-education project, "Making diversity functional: Farm-tuning cover crop mixtures to meet grower needs." Information from the proposed research will be incorporated into the larger project's extension and educational activities and materials.
Northeast Grape Pest Management Strategic Plan
Project Director: Ann Hazelrigg In the northeast, grapes are an important established crop in New York, Pennsylvania, and portions of New Jersey. They also are an emerging and expanding crop in southern portions of the NE region such as Maryland and throughout the New England states, where the introduction of new cold-tolerant cultivars now allows production in regions where low winter temperatures previously precluded cultivation of this crop. Grapes have become particularly popular in these new regions because they can provide growers opportunities with value-added wine production and unique agritourism offerings. Grape production is challenged by a wide array of diseases, arthropod pests and weeds, and pest management is a critical component of any sustainable production system. With increased movement of arthropod pests, diseases, plant materials, and invasive weeds, in addition to the pressures of climate change, the scope of pests and diseases causing problems in grapes is continually changing and expanding. The development of new bio-rational and conventional pesticide materials, the loss of key pesticides due to regulatory action and the development of resistant pest populations, plus ever changing market conditions also present ongoing challenges in pest management strategies even for experienced growers. Furthermore, the expansion of grape production into regions where there is little experience with this crop or extension infrastructure dedicated to its support entails an additional set of challenges for new growers of such a pest management-intensive crop. A Grape Pest Management Strategic Plan (PMSP) has never been developed in the northeast and has been a repeated top priority cited by the Small Fruit IPM Working Group, since all members expressed very limited knowledge of the pest management strategies associated with the crop. We propose to gather a diverse stakeholder group of northeast growers, researchers, organic association technical personnel, IR-4 reps, IPM practitioners and extension specialists to develop a Northeast Grape PMSP that accurately reflects the current insect, weed and disease problems in northeast grapes and their IPM management strategies. The PMSP will address all grapes grown in the NE region: interspecific hybrid cultivars, including the new cold-climate varieties used for wine and table grape production; Vitis vinifera cultivars that form the backbone of the premium-wine segment of the industry; and V. labrusca-based "native" cultivars, used for unfermented grape products, traditional sweeter wines, and table use. In addition to providing an in-depth educational opportunity for those participating in the development of the PMSP, the group will also identify critical priorities that can be used to develop a plan for future research, extension and regulatory needs for grapes in the northeast. Online Course for Affordable Housing Providers on Bed Bug Management and Contracting
Project Director: Susan Aceti It is well documented that bed bugs are an enduring problem that cause a variety of physical and mental health problems. Public and private affordable housing is as susceptible to this pest as other places where people live, work, or play. Bed bugs may be particularly difficult to eradicate in affordable housing because of a variety of factors, including low-quality pest control operators, ineffective treatment, and a lack of resident cooperation.
Spotted Wing Drosophila Working Group to Identify and Prioritize Research and Extension Needs
Project Director: Juliet Carroll The invasive species spotted wing drosophila (SWD) Drosophila suzukii continues to be a serious threat to fruit crops in all states in the Northeast Region, causing significant injury to fruit crops. Three prior SWD IPM Working Group meetings (2012 Geneva NY, 2013 Bridgeton NJ, 2014 Highland NY) successfully brought together stakeholder groups to develop, rank, and set priorities for research, regulatory, extension, and education for the region. It was clear from the presentations made at meetings in 2013 and 2014 that progress has been made on a number of the IPM priorities developed during our first meeting in 2012. Each year at closing of the meeting, the Working Group votes to continue meeting yearly to address the priority needs to manage this serious, invasive pest. Continuing the Working Group ranks as the #1 SWD IPM extension priority, www.northeastipm.org/neipm/assets/File/Priorities/Priorities-SWDIPMWG-2014-v2.pdf. Unlike many other fruit flies, SWD has the capacity to lay eggs into intact and marketable fruit. Berries, particularly fall raspberries and blueberries, are especially vulnerable. In addition to crop loss due to infestations, growers experienced significant increases in costs associated with increased monitoring, sorting of fruit and insecticide sprays. In addition, SWD has been reported from many other crops and wild plants. Reports of overall infestation levels have been lower in the Northeast since 2012, in part due to better research knowledge and extension information sharing achieved during the Working Group meetings. SWD is here to stay, creating significant IPM challenges for fruit growers in the Northeast. IPM programs for affected fruit crops still require restructuring, but we are at a point where specific IPM best management guidelines targeted against SWD are attainable. The principal objectives of the proposed IPM working group, therefore, will be to 1) increase networking among stakeholders on SWD IPM, 2) update, rank and set priorities for SWD IPM in the Northeast for vulnerable crops, 3) develop resources for SWD IPM and 4) share resources on SWD IPM. |
2015 Program YearRFA: IPM Partnership Grants - 2015BMSB IPM Working Group: Addressing Consumer/Pest Management Professional Needs and Coordination
Project Director: Tracy C. Leskey The BMSB IPM Working Group has established itself as the primary platform for facilitating and coordinating research and outreach efforts for brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (BMSB) across the United States. The first formal BMSB Working Group meeting was held at the Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, WV on June 15-16, 2010. Since that time, eight additional meetings have been held. Meeting attendance averages between 75-100 individuals with attendees from >15 states and several countries including Switzerland, Canada and Mexico and additional webinar attendees from numerous states and countries such as South Africa and Italy. Currently, BMSB has been officially detected in 41 states and the District of Columbia. Agricultural problems have been detected in at least 12 states including MD, WV, VA, NJ, PA, DE, NY, NC, OH, OR, TN and WA. Nuisance pest problems continued to be of significant concern to homeowners and businesses in more than 20 states. Despite the level of coordination and vigorous dissemination of research results and outreach efforts from the Working Group and other affiliated groups, there is still a great need for sustained efforts to reduce duplication of effort and leverage resources. In addition, although the BMSB IPM Working Group developed priorities for consumers, i.e. nuisance pest problems, few of these priorities have been addressed. Therefore, we propose to: 1) continue to coordinate other Regional IPM Centers, the NIMSS BMSB Multi-State Project and other affiliated groups to increase networking and reduce duplication of effort.; 2) identify and address needs of consumer and pest management professionals; and 3) update existing priorities based on outputs generated from a number of extramural projects and pest status in newly invaded regions. BMSB IPM Working Group: Addressing Consumer/Pest Management Professional Needs and Coordination
Project Director: George C. Hamilton The BMSB IPM Working Group has established itself as the primary platform for facilitating and coordinating research and outreach efforts for brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (BMSB) across the United States. The first formal BMSB Working Group meeting was held at the Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, WV on June 15-16, 2010. Since that time, eight additional meetings have been held. Meeting attendance averages between 75-100 individuals with attendees from >15 states and several countries including Switzerland, Canada and Mexico and additional webinar attendees from numerous states and countries such as South Africa and Italy. Currently, BMSB has been officially detected in 41 states and the District of Columbia. Agricultural problems have been detected in at least 12 states including MD, WV, VA, NJ, PA, DE, NY, NC, OH, OR, TN and WA. Nuisance pest problems continued to be of significant concern to homeowners and businesses in more than 20 states. Despite the level of coordination and vigorous dissemination of research results and outreach efforts from the Working Group and other affiliated groups, there is still a great need for sustained efforts to reduce duplication of effort and leverage resources. In addition, although the BMSB IPM Working Group developed priorities for consumers, i.e. nuisance pest problems, few of these priorities have been addressed. Therefore, we propose to: 1) continue to coordinate other Regional IPM Centers, the NIMSS BMSB Multi-State Project and other affiliated groups to increase networking and reduce duplication of effort.; 2) identify and address needs of consumer and pest management professionals; and 3) update existing priorities based on outputs generated from a number of extramural projects and pest status in newly invaded regions. Cranberry Fruit Rot Working Group
Project Director: Erika Saalau Rojas Cranberry fruit rot (CFR) is a key yield-limiting factor threatening the cranberry industry in North America. Fruit rot is caused by a complex of at least 15 different fungal pathogens, and its management requires multiple fungicide applications per growing season. There are currently 5 effective fungicides labeled for fruit rot control. In August 2014, the European Union, a primary market destination for U.S.-grown cranberries, severely reduced the allowable maximum residue level (MRLs) for chlorothalonil, a broad-spectrum fungicide that has been the foundation for managing CFR and fungicide resistance for over 30 years. With over 30% of US cranberries exported to European markets, severely limited CFR management alternatives, and increasing fungicide restrictions, growers now face an unprecedented crisis. Nevertheless, this emergency presents an opportunity to advance CFR research toward ecologically based disease management. To accomplish this goal, we propose to: i) create a multi-state, multi-disciplinary, industry-wide network to help the cranberry industry navigate changes in the cranberry disease management toolbox; ii) identify research needs and priorities that can reduce fungicide reliance; and iii) promote research collaborations between stakeholder groups. The main outcome of this project will be the development of a coordinated effort to support ecologically based CFR management research and promote development and implementation of IPM practices.
Enhancing Northeastern alfalfa/corn IPM stakeholder skills with On-line Resources and Field Training
Project Director: Ken L Wise There are more than 4 million acres of field corn and 1.5 million acres of alfalfa in the Northeast. New York alone has about 1.9 million acres of field corn and alfalfa comprising 55% of the state's total tillable acres. Pests can significantly reduce quality and yield of these crops. We propose to develop 5 online integrated pest management training videos on field corn and alfalfa insect pests and diseases for agricultural professionals and producer/growers. We also plan to conduct three hands-on field meetings in alfalfa and field corn IPM. Field meetings will be strategically located in areas of NY that are adjacent to Vermont, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New Jersey to engage additional producers from these states. We will measure impacts of the meetings relative to the adoption of IPM practices at the completion of the program. Enhancing Soil Resilience Through No-till Production Systems
Project Director: John M. Jemison Despite slow adoption by producers in northern production areas, no-till agricultural production has the potential to improve soil quality, enhance water availability, reduce soil erosion losses and increase grower's yields. However, without the use of proper IPM and appropriate scouting methods, weed, insect, and disease issues can intensify due to the increased perennial weed pressure, habitat for insects and moisture for disease. Proper use of winter cover crops can alleviate some of the perennial weed problems associated with no-till and can improve nutrient efficiency by capturing left over nitrogen (N) in the soil. We propose to collect qualitative and quantitative data from early adopter farmers in the region to use to educate other farmers about advantages and risks associated with no-till production methods. At grower meetings, we will use the real time Climate Reanalyzer model to document increasingly variable weather patterns, use soil quality data to demonstrate how soil quality changes over time, and farmer interview data to help growers understand how IPM methods can alleviate risks and accentuate the benefits of no-till production. We will train other consultants and agricultural service providers, and provide hands-on assistance to help farmers transition to no-till methods. We will evaluate grower adoption at six months and one year following the educational programs. This project furthers the mission of the Northeast IPM center by decreasing the economic and environmental risk of climate related damage to soils, helping growers prepare for possible pest management issues, and improves long-term sustainability of agricultural production. Evaluate, Engage, Educate, Empower: TickEncounter Web Portal Combining Tick Testing With Outreach
Project Director: Thomas Mather "I just found this tick! Will I get Lyme disease?" These days, it's an all too common question in the Northeastern U.S. and across America. The TickEncounter Web Portal for Partners will be a user-friendly platform for combining tick risk assessment and testing with tick protection outreach. This new activity will link risk evaluation with education to empower TickSmart integrated tick management (ITM) actions. This emphasis, as well as access to additional engaging tick bite protection resources, has never been more critical with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now indicating that more than 300,000 new cases of Lyme disease are diagnosed each year across America. More generally, tickborne disease statistics show that the Northeastern states report about 90% of all human and pet cases.
Integrated Weed Management to Tackle Herbicide Resistant Weeds
Project Director: Mark VanGessel A renewed interested in Integrated Weed Management (IWM) from farmers, consultants, and governmental agencies has been the result of a number of factors. Use of cover crops, soil health interests, intensification of cropping systems, and herbicide resistance have all contributed to this renewed interest. This group of weed scientists from the Mid-Atlantic with research and extension responsibilities have agreed to work collaboratively to develop an on-line IWM publication addressing regional issues. This publication would be a companion to their existing Pest/Weed Management guides that emphasize chemical control. This IWM manual would be updated annually as additional research and information becomes available. The initial emphasis will be on corn and soybeans, but it could be expanded to other crops in the future.
Manipulation of Winter Soil Conditions as an IPM Tool for Blacklegged Tick Ixodes scapularis Control
Project Director: Kirby Stafford III Blacklegged ticks are major pests causing more human disease than any other arthropod in the U.S., but determinants of the annual fluctuations in population sizes of this species, and thus, tick-borne disease risk, are poorly understood. Preliminary analyses by the PD and co-PDs posit winter soil conditions as a major influence on such annual fluctuations. This project will address this hypothesis through a 2-year field experiment of winter soil conditions on blacklegged tick survival. Results will be important for the use of landscape modification as a tick IPM tool, as well as for the development of more accurate estimates of tick population sizes to be integrated into a tick IPM. Anticipated impacts include knowledge and behavior change among scientists, private landowners, public land managers, and vector control specialists. Insights from the project will provide new and much-needed insights into the effects of climate change on arthropod vectors of disease. Monitor and prevent streptomycin resistance in Erwinia amylovora populations in New England
Project Director: Quan Zeng Disease monitoring is a key component of the integrated pest management (IPM). One important aspect of disease monitoring is identifying resistance of pathogens to pesticides, which is critical for selection of management options with the best control efficacy and the least environmental impact. Fire blight, caused by a bacterial pathogen Erwinia amylovora, is a devastating disease of apples and pears. Properly-timed application of the antibiotic streptomycin is by far the most effective and widely-used control of fire blight. The intensive use of streptomycin since the 1950s has resulted in the development of streptomycin resistance in E. amylovora populations. Since first reported in 1972, streptomycin resistance of E. amylovora has been commonly detected in almost all apple-producing regions in the United States. In this proposal, a region-wide survey of E. amylovora will be conducted to determine streptomycin resistance status of E. amylovora populations in New England apple and pear orchards. Effective restriction of the spread of streptomycin resistant E. amylovora could be achieved through early detection and eradication of the resistant populations. Appropriate fire blight management options will be chosen based on the susceptibility of E. amylovora to streptomycin in a specific region. In addition, a multi-channel outreach program will be conducted to fruit growers in New England about how to prevent streptomycin resistance in E. amylovora. This outreach program aims to raise awareness of streptomycin resistance and promote practices that reduce the risk of inducing streptomycin resistance. Multitasking marigold to strengthen organic IPM in lima bean and other bean crops
Project Director: Kelly Hamby This is a seed research project aimed at creating organic tools to mitigate nematode and insect problems in lima bean and other Phaseolus (bean) crops. Yields and profits of bean crops are impacted by several high-priority insect and nematode pests. Current IPM programs in bean crops have their shortcomings and can be enhanced by the integration of organic tools. Our goal is to examine a new pest management strategy that centers on using marigold in concert with organic pesticides to suppress insect and nematode pests, and enhance the activity and density of beneficial insects. To accomplish this, we will conduct a combination of field and laboratory studies in DE and MD assessing the impacts of growing French marigold with lima bean on 1) pests and beneficial insects, 2) root-knot nematodes; and 3) bean yield; and determine mechanisms responsible for marigold's ability to suppress nematodes. This project will embody several priorities listed by the NE-RIPM center such as addressing stakeholders' priorities, using multi-disciplinary approach, reducing conventional pesticides dependency, and synergizing IPM and organic through the creation of organic IPM tools. New England Small Ruminant IPM Working Group
Project Director: Jennifer Hashley In 2013, the New England Small Ruminant IPM Working Group surveyed 165 sheep and goat producers to determine their most important IPM challenges. Respondents overwhelmingly indicated internal parasites as the most costly pests affecting both sheep and goat operations, regardless of farm size, enterprise type (meat, dairy or fiber), or location. Respondents identified Haemonchus contortus, or barberpole worm, as the species of greatest significance. The impact of H. contortus has been exacerbated by the overuse of chemical dewormers, which has helped the parasites develop widespread resistance to standard treatments. As resistance reaches epidemic levels in much of the U.S., non-chemical alternatives are critical for controlling internal parasites and protecting farmers' livelihoods. Proven IPM strategies are available for farmers, but as confirmed by the 2013 farmer survey, on-farm adoption is uneven. This project will fund continuing work of the New England Small Ruminant IPM Working Group, with a focus on increasing stakeholder knowledge and awareness of the IPM practices available and increased networking and collaboration between stakeholders to ultimately increase adoption rates of key under-adopted IPM strategies. These include the use of fecal egg counts as a monitoring and decision-making tool and strategic pasture management and selective breeding as tactics for reducing the impact of H. contortus and other internal parasites. This will be accomplished through a farmer workshop, an in-person meeting of farm service providers, expansion of the existing New England Small Ruminant e-list, and coordination of a system allowing farmers to borrow the equipment to perform fecal egg counts. Northern New England Pollinator Habitat Working Group
Project Director: Amy Papineau Pollinators play a key role in the successful production of agronomic crops and are essential to maintenance of biodiversity across the landscape. Decline of pollinators nationwide has been linked in part to habitat loss. As honey bee populations decline, there is an increased reliance on native bees to pollinate crops. The increase highlights a need for understanding of pollinator populations in our region and the habitats that support them.
The Scientific Coalition of Pest Exclusion (SCOPE 2020) IPM Working Group
Project Director: Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann Solid structural IPM plans for residential buildings should rely upon pest exclusion as a prerequisite to sustainable pest control and prevention. Unfortunately, this critical tenet of IPM is often ignored or overlooked, especially in aging structures. Teaching pest management personnel, landlords, residents and others how to exclude pests more effectively requires a better understanding of pest behavior. However, there are severe knowledge gaps regarding dispersal behavior of urban pests, and how they establish infestations. There is also a need for better understanding of different building structures and problems related to deterioration that allows pest access and how exclusion relates to programs for building improvements, such as weatherization efforts. We seek funding for a working group to investigate pest exclusion in residential buildings. The SCOPE 2020 (Scientific Coalition of Pest Exclusion) working group will study and promote the use of exclusion methods in existing buildings for improved urban IPM. This group will engage urban IPM stakeholders in a project to develop the foundations of known and needed pest exclusion research and training effort. Working with members from the Northeast, North Central and Southeastern regions, this coalition has already established an initial outline for project development, a list of interested supporters, a website and Facebook page. A robust network of partners from various industries and states will develop a strategic plan for SCOPE, publish a literature review of pest dispersal and exclusion research, develop priorities for research and outreach, build pest exclusion recommendations and manage a website and social media outreach. Using Organic Methods and Restricting Brood Nest Size to Improve Honey Bee Colony Health and Control Varroa Mites
Project Director: Dennis vanEngelsdorp Modern agriculture relies on managed pollinators to produce approximately 1/3 of the food we eat. Honey bee colony health is jeopardized by a multitude of stressors, including lack of forage, agricultural and in-hive chemical use, parasites, pests, and viruses. Organic beekeepers believe that one of the challenges facing colonies is the management practices used by conventional beekeepers. Conventional management practices include the use of comb foundation, sugar syrup feed, antibiotics, and in-hive chemicals for varroa mite control. Alternatively, organic beekeeping practices avoid the use of non-organic in-hive chemicals, non-bee collected feed, and artificial comb foundation in an effort to minimize beekeeper-associated stressors. This study will consist of a side-by-side comparison of honey bee health in colonies kept using organic and conventional management practices to quantify whether management philosophy significantly impacts honey bee health.
Using Organic Methods and Restricting Brood Nest Size to Improve Honey Bee Colony Health and Control Varroa Mites
Project Director: Robyn Underwood Modern agriculture relies on managed pollinators to produce approximately 1/3 of the food we eat. Honey bee colony health is jeopardized by a multitude of stressors, including lack of forage, agricultural and in-hive chemical use, parasites, pests, and viruses. Organic beekeepers believe that one of the challenges facing colonies is the management practices used by conventional beekeepers. Conventional management practices include the use of comb foundation, sugar syrup feed, antibiotics, and in-hive chemicals for varroa mite control. Alternatively, organic beekeeping practices avoid the use of non-organic in-hive chemicals, non-bee collected feed, and artificial comb foundation in an effort to minimize beekeeper-associated stressors. This study will consist of a side-by-side comparison of honey bee health in colonies kept using organic and conventional management practices to quantify whether management philosophy significantly impacts honey bee health.
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2014 Program YearRFA: IPM Partnership Grants - 2014Bringing IPM to the Hispanic Workforce in the Mid-Atlantic Mushroom Industry
Project Director: Ed Rajotte We propose to increase risk management skills of English and especially Spanish speaking members of the mushroom farm community through the enhancement of the IPM implementation by 1) Adapting and developing culturally appropriate outreach and educational materials that are effective at reaching and communicating with Spanish speaking growers, supervisors and farm workers. 2) Developing innovative new IPM outreach, education and training programs in Spanish. 3) Developing programing in Spanish to help Hispanic growers and employees understand the content of the Private Pesticide Applicator Certification exam. This proposal is a resubmission, incorporating suggestions by last years IPM Partnerships grant panel as well as information gained over the last year through surveys funded by a IPM Partnership seed grant (ref. 2013 proposal funded by RIPM Center titled Strengthening and Expanding IPM Practices in the Mushroom Industry).
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) IPM Working Group: Sustaining Coordinated Efforts and Multiplying Expertise
Project Director: Tracy C. Leskey The BMSB IPM Working Group has established itself as the primary platform for facilitating and coordinating research and outreach efforts for brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (BMSB) across the United States. The first formal BMSB Working Group meeting was held at the Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, WV on June 15-16, 2010. Since that time, seven additional meetings have been held. Meeting attendance averages between 75-100 individuals with attendees from >15 states and several countries including Switzerland, Canada and Mexico and additional webinar attendees from numerous states and countries such as South Africa. Currently, BMSB has been officially detected in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Agricultural problems have been detected in at least 12 states including MD, WV, VA, NJ, PA, DE, NY, NC, OH, OR, TN and WA. Despite the level of coordination and vigorous dissemination of research results and outreach efforts from the Working Group and other affiliated groups, there is still a great need for expertise and training as BMSB spreads across the country as well as sustained efforts to reduce duplication of effort and leverage resources. Therefore, we propose to: 1) continue to coordinate other Regional IPM Centers and the NIMSS BMSB Multi-State Project to reduce duplication of effort; 2) hold a one-day intensive diagnostic clinic devoted to identification of all BMSB lifestages, crop injury diagnostics and key natural enemies; 3) facilitate discussions with key commercial companies to improve quality and availability of monitoring tools; and 4) update priorities based on outputs generated from a number of extramural projects and pest status in new regions. New England Fruit and Vegetable Scouting Network
Project Director: Katie Campbell-Nelson Both established and beginning farmers of diversified vegetable and fruit farms in New England have requested training and tools to help them with whole-farm Integrated Pest Management (IPM). In particular, farmers ask for on-farm training in procedures to scout, trap, and monitor pests as well as pest advisories tailored to reflect their own farms, local, and regional pest pressures. This project will address the need for a scouting and pest advisory network that spans the range of climate zones from north to south in New England and is responsive to seasonal fluctuations in weather and crop conditions. Using field walks and weekly scouting visits at sentinel farms in Vermont, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, we will provide growers with hands-on training in IPM methods for key pests and/or diseases in vegetable and fruit crops. With data gathered using a consistent, multi-state (VT, MA and RI) weekly scouting protocol, we will develop a pest advisory system that is suited to each state's needs and also linked among states. For Vermont and Rhode Island, this will establish a foundation for regular IPM pest advisories in fruit and vegetable crops. The impact of field walk training, scouting and the pest advisory system will be to prepare the next generation of IPM farm scouts to be familiar with pest life cycles and able to use available tools to make educated decisions in IPM with a better regional network of pest information. Northern New England Pollinator Habitat Working Group
Project Director: Amy Papineau A multi-state, multi-disciplinary working group (WG) will be established to share information, assess critical research and outreach needs, and identify emerging issues in conservation, maintenance and enhancement of pollinator habitat across northern New England (MA, ME, NH, and VT). Factors that threaten pollinators and their habitat in this highly-forested region may differ from those in other parts of the country.
Regional Partnerships to Promote IPM in Urban Latino Communities
Project Director: Lyn Garling Bed bugs, cockroaches, mice, rats and other urban pests negatively affect human health and wellbeing. Repeated indoor pesticide use wastes money, cannot solve chronic pest problems and poses further health risks to inhabitants. An IPM approach ensures improved longterm pest suppression and reduction of human health risks through informed decisions and communication. There is a great need for structural IPM education and training in the urbanizing Northeast, specifically targeting the rapidly growing Latino communities. Latinos are particularly at risk of poor pest management outcomes due to language barriers and lack of access to culturallyeffective IPM education.
Spotted Wing Drosophila Working Group to Identify and Prioritize Research and Extension Needs
Project Director: Greg Loeb The invasive species spotted wing drosophila (SWD) Drosophila suzukii continues to be a serious threat to fruit crops in all states in the Northeast Region, causing significant injury to fruit crops. The 2013 SWD Working Group meeting held in Bridgeton, NJ in late October successfully brought together stakeholder groups to re-examine and re-prioritize numerous research, regulatory, extension, and education priorities for the region. It was clear from the presentations made at the meeting that progress has been made on a number of the priorities developed during our first meeting in 2012. At closing of the meeting, the Working Group voted to continue meeting yearly to address the priority needs to manage this serious pest. Unlike many other fruit flies, SWD has the capacity to lay eggs into intact and marketable fruit. Berries, particularly fall raspberries and blueberries, are especially vulnerable. In addition to crop loss due to infestations, growers experienced significant increases in costs associated with increased monitoring and sorting of fruit and insecticide sprays. In addition, SWD has been reported from many other crops and wild plants. Overall infestation levels were probably lower in 2013 compared to 2012 partly due to greater use of insecticides. SWD is here to stay creating significant IPM challenges for fruit growers in the Northeast. IPM programs for affected fruit crops clearly require restructuring and specific IPM guidelines must be targeted against SWD. The principal objectives of the proposed IPM working group, therefore, will be to 1) update, refine and prioritize the research, regulatory, education and extension needs for SWD in the Northeast for vulnerable crops, and 2) enhance communication between research, extension, industry and regulatory personnel. Strawberry Pest Management Strategic Plan
Project Director: Ann Hazelrigg Strawberries are an important crop throughout the Northeast and represent a high value and critical component of many diversified vegetable farms. Strawberries are attacked by variety of pests, including insects, mites, pathogens (including nematodes) and weeds. With increased movement of insects, diseases, plant materials, and invasive weeds, in addition to the pressures of climate change, the scope of pests and diseases causing problems in strawberries is continually expanding. There have also been recent changes in many of the cultural practices in strawberry that can influence and increase the impacts from pests and diseases, including use of high tunnels and increased adoption of day neutral strawberries. The development of new bio-rational and conventional pesticide materials along with the loss of key pesticides also presents new challenges in pest management strategies. The most recent Northeast Strawberry Pest Management Strategic Plan (PMSP) done in 2007, based on a strawberry survey done in 2004, does not accurately reflect the current pests and pest management strategies critical for strawberries in the Northeast. We propose to develop and gather a diverse stakeholder group of Northeast (NY, ME, NH, MA, RI, NJ, CT, VT) growers, researchers, organic association technical personnel, IPM practitioners and extension specialists to develop a Strawberry PMSP that accurately reflects the current insect, weed and disease problems in Northeast strawberries and the IPM management strategies for those pests including conventional and organic approaches. The proposed PMSP will also provide critical priorities that can be used to develop a plan for future research, extension and regulatory needs for strawberries in the Northeast. Strawberry Pest Management Strategic Plan
Project Director: Sarah Kingsley-Richards Strawberries are an important crop throughout the Northeast and represent a high value and critical component of many diversified vegetable farms. Strawberries are attacked by variety of pests, including insects, mites, pathogens (including nematodes) and weeds. With increased movement of insects, diseases, plant materials, and invasive weeds, in addition to the pressures of climate change, the scope of pests and diseases causing problems in strawberries is continually expanding. There have also been recent changes in many of the cultural practices in strawberry that can influence and increase the impacts from pests and diseases, including use of high tunnels and increased adoption of day neutral strawberries. The development of new bio-rational and conventional pesticide materials along with the loss of key pesticides also presents new challenges in pest management strategies. The most recent Northeast Strawberry Pest Management Strategic Plan (PMSP) done in 2007, based on a strawberry survey done in 2004, does not accurately reflect the current pests and pest management strategies critical for strawberries in the Northeast. We propose to develop and gather a diverse stakeholder group of Northeast (NY, ME, NH, MA, RI, NJ, CT, VT) growers, researchers, organic association technical personnel, IPM practitioners and extension specialists to develop a Strawberry PMSP that accurately reflects the current insect, weed and disease problems in Northeast strawberries and the IPM management strategies for those pests including conventional and organic approaches. The proposed PMSP will also provide critical priorities that can be used to develop a plan for future research, extension and regulatory needs for strawberries in the Northeast. Training Diverse Urban Ag IPM Practitioners and Facilitating Connections to Underserved Markets
Project Director: Jennifer Hashley The New Entry Sustainable Farming Project (New Entry) is Massachusetts' leading non-academic trainer of small-scale beginning farmers, particularly socially disadvantaged growers of specialty crops. Since 1998, we have provided seed-to-sale training and technical assistance to hundreds of beginning farmers in Massachusetts. An ongoing challenge for new growers is adequately managing pests and diseases of specialty crops, especially given climate change and its associated production challenges. For this project, we will partner with urban agricultural training programs in Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire to improve beginning farmers' understanding and practice of IPM in specialty crops and facilitate access to IPM grown foods in underserved markets. Our core participants will be 120+ new growers, mostly immigrants, refugees, and beginning small-scale urban and peri-urban farmers, who want to expand production, improve crop quality, and grow sales of IPM-produced crops. Through 8 workshops, 300 hours of hands-on technical assistance, and regional site visits, we will address production, pest and disease management and prevention, and harvest, post-harvest, and marketing components of high value crops. Each organization has a commitment to connect growers' produce to low-income urban markets. We will reach hundreds of other beginning farmers via seasonal field-based and winter conferences and with online resources produced for wider audiences. Results will compare total production and sales/revenues changes by participating farmers between the 2014 and 2015 seasons. The project is intended to significantly improve their IPM skills and resulting output of high-value crops that sell well via direct markets in urban centers across the state. Training Hispanics in Urban Agriculture and IPM to Address Food Deserts in Connecticut
Project Director: German Cutz UConn Extension in collaboration with Nuestras Raíces, a grassroots organization from Massachusetts, will implement an Urban Agriculture and IPM training project in Fairfield County, Connecticut targeting Hispanic adults. This project includes three components: training on urban agriculture using lower-risk IPM tactics and organic production methods, vegetable and food production, and entrepreneurship. The proposed activities address two 2013 Northeastern IPM Center priorities: Synergizing IPM and organic methods and expanding urban agriculture.
Translation and promotion of a cranberry weed identification guide
Project Director: Hilary A. Sandler This proposal seeks funding for the translation and promotion of a weed identification guide. Guide d'identification des mauvaises herbes de la canneberges, published in Quebec, Canada, is only available in French. No comparable cranberry weed guide is available in English that covers the breadth of information found in this French guide. Regional and international stakeholders have indicated a need to translate the guide into English; we have the expertise to accomplish this task. An English version of this guide will benefit stakeholders throughout the English-speaking production areas in the Northeast as well as other regions of the US and Canada, including cranberry and low-bush blueberry growers, research and extension personnel, IPM practitioners, and graduate students. After consulting with stakeholders, we will supplement the translated version with important weed species currently not in the French guide. We will evaluate the "nuisance potential", a rating scale developed by the Quebec authors, for each weed to confirm its appropriate relevance for a larger audience. We will promote the guide through Extension meetings and newsletters, and industry outlets. We will conduct training sessions in three Northeastern states on the use of the guide and provide hands-on experience in weed identification. We will create a short YouTube video to promote the guide and weed IPM. We will conduct surveys at the workshops and meetings to document increases in knowledge of weed biology and identification. We will survey buyers who do not attend workshops to gain information regarding the usefulness of the guide post-purchase. |
2013 Program YearRFA: IPM Partnership Grants - 2013Barberry removal to decrease Lyme disease risk: a demonstration project
Project Director: Peter W. Rand This proposal addresses two burgeoning, inter-related problems in northern New England, tick-borne diseases and the invasion of northeastern forests by Japanese barberry. Three previous studies report higher abundance of Ixodes scapularis, the deer tick vector of Lyme disease, in barberry habitat, and up to 60% reduction following barberry removal. The plants impenetrable structure and aggressive dominance not only prevent establishment of native growth but also provide sanctuary for tick hosts. The goal of this project is to expand on previous findings to increase the publics awareness of the benefits and importance of removing barberry. We will achieve this by measuring the effect of barberry removal on questing deer tick abundance and infection prevalence using multiple sections of recreational trails in southern Maine. From this we will prepare materials for presentation to stakeholders and the public via the internet, print and electronic media, and presentations to target audiences, with the goal of increasing barberry removal for the benefit of both the environment and public health. Barberry removal to decrease Lyme disease risk: a demonstration project
Project Director: Robert P. Smith This proposal addresses two burgeoning, inter-related problems in northern New England, tick-borne diseases and the invasion of northeastern forests by Japanese barberry. Three previous studies report higher abundance of Ixodes scapularis, the deer tick vector of Lyme disease, in barberry habitat, and up to 60% reduction following barberry removal. The plants impenetrable structure and aggressive dominance not only prevent establishment of native growth but also provide sanctuary for tick hosts. The goal of this project is to expand on previous findings to increase the publics awareness of the benefits and importance of removing barberry. We will achieve this by measuring the effect of barberry removal on questing deer tick abundance and infection prevalence using multiple sections of recreational trails in southern Maine. From this we will prepare materials for presentation to stakeholders and the public via the internet, print and electronic media, and presentations to target audiences, with the goal of increasing barberry removal for the benefit of both the environment and public health. Bed Bug Response Action Teams (BRATs): Helping Communities Deal with Bed Bugs
Project Director: Dion Lerman Bed bug (BB) infestations are wreaking health, economic and emotional havoc in low-income communities. Lack of accurate information about BB and their control; fear, blame, stigma, administrative barriers and lack of money make control exceedingly difficult. Organizations serving low-income children and families are very concerned and motivated to find solutions for chronic BB issues in their communities. Without any single public or private agency willing or able to take responsibility for BB issues, community members must themselves collaborate on finding community-level solutions. Site-specific BB eradication and containment requires the education and cooperation of decision-makers at those sites, including owners, landlords, facilities managers, administrators, and educators. Sites of infestation are connected by identifiable "transmission trails" allowing flow of BB back and forth to and from homes, childcares, work places and other places humans gather. Breaking the transmission cycle must involve collectively addressing and mitigating BB at each of these links - a sort of HACCP plan for BB prevention. Bed Bug Response Action Teams (BRATs): Helping Communities Deal with Bed Bugs
Project Director: Lyn Garling Bed bug (BB) infestations are wreaking health, economic and emotional havoc in low-income communities. Lack of accurate information about BB and their control; fear, blame, stigma, administrative barriers and lack of money make control exceedingly difficult. Organizations serving low-income children and families are very concerned and motivated to find solutions for chronic BB issues in their communities. Without any single public or private agency willing or able to take responsibility for BB issues, community members must themselves collaborate on finding community-level solutions. Site-specific BB eradication and containment requires the education and cooperation of decision-makers at those sites, including owners, landlords, facilities managers, administrators, and educators. Sites of infestation are connected by identifiable "transmission trails" allowing flow of BB back and forth to and from homes, childcares, work places and other places humans gather. Breaking the transmission cycle must involve collectively addressing and mitigating BB at each of these links - a sort of HACCP plan for BB prevention. Best Practices to Manage Pests of Oilseed Sunflowers in the Northeast
Project Director: Heather Darby Since most information on agronomic production of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) comes from the upper Midwest and Plains, and because sunflower is a relatively new crop to the Northeast, the majority of advice for growers is not specific to our region. In order for sunflower producers in the Northeast to produce a viable crop local research and outreach need to be expanded. Local oilseed growers express a need for more comprehensive tools to manage pest pressures, including birds, weeds, disease, and insects. To create a viable sunflower industry in the Northeast, pest management concerns must be addressed. Surveys of the sunflower crop in the Northeast have shown that though plant populations are similar to the national averages, estimated yield is lower, primarily due to pest issues. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies developed for sunflowers will help growers improve yields. Our field production research will build on previous projects that have examined best agricultural practices for oilseed production in the region. Through this project 4 research trials will be implemented to determine the impact of variety selection, planting dates, cover crop interseeding, and reduced tillage on disease, insect, bird, and weed pressure in sunflower crops. Two Vermont farmers with oilseed production experience will establish the on-farm demonstration/research trials. The on-farm projects are based on critical needs determined by area oilseed growers, and focus on IPM issues. Delivery of research based information, technical assistance, and farmer to farmer networking will compliment field research to deliver regionally-appropriate IPM strategies to sunflower growers. Brown Marmorated Stink Bug IPM Working Group: Extending Knowledge and Reducing Duplication of Effort
Project Director: Tracy C. Leskey The BMSB IPM Working Group has established itself as the primary platform for facilitating and coordinating research and outreach efforts for brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (BMSB) across the United States. The first formal BMSB Working Group meeting was held at the Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, WV on June 15-16, 2010. Since that time, five additional meetings have been held. Membership remains over 100 individuals with attendees from >15 states, Canada and Mexico participating. At the June 2012 meeting, the group updated Research, Extension and Regulatory priorities first established in 2010. Additionally, a set of consumer priorities were generated to establish the key issues posed by nuisance aspects of the BMSB problem for homeowoners and businesses. A national map that depicts recognized detections and pest status of BMSB across the United States and Canada also was updated. Currently, BMSB has been officially detected in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Agricultural problems have been detected in 10 states including MD, WV, VA, NJ, PA, DE, NY, NC, OH and TN. Despite the level of coordination and vigorous dissemination of research results and outreach efforts from the Working Group and other affiliated groups, the potential for duplication of effort still exists across the country as this invasive species becomes better established in new regions. Therefore, we propose to: 1) develop a National BMSB IPM Working group by coordinating with other Regional IPM Centers and the NIMSS BMSB Multi-State Project to reduce duplication of effort; 2) hold a biological control agent identification workshop to disseminate critical knowledge for identification of natural enemies to research and outreach specialists; and 3) update priorities based on outputs generated from a number of extramural projects and pest status in new regions. Continued Support of Northeast Tree Fruit IPM Working Group
Project Director: Arthur Agnello The New England and Mid-Atlantic states in the northeastern US have long been one of the country's most significant tree fruit production areas, particularly in apples, since the 1700s. In 2010, a NE IPM Partnership Grant facilitated the establishment of a formal Northeast Tree Fruit IPM Working Group. This group of fruit production professionals, representing multiple states and organizations (research and extension scientists: entomologists, pathologists, horticulturists, plus extension educators, industry advisors and IPM pest managers) from NY and the New England states, have met annually as the New England, New York and Canadian Fruit Pest Management Workshop for many years. The objectives of this proposal include a continuation of the joint meetings of the TF-IPM WG at this annual meeting (including representatives from some mid-Atlantic states and Canadian provinces) to further enhance regional collaborations, updating of IPM practices lists, and coordination of research and extension priority setting.
Expanding School IPM Implementation within the Northeastern United States: a Best Management Practices Approach
Project Director: Lynn Braband Schools need help in adopting IPM practices. While numerous school IPM resources exist, the need exists for succinct, yet comprehensive, guidance documents and training for practitioners. This project will evaluate, incorporate, and augment existing resources in the development of a school IPM best management practices (BMP) document. We will pilot the document in train-the-trainer events in 3 states and systematically evaluate the document and training events. The project will strengthen and expand the multiplication of verifiable IPM to all schools throughout the 3 states and the Northeast by 2015. Increasing Use and Reporting of IPM Practices with Mobile Technology and BOGS Tools
Project Director: Brian Wick The Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association seeks $18,325 to continue work on BOGS(Online Grower System) an Internet-based application we developed based upon the UMass IPM Chart Book, the gold standard for IPM in cranberries since 1983. BOGS enables growers to make better pesticide decisions and to track and report applications and results. BOGS helps them determine when to apply pesticides to minimize use, maximize effectiveness and produce best yields thus making IPM the most economical approach to managing pests on the bogs.
Northeast School IPM Working Group: Collaborative Support for Verifiable School IPM Adoption
Project Director: Carol Westinghouse Project Summary. Schools need support and assistance to adopt IPM practices. The Northeast School IPM Working Group (NESIWG), established in 2008, includes broad representation of organizations and agencies serving schools throughout the northeastern states. We propose to collaborate regionally to 1) establish school IPM demonstrations and coalitions to support and promote adoption of IPM practices and policies, 2) identify and capitalize upon opportunities for collaboration with other organizations to support and promote implementation of healthy, effective and sustainable pest management practices for schools, 3) improve access to IPM resources for school and childcare stakeholders, and 4) strengthen the capacity of the NESIWG to accomplish its mission and goals.
Northeast Small Fruit IPM Working Group and Pest Issues Tour
Project Director: Ann Hazelrigg Small fruits are an economically important crop for the northeast and are often an essential component of diversified vegetable farms. Pest identification and knowledge of successful integrated pest management strategies are crucial for the successful small fruit farm. A Northeast Small Fruit IPM Working Group that develops and directs IPM priorities for small fruit stakeholders in New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and New England is an important resource for the small fruit industry.
Spotted Wing Drosophila as an Emerging Critical Issue for Berry and Stone Fruit Crops in the Northeast
Project Director: Arthur Agnello The invasive species spotted wing drosophila (SWD) Drosophila suzukii has exploded onto the scene in all states in the Northeast Region, causing significant injury to fruit crops. The 2012 growing season proved to be worse than 2011, resulting in multimillion dollars of losses. Unlike many other fruit flies, SWD has the capacity to lay eggs into intact and marketable fruit. Berries, particularly fall raspberries and blueberries, are especially vulnerable. In addition, SWD has been reported from many other crops and wild plants. The short-term response to this new threat has been to dramatically increase the number of insecticide applications leading to increased production, environmental and human health costs. This is not sustainable and there is an urgent need for new, research-based IPM tools and increased education. The 2012 SWD Working Group meeting held in Geneva, NY in November successfully brought together stakeholder groups to develop over 70 research, regulatory, extension, and education priorities for the region. This IPM Issues proposal is in direct response to the working group findings. The principal objectives of the proposed IPM Issues grant, therefore, are to 1) Hold a regional conference to address critical issues for SWD in conjunction with the IPM SWD Working Group Meeting, 2) Investigate alternative lures and trap locations to achieve early detection of SWD in berry crops, and 3) Evaluate SWD risk for stone fruit crops. Spotted Wing Drosophila as an Emerging Critical Issue for Berry and Stone Fruit Crops in the Northeast
Project Director: Greg Loeb The invasive species spotted wing drosophila (SWD) Drosophila suzukii has exploded onto the scene in all states in the Northeast Region, causing significant injury to fruit crops. The 2012 growing season proved to be worse than 2011, resulting in multimillion dollars of losses. Unlike many other fruit flies, SWD has the capacity to lay eggs into intact and marketable fruit. Berries, particularly fall raspberries and blueberries, are especially vulnerable. In addition, SWD has been reported from many other crops and wild plants. The short-term response to this new threat has been to dramatically increase the number of insecticide applications leading to increased production, environmental and human health costs. This is not sustainable and there is an urgent need for new, research-based IPM tools and increased education. The 2012 SWD Working Group meeting held in Geneva, NY in November successfully brought together stakeholder groups to develop over 70 research, regulatory, extension, and education priorities for the region. This IPM Issues proposal is in direct response to the working group findings. The principal objectives of the proposed IPM Issues grant, therefore, are to 1) Hold a regional conference to address critical issues for SWD in conjunction with the IPM SWD Working Group Meeting, 2) Investigate alternative lures and trap locations to achieve early detection of SWD in berry crops, and 3) Evaluate SWD risk for stone fruit crops. Spotted Wing Drosophila as an Emerging Critical Issue for Berry and Stone Fruit Crops in the Northeast
Project Director: Juliet Carroll The invasive species spotted wing drosophila (SWD) Drosophila suzukii has exploded onto the scene in all states in the Northeast Region, causing significant injury to fruit crops. The 2012 growing season proved to be worse than 2011, resulting in multimillion dollars of losses. Unlike many other fruit flies, SWD has the capacity to lay eggs into intact and marketable fruit. Berries, particularly fall raspberries and blueberries, are especially vulnerable. In addition, SWD has been reported from many other crops and wild plants. The short-term response to this new threat has been to dramatically increase the number of insecticide applications leading to increased production, environmental and human health costs. This is not sustainable and there is an urgent need for new, research-based IPM tools and increased education. The 2012 SWD Working Group meeting held in Geneva, NY in November successfully brought together stakeholder groups to develop over 70 research, regulatory, extension, and education priorities for the region. This IPM Issues proposal is in direct response to the working group findings. The principal objectives of the proposed IPM Issues grant, therefore, are to 1) Hold a regional conference to address critical issues for SWD in conjunction with the IPM SWD Working Group Meeting, 2) Investigate alternative lures and trap locations to achieve early detection of SWD in berry crops, and 3) Evaluate SWD risk for stone fruit crops. Spotted Wing Drosophila Working Group to Identify and Prioritize Research and Extension Needs
Project Director: Juliet Carroll The invasive species spotted wing drosophila (SWD) Drosophila suzukii has exploded onto the scene in all states in the Northeast Region, causing significant injury to fruit crops. The 2012 growing season proved to be worse than 2011. The 2012 SWD Working Group meeting held in Geneva, NY in November successfully brought together stakeholder groups to develop over 70 research, regulatory, extension, and education priorities for the region. At closing of the meeting, the Working Group voted to continue meeting yearly, preferably twice per year to address the priority needs to manage this serious pest. Unlike many other fruit flies, SWD has the capacity to lay eggs into intact and marketable fruit. Berries, particularly fall raspberries and blueberries, are especially vulnerable and suffered severe losses in 2012, not to mention the increased costs associated with increased monitoring and sorting of fruit and insecticide sprays. In addition, SWD has been reported from many other crops and wild plants. In response to this new threat, some growers have resorted to twice-weekly insecticide applications. SWD is here to stay and could increase in its prevalence as has happened in other regions such as Michigan and Oregon in 2012, creating significant IPM challenges for fruit growers in the Northeast. Overall IPM programs for affected fruit crops clearly require restructuring and specific IPM guidelines must be targeted against SWD. The principal objectives of the proposed IPM working group, therefore, will be to 1) update, refine and prioritize the research, regulatory, education and extension needs for SWD in the Northeast for vulnerable crops, and 2) enhance communication between research, extension, industry and regulatory personnel. Spotted Wing Drosophila Working Group to Identify and Prioritize Research and Extension Needs
Project Director: Greg Loeb The invasive species spotted wing drosophila (SWD) Drosophila suzukii has exploded onto the scene in all states in the Northeast Region, causing significant injury to fruit crops. The 2012 growing season proved to be worse than 2011. The 2012 SWD Working Group meeting held in Geneva, NY in November successfully brought together stakeholder groups to develop over 70 research, regulatory, extension, and education priorities for the region. At closing of the meeting, the Working Group voted to continue meeting yearly, preferably twice per year to address the priority needs to manage this serious pest. Unlike many other fruit flies, SWD has the capacity to lay eggs into intact and marketable fruit. Berries, particularly fall raspberries and blueberries, are especially vulnerable and suffered severe losses in 2012, not to mention the increased costs associated with increased monitoring and sorting of fruit and insecticide sprays. In addition, SWD has been reported from many other crops and wild plants. In response to this new threat, some growers have resorted to twice-weekly insecticide applications. SWD is here to stay and could increase in its prevalence as has happened in other regions such as Michigan and Oregon in 2012, creating significant IPM challenges for fruit growers in the Northeast. Overall IPM programs for affected fruit crops clearly require restructuring and specific IPM guidelines must be targeted against SWD. The principal objectives of the proposed IPM working group, therefore, will be to 1) update, refine and prioritize the research, regulatory, education and extension needs for SWD in the Northeast for vulnerable crops, and 2) enhance communication between research, extension, industry and regulatory personnel. Spotted Wing Drosophila Working Group to Identify and Prioritize Research and Extension Needs
Project Director: Cesar Rodriguez-Saona The invasive species spotted wing drosophila (SWD) Drosophila suzukii has exploded onto the scene in all states in the Northeast Region, causing significant injury to fruit crops. The 2012 growing season proved to be worse than 2011. The 2012 SWD Working Group meeting held in Geneva, NY in November successfully brought together stakeholder groups to develop over 70 research, regulatory, extension, and education priorities for the region. At closing of the meeting, the Working Group voted to continue meeting yearly, preferably twice per year to address the priority needs to manage this serious pest. Unlike many other fruit flies, SWD has the capacity to lay eggs into intact and marketable fruit. Berries, particularly fall raspberries and blueberries, are especially vulnerable and suffered severe losses in 2012, not to mention the increased costs associated with increased monitoring and sorting of fruit and insecticide sprays. In addition, SWD has been reported from many other crops and wild plants. In response to this new threat, some growers have resorted to twice-weekly insecticide applications. SWD is here to stay and could increase in its prevalence as has happened in other regions such as Michigan and Oregon in 2012, creating significant IPM challenges for fruit growers in the Northeast. Overall IPM programs for affected fruit crops clearly require restructuring and specific IPM guidelines must be targeted against SWD. The principal objectives of the proposed IPM working group, therefore, will be to 1) update, refine and prioritize the research, regulatory, education and extension needs for SWD in the Northeast for vulnerable crops, and 2) enhance communication between research, extension, industry and regulatory personnel. Spotted Wing Drosophila Working Group to Identify and Prioritize Research and Extension Needs
Project Director: Dean Polk The invasive species spotted wing drosophila (SWD) Drosophila suzukii has exploded onto the scene in all states in the Northeast Region, causing significant injury to fruit crops. The 2012 growing season proved to be worse than 2011. The 2012 SWD Working Group meeting held in Geneva, NY in November successfully brought together stakeholder groups to develop over 70 research, regulatory, extension, and education priorities for the region. At closing of the meeting, the Working Group voted to continue meeting yearly, preferably twice per year to address the priority needs to manage this serious pest. Unlike many other fruit flies, SWD has the capacity to lay eggs into intact and marketable fruit. Berries, particularly fall raspberries and blueberries, are especially vulnerable and suffered severe losses in 2012, not to mention the increased costs associated with increased monitoring and sorting of fruit and insecticide sprays. In addition, SWD has been reported from many other crops and wild plants. In response to this new threat, some growers have resorted to twice-weekly insecticide applications. SWD is here to stay and could increase in its prevalence as has happened in other regions such as Michigan and Oregon in 2012, creating significant IPM challenges for fruit growers in the Northeast. Overall IPM programs for affected fruit crops clearly require restructuring and specific IPM guidelines must be targeted against SWD. The principal objectives of the proposed IPM working group, therefore, will be to 1) update, refine and prioritize the research, regulatory, education and extension needs for SWD in the Northeast for vulnerable crops, and 2) enhance communication between research, extension, industry and regulatory personnel. Strengthening and Expanding IPM Practices in the Mushroom Industry
Project Director: Ed Rajotte Hispanics in the mushroom production industry have a great, unmet need for accessible IPM information, education and resources at the individual, organizational and community level. The social, linguistic and economic disadvantages faced by many Hispanics leave them less able than other groups to understand and manage environmental hazards. Low levels of education and English-language proficiency, especially among recent immigrants, limit their ability to access information.The objectives are: 1) Create a Hispanic Growers Advisory Group for IPM education and training 2) Collaboratively adapt and develop innovative culturally appropriate outreach and educational materials that are effective at reaching and communicating with Spanish speaking growers, supervisors and farm workers. 3) Collaboratively develop innovative new IPM outreach, education and training programs in Spanish. The plan to accomplish these goals begins with identifying and establishing cooperative relationships with mushroom growers across state boundaries (PA, DE, MD)and establishing a partnership between the American Mushroom Institute, mushroom growers, the Hispanic community and the PA Integrated Pest Management Program within Penn State Extension. During this phase, we will identify partner/stakeholder needs and priorities for bilingual IPM materials and programming, best methods by which these should be extended and archived. We will collect existing material, identify gaps and then develop new materials and programming to deliver locally, regionally and nationally as appropriate. Finally, we will evaluate the benefits achieved by conducting a survey among supervisors and farm owners
RFA: Regional IPM Competitive Grants Program - Northeastern 2013A Novel Attract-and-Kill Approach for Managing the Invasive Pest Spotted Wing Drosophila in Multiple Small Fruit Crops
Project Director: Cesar Rodriguez-Saona This is a Joint Research-Extension project that will develop novel behaviorally-based approaches for monitoring and managing the invasive pest spotted wing drosophila (SWD) (Drosophila suzukii) in small fruit crops.
Developing a Sustainable Pest Management Program for the Invasive Swede Midge in Brassica Crops
Project Director: Yolanda Chen This is a Research project. Swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii, is an invasive insect pest in the Northeastern US that can cause devastating losses to Brassica crops (up to 100%). Given the staggering losses caused by the midge and its recent rise in damage in the Northeastern US, there is serious need to develop sustainable pest management strategies prior to the onset of widespread economic losses.
Developing Economic and Ecological Sustainable Pest Management Practices
Project Director: Cerruti R.R. Hooks This is a research project aimed at developing economic and ecological sustainable pest management plans to alleviate weed and insect problems in solanaceous and leguminous vegetable crops. Yields and profits of these crops are impacted by several high-priority pests including herbicide resistant weeds, Colorado potato beetle, flea beetles, spider mites, lepidopteran and stink bug pests. Growers mostly rely on high-risk pesticides to address these and other crop pests.
Development and Optimization of Solid-Set Canopy Delivery Systems for Resource Efficient, Ecologically Sustainable Apple Production
Project Director: Arthur Agnello This is a joint Research-Extension Project. A multi-disciplinary research and extension team in New York will work to develop, evaluate, and optimize a resource-efficient solid-set canopy delivery (SSCD) system for a diversity of critical uses by tree fruit producers, including application of pesticides, pheromones, thinners, and foliar nutrients. Overcoming Slugs in No-Till Crop Fields with Cover Crops and Arthropod Predators
Project Director: John F. Tooker This is a Research project. Slug populations in northeastern no-till field and forage crop fields are causing increasing damage and yield loss. Unfortunately, aside from tillage, growers have limited control options available for these slimy mollusks. Our preliminary research has identified factors that may be exacerbating slug problems, as well as support for two farmer- inspired, cover crop-based, cultural-control options, one involving crimson clover and the other using cereal rye. We propose a two-year project to explore the influence of these two cover crop species and the timing of cover-crop termination on slug and natural enemy populations. We also propose to share our results with growers, but are not requesting funds for these extension efforts, which will be incorporated into our regular and active extension programming. Reducing Insecticide Use and Labor through Precision Bed Bug IPM
Project Director: Changlu Wang This is a research project. Bed bugs continue to be an important public health pest in the U.S. and are very difficult to control. Low-income communities suffer disproportionally higher bed bug infestation rates. A survey of 16 New Jersey housing authorities in November 2012 revealed up to 40% of the units were infested. Once infestations are reported, pesticide sprays are typically used extensively to control bed bugs, regardless of bed bug distribution and population levels. After treatment, the results are not monitored and retreatment is dependent on resident complaints, which are highly unreliable.
Reducing Insecticide Use and Labor through Precision Bed Bug IPM
Project Director: Narinderpal Singh This is a research project. Bed bugs continue to be an important public health pest in the U.S. and are very difficult to control. Low-income communities suffer disproportionally higher bed bug infestation rates. A survey of 16 New Jersey housing authorities in November 2012 revealed up to 40% of the units were infested. Once infestations are reported, pesticide sprays are typically used extensively to control bed bugs, regardless of bed bug distribution and population levels. After treatment, the results are not monitored and retreatment is dependent on resident complaints, which are highly unreliable.
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2012 Program YearRFA: IPM Partnership Grants - 2012An Evaluation of the IPM in Multi-Family Housing Course
Project Director: Susan Aceti Over the past five years, the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) and the National Healthy Homes Training Center and Network (Training Center) have offered the IPM in Multi-family Housing course 49 times to more than 1,000 students. The challenge with any training is to determine if the course has the desired impact on the students. For this course, the desired impact is that students are able to implement IPM in the housing developments they manage. If they are unable to implement IPM, it is important to understand the barriers. To achieve this, NCHH will: evaluate the impact of the IPM in Multi-family Housing course to determine if property managers who attend the course successfully implement IPM, and provide results of evaluation to interested stakeholders. NCHH will interview two groups of students using a retrospective approach for one group and a prospective approach for the other. Based on the results, NCHH will recommend changes to the IPM course -- either by adding information or revising the current information. NCHH will develop two case studies based on interviews with property managers and owners, pest management professionals, and residents at two housing developments that best illustrate the results of the data analysis. We will draft a report on the results of the data analysis and any recommendations for action and provide the report to contacts at HUD, CDC, and EPA. NCHH will disseminate the findings of this project through conference presentations and via conference calls and webinars with interested stakeholders including Healthy Homes Training Center partners, other IPM trainers, and any other stakeholders interested in the results of the survey. Brown Marmorated Stink Bug IPM Working Group: Continuity, New Priorities, and Consumers
Project Director: Tracy C. Leskey The BMSB IPM Working Group has established itself as the primary platform for facilitating and coordinating research and outreach efforts for BMSB across the United States. The first formal BMSB Working Group meeting was held at the Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, WV on June 15-16, 2010. Since that time, three additional meetings have been held: November 17, 2010 (Winchester, VA), June 20-21, 2011 (Biglerville, PA), and November 27, 2011 (Winchester, VA). Membership numbers over 100 individuals from 15 states and Canada. At the June 2011 meeting, the group updated Research, Extension and Regulatory priorities first established in 2010. As additional information regarding BMSB became available and the scale of the threat became more clearly defined, certain priorities were given much higher rankings in 2011 compared with 2010. Notably, identification of the BMSB pheromone rose from #6 to #2 in the rankings and identification of effective biological control agents rose from #17 to #4. Additionally, certain priorities were removed if they were no longer relevant. Clearly, posting Working Group reports and presentations and relevant links on the BMSB IPM Working Group web site has provided researchers across the country access to the most current information pertaining to this serious pest. In addition to research, extension, and regulatory stakeholders, the general public also uses this site to find information on this invasive species. In total, 20% of all web traffic directed to the Northeastern IPM Center site has been attributed to the BMSB Working Group web site. Here, we propose to (1) hold a two-day meeting of the entire BMSB Working Group membership to continuously evaluate existing and document new problems posed by BMSB; (2) refine priorities based on new information and perceived threats, and (3) hold a specific session dedicated to development of priorities to serve the needs of the general public and strategies for delivering needed information.
Continued Support of Northeast Tree Fruit IPM Working Group
Project Director: Arthur Agnello The New England and Mid-Atlantic states in the northeastern US have long been one of the country's most significant tree fruit production areas, particularly in apples, since the 1700s. In 2010, a NE IPM Partnership Grant facilitated the establishment of a formal Northeast Tree Fruit IPM Working Group. This group of fruit production professionals, representing multiple states and organizations (research and extension scientists: entomologists, pathologists, horticulturists, plus extension educators, industry advisors and IPM pest managers) from NY and the New England states, have met annually as the New England, New York and Canadian Fruit Pest Management Workshop for many years. The objectives of this proposal include a continuation of the joint meetings of the TF-IPM WG at this annual meeting (including representatives from some mid-Atlantic states and Canadian provinces) to further enhance regional collaborations, updating of IPM practices lists, and coordination of research and extension priority setting. The previously identified outcomes envisioned from the continued functions of this WG include: 1) identification of priority tree fruit IPM needs and issues in the northeast region; 2) fostering of greater regional collaborations in IPM programs and expertise; 3) development and adoption of new IPM guidelines, management guides and pest alert systems; and 4) sharing of current and new IPM technologies, research results, and extension efforts during the annual meeting organized by the member institutions, as well as through electronic (online) proceedings of these meetings. Such outcomes, along with documentation of the impacts of successful fruit IPM strategies on human (including economic) and environmental health, are increasingly relevant to sustainable fruit production and quality of life in the northeast region, and will help to link northeast regional fruit IPM objectives to the goals of the National IPM Roadmap. Developing Bed Bug Educational Videos for Hispanic/Latino Communities
Project Director: Richard Cooper In recent years, bed bug infestations have become a major concern throughout the U.S. The resurgence of bed bugs has caused significant economic burden and health impact among the urban communities. More alarmingly, bed bugs began to appear in work places, hospitals, schools, and other public places. Because bed bugs are a relatively new pest, most people are unprepared for dealing with them. Many educational materials have been developed. But most of them are in English. There is a shortage of user-friendly bed bug educational materials in other languages. Spanish is the second most widely used/spoken language in the U.S. Hispanic/Latino communities are subject to higher rates of bed bug infestations and misuse of pesticides due to their lower socioeconomic status. We propose to develop two Spanish bed bug educational videos that target Hispanic/Latino people. Such materials are in urgent need for conducting outreach work in these under-served communities. The objectives of this project are to: 1) develop a Spanish video introducing the bed bug biology and IPM; and 2) develop a Spanish video demonstrating the details of individual bed bug control techniques. This project fills an important gap in bed bug educational resources. It will increase the awareness about bed bugs, reduce bed bug spread, pesticide use, and human health risks associated with improper bed bug control practices. This project addresses the priority proposed by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2009. Developing Bed Bug Educational Videos for Hispanic/Latino Communities
Project Director: Changlu Wang In recent years, bed bug infestations have become a major concern throughout the U.S. The resurgence of bed bugs has caused significant economic burden and health impact among the urban communities. More alarmingly, bed bugs began to appear in work places, hospitals, schools, and other public places. Because bed bugs are a relatively new pest, most people are unprepared for dealing with them. Many educational materials have been developed. But most of them are in English. There is a shortage of user-friendly bed bug educational materials in other languages. Spanish is the second most widely used/spoken language in the U.S. Hispanic/Latino communities are subject to higher rates of bed bug infestations and misuse of pesticides due to their lower socioeconomic status. We propose to develop two Spanish bed bug educational videos that target Hispanic/Latino people. Such materials are in urgent need for conducting outreach work in these under-served communities. The objectives of this project are to: 1) develop a Spanish video introducing the bed bug biology and IPM; and 2) develop a Spanish video demonstrating the details of individual bed bug control techniques. This project fills an important gap in bed bug educational resources. It will increase the awareness about bed bugs, reduce bed bug spread, pesticide use, and human health risks associated with improper bed bug control practices. This project addresses the priority proposed by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2009. From Healthy Homes to Hogares Saludables: Spanish IPM Video as a Resource for Low-income, Low-literate Latinos
Project Director: Michael P OLeary Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) was recently funded by the Northeastern IPM Center (NEIPMC) to translate, reproduce and distribute Integrated Pest Management "Do-it-Yourself" Booklets for low-literate Spanish speaking Latinos. BCHD has created a short companion IPM video that will improve IPM awareness and comprehension for low-literate residents. It provides vocal instructions and visual demonstrations on the benefits of IPM and how to practice IPM in the home. The video was designed to complement the booklet, but may also be used as a stand-alone resource. It may be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2MPoByymQE With continued NEIPMC support, BCHD will translate the video into Spanish, distribute it to organizations and community groups serving Latino residents in Baltimore City, and provide copies throughout the region to state health departments and groups such as the Northeast IPM Center and National Center for Healthy Housing. Translation will omit references to Baltimore and reference general urban conditions to make the video applicable to all urban regions. Latinos demonstrate a unique need for quality information and instruction on how to safely and effectively manage residential pests. Beset by low incomes, language and literacy barriers, and a propensity to not read labels, Latinos are predisposed to use widely accessible and promoted, inexpensive, dangerous and unhealthy, chemical pest control products. BCHD will work with Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) faculty and two bilingual students to translate the video, test translations on Latino clients of the Esperanza Center (partner on previously funded initiative) and BCHD clients, incorporate voice over and captions/sub-titles in the video, and produce the finished product. This will be the third video production partnership between BCHD and MICA. By funding this Spanish-translated video, the Northeast IPM Center will produce an effective, enduring educational tool that will significantly reduce literacy and comprehension gaps among Latinos and will empower them to safely and effectively practice residential IPM. Impact of Cover Crops on Beneficial and Pest Insects in Hops
Project Director: Heather Darby Public interest in sourcing local foods extends into beverages, and the demand for local and organic brewing ingredients is on the rise. Although hops are not a new crop in the Northeast, they have not been grown on a commercial scale for almost 100 years. Today, 99% of hop production takes place in the arid regions of the Pacific Northwest (PNW) on hop farms averaging 450 acres. Pest management information developed for the PNW is generally not applicable to the humid Northeast leaving growers bereft of research-based information for sustainable pest management in hops. Additionally, pest pressures seen in the Northeast are different that those normally observed in the PNW, namely potato leafhoppers (Empoasca fabae), Eastern comma butterfly (Polygonia comma), and Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica). It is well documented that cover crops can provide a habitat to both beneficial and harmful insects, while maintaining a ground cover that can compete with weeds, but no research has been conducted on cover crops in hops in the Northeast. The objective of this project is to work collaboratively with growers to identify beneficial and harmful insects attracted to hop plants in the Northeast and create outreach materials to help farmers adopt IPM practices. We will also work with a partner farm to evaluate the impact of cover cropping on beneficial and harmful insects in hop production. Research that improves the economic and environmental sustainability of hops production will help growers produce a high-quality product that meets the demands of local brewers. Integrating IPM into a School Environmental Management Plan
Project Director: Carol Westinghouse Schools need help in adopting and institutionalizing IPM policies and practices as part of their daily facility operations. Most programs addressing this issue have focused on trainings for school stakeholders, but have not had a comprehensive tool that embeds IPM in facility operations, where it would typically be implemented. The project would use the environmental management system model, adapted from industry for schools by Lynn Rose, a project author under an EPA grant, to create an IPM Operations Workbook that merges Lynn's materials with the Maine School IPM Toolkit for school stakeholders to use to create an IPM Environmental Management Plan for their district. This project would also build on and expand materials used for an EPA award winning training program developed by Lynn Rose and the Massachusetts Facilities Administrator's Association (MFAA). The new document would be generic and could be used in any state. New England Small Ruminant IPM Working Group
Project Director: Jennifer Hashley Small ruminants are susceptible to several organisms and diseases that can cause serious economic losses through casualties, reduced production, and cost of treatment. Internal parasites are particularly problematic, and their impact has been exacerbated by the overuse of chemical dewormers, which has helped the parasites develop widespread resistance to standard treatments. As resistance reaches epidemic levels in much of the U.S., non-chemical alternatives are critical for controlling internal parasites and protecting farmers' livelihoods. Proven integrated parasite management strategies are available for farmers, but feedback gathered from various farmers, veterinarians, and others familiar with small ruminant production suggests that awareness and adoption of these IPM strategies is lacking in New England. This project will found the first New England Small Ruminant IPM Working Group in order to increase awareness and adoption of IPM strategies to address internal parasites in small ruminant flocks, as well as other health concerns, such as external parasites and foot rot. The working group will aim to determine the most pressing IPM challenges for small ruminant producers in the region, the scope of those challenges, and what IPM strategies, if any, are being used to address them. Additionally, the working group will compile best practices and recommendations to share with a broader stakeholder audience, and will set priorities for future work and funding opportunities. The project will also result in the creation of an email-based technical assistance network.
Northeast School IPM Working Group: Collaborative Support for Verifiable School IPM Adoption
Project Director: Kathy Murray Schools need support and assistance to adopt IPM practices. The Northeast School IPM Working Group (NESIWG), established in 2008, includes broad representation of organizations and agencies serving schools throughout the northeastern states. We propose to collaborate regionally to 1) establish school IPM demonstrations and coalitions to support and promote adoption of IPM practices and policies, 2) identify and capitalize upon opportunities for collaboration with other organizations to support and promote implementation of healthy, effective and sustainable pest management practices for schools, 3) improve access to IPM resources for school and childcare stakeholders, and 4) strengthen the capacity of the NESIWG to accomplish its mission and goals. We have leveraged additional funds to support establishment of school IPM coalitions in four states. With this proposal we are seeking funding to cover costs of communication and travel to support regional collaboration and resource sharing, complete projects underway, collaborate on national level to tackle new initiatives, and capitalize on our accomplishments to date. We anticipate this project will minimize pesticide exposure risk in schools, increase compliance with state regulations, and safeguard the health of students and teachers in and around schools throughout the northeast. Northeast Small Fruit IPM Working Group and Pest Issues Tour
Project Director: Ann Hazelrigg Small fruits are an economically important crop for the northeast and are often an essential component of diversified vegetable farms. Pest identification and knowledge of successful integrated pest management strategies are crucial for the successful small fruit farm. A Northeast Small Fruit IPM Working Group that develops and directs IPM priorities for small fruit stakeholders in New York, New Jersey and New England is an important resource for the small fruit industry. We propose a three day meeting with approximately 15 small fruit and/or pest management specialists from NY, NJ and New England. The group will focus on pest issues in high tunnels on small fruit farms in the Albany area in eastern NY this year, looking at both conventional and organic pest management systems. Our first half day will be spent sharing new pest problems, new tools, websites and information among the group. The second day will be spent in the field looking at small fruit problems in high tunnels. The third half day will be spent discussing pest management strategies with an emphasis towards choosing reduced risk pesticides and non- pesticide strategies that lead to sustainable solutions. The group will also identify and prioritize specific research, extension and education needs for small fruit stakeholders in New England. Spotted Wing Drosophila Working Group to Identify and Prioritize Research and Extension Needs
Project Director: Greg Loeb The invasive species spotted wing drosophila (SWD) Drosophila suzukii has exploded onto the scene in essentially all states in the Northeast Region in the 2011 growing season, causing significant injury to fruit crops in several areas. SWD first appeared in California in 2008 and has been rapidly expanding its distribution ever since. Unlike many other fruit flies, SWD has the capacity to lay eggs into intact and marketable fruit. Berries, particularly raspberries and blueberries, are especially vulnerable. In addition, SWD has been reported from many other crops and wild plants. In response to this new threat, some growers resorted to twice-weekly insecticide applications in 2011. Every indication is that SWD is here to stay, creating significant IPM challenges for fruit growers in the Northeast: overall IPM programs for affected fruit crops will require restructuring and specific IPM guidelines will need to be developed for SWD. The principal objectives of the proposed IPM working group, therefore, will be to 1) identify and prioritize the research and extension needs for SWD in the Northeast for vulnerable crops, 2) develop effective lines of communication with other working groups within and outside the region and with affected industries and 3) Facilitate development of SWD IPM guidelines for the Northeast.
RFA: Regional IPM Competitive Grants Program - Northeastern 2012Developing an IPM Program for Western Bean Cutworm, a New Corn and Dry Bean Pest in the Northeast Region
Project Director: John F. Tooker This is a research project. Western bean cutworm (WBC; Striacosta albicosta) has invaded the Northeast Region in recent years. This pest species new to the Northeast attacks corn (Zea mays; including field and sweet corn) and both dry beans and snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), feeding on developing corn kernels or beans. Infestations of WBC larvae can reduce yield 30-40% and cause crop quality to be down graded or rejected by processors. Corn and bean production is vital to the diversified agricultural economy of the Northeast, including dairies and vegetable farms, and accounts for more than 7 million acres of cropland in the region. Our collaborative research proposal seeks to understand the spread of this pest species and the threat it poses, across a significant portion of the Northeast Region, where it has the potential to cause significant damage and prompt widespread increases in insecticide use, and begins the work of developing an IPM plan to manage WBC. Our objectives include: 1) Develop a regional western bean cutworm monitoring network; 2) Integrate existing Great Lakes regional trap capture data into the PestWatch system to understand the spread of WBC and develop a smartphone/web app to report larval infestations into the PestWatch system; 3) Evaluate the relevance for the Northeast of the Midwestern degree day model for predicting various activity periods; 4) Evaluate and improve the pheromone blend used to monitor WBC. These objectives combine practical efforts to understand the distribution of the WBC in the Northeast with promising applied efforts to manage this invasive pest species. Diversified Partnerships: Building IPM Programming within Latino Communities
Project Director: Edwin Rajotte This is an extension project. The overall goal of the proposed project is to increase IPM awareness, knowledge and skills within underserved Hispanic audiences, empowering them to adopt IPM practices. This goal is supported by four main objectives:
Plans to accomplish these goals begin with identifying and establishing cooperative relationships with Hispanic organizations, convening collaborators across state boundaries (PA, NJ) and establishing an official Latino IPM partnership. During this phase, we will more closely identify partner / stakeholder needs and priorities for bilingual IPM materials and programming, best media forms to use, and methods by which these should be extended and archived. We will collect existing material, identify gaps and then develop new materials and programming to deliver locally, regionally and nationally as appropriate. Finally, we will identify various partners in job skills, employment, regulatory and pest management fields to discuss details of potentially incorporating bilingual IPM/pesticide applicator trainings to their offerings. The project supports the stated priorities of the NE Community IPM Working Group's focus on IPM in residential settings, namely use of diverse media to educate the public on implementing IPM in their homes, and development of creative tools for measuring the impact of public education related to IPM practices in residential settings on changes in awareness and behaviors of target audience. Handheld Mobile Application Technology for Pest Identification and Scouting in Christmas Tree and Conifer Nursery Production
Project Director: Elizabeth Lamb This project is an extension project. Pest identification and scouting are the backbone of good integrated pest management. Many conifer nursery and Christmas tree producers scout their crops, but availability of pest identification information, and tools for record keeping to measure the effects of control methods would help them reduce unnecessary pesticide applications. Providing these tools in a device they are already carrying into their fields, their phones, would encourage the use of pest id and scouting. In this project, we will create and demonstrate an application for mobile hand-held devices to assist growers in identification of insect, disease and weed pests of conifers, and in compiling and recording scouting data. Growers will participate in the development of the application as an advisory committee, evaluating the application on their farms. The application is designed to be useful for conifer producers throughout the NE region and participation by all states will be encouraged through training events held in conjunction with state Christmas tree and nursery organizations' education sessions. The project will evaluate the level of adoption of the application, increase in adoption of IPM, and the potential for use of the application to result in better pest management and economic benefits, through surveys at training events and after growers have had a chance to trial it, in order to measure knowledge and action impacts. Additional media outreach will extend the information to a national audience. The overall goal of the project is to reduce unnecessary pesticide applications, with the concurrent reduction in human health and environmental risks. Implementing Swallow-wort Biocontrol
Project Director: Richard A. Casagrande This is a research project. Two species of European swallow-wort, Vincetoxicum nigrum and Vincetoxicum rossicum, have become invasive in North America, where there are no effective natural enemies able to suppress populations and deter further spread. Swallow-worts are toxic to mammals, causing reduced grazing in pastures, toxicity, and death. They invade gardens, lawns, shrubs, fencerows, and a variety of forest types as well as ornamental plant nurseries, Christmas tree farms, and pine plantations. The twining climbing plants smother small trees and adversely impact monarch butterflies, inducing oviposition upon plants where larvae cannot survive. These problems will increase as swallow-worts continue to spread throughout the USA. Conventional control methods are largely unsuccessful in managing established infestations, and biological control appears to be the most promising alternative. At the request of local stakeholders, we initiated a program of classical biological control against swallow-worts a decade ago. Invasive Insect and Disease Outreach, Detection, and Reporting
Project Director: Mary Kay Malinoski This is an extension project. Invasive insects and diseases pose an enormous threat to our forests, agronomic crops and landscapes. Their threat is second only to habitat loss and biodiversity with an estimated annual cost of $1.4 trillion worldwide. Our national resources and ecosystems are under constant pressure from new and invasive species. Prevention is the first-line of defense, but unfortunately numerous pathways for introduction increase the possibilities of invasive entry. The best IPM option for invasives is early detection coupled with a rapid response. Early reporting of invasives increases the likelihood that localized populations will be found and eradicated. Utilizing new smart phone technologies such as phone apps enable easy reporting and location of new invasive species. This grant will enable us to modify an existing Mid-Atlantic Early Detection Network (EDDMapS) iPhone app and mobile web site and create a new Android phone app to report new key invasive insect and disease pests throughout the northeast and southern regions. The Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health (Bugwood) will program, maintain and house the phone apps and web sites. A key component of the new phone apps will be the enhanced flow of reporting information back to key local experts, and state and federal, agencies that have managerial responsibilities. In addition, sets of color identification cards featuring key invasive insects and diseases and a QR tag that will connect to the phone app will be distributed to further enhance successful identification and timely reporting.
Investigation and Exploitation of Light as a Non-Chemical Means to Manage Powdery Mildews
Project Director: David Gadoury This is a research project. Our long-term goal is to exploit light as a natural and non-chemical means of controlling powdery mildews. Powdery mildews are an internationally important pathogen group attacking a broad variety of crops. The driving force of epidemics is abundant sporulation. Disease management is problematic due to widespread resistance to most fungicides. We have discovered a non-chemical means to disrupt sporulation, and have considerable preliminary data to show that light in the visible spectrum as well as brief exposures to ultraviolet B (UV-B) can be used to suppress disease. We will investigate the use of low-cost, low energy LEDs that produce specific wavebands to disrupt sporulation, both alone and in conjunction with UV-B. A diverse group of powdery mildews of rose, grapevine, strawberry and cucumber will be explored as model systems with potential for spinoffs and adaptation to other crops. The project is highly focused, short- term (12 months), and is well aligned with NE-IPM goals, and priorities. The research problem encompasses many of the top priorities of several stakeholder groups within the northeast region, nationally, and internationally. The project involved international collaboration, and represents a novel approach to disease management. The project directors and cooperators are internationally recognized leaders in research and outreach in this area. Effective outreach is inherent in the design of the project, and is seamlessly integrated into the transition between objective I (treatment investigation, quantification, and refinement) and objective II (demonstration).
Northeast Bugwood Node Expansion to Catalog Images for Use as Reference Tools by Diagnosticians and Extension Personnel
Project Director: Karen Snover-Clift This is an extension project. Having created a Bugwood-Cornell node with NEIPM funding in January of 2012, our objectives for next year are to increase the activity of the image submission through the Cornell node. The Cornell facilitator will train new parties interested in submitting images, will edit images for accuracy of content and quality of images, and will provide support to the University of Maine diagnostician as needed. Several collections at various universities in the Northeastern region need a repository for their images and personnel from these sites are actively pursuing information to develop content in the image library known as the Bugwood system. Our newly established node can provide support for submissions that may include the Maryland consumer horticulture collection, the Vermont animal science collection, and the herbarium and international agriculture collections at Cornell. Expansion of the Cornell node will provide much needed resources for diagnosticians and extension educators for use in educating clients and creating presentations. The facilitator will pursue images that include diagnostic features of endemic diseases, diseases of high significance, and foreign and select agent pathogens when possible, as well as quality views of culture plates, spores, and mycelia. The key to getting the images needed is the facilitator and his/her pursuit of valuable content. The IPM priorities covered by this grant include focusing on pests and crops found in multiple states, filling a niche not filled, involving multiple states and regions of the US, and is interdisciplinary.
Spotted Wing Drosophila Management
Project Director: Richard S. Cowles This is a research project. The spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii, is a highly invasive pest that infests small fruits (raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, and grapes) and tree fruits (most notably, cherries). First found in New England on August 19, 2011, this pest over the next month caused $500,000 - $1,000,000 in losses to fruit growers in New England due to unsaleable maggot-infested fruit. Late fruiting blueberries, most fall-bearing raspberries, many wine grapes, and day-neutral strawberries were lost. Current SWD management recommendations from the Northwest suggest weekly applications once fruit start to ripen with methomyl, malathion, advanced generation pyrethroids, or spinosyns. Except for spinosyns, sprays of these products will set back decades of IPM progress by eliminating the beneficial predators and parasites in these crops. Such intensive use of pesticides on these crops is expensive, selects intensively for insecticide resistance, and leaves residues on fruit. This project will test in four small fruit crops in three states attractant and phagostimulatory baits combined with insecticides, some of which are organically acceptable, to manage SWD. Methods to compare will be conventional spray, bait spray applied to the crop, attractant plus bait applied to vegetation surrounding the crop, and insecticidal bait stations. Efficacy will be assessed by measuring insect activity and fruit infestation. We will investigate dipteran-specific Bacillus thuringiensis and Entomophthora muscae for deployment either with bait sprays or stations. Pest management methods developed in this proposal will provide science-based pest management that improves human and environmental health by minimizing the need for sprays of broad spectrum insecticides.
Towards Implementation of a Novel Fungal Biopesticide for IPM of Bed Bugs
Project Director: Nina Jenkins This is a research project to develop a novel formulations of fungal entomopathogens for implementation as components of IPM of bed bugs. This project addresses the NE RIPM Stakeholder priorities within the Community and Structural IPM setting. Specifically, a need for 'New and emerging technologies and techniques' that could be fully integrated with IPM strategies is identified. The overall aim of this project is to build on the work already conducted in this laboratory that demonstrates that conidia of Beauveria bassiana, formulated in oil and sprayed on surfaces, act as an effective residual pesticide capable of killing 100% of bed bugs that come into brief contact with the spray residue in 3-4 days and 90% of unexposed bed bugs that come into contact with exposed bed bugs in harborages. Our overall objective of this 12 month project is to develop this biopesticide technology to the point where it is ready for field testing and evaluation in collaboration with partners from other NE States as part of a Renewal Application. To achieve this, we will select one of two fungal isolates that are currently registered for use as biopesticides for other pests. Both are effective under our standard bioassay conditions, but we will select the isolate that demonstrates best long-term efficacy over the typical temperature range found in houses. Secondly, we will screen a range of different textiles to select the best material for creating a bed skirt or other barrier over which bed bugs must cross to reach a human host. This barrier should deliver the maximum number of conidia to the bed bug and support long-term viability of the conidia to maximize the time interval between treatments. Finally, we will design a suite of 'formulations' to include bed skirts/barriers, a spray formulation for the base board/carpet interface and a 'paint-on' formulation for application around electrical fitments, cracks, crevices and other likely harborages to create a complete treatment solution for implementation as part of an IPM program. These objectives will be achieved within 12 months and be ready for field testing in IPM settings by the end of 2013. Use of biopesticide technology will reduce the risks to human health posed by chemicals, and effect improved control of infestations via auto-dissemination of conidia to populations in harborages that cannot be targeted with existing chemical control measures. |
2011 Program YearRFA: IPM Partnership Grants - 2011Advancing Public Action and Knowledge on Invasive Species in the Potomac Highlands
Project Director: Amy L Cimarolli This Extension project is based in the South Branch Potomac River headwaters in West Virginia and Virginia and is designed to explore methods of having long-reaching benefits to rural communities throughout the Central Appalachian Mountains. Invasive species threaten the region's forest, river, and grassland based economies, and the Potomac Highlands Cooperative Weed and Pest Management Area (CWPMA) aims to promote and support IPM education for NNIS with private landowners, educators, and youth using multimedia tools and materials. Weed and pest management is traditionally pesticide-based in these communities so IPM theory and strategies will benefit both human and environmental health.
Collaborative to Promote IPM in Child Care Facilities
Project Director: Carol Westinghouse This project is designed to advance the adoption of IPM policies and the use of IPM practices in registered and licensed child care facilities through the establishment of a working group to foster the exchange of information between academia, nonprofits, extension, government etc. The working group will develop a road map for engaging child care facilities that can be utilized by others working on the issue.
Continuation and Expansion of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Working Group Activities
Project Director: Tracy C. Leskey The BMSB Working Group has established itself as the primary platform for facilitating and coordinating research and outreach efforts for BMSB across the United States. The first formal BMSB Working Group meeting was held at the Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, WV on June 15-16, 2010. Participants delivered relevant presentations encompassing BMSB research, field observations, stakeholder concerns, and other critical biological and ecological information. The group also generated and ranked a comprehensive list of research, extension, and regulatory priorities. A second meeting was held on November 17, 2010 at the AHS-AREC in Winchester, VA and included presentations of BMSB research updates, stakeholder concerns, and regulatory issues. A discussion session devoted to critical and emerging issues was held including fulfilling a request for input from a USDA-led Section 18 Working Group for BMSB. In addition, a planning session was held to facilitate research collaborations and competitive grant proposal submissions. Based on the profound and continuing threat posed by BMSB to agriculture and the widespread nuisance problems for homeowners and business, we propose to: (1) hold two meetings of the entire BMSB Working Group membership to continuously evaluate existing and document new problems posed by BMSB; (2) enhance the membership of the working group to include stakeholders from relevant crops and businesses, representative government agencies, and land grant universities; and (3) assist in coordination of research and outreach activities among working group members and the Northeastern IPM Center. Creating a Northeast Hops IPM Working Group to Identify and Prioritize Research and Extension Needs
Project Director: Timothy Weigle The remerging and geographically diverse hops industry in the Northeastern United States is being driven by a popularity of microbrews, home brewing and the buy local food movement. The production of hops in the Northeastern United States is currently, and will continue to be, typically a small operation (0.5 - 10 acres) that is being looked at as a second career or as an additional crop for those already in agriculture. Much of the IPM materials that have been developed are suitable for the production strategies and weather conditions of the Pacific Northwest, which vary widely from those, found in the Northeastern United States. Due to the relatively recent reemergence of the hops industry in the Northeast there are currently no priorities or PMSP's for Hops in the Northeastern United States This project addresses the need to define and prioritize the research and extension needs of the Northeast Hops industry as well as develop and deliver Hop IPM educational programming to the diverse audience found in the Northeast Hops industry.
Development of a Northeast Region Bugwood Node to Collect and Catalog Images for Use as Reference Tools by Diagnosticians and Identifiers
Project Director: Karen Snover-Clift This is an Extension project. The proper diagnosis of pathogens affecting agricultural and natural ecosystem plants allows growers and plant managers to select the appropriate IPM management tactics. Plant disease and entomology diagnosticians have limited resources for the identification of pathogens, insects, and mites. Diagnosticians who are part of the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) work with all commodity groups including field crops, vegetables, fruit, turfgrass, and ornamental plants and are expected to diagnose a wide variety of pathogens and pests. To provide accurate diagnoses, plant diagnosticians require rapid access to detailed diagnostic images to learn about the organisms and plant problems present in samples submitted to their laboratories. Currently, diagnosticians do not have access to image libraries that contain a wealth of disease, pest, and specific organism images. Many university faculty and extension educators have acquired extensive image collections that may be lost if an effort is not made to preserve them in a library. Development of the Interactive Cranberry Pest Management Tool for IPM
Project Director: Brian Wick The Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association and the University of Massachusetts Cranberry Station seek $19,977 to develop an Interactive Cranberry Pest Management Tool for IPM. The goal of this project is to create an online decision making tool that deconstructs the existing, printed IPM management guide and turns it into a dynamic application for cranberry growers to make real-time management decisions.
Enhancement of the Northeast Tree Fruit IPM Working Group
Project Director: Arthur Agnello The northeastern US, comprising the New England and Mid-Atlantic states, has long been one of the country's most significant tree fruit production areas, particularly in apples, since the 1700s. In 2010, a NE IPM Partnership Grant facilitated the establishment of a formal Northeast Tree Fruit IPM Working Group. This multi-state/multi/organization of fruit production professionals (research and extension scientists: entomologists, pathologists, horticulturists, plus extension educators, industry advisors and IPM pest managers) from NY and the New England states have met annually as the New England, New York and Canadian Fruit Pest Management Workshop for many years. The objectives of this proposal include a joint meeting of the TF-IPM WG at this annual meeting (including representatives from some mid-Atlantic states and Canadian provinces) to further enhance regional collaborations, integration of IPM practices lists, and priority setting coordination.
Establishing a NE, Region-wide Pollinator IPM Working Group
Project Director: Christina Grozinger The decline in both managed and non-managed pollinator populations continues to be a major reason of concern because of its potentially extensive negative implications for agriculture, the economy, and the environment. Since the onset of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) in 2007, multidisciplinary scientific inquiry has revealed a multitude of stressors that can synergistically affect honeybees. Pathogen and pest infestation, inadequate diet, lack of genetic variability, pesticide contamination, and intensive management are some of the most frequently mentioned potential CCD-causing factors. Some of these factors, especially pesticide misuse and land development, can negatively affect the populations of non-managed pollinators as well, but the full extent of damage is virtually impossible to document.
Expanding Livestock Integrated Pest Management: IPM Training Opportunities for Northeast US Dairy Producers
Project Director: J. Keith Waldron Dairy production is an integral component of many rural communities in the northeastern US, helping to sustain the economic viability of our region. There are 5,700 dairy producers in New York milking 626,000 cows New York State (NYS NASS, 2010). In 1997, northeast U.S dairy and beef cattle associated revenues totaled $4.4 billion (USDA Census of Agriculture, 1997). Many of these dairy producers use monthly applications of insecticides to control nuisance and biting flies in the barn and on pasture without regard to action thresholds, environmental concerns or human health issues. We propose two approaches to educate producers on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to control nuisance and biting flies of dairy cattle. The first approach will pilot a new dairy fly IPM educational program modeled from the highly successful field crop Tactical Agriculture (TAg) program initiated in 1990 by the NYS IPM Livestock and Field Crops program. TAg is a proven educational model that presents objective, proven, land-grant based IPM information in an experiential, intensive, hands-on training to small groups of producers on their own farms. The proposed program will teach dairy producers to better manage dairy fly issues, protect the environment and reduce health risks. Participants will be actively integrated into a season-long program, which builds on an understanding of pest fly identification and biology to develop an effective fly management program. The dairy Fly IPM TAg effort has the potential to successfully encourage participants to adopt IPM strategies. Impacts of the program will be measured by pre- and post-testing of subject matter and an exit survey to determine the percentage of adoption of IPM practices taught to producers
Expansion of the Northeast Vegetable IPM Working Group
Project Director: Christian A. Wyenandt The vegetable industry in the Northeast consists of at least 12,000 farms that cultivate and harvest over 370,000 acres of vegetable crops annually. The Northeast Vegetable IPM Working Group (Vegetable IWG) was established in 2002 under the umbrella of the Northeast Pest Management Center. The group represents a diverse type of vegetable farmers, consultants, marketing specialists, processors, extension personnel, state agencies, and other agricultural professionals from the Northeast Region. The mission of the Northeast Vegetable IPM Working Group is to foster the development and use of IPM as a means to achieve ecological and economic sustainability of vegetable farms in the Northeast. At our annual meeting in November 2009 it was decided upon to restructure the Vegetable Working Group in order to strengthen our capacity and further our reach to stakeholders in the entire Northeast region. In doing so, a new' working group model will be enable us to foster stronger relationships between our membership and the vegetable community. The new working group will include an Advisory Committee, a Steering Committee and the working group membership. A website and listserv will be developed to act as a conduit of information and expertise for the vegetable industry in the Northeast. In addition to the restructuring of the working group and outreach platforms, the group will continue to meet on an annual basis to foster the core mission of the working group. Fungicide Resistant Management Guidelines for Vegetable Growers in the Mid-Atlantic Region
Project Director: Christian A. Wyenandt Because of the vast number of fungicides available and the potential difficulty in understanding FRAC groups and their importance in developing a proper fungicide resistance management programs for vegetable production a Fungicide Resistance Management Guide has been developed and distributed annually to vegetable growers in the mid-Atlantic and surrounding region. Since 2007, over 8,000 FRAC guides have been distributed to vegetable growers, extension agents and specialists, crop consultants, and industry representatives in the mid-Atlantic representing an estimated 100,000 acres of vegetable production. Implementation, Coordination and Exploration of iMapinvasives Invasive Species Mapping in Vermont and New Hampshire
Project Director: Sharon Plumb Invasive terrestrial plants are a threat to natural areas and working lands throughout New England. Unfortunately, land managers often do not realize there is a problem until an infestation is large and difficult to manage. State leaders and law makers who could develop effective policies and secure funding do not fully understand why invasives are a threat to the environment or economy or how extensively they are distributed.
Increasing IPM in Privately-Owned Affordable Multifamily Housing
Project Director: Jane Malone The presence of mice and roaches in housing has been associated with asthma. Many pesticides are known carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and asthma triggers. Integrated pest management (IPM) prevents and eliminates insect and rodent infestations by excluding pests from the home, preventing pest access to sources of food, hydration, and harborage. By limiting the use of pesticides, it can also greatly reduce harmful chemical exposures for both residents and pest control operators. The effectiveness of IPM depends on coordinated actions by residents, property managers, and pest management professionals.
IPM Working Group: Three Tiers of Growth and Development for IPM Produce
Project Director: Michael Rozyne Fruit and vegetable producers who adopt advanced IPM need support from experts and other producers as they implement new practices, and they need recognition in the marketplace for the added value of their effort and the public benefits of IPM adoption. With support from NE IPM Center, Red Tomato has developed a successful Eco Apple program that delivers these benefits. In 2010 a pilot Eco Stone Fruit project was begun. Red Tomato proposes to further expand the Eco Apple Working Group (WG) model to other fruits and vegetables, with three mutually supportive tiers in different stages of development.
Mid-Atlantic High Residue Cropping Systems IPM Working Group (HRIWG) Focusing on Slug Management
Project Director: Joanne Whalen Growers across the Mid-Atlantic region have been reporting significant losses from slug populations in no-till production systems. In fact, many no-till growers identify slugs are their most challenging and frustrating pest to control. Extension agents, consultants, and producers report that economic losses, including stand reductions and reduced yields, from slugs occur annually on 20% of the Mid-Atlantic no-till corn and soybean acreage. In addition, damage from slugs and lack of cost effective management strategies pose a threat to continuous no-till systems. We have started to document a reduction in no-till acres in certain areas which could result in an increase in sediment loading into the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In January 2010, the Southern Region IPM Center funded an emergency planning meeting to establish a Mid-Atlantic Slug Working Group under their critical and emerging issues program. This proposal seeks continuation of the established group and expansion of membership to include additional extension agents and extension specialists, growers, private consultants and NRCS personnel from Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Anticipated impacts include the identification and prioritization of research, extension and education goals associated with slug management in no-till systems. This group will also serve as the planning group for the development of a larger grant to evaluate integrated slug management strategies including treatment thresholds, alternative controls, and the use of cover crops to increase beneficial species. Native Pollinators of Eastern Apple Orchards and How to Conserve Them
Project Director: John Losey In the Northeast, apple is an economically important crop that relies on insect pollination to set marketable fruit. Recent declines due to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) and subsequent increases in hive rental costs make honey bees an increasingly risky pollination source for apple growers. Apple blooms during peak, wild bee activity in the Northeast; recent studies confirm that abundant and diverse native pollinators visit apple orchards. Grower interest in native pollinators and willingness to make management changes to enhance their pollination services in apple orchards are high. Quality guides on bee benefits for farming exist for national audiences, but are not widely distributed and inadequately address information needs of apple growers who want to optimize native pollination services.
Northeast School IPM Working Group: Building Coalitions and Improving Resource Accessibility
Project Director: Kathy Murray Schools need help in adopting IPM practices. The Northeast School IPM Working Group (NESIWG), established in 2008, includes broad representation of organizations and agencies serving schools throughout the northeastern states. We propose to collaborate regionally to 1) establish school IPM demonstrations and coalitions to support and promote adoption of IPM practices and policies, 2) identify and capitalize upon opportunities to collaborate with other organizations to support and promote implementation of healthy, effective and sustainable pest management practices for schools , 3) improve access to IPM resources for school and childcare stakeholders, and 4) strengthen the capacity of the NESIWG to accomplish its mission and goals.
Northeast Small Fruit IPM Working Group and Pest Issues Tour
Project Director: Ann Hazelrigg Small fruits are an economically important and rapidly expanding crop for the Northeast. Pest identification and knowledge of successful IPM strategies are crucial for the successful small fruit farm. A Northeast Small Fruit IPM Working Group that develops and directs IPM priorities for small fruit stakeholders in New York and New England is an important resource for the small fruit industry.
Promoting Region-Wide Bee and Wasp Conservancy through IPM-based Publication
Project Director: David Biddinger Bees and wasps are not only vital pollinators and, in the case of wasps, pest control agents for agricultural and natural environments, but they are also strong barometers of the level of sustainability in production systems. While their complete role in the natural environment is inestimable, in agriculture they are responsible for the production and pest control protection of many commercially produced commodities. The decline in both managed and non-managed pollinator species, including certain wasp species, continues to be a major reason of concern because of its potentially extensive negative implications for agriculture, the economy, and the environment. Since the onset of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) in 2007, multidisciplinary scientific inquiry has revealed a multitude of stressors that can synergistically affect honeybees. Pathogen and pest infestation, inadequate diet, lack of genetic variability, pesticide contamination, and intensive management are some of the most frequently mentioned potential CCD-causing factors. Some of these factors, such as pesticide misuse and land development, can negatively affect the populations of non-managed pollinators as well, but the full extent of the damage is virtually impossible to document.
Sustainable Landscape IPM Working Group Plan of Work for 2011
Project Director: Mary Kay Malinoski The Sustainable Landscape IPM Working Group formerly the Community IPM (CIPWG) working group has been active for many years, addressing land care, water quality, and pesticide use issues in the Northeast. With this plan of work we intend to refine the very challenging process of measuring change in attitudes and practices of the public. We have decided to focus our efforts on the adoption of a single lawn care practice: correct mowing height. This is the single most critical practice that homeowners need to do correctly to have a healthy lawn. All lawn IPM practices hinge on proper mowing. New members will include a large lawn care company, a small lawn care company, and the Smithsonian Institution. During our proposed meeting we will discuss the barriers to adopting this practice, discuss logistics of a multi-state, multi-organizational project, and roles of the working group members. We will develop a protocol for details of the project. Educational outreach tools will include a promotional 12 inch ruler with correct mowing height indicated, and revised Growing Green Lawns Magnets. The magnets will reinforce best management practices for lawns. Cooperators will distribute the rulers and magnets to clients according to the protocol developed at the working group meeting. Evaluation survey data will be collected and analyzed to determine adoption of the desired change in behavior: mowing practice. RFA: Regional IPM Competitive Grants - Northeastern - 2011Development of Management Strategies Targeting the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys in Peppers
Project Director: George C. Hamilton The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) has spread throughout the east and portions of the Midwest and west. BMSB became a severe pest of tree fruit and vegetables in 2009 and 2010. Currently, no adequate pest management alternatives exist to prevent damage to peppers creating the potential for the illegal use of insecticides. This project proposes to develop BMSB monitoring methods, assess BMSB feeding injury in pepper, evaluate cultivar susceptibility differences to BMSB feeding, determine natural enemy species composition in different cultivars, and determines the toxicity and field efficacy of selected insecticides for BMSB control. Objectives 1 and 2 will be accomplished by sampling BMSB populations and determining damage levels caused by BMSB in unsprayed sweet bell peppers. Objectives 3 and 4 will be accomplished by sampling BMSB and natural enemy populations and determining damage levels caused by BMSB in a variety of unsprayed pepper cultivars. Objective 5 will be accomplished by spraying sweet bell peppers with different insecticides to determine efficacy in terms of BMSB toxicity and reductions in damage to fruit. We anticipate this project to safeguard human health and the environment by reducing illegal of insecticides, provide economic benefits by reducing the pepper damage caused by BMSB and promote IPM implementation by developing the tools that can be used by farmers to reduce damage caused by BMSB. Identification of Factors Associated with Onion Bacterial Diseases to Facilitate the Development of an IPM Program
Project Director: Beth Krueger Gugino During the past 5 to 10 years, bacterial bulb decay has assumed much greater importance in the Northeast region. In PA and NY, annual losses range from 5 to 40%. However, disease losses are variable, both among and within fields; in many cases, the full extent of disease losses is not evident until harvest or thereafter. This proposal seeks to determine the factors that are correlated with more extensive losses from bacterial diseases. We hypothesize that the presence of inoculum of several important bacterial pathogens in soil, transplants and possibly weeds and thrips is strongly correlated to disease incidence and severity. In addition, we hypothesize that high levels of nitrogen fertilization, thrips-induced injury and wind-induced injury contribute to the incidence and severity of bacterial diseases. Our approach is to conduct intensive small plot surveys of factors related to the presence of inoculum in commercial fields and to determine the extent of bacterial disease development in those fields during the growing season, at harvest and following harvest. In addition, replicated on-farm research trials will be carried out to assess the relationship between nitrogen levels, thrips-induced injury and wind-induced injury and resulting bacterial decay in onions. Currently, small-scale diversified fresh market onion growers as well as large-scale onion producers lack effective tools with which to manage bacterial diseases in onions. The goal of this proposal are to identify important relationships and utilize such knowledge to develop IPM-based recommendations to reduce the likelihood of severe losses from bacteria pathogenic to onions.
Management of the Asian Tiger Mosquito among Socioeconomically Diverse Urban Neighborhoods through Community-based Education and Involvement
Project Director: Paul Leisnham This is a Joint Research-Extension project to advance management of the invasive Asian tiger mosquito among urban environments with diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. The Asian tiger is a common human-biting mosquito in urban areas and important in West Nile transmission. Abatement efforts by public agencies are ineffective because it breeds in obscure water-containers spread across private-access land. This project will conduct: (1) research to identify mosquito exposure and evaluate education materials and "citizen science" strategies; and (2) extension with stakeholders to develop and implement management interventions appropriate for different socioeconomic and cultural contexts. This approach will reduce numbers of containers and adult mosquitoes by promoting lasting behavior change. It will reduce the use of temporary and ineffective adulticides. Mosquito populations and knowledge, attitudes, and practices of residents in Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD will be compared between education-intervention and non-intervention settings using entomological and social surveys in a Before-After-Control-Intervention design. Focus groups and interviews will evaluate individual materials and strategies and inform development of improved methods. Materials, workshops, and publications will disseminate knowledge to audiences to broaden the implementation of successful methods. This project addresses the priorities of the NEIPM's Community/Public Health IPM working group, which include using diverse media to educate the public on implementing IPM in their homes and landscapes, and developing creative tools for measuring the impact of public education related to IPM practices in residential settings on changes in awareness and behaviors of target audiences. Scale Management in Christmas Trees
Project Director: Richard S. Cowles Foliar sprays to suppress cryptomeria and elongate hemlock scales prevent implementation of IPM in Christmas tree plantations in the northeast because they are toxic to natural enemies. Three tools will transform growers' practices: (1) chemical control: a reduced-risk insecticide applied to the trunk of the tree is directly absorbed and translocated to foliage, where it selectively kills scales, (2) biological control: several fungi found to infect armored scales will be cultured and then applied to trees, with or without whey adjuvants, to cause infections, and (3) cultural control: decreasing nitrogen fertility should reduce the intrinsic rate of growth for scales so that the existing complex of natural enemies can maintain scale populations below damaging levels. In published research trials the basal trunk spray of dinotefuran suppressed scale populations while conserving natural enemies; extension specialists in NJ, PA and RI will demonstrate this technique to growers with infested plantations. Several fungi found to infect the two targeted armored scales may provide a higher degree of selectivity than commercialized insect pathogenic fungi; if effective, these fungi could be registered through the IR-4 program. Adjustments in soil nitrogen fertility are expected to create growing conditions optimal for Christmas trees and less favorable to scales. The options being developed should readily be adopted by growers because they will be less expensive, more effective, and less toxic to the applicator and to the environment than current practices. A scale management web guide will extend the findings to growers. Training the Trainers: Expanding the use of seed heat treatment for management of bacterial diseases of tomato and other vegetable crops in the Mid-Atlantic and surrounding region
Project Director: Christian A. Wyenandt This is a multi-region, Extension project seeking total funds of $69,917. This project will help promote effective bacterial disease management strategies for tomato and other vegetable crops which will lead to better industry practices in the mid-Atlantic region. The goals of this project are to educate and train vegetable growers, extension personnel, and seedsmen about the procedures and benefits of using hot water seed treatment for managing bacterial diseases of tomato and other vegetables. The Priority Pests identified by the Northeast Vegetable IPM Working Group in 2007 included bacterial pathogens of tomato and pepper, which remained on the list when up-dated in 2009. This project includes the expanded adoption of IPM (Part 4A) by serving the needs of small or isolated farm operations and/or highly diversified farms where monitoring services are not available. With the goal of growers being able to accomplish IPM independently, by placing an emphasis on preventative practices and encouraging application of IPM methods enhancing the success of organic farming systems, this project will address priority needs for the region (Part 4C). Another priority set by the region is to support professional training and communication across the region for agricultural professionals in vegetable IPM (Part 8). Extension personnel will gain the knowledge needed to establish their own heat-seed treatment programs and to train vegetable growers on how to properly heat treat seeds and educate these growers about all IPM practices that can be used in their farms, reducing bacterial diseases of tomato and other important vegetable crops. RFA: Urgent IPM Grant ProgramAn Educational and Monitoring Effort on Spotted Wing Drosophila: A New, Economically Important Pest
Project Director: Kathy Demchak Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is a recently introduced, invasive fruit pest that can inflict high levels of damage to the Northeastern fruit industry. Fruit crops in the Northeast IPM region that can be infested by SWD had a 2010 value of production of well over $300 million. Unlike its native counterparts, which feed only on overripe fruit, SWD infests otherwise marketable fruit with maggots. SWD has up to 13 generations per year and the ability to move from crop to crop during the season on small, diversified-crop farms.
Custom Baits to Manage Spotted Wing Drosophila
Project Director: Richard S. Cowles The spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii, is an extremely invasive direct pest affecting small fruits (raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, and grapes) and tree fruits (particularly cherries). I discovered this pest in New England on August 19, 2011, from traps designed to study strawberry sap beetles. In one month, this pest caused $500,000 - $1,000,000 in losses to fruit growers in Connecticut and Rhode Island due to unsaleable maggot-infested fruit. Late fruiting blueberries, nearly the entire crop of fall-bearing raspberries, many wine grapes, and day-neutral strawberries were lost. Current SWD management recommendations developed by Oregon State University and SCRI collaborators suggest weekly applications of methomyl, malathion, advanced generation pyrethroids, or spinosyns. Full foliar sprays of these products, except for spinosyns, will set back decades of IPM progress by eliminating the beneficial predators and parasites in these crops. Such intensive use of pesticides is very expensive, selects intensively for insecticide resistance, and leaves residues on fruit. This project complements an existing SCRI project on the west coast by discovering how attractive baits can be combined with insecticides, some organically acceptable, to manage SWD. Greenhouse trials during winter months with a laboratory colony will provide quantitative data on methods that can be implemented in the 2012 growing season. Pest management methods developed in this proposal will provide science-based pest management that improves human and environmental health by minimizing the need for full foliar sprays of broad spectrum insecticides to manage this new pest. Results will have local, regional, and national importance. Developing Emerald Ash Borer First Detector Training for New York and the Northeast
Project Director: Mark Whitmore Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis, is a wood boring beetle that feeds on and kills ash trees, Fraxinus spp. Native to Eastern Asia, Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) first became established near Detroit, Michigan in the 1990's and has quickly become one of the most destructive forest pests in North America. It was first discovered in New York State in 2009, and since then has been detected in a total of 10 locations. New York State is home to approximately 900 million green, white, and black ash trees in yards, communities, fields and forests that are all at risk from the EAB. As it moves eastward New York is considered a gateway to New England, where management and outreach efforts will likely affect movement and population behavior into this region. Early detection and rapid response are a crucial aspect of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for slowing the spread of EAB, which is the stated management goal of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). Early detection and rapid response relies on not only professional forest managers, but also an aware public, knowledgeable industry professionals, prepared communities, and trained volunteers. Manejo Sano de Controlar las Plagas en su Hogar: How-to IPM Instruction for Low-literate Latinos
Project Director: Michael P OLeary Proposal Summary: The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) Healthy Homes Bureau (HHB), with Northeastern IPM Center (NEIPMC) support, will produce and distribute a low literacy Spanish language IPM booklet with a detachable quick reference tool. This booklet will enable Spanish speaking audiences in the Northeast Region and beyond to practice safe and effective home pest control (thereby addressing the 2009 Community IWG priority of using "diverse media to educate the public on implementing IPM in their homes, lawns and landscapes").
Spotted Wing Drosophila in New England: Rapid Response Training and Coordination
Project Director: Glen Koehler The arrival of Spotted Wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, (SWD) in New England in 2011 poses significant risk to high value crops in the region with cumulative annual crop value over $150 million. Cooperative Extension IPM programs that help growers minimize pesticide use currently do not account for this new pest.
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2010 Program YearRFA: IPM Partnership Grants - 2010Community Education for IPM in Upper Manhattan
Project Director: Evan Hess In upper Manhattan, the aging housing stock, characterized by extensive water infiltration, holes, cracks, and poor sanitation, results in an environment conducive to vermin. In response, NMIC proposes to increase awareness of IPM among residents, owners, building managers and superintendents as an effective method to eliminate rodent infestation in targeted areas, and diminish use of toxic pesticides. We will hold a total of 10 training workshops on IPM over the course of one year. Five will be targeted to low-income cooperatives and tenant controlled rental buildings, all with rodent infestation problems, and two with adjacent vacant lots, with the remaining five workshops targeting tenants associations, superintendents and building managers in privately owned buildings with rodent problems. Cultural Practices to Manage Bacterial Diseases in the Small-Scale Intensive Production of Fresh Market Onions
Project Director: Christine Hoepting Small-scale diversified fresh market vegetable growers who grow onions intensively are constantly challenged by yield losses due to bacterial bulb rots, which greatly compromise the profitability of the crop. If bacterial diseases cannot be managed, the profitability of this industry will not be sustained or expanded. The focus of this project is to evaluate, demonstrate and encourage adoption of cultural tactics to reduce bacterial diseases in small-scale intensive production of fresh market onions. We will evaluate the effects of mulch type and planting configurations on incidence of bacterial disease of onions, yield, bulb size, economic return and grower adoption. This project will be a cooperative effort among the Cornell Cooperative Extension Vegetable Program in New York, Penn State University, Cooperative Extension in Pennsylvania and two grower cooperators in New York and Pennsylvania. Successful demonstration of research-based recommendations to modify planting configuration and/or mulch type will result in 50 to 100% adoption of the 54 onion growers in the Finger Lakes region of NY and Lancaster County, PA. Consequently, losses due to bacterial rot and number of copper bactericide sprays will decrease, while yield, profitability and acreage of intensively managed sweet onions will increase, and more locally grown produce will be available to the consumer, and the small-scale fresh market onion industry will be sustained. Developing a Novel Low Risk Fumigation Technique for Bed Bug Control
Project Director: Changlu Wang Over the past ten years, bed bugs have emerged as the most rapidly spreading urban pest and are challenging urban communities and pest management firms throughout the country. Unfortunately, little research has been conducted on bed bugs in over 50 years, particularly when it comes to techniques to effectively and safely eliminate existing infestations. Many bed bug infested items such as books, electronics, shoes, and other non-washable items cannot be treated by pesticides. Small portable heating containers are available for killing bed bugs hiding in non-washable small items, but they are expensive and inefficient. There is an urgent need for developing a safe and low cost technique to eliminate bed bugs from non-washable items. Our objectives are to: 1) determine the concentration-mortality response of bed bugs to carbon dioxide (CO2) fumigation; and 2) evaluate the effectiveness of containerized CO2 fumigation for controlling bed bugs. The CO2 source will be dry ice which is very cheap and does not contaminate the environment. The technique will have three major impacts: 1) creates significant savings to customers who experience bed bug infestations by avoiding the need to discard the infested items, 2) reduces potential re-infestation of the rooms from infested personal items, and 3) reduces the potential misuse of chemicals on personal items. This project will further the Northeastern IPM Center's mission by introducing another low risk technique into bed bug IPM programs. Educating School Children and the Public about Container Mosquitoes and Their Prevention
Project Director: Kristen Bartlett Container mosquitoes are serious nuisance pests to humans. Because these mosquitoes lay eggs in backyard containers, control of mosquito larvae is often too difficult over large areas. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of these species relies heavily on public education (brochures, handouts, public service announcements, community events and website) to promote source reduction. However, these practices cannot target everyone and in general, are geared mainly toward adults.
Educating the Public With Plant, Turf and Pest Posters
Project Director: Mary Kay Malinoski The Northeast Community IPM Working Group (CIPMWG) has been very active and successful in developing IPM content for web sites and colorful easy to read posters. This group's primary focus is IPM in residential settings. This proposal of 3 new IPM poster series is based on prior success with dissemination of IPM information to the public through many settings on a national, regional, and local level. The 1st poster series will feature 5 trees, 5 shrubs, and 5 herbaceous perennials that are considered relatively pest free and low maintenance. These 15 plants will be widely adaptable across the mid Atlantic, Northeast, and North Central regions. The 2nd poster series will be a redesign of 8 "Growing Green Lawns" lawn care posters. These lawn posters will be more user friendly and easier to read. The topics range from which grass cultivars to plant, to fertilizer, and pest control. The 3rd poster series will be 5 posters on common pest control issues in the home such as rats, mice, cockroaches, ants, and bed bugs. This proposal will design and print 2 complete sets of posters that will also be available on the CIPMWG web sites (growinggreenlawns.org and bughelp.org). Order forms on the web sites will request use statistics and feedback on poster usefulness. Poster sets will be printed on durable, weather-proof material so that they will stand up to many uses and weather conditions. It is hoped that this project will increase effective IPM messaging to the public on low maintenance plants, proper lawn care, and common household pests and become adopted by nurserymen, landscape professionals, turf maintenance personnel and pest control operators. Enhancing Delivery of IPM Education to Fruit Growers
Project Director: Michael J. Fargione Retention of information presented at IPM extension meetings is difficult due to the ephemeral nature of speaker presentations. Information retention is limited by growers' ability to scribe notes during presentations, because handouts are not always available from speakers, and especially because speakers' oral explanations are not available to growers when they review their notes or handouts months or years after the presentations. Handouts provide even less value for growers who did not attend the actual meetings. We propose to create multi-media educational packets relating to specific fruit IPM topics using the PowerPoint presentations and oral recordings of speakers from the Hudson Valley Regional Fruit Grower School. A collection of these packets will be made available to all NE fruit growers through the world-wide web. In addition, key segments of IPM presentations will be edited into limited PowerPoint slides plus brief audio vignettes that will be advertised directly to growers at time-sensitive periods in the growing season. Grower use of these new IPM educational materials will be evaluated to determine their effectiveness at enhancing IPM education and altering grower IPM practices. Establishing an IPM Working Group on Invasive Species for New England and New York
Project Director: Ellie Groden Invasive plant and animal species have caused considerable problems in both natural and managed landscapes, with resulting damage, losses, and efforts to manage them estimated to cost the United States economy over $120 billion per year (Pimentel et al. 2005). These problems do not conform to political boundaries, and are thus best addressed with interstate coordination. Regional efforts to address invasive species in the NE have generally been fragmented by target species, taxa, or ecosystems impacted with little coordination across species and taxa or between the many instate and regional groups working on these issues. Individual states and the NE region could benefit greatly from more coordination among the individuals, agencies and organizations working in this area, both within and among states. Because of the shared geographic characteristics (including climate, landscape and land-use features) in New England and parts of New York, it will be most productive for those working with invasive species in these states to coordinate and assess the threats to this subregion. This project will establish an IPM Working Group (IWG) on Invasive Species for New England and New York in order to exchange information among the states on within state coordination of invasive species efforts via councils, advisory boards and/or networks, and assist each other with instate coordination efforts and assessing the needs of stakeholders within individual states. The IWG will then prioritize specific regional IPM outreach and research needs for invasive species that reflect the input from each of the state invasive species councils. Evaluation of Specialty Potato Varieties for Late Blight Resistance and Adaptation to Rhode Island
Project Director: Rebecca Brown In 2009 late blight caused substantial crop losses for farmers growing potatoes in Rhode Island and throughout the Northeast. Most potatoes grown in Rhode Island are harvested for fresh market. Traditional eastern white potato varieties are being replaced with specialty potatoes which are popular with chefs, farmers' market customers, and CSA members. Growers serving these direct retail markets are more likely than wholesale growers to be certified organic or pesticide-free, making disease resistance a major component of their IPM strategy. There is little information available on the susceptibility of specialty potato varieties to the current populations of late blight. In addition, many of the newer late blight resistant varieties have not been tested for adaptation to the coastal climate of southern New England, and growers are not familiar with them. The objective of this project is to conduct a variety trial of specialty potatoes and late blight resistant varieties to determine their suitability for fresh market production in Rhode Island. Potatoes will be grown in replicated small plots and evaluated for disease and insect problems, yield, tuber quality and eating quality. The trial will be managed to encourage late blight; if natural infection is insufficient varieties will be tested in the lab using the detached leaf
Increasing IPM Adoption in Potatoes
Project Director: Donald E. Flannery The potato industry in the US and Canada has a long history of promoting the latest Integrated Pest Management (IPM) innovations and best practices. In 1997 the National Potato Council (NPC) initiated a industry-wide survey to measure adoption of IPM practices that reduce the risks to the environment of pesticide use while maintaining or increasing overall productivity. In 2008, the National Potato Council committed to updating its initial survey as part of its member strategy for the US EPA Pesticide Environmental Steward Program. Over the last eight months, a broad collaboration of producers, processors and buyers including NPC, Canadian Horticultural Council, McDonalds, Simplot, McCain, Lamb Weston and individual potato growers have been working to develop a survey tool that can be used by the majority of growers to evaluate the use and adoption over time of IPM and other best management practices. Here we are requesting funding to operationalize the survey and reporting components so that participating potato growers will be able to complete the survey online, and the potato industry will be able to generate IPM adoption statistics by state, region, intended market and overall, including contributing to the national effort to measure and evaluate IPM impacts. The industry has committed significant cash and in-kind resources (Approximately $37,500 by Jan 13, 2010) to develop the survey and will continue to do so as it tests the survey over the next three months, and then conducts outreach to ensure participation once the on-line survey is operational. During the first year of operation it is expected that a minimum of 350,000 acres (of 1,000,000 USA acres) will be reported on the site. IPM Small Farms Working Group
Project Director: Stephan L. Tubene Small farmers including limited-resource farmers, minority, women, and new immigrant farmers across Maryland and Delaware are diverse and produce a variety of vegetables. They have served over the years by Extension programs on issues such as risk management expect for IPM systems. Delaware and Maryland (Delmar) small farmers could benefit from the Small Farms Working Group by increasing their knowledge and understanding of IPM systems. This new initiative proposes to develop and establish appropriate mechanisms to provide effective IPM programs to Delmar small farmers. Project objectives consist of developing economical and effective IPM strategies for fruits and vegetables grown in Delmar region; training small farmers to apply effective IPM systems in order to achieve high quality produce, protect agricultural workers, and minimize risks to the agricultural and natural environment in Delmar region; and developing a model that can be used in other states and regions. Expected impacts include increased number of Delmar small farmers who will adopt effective and alternative IPM strategies; increased number of Delmar small farmers who will produce high-quality crops; and increased number of identified Delmar small farmers who will minimize risks to the environment, and protect workers' health. In addition, an IPM training model for small farmers will be developed for potential application to other states and regions. To accomplish project goal and objectives, the IPM Small Farms Working Group will prioritize project activities following project timetable, monitor and evaluate the progress of the project using the logic model. IPM Working Group: Extending Advanced IPM Marketing to New Crops
Project Director: Michael Rozyne Red Tomato, a non-profit organization, will convene and coordinate an IPM Working Group including growers, agricultural scientists and extension agents, and its own in-house team of salespeople, communications manager, and art director. The close working relationship among growers, scientists, and marketers adds depth and practicality to this project, and has previously resulted in a highly successful Eco Apple program which has grown 500% in four years.
Minimizing the Impact of Pesticide Applications on Pollinators
Project Director: Ginger M. Pryor Pollinators are not only vital players for agricultural and natural environments, but are also strong barometers of the level of sustainability in production systems. While their complete role in the natural environment is inestimable, in agriculture pollinators are responsible for the production of every third bite we eat. The ongoing decline in many pollinator species represents a worldwide environmental and economic threat. Recently, the US National Research Council's Committee underlined the magnitude of this threat and recommended that "as part of their outreach, federal granting agencies should make an effort to enhance public understanding of the importance of pollination as an ecosystem service through support for citizen-scientist monitoring programs, teacher education, and K-12 and general public education efforts that center on pollination". Northeast stakeholders from several IPM Working Groups have also raised the need for outreach efforts in pollinator education programs.
Multimedia Materials to Educate the Public on Bed Bug IPM
Project Director: Changlu Wang The recent surge of bed bug infestations and management difficulties is, without question, a major concern facing both the public as well as the professional pest management industry. The resurgence of bed bugs has significant health and economic impact. Successful elimination of bed bug infestations requires the collaboration among residents, management staff, and pest management professionals. Multiple tools and steps are usually needed to achieve desired results and minimize environmental risks. Yet, because bed bugs are a relatively new pest, most people are unprepared for dealing with bed bugs. There is a shortage of user-friendly educational materials on best bed bug management techniques. Information on step-by-step approach to eliminate bed bugs is especially in urgent need. The objectives of this project are to: 1) develop a video demonstrating the bed bug biology, prevention, inspection, monitoring, proper use of non-chemical and chemical control tools, and step-by-step approach for conducting community-wide bed bug IPM programs, and 2) develop web sites demonstrating cost effective bed bug prevention and control techniques. Use of videos will help reduce control cost and economic loss, pesticide use, and human health risks associated with improper bed bug control practices. This project addresses the priority "Use diverse media to educate the public on implementing IPM in their homes, lawns, and landscapes" identified by Community IPM Working Group. New England IPM Collaboration Working Group
Project Director: James Dill The New England IPM Collaboration Working Group is a short-term ad hoc project to increase communication among the Cooperative Extension IPM Programs of the six New England states. We will organize a day-long workshop among the New England IPM Coordinators, state liaisons from the 2001-2009 PRONewEngland Pest Management Network, and up to two additional IPM program staff from each of the six New England states.
New England Small Fruit IPM Field Manual
Project Director: Sonia G. Schloemann This proposal seeks funding by the Northeast Integrated Pest Management Center under the IPM Partnership Grant program; section C (Regional IPM Publications), for the development of a New England Small Fruit IPM Field Manual. This publication will serve as a companion to the New England Small Fruit Pest Management Guide providing detailed information on pest identification and crop damage (photos), pest life cycles and crop susceptibility (graphics) for key small fruit pests along with the text describing monitoring methods, economic and action thresholds, and a suite of management tactics including cultural, biological, mechanical, and chemical methods. A variety of IPM information is available for small fruit growers in various print publications and on-line, but no single source currently provides all this information in one place for New England producers. As interest in establishing sustainability standards nationally and locally increases, growers need practical tools to guide them in implementing recommended practices. IPM methods are key to growers' success in this environment. This manual will provide the practical pest management information that growers need. Professionals from Extension, NOFA, Experiment Stations throughout New England will contribute content to this publication. Producers and independent crop consultants will participate in reviewing this publication. It will be available as a print publication, series of fact sheets, and as a searchable online resource for growers that will be accessible from each state's Extension website. A condensed form may be made into a pocket guide in the future.
New England Wine Grape IPM Tactic Survey
Project Director: Patricia Vittum The wine grape industry is a rapidly growing industry in New England. In the past several years, New England Extension programs have been conducting research and education for this emerging industry. With the end of the initial funding of these activities, it has become important to identify the priorities for research, education and regulatory initiatives. Integrated pest management tactic surveys, crop files and strategic plans have been conducted and developed for many of the widely grown and important crops in the region, including apples, pears, peaches, strawberries, brambles, winter squash, and sweet corn. However similar efforts have not been conducted for wine grapes. In order to better understand the extent of the pest problems and crop management challenges, and to determine the adoption of IPM practices, we proposed to develop and conduct a Dillman method integrated pest management tactic survey for wine grapes that can be the first step to complete a New England Wine Grape Crop Profile and Strategic plan. New York and New England Small Fruit Pest Tour and IPM Working Group (2010-2011)
Project Director: Ann Hazelrigg Small fruits are an economically important crop for New England and are often an essential component of diversified vegetable farms. Pest identification and knowledge of successful integrated pest management strategies are crucial for the successful small fruit farm. A NY/NE Small Fruit IPM Working Group that develops and directs IPM priorities for small fruit stakeholders in New York and New England would be an important resource for the small fruit industry.
Northeast School IPM Working Group 2010: Demonstrating and Supporting IPM Implementation and Education
Project Director: Lynn Braband Schools need help in adopting IPM practices. The Northeast School IPM Working Group (NESIWG), established in 2008, includes broad representation of organizations and agencies serving schools throughout the northeastern states. We propose to collaborate regionally to 1) establish school IPM demonstrations and coalitions to support and promote adoption of IPM practices and policies, 2) identify and capitalize upon opportunities to collaborate with other organizations to support and promote implementation of healthy, effective and sustainable pest management practices for schools and communities and 3) strengthen the capacity of the NESIWG to accomplish its mission and goals.
Northeast Tree Fruit IPM Working Group
Project Director: Arthur Agnello The northeastern US, comprising the New England and Mid-Atlantic states, has long been one of the country's most significant tree fruit production areas, particularly in apples, since the 1700s. Currently, a multi-state group of northeast fruit workers (research and extension scientists: entomologists, pathologists, horticulturists, plus extension educators, industry advisors and IPM pest managers) from NY and the New England states meet annually as the New England, New York and Canadian (NEng/NY/Can) Fruit Pest Management Workshop. This Northeast IPM Center grant proposes the formation of a Northeast (NE) Tree Fruit IPM Working Group, based on the nucleus of the current attendees of this meeting, with expansion of participants to include appropriate fruit IPM members from NJ, PA, and/or WV. The envisioned outcomes from the establishment of this WG include: 1) identification of priority fruit IPM needs and issues in the northeast region; 2) fostering of greater regional collaborations in IPM programs and expertise; 3) development and adoption of new IPM guidelines, management guides or pest alert systems; and 4) sharing of current and new IPM technologies, research results, and extension efforts during the annual meeting organized on a rotating basis among the member institutions, as well as through electronic (online) proceedings of these meetings. Such outcomes, along with documentation of the impacts of successful fruit IPM strategies on human (including economic) and environmental (including water quality) health, are increasingly relevant to sustainable fruit production and quality of life in the northeast region, and will help to link northeast regional fruit IPM objectives to the goals of the National IPM Roadmap. Northeastern IPM Evaluation Working Group (2010-2011)
Project Director: William M. Coli State IPM Coordinators, Extension Educators, Faculty researchers, other agency staff and others are in need of assistance planning programs whose impacts are quantifiable, and/or documenting impacts of previously conducted programs. The primary objective of the Working Group is to assist regional IPM Program professionals to better understand and utilize available techniques to document short-, intermediate-, and long-term impacts of adoption.
Organic Landscaping: Homeowners' Outreach
Project Director: Ashley Kremser The greatest risk of pesticide exposure to the general population occurs where people live, work, and play. Landscaping pesticides used by homeowners on ornamental plants, lawns, and yards, carry the risk of negative impact on human health, particularly children's health, and the
Pest Resources Online (PRONewEngland) Website
Project Director: James Dill The PRONewEngland web site (http://pronewengland.org) provides a single access point to the best IPM resources among the six New England states. The site provides the public with links to people and information from each state in an organized, coherent format. Providing Northeast Growers Added Weaponry to Integrate into Their Arsenal Against Eggplant Pests
Project Director: Cerruti R.R. Hooks
Reducing Fogger Use and Increasing IPM in Rental Housing in Washington DC, Baltimore MD, and the Region
Project Director: Jane Malone Excessive use of foggers and other pesticide products to combat cockroaches is the hallmark of outdated pest control strategies plaguing tenants with pest infestations in multifamily or attached dwellings in older cities. To address the misuse of pesticides comprehensively, important projects have engaged tenants, landlords, and pest control personnel in a simultaneous nexus to implement IPM. Fostering awareness of IPM by low-income tenants (who have low literacy skills, many demands for their attention just to make ends meet and keep their children in school, and limited mobility in the housing market) can start by educating them on how to reduce pesticide exposure pending building-wide practices and city-wide policies: cease fogger use and refuse to allow foggers or other liquefied products in or near their homes. The project will launch and sustain the Regional Fogger and IPM Awareness Campaign to educate tenants, property owners, pest control operators and other stakeholders in Baltimore and Washington about the health threats from exposure to pests and pesticides, the dangers of foggers and other liquefied formulations, and the merits of IPM. The Campaign will deliver targeted IPM education to 1000 tenants and 40 stakeholders, through tenant meetings, service provider outreach, and IPM training. The Campaign will also conduct policy and media briefings to spark systems change, and host regional meetings to advance the NE IPM work group on housing. Soybean Adoption Survey for Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia
Project Director: William M. Coli Extension and research professionals, crop consultants and Department of Agriculture staff in the 4 Mid-Atlantic States of Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia comprise a sub-group of the Northeastern IPM Working Group. Over the past year (2008-2009) they have collaborated to develop a draft of an IPM Guideline for soybeans relevant to their states. Over the winter of 2009-2010, the Working Group specialists will solicit further review of the current Guideline (See Appendix A) from industry contacts, and participate in converting the completed Soybean IPM Guideline to a Dillman Method mail survey.
Vermont School IPM Project
Project Director: Carol Westinghouse Most Vermont schools do not have a functioning IPM policy. Research has shown that exposure to pesticides can cause serious health effects in children including cancer, birth defects, nervous system disorders, reproductive issues, immune disorders, asthma episodes, and hormone disruption.
Working Group Meeting to Establish Objectives and Collaborations for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Project Director: Tracy C. Leskey We will hold a two-day formal BMSB working group meeting that will provide a forum for sharing the latest research results and field observations, and establish research and extension priorities. RFA: Regional IPM Competitive Grants - Northeastern - 2010A Trap Crop System for Managing Tarnished Plant Bug Damage in Northeast Strawberries
Project Director: Greg Loeb This is a multi-state research project to develop an alternative to broad-spectrum insecticides to manage tarnished plant bug (TPB) in strawberries. TPB is a key insect pest of strawberries in the northeastern USA and many other regions of the country. The economic threshold for TPB is low in strawberry, and the application of broad-spectrum insecticides are frequently required leading to increased costs, and dangers to pesticide applicators and the agroecosystem, including negative effects on beneficial predators of strawberry pests. Our goal is to develop methods for using of winter canola, a highly preferred early-flowering crucifer, as a trap crop to attract and concentrate overwintered TPB adults from the surrounding areas thereby reducing colonization and damage in strawberry. Our specific objectives are to 1) quantify TPB abundance and strawberry damage as affected by proximity to and management of winter canola, 2) evaluate winter canola varieties to maximize attractiveness to TPB but minimize TPB population growth, and 3) quantify the benefits and costs associated with winter canola as a trap crop for commercial strawberry plantings in New York and Pennsylvania. Grower adoption of the results of this project could lead to substantial reduction in insecticide use and costs for strawberries grown in northeastern and north central states. The project addresses numerous objectives of the NE-RIPM program (e.g. reduce environmental and human risks, reduce dependence on pesticides, advance IPM principals in a relatively short timeframe, interdisciplinary) as well as the broad goal of advancing IPM knowledge and practices for multiple states in the northeast and surrounding regions. Building IPM Capacity in Childcare and Early Educational Environments
Project Director: Edwin Rajotte Our goal is to reduce risks to young children by increasing the capacity of educators, facilities managers and pest management professionals to teach and implement IPM in early educational settings. Such settings include public and private elementary schools, childcares, Head Start, and faith-based early learning programs. Successful IPM implementation in educational facilities requires a partnership between multiple individuals including:
Decision Support System for Tomato and Potato Late Blight
Project Director: William Fry The research is required to provide data to achieve the overall goal, which is: to enable fungicides to be used more efficiently in late blight management. Late blight is a major constraint in both potato production and in tomato production, so experiments will occur in both agro-ecosystems. The delivery mechanism for information is a web-based interactive Decision Support System (DSS) that provides information to growers in real-time. Experiments to expand and improve the DSS are proposed. Evaluations of the final DSS will be conducted in research plots on research farms and in demonstration plots on growers' farms. The improvements to the DSS include: i) expansion of the system to include tomato late blight as well as potato late blight; ii) expansion of the system to include effective fungicides of low environmental impact; iii) identification of the conditions calling for the "first" fungicide application in tomatoes; and iv) development of active alerts to be sent to users when "high risk" conditions occur. Development of a Baculovirus for Winter Moth IPM
Project Director: Joseph Elkinton The winter moth, Operophtera brumata, is an invasive pest in a large portion of the Northeastern US including Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The expanding range and lack of adequate non-chemical control measures has led to identification of the development of integrated pest management (IPM) tactics for the control of this pest by the Pest Management Alternatives Program as a priority in the in Northeastern region. Based on successful attempts to control this insect in Nova Scotia using the tachinid parasitoid, Cyzenis albicans, we have initiated releases of this fly in Massachusetts to control winter moth. These releases have had limited success. In order to augment this biological control agent, we proposed to test the ability of the naturally occurring baculovirus O. bumata nuclelopolyhedrovirus (OpbuNPV) to become established in pest populations by introducing this agent into blueberry patches infested with winter moth. The naturally occurring biopesticide OpuNPV which we have recently found MA, is specific for O. bumata and can therefore be used with C. albicans in an IPM program to control winter moth without having a deleterious effect on other insect species including insect pollinators like honey bees. Habitat and Resource Management to Enhance Biological Control in Greenhouses
Project Director: Jan Nyrop Biological control holds the promise of sustainable and safe control of the most important greenhouse arthropod pest, western flower thrips. Release of the mite predator Amblysieus swirskii can lead to biological control, but often does not. Even though growers and extension educators have shown broad interest in biological control, a lack of consistent and reliable effectiveness impedes widespread adoption. We hypothesize that a solution is available and propose through a one-year effort to demonstrate this and set the stage for commercial-scale trials. Research has revealed that the predator, A. swirskii, quickly leaves plants that lack both leaf hairs (leaf trichomes) and a supplemental food source (pollen) and many greenhouse-grown plants are trichome free. We propose to mitigate this limitation by applying artificial leaf hairs (low densities of tiny fibers) and pollen to the canopy of plants lacking these resources. Over a twelve month period we will complete three objectives: (1) We will determine the influence of several types of artificial leaf trichomes and of several species of pollen on retention of and oviposition by Amblyseius swirskii and determine the influence of these pollens on oviposition by western flower thrips (WFT). (2) Based on these results we will determine the influence of select artificial leaf trichomes and pollen on the short-term dynamics of interacting populations of A. swirskii and WFT. (3) This will set the stage for conducting small greenhouse trials to determine the influence of artificial trichome and pollen augmentation on the effectiveness of biocontrol of WFT using A. swirskii. Improved Timing of Control for the Grape Berry Moth (Paralobesia viteana) Using a Degree-Day Model
Project Director: Michael Saunders Wine and juice grape production in the northeastern US is centered in the lakeshore regions of Pennsylvania, and New York and in the New York Finger Lakes region. The most serious pest of viticulture in the northeast is the grape berry moth, Paralobesia viteana (GBM). In recent years, this insect has become more difficult for growers to control using the traditional risk assessment protocol of applying insecticides at ten days post bloom, early August and late August. This protocol, although widely used, was developed in a time when most insecticides were broad spectrum contact poisons and is calendar based rather than phenology based. We propose to test and operationalize a degree day model for GBM to enable better timing of insecticide applications, especially to enable the effective use of new, low risk compounds that must be ingested in order to cause pest mortality. Our goals are to compare the efficacy of phenology model based spray timings to the traditional risk assessment timings, to identify user friendly biofix(es) for starting the degree day accumulations within each growing season, and to deliver these new timings by taking advantage of the NEWA network of weather stations. Pennsylvania will join this network by purchasing and installing two weather stations and linking them into NEWA and New York will add two stations to their existing network. This project responds to a regional stakeholder-organized meeting that developed priorities for addressing insect management issues. Sustainable Management of the Small Hive Beetle (Aethina tumida), an Emerging Pest of Honeybees
Project Director: Daniel Gruner With this joint research-extension project, we propose to develop and apply sustainable control practices for the small hive beetle (SHB, Aethina tumida), which infests honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies and vectors pathogens that may contribute to Colony Collapse Disorder. Honey bees - critical pollinators of a wide variety of fruit, nut and vegetable crops - are in protracted decline nationwide. The invasive SHB is rapidly expanding its range from the Southeast U.S., where it has been exceptionally destructive to colony health since 1998, into the mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. Existing chemical controls are problematic for honey bee health because of exposure risks and associated costs. This project will develop, evaluate, and disseminate a multi-faceted, sustainable IPM strategy to disrupt the SHB life cycle. In functional hive experiments, we will evaluate two novel tactics - soil drenches of biopesticides and entomopathogenic nematodes to control wandering larvae - deployed in combination with in-hive trapping devices to capture invading adults (Objective 1). We will evaluate these IPM strategies through on-site demonstrations with cooperating master beekeepers and disseminate research results via eXtension education to help mid-Atlantic beekeeping associations rapidly implement recommendations (Objective 2). This project addresses thirteen NE-RIPM relevance criteria, three major priorities of the Northeast IPM center, and many specific directives from regional beekeeping organizations. Our approach will reduce environmental and human health risks by replacing hazardous pesticides with affordable traps, biorational organic-compatible pesticides, and augmentative biological control, and our demonstration and extension efforts will stimulate widespread adoption of IPM strategies across the region. |
2009 Program YearRFA: IPM Partnership Grants - 2009Christmas Tree Crop Profile for New England
Project Director: Candace L. Bartholomew This proposed project is to write a Christmas tree crop profile for New England. Data collected from the New England Pest Management Network Christmas Tree Pest Management Tactics Survey conducted in 2008 will be used to form the basis of the crop profile to be formulated under this proposal. There are no comprehensive IPM guidelines for Christmas tree production for New England. Christmas tree production in New England is substantially different from other parts of the country to justify development of a regional crop profile which would inform the development of IPM guidelines. No crop profile for Christmas trees currently exists for any New England states, except for Connecticut; a profile published in 1999 which is now out-of-date and no longer available. Completion of a crop profile follows the sequence of planning and assessment document development outlined in the request for proposals; survey, crop profile, strategic pest management plan. Community IPM Working Group (2009-2010)
Project Director: Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann In the densely populated Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the US, the environmental and health impacts of pests and pest control are important issues, given the amount of money spent on pesticides, fertilizers, and pest management services. Reaching people who are not affiliated with stakeholder groups, (the average citizen) has represented a challenge for cooperative extension. The Community IPM work group has begun to develop fresh approaches to large-scale public outreach through the use of eye-catching posters with clever messages delivered in public settings and through a mass-transit campaign. In 2009, the group plans to build upon the successes of these projects and learn from the shortcomings in order to plan better outreach and evaluation. For example, the current collection of landscape IPM posters, which were featured in the U.S. Botanical Garden in Washington D.C., will be offered to other botanical gardens using a portfolio to showcase the work. We will develop the means to share these posters through digital media, to allow local cooperative extension offices, stakeholder groups, and others to print and use them. Additional posters for pests of structures will be developed. The mass-transit campaign for www.growinggreenlawns.org will be evaluated and used as a model for outreach for a structural pest site titled www.bughelp.org which will tie in the structural IPM posters. The group will continue to collaborate with the North Central IPM Center, and members are organizing several sessions at the National IPM Symposium. Additionally, the group is joining with EPA's initiative for community-based IPM. Conservation Activity Plans: An Opportunity for IPM
Project Director: Thomas Green NRCS has launched a Conservation Activity Plan (CAP) pilot program for FY 2009. The plan provides a 75% cost-share to producers for preparation of conservation plans by qualified, pre-approved, private-sector Technical Service Providers (TSPs). A 90% cost-share is available to historically underserved producers. We propose to ensure effective participation in CAP program to advance adoption of IPM. Delaware Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (2009-2010)
Project Director: Susan King King will respond to requests for information on pesticide use in Delaware.
Developing Improved Protocols to Assess Alfalfa Varieties for Resistance to P. sclerotioides
Project Director: Gary Bergstrom Phoma sclerotioides, an economically important fungal pathogen with widespread distribution in the Northeast, causes brown root rot of alfalfa (BRR) and contributes to alfalfa spring black stem and leaf spot (SBS). Alfalfa varieties with effective resistance to P. sclerotioides are not available. BRR resistance of alfalfa varieties appears to differ by P. sclerotioides biotype, with no variety resistant to all biotypes. All varieties are at least moderately susceptible to SBS caused by P. sclerotioides. Current breeding protocols involve the use of a single isolate of P. sclerotioides to screen for resistance to BRR and do not include P. sclerotioides when screening for resistance for SBS. The proposed study will identify the minimum set of isolates needed to breed alfalfa for effective P. sclerotioides resistance and will investigate which P. sclerotioides biotypes contribute to SBS. Controlled studies will be conducted to test the virulence of isolates of each P. sclerotioides biotype to the alfalfa varieties Peace, Starbuck, and WL 347 LH. Preliminary studies suggest that the P. sclerotioides resistance of these varieties differs by biotype. Both foliar and root inoculations will be conducted. Field surveys will be conducted in New York and Vermont to evaluate which P. sclerotioides biotypes are associated with SBS in alfalfa production fields. The study will provide breeders with the tools necessary to develop alfalfa varieties with stronger, more effective resistance to both root and foliar disease caused by P. sclerotioides. Developing Key Indicators for Greenhouse Grower Discovery and Implementation of Guardian Plants in IPM
Project Director: Carol S. Glenister We propose to develop a database in which growers' observations can be recorded and shared. In order to do this, we propose to cooperate with growers to set up and evaluate a Guardian Plant monitoring template and develop a decision tree for growers interested in producing their own Guardian Plant. We will test this template and decision tree on 2 Guardian Plant systems at 3 grower sites, and together with the growers identify and quantify key indicators of Guardian Plants impact. The two Guardian Plant systems are: 1. black pearl ornamental peppers supporting thrips predator, Orius insidiosus and 2. lantana supporting whitefly parasites. We will revise the monitoring template and decision tree as needed, then publish these together with a Guardian Plant database that we compile from the 2009 work, 5 years of data developed in Guardian Plant and Habitat Plant work supported by NE IPM and NE SARE and all other Northeast grower records that we know of. In addition, we will set up grower presentations on their experiences at grower meetings in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York and possibly Ohio. Development of a New IPM Outreach Campaign: A Bold Website and IPM Messages on City Buses
Project Director: Steven B. Jacobs The public can access structural pest information on numerous web sites. Their challenge is to determine which sites offer effective IPM solutions. The goal of this proposal is to reach under-served groups in inner cities and provide them with safe, viable IPM solutions that solve their pest problems. This project proposes an innovative, evidence-based approach through the use of pest specific posters on and in buses in New York City and Philadelphia. The first campaign will address the reemergence of bed bugs. These posters will direct inquiries to a new, easily remembered, structural IPM web site - www.bughelp.org . This site will provide linkages to university-based fact sheets and other web sites containing recommendations and suggestions on a wide range of household pests. Mirroring the efforts to educate the public utilizing posters in mass-transit buses by the NEIPM Community IPM Working Group (CIWG) in 2008, this program will offer valuable information to the public and will provide impact data on web traffic to www.bughelp.org - a new and previously unused site. Eco Apple IPM Working Group (2009-2010)
Project Director: Michael Rozyne Red Tomato, a non-profit organization, will continue to convene and coordinate an IPM Working Group including apple growers, agricultural scientists and extension agents, and its own in-house team of salespeople, communications manager, and art director. The close working relationship among growers, scientists, and marketers adds unusual depth and practicality to this project.
Educating the Next Generation of IPM Users: Supporting and Promoting IPM Education in Schools
Project Director: Kathy Murray Lawn and garden chemicals, disinfectants, repellents, flea and tick treatments, and insect sprays are routinely used in and around many homes. Many pesticides contain known or suspected carcinogens and neurotoxins, yet homeowners generally have no education on proper use of these toxic materials and little understanding of their risks. While pesticides, if used properly, are powerful tools to protect people, pets and property from disease or damage, the potential for misuse is high. In 2002, 93,532 people reported unintentional exposure to pesticides in the U.S. Forty-eight percent involved children under six years old. A significant portion of those incidents occurred in and around the home (Watson, et al. 2003). Education is needed, and school classrooms are an excellent place to start. Children are both current and future pesticide users, and an excellent conduit for educating parents. Integrated pest management (IPM) curricula have been developed and offered to teachers in Pennsylvania, Maine, and Connecticut. However, the extent to which these curricula are being used and the degree to which they are effective is not known. In order to make the most and best use of these curricula across the Northeast, we need to collaborate regionally to 1) identify and work with partners to assess needs, identify opportunities for partnership, and develop a plan for promoting and supporting K-12 IPM education; 2) develop and implement a survey to determine the extent of IPM education currently being taught in northeastern schools, 3) identify effective teacher-training approaches to promote utilization of IPM curricula, 4) align curricula to academic standards in three states; and 5) pilot a curriculum demonstration in three states. We anticipate this project will improve public understanding about IPM as a means to reduce pesticide risk, especially in and around homes and schools. Enhancing Floral Resources for Conservation Biological Control in Urban Landscapes
Project Director: Ana Legrand The most damaging turf insect pests are scarab beetle larvae or white grubs. During 1920's and 1930's USDA entomologists imported Tiphia vernalis Rohwer from Korea and Tiphia popilliavora Rohwer. (Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae) from Japan for Japanese beetle control. Wasp releases were made throughout the northeastern United States. The primary target of these releases was the invasive Japanese beetle. However, T. vernalis and T. popilliavora can attack the Oriental beetle as well. The goal of the project is to determine if conservation biological control through the addition of floral resources can be used to enhance Tiphia spp. parasitism of Oriental and Japanese beetle larvae. The objectives of the project are: 1) to assess the parasitism rates of T. popilliavora on Japanese and Oriental beetle larvae; 2) to screen several flowering plant species that could be used to provide nectar resources to Tiphia vernalis during May and June; 3) to screen several flowering plant species that could be used to provide resources to Tiphia popilliavora during August and September; and 4) to test the hypothesis that the presence of food plants for Tiphia wasps will increase parasitism of Japanese beetle and Oriental beetle larvae by these parasitoids. The criteria for selection of floral resource plants will include that they are not attractive to the pest beetles. Results from this project will indicate which plant species the public can use to promote conservation biological control in residences or in public landscapes. The long term impact from this project will be in safeguarding human health and the environment. The proposed approach addresses an important IPM issue of developing more biological control options against the Oriental and Japanese beetles. Facilitating Informed Decision-Making on Maryland Pesticides (2009-2010)
Project Director: Amy E. Brown Fungicide Resistance Management Guidelines for Cucurbit Downy and Powdery Mildew Control in the Northeastern U.S.
Project Director: Christian A. Wyenandt Cucurbit Downy and Powdery mildew are two of the most important diseases of cucurbit crops in the United States. In recent years, fungicide resistance has been detected in both pathogens in the Northeast and in other cucurbit production regions of the US. Importantly, most of the current fungicides recommended for their control have a high risk for resistance development because of their targeted modes-of-action. Because of this, and differences in state fungicide recommendations, regional IPM guidelines for effective resistance management and control need to be developed for cucurbit growers in the Northeast. Whilst these are two of the most important pathogens, they are not the only pathogens for which there are concerns about resistance development in the region. Thus, the principles that growers learn from this project will have far reaching impacts as they incorporate this knowledge into managing fungicide resistance development in other important pathogens in other vegetable crops. The purpose of this multi-state project is to develop and disseminate regional fungicide resistance management guidelines for cucurbit powdery and downy mildew control in the Northeastern United States. New England Pumpkin IPM Tactic Survey
Project Director: Patricia Vittum Pumpkins are a significant crop in New England. According to the 2002 Agricultural Census there are 6529 acres grown in New England and pumpkins are ranked as the third mostly widely grown vegetable in the region. Integrated pest management tactic surveys, crop files and strategic plans have been conducted and developed for many of the widely grown and important crops in the region, including apples, pears, peaches, strawberries, brambles, winter squash, and sweet corn. However similar efforts have not been conducted for pumpkins. Many diseases found in pumpkins have been listed at priority pests by the Northeast IPM Vegetable Working Group. In order to better understand the extent of the disease problem as well as other problem pests, and to determine the adoption of IPM practices, we proposed to develop and conduct a Dillman method integrated pest management tactic survey for pumpkins that can be the first step to complete a New England Pumpkin Crop Profile and Strategic plan. New Jersey Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (2009-2010)
Project Director: George C. Hamilton This proposal addresses the maintenance of a New Jersey Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (NJinPAS) as an integral component of a Mid-Atlantic Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (MAinPAS) for the North Eastern Integrated Pest Management Center (NEIPMC). The Mid-Atlantic Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies is a planned collaboration of the land-grant universities of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and New York to maximize regional resources and communication. The purpose of these networks is to promote informed regulatory decisions on registered pesticides used on pests of commodities grown in the mid-Atlantic.
New York Information Network for Pesticides & Alternative Strategies (2009-2010)
Project Director: Ronald D. Gardner The New York State Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies will serve as the State Network Project (SNP) designed to gather and disseminate information on pesticides and pest management. The SNP will be administered and staffed by the Pesticide Management Education Program (PMEP) at Cornell University. PMEP will seek to enhance the level of knowledge, awareness, and understanding of local, state, regional, and national pest management practices for stakeholders and others by enhancing our existing website so that information can be accessed directly from the Northeastern IPM Center and associated sites; our listservs will provide immediate and timely information to our membership from these sites. Northeast School IPM Working Group (2009-2010): Demonstrating and Supporting IPM Implementation and Education
Project Director: Lynn Braband Schools need help in adopting IPM practices. The Northeast School IPM Working Group (NESIWG), established in 2008, includes broad representation of organizations and agencies serving schools in all twelve of the northeastern states. We propose to collaborate regionally to 1) establish school IPM demonstrations and coalitions to support and promote adoption of IPM practices and policies, 2) identify and capitalize upon opportunities to collaborate with other organizations to support and promote implementation of healthy, effective and sustainable pest management practices for schools and communities and 3) strengthen the capacity of the NESIWG to accomplish its mission and goals.
Northeastern Region IPM Evaluation Working Group (2009-2010)
Project Director: William M. Coli The overall goal of the proposed project is to assist state IPM Coordinators and others in the region to better understand available techniques that can be employed to measure changes in adoption of IPM over time, and to then document short-, intermediate-, and long-term impacts of adoption. Participants will collaborate to develop one or more IPM Guidelines for a significant crop (or crops) or non-agricultural settings. Group members will learn how to use IPM Guidelines to measure end user IPM adoption levels, and how existing impact assessment models can be used to plan programs whose impacts can be quantified or to document impacts of previously-conducted outreach programs. A specific objective will be to make sufficient progress toward the stated goal that group members will be prepared to submit an IPM Planning and Assessment proposal to the Northeastern Center in 2009. Pennsylvania State Network Project (2009-2010)
Project Director: Kerry H. Richards The PA Pest Management Information Center can use established networks with the PA Division of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the PA Dept. of Ag., extension specialists, and commodity groups to serve required functions by continuing to meet, but not limited to these objectives: 1)Serve as a primary source for requests regarding the use of pest management practices; 2)Interact, with IPM working groups; 3)Maintain communication pathways with the NE IPM Center, and others. Pest Management Strategic Plan for Processing Peas in New York
Project Director: Julie R. Kikkert New York is the 4th leading producer of processed green peas in the U.S. with approximately 20,000 acres planted each year. This proposal is to develop a Pest Management Strategic Plan (PMSP) for processing peas in NY. A planning committee composed of growers, crop consultants, processors, researchers, extension educators, and government officials will meet to discuss and prioritize research, regulatory and educational needs. The results of this meeting will be used to form the PMSP. PRONewEngland Pest Management Network (2009-2010)
Project Director: James Dill Small Fruit IPM Working Group (2009-2010)
Project Director: Ann Hazelrigg Small fruits are an economically important crop for New England and are often an essential component of diversified vegetable farms. Pest identification and knowledge of successful integrated pest management strategies are crucial for the successful small fruit farm. A Small Fruits IPM Working Group, gathering specialists in all disciplines to develop and direct IPM priorities for small fruit stakeholders in New England would be an important resource for the small fruit industry in New England.
Stored Grain IPM: Practical Information and Experience for On-Farm Storage Practitioners
Project Director: J. Keith Waldron A train the trainer workshop will be organized and presented to introduce Stored Grain IPM principles to educators and practitioners with on-farm commodity storage clientele. A combination of lecture, laboratory, and an on-farm site visit opportunities will be offered. Cornell resources or other local expertise will collaborate with additional input from other stored grain specialists invited to participate via distance teaching technology (polycom). A post-program evaluation is planned. Testing the Effectiveness of a Sanitizing Agent for Suppression of American Foulbrood in Beehives
Project Director: Douglas W. Dingman American foulbrood (AFB), caused by the endospore-forming bacterium Paenibacillus larvae, can devastate honeybee colony health and result in the complete loss of the colony. The mandatory method for control of diagnosed cases of AFB in Connecticut is destruction by burning. A sanitation protocol that is effective, easy, and convenient to perform routinely will significantly benefit beekeepers. This investigation will ascertain the efficacy of a liquid sanitizing agent to suppress P. larvae spore levels in colonies with AFB. If shown effective, the experimental design will be modified using input from commercial and hobbyist beekeepers into a standard protocol that beekeepers can routinely use to sanitize beehives. Trial of a Minimum-risk Botanical Compound to Control the Vector Tick of Lyme Disease
Project Director: Robert P. Smith Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted in the northeastern United States by the deer tick Ixodes scapularis. Over 20,000 cases are reported to US Centers for Disease Control annually. In northern New England, three deer tick-borne diseases now infect people, dogs and farm animals. The use of synthetic pesticides to control these medically important arthropods, while effective, remains controversial due to non-target impact, health risk, and persistence. Recently, certain minimal risk, botanically-derived compounds have gained interest for inclusion in IPM strategies to control deer ticks. Based on positive results from a preliminary project, we propose to test the efficacy of a rosemary oil-based insecticide, Eco-Exempt IC2 (IC2), to control all stages of the deer tick in southern Maine. Working with licensed applicators, we will record the abundance of nymphal and adult I. scapularis ticks before and following applications of IC2, bifenthrin (a widely used synthetic pyrethroid), and water during the peaks of their seasonal abundance. Multiple study grids will be established within triplicate 70m X 70m grids in forested, infested habitat. In addition, we will examine the compound's effect on all of the tick's life stages in their environment by exposing them to treated leaf litter within enclosures. The effects of IC2 on non-target organisms, including pollinators will also be examined by plot count surveys and pitfall traps. Ancillary studies will examine the persistence of IC2 when sprayed at the beginning of the deer tick nymphal season, and its effectiveness against Dermacentor variabilis, the American dog tick. RFA: Regional IPM Competitive Grants - Northeastern - 2009Biological Control of Swallow-Worts in the Northeast - Part 2
Project Director: Richard A. Casagrande Two species of European swallowworts, Vincetoxicum nigrum (black) and V. rossicum (pale) have invaded the USA and are spreading throughout the Northeast and beyond. Swallow-worts contain a haemolytic glycoside which is toxic to grazing animals. In addition to pastures, swallow-worts invade gardens, lawns, shrubs, hedgerows, forests, ornamental plant nurseries, Christmas tree farms, and pine plantations. The twining climbing plants smother plants, serve as alternate hosts for Cronartium rusts of pines, and induce monarch butterflies to lay eggs on these plants where larvae cannot survive.
Combined Resistance to Late Blight, Early Blight, and Septoria Leaf Spot in Tomato, and Complementary Fungicides for Northeast and Other Temperate U.S. Production Zones
Project Director: Martha Mutschler This Research & Extension project targets improved control, with reduced pesticide load, of early blight (EB), late blight (LB), and Septoria leaf spot (SLS), the 3 main fungal diseases of tomatoes in the eastern US. These diseases occur in all NE states to the Southern region and are repeatedly listed as priority items. Another priority is strobilurin resistance found in EB isolates in NY, NC. This project unites breeders, pathologists, horticulturists, and conventional & organic growers in 4 states and two regions to meet priorities by developing LB/EB/SLS resistant tomatoes (adding SLS resistance to a LB/EB resistant line), and testing disease response of these lines with reduced sprays of low EIQ fungicides. Severe SLS damage across the NE in 2008 demonstrates the need for this resistance. We address strobilurin resistance by selecting appropriate replacements, scheduling use (TOM-CAST), and assess how reduced sprays and plant resistance can improve control and reduce grower costs. Conventional and organic grower-cooperators will serve as
Development of Advanced IPM for Northeastern Apples
Project Director: Daniel R. Cooley A partnership among land-grant and USDA researchers, Extension and growers, has brought a unique skill set into development of an advanced integrated pest management (IPM) protocol for apples. The collaborators, including several growers, have worked on development of individual components of this system over recent years. The unique aspect of this project is it brings the most promising of these tactics together in a single management system. While the vast majority of apple growers in the Northeast use IPM tactics, progress in reducing toxic chemical inputs has stalled in recent years. The proposed system will introduce advanced IPM tactics that eliminate use of organophosphate pesticides, minimize the use of pesticides in general, and moves towards practical biointensive alternatives. The most important apple pests, including plum curculio, apple maggot, leafrollers and internal Lepidoptera, apple scab and the sooty blotch/flyspeck disease complex, will be addressed. The project also stretches beyond pest management per se to test alternative fruit thinning methods that will eliminate use of a carbamate pesticide. Because researchers in the project also have Extension appointments or significant experience with Extension, and have developed on-farm research and demonstration collaborations with growers, successful tactics will rapidly move into commercial use. Web-based communication will facilitate research and will provide collaborating growers and eventually the industry in general with access to ways to implement advanced IPM. Traditional Extension methods, including widely read newsletters and journals, well-attended meetings, and on-farm demonstrations will insure broad industry awareness of the program. Improving the Control of Mummy Berry Disease While Decreasing the Use of Fungicides in Wild Blueberry Production of Northern New England
Project Director: Seanna Annis This is a Joint Research-Extension project focused on improving control of mummy berry disease in blueberries while decreasing fungicide use in northern New England (NNE). This project will benefit lowbush and highbush blueberry growers, the public, and the environment near blueberry fields by decreasing the environmental impact and increasing the economic benefits of blueberry production. Mummy berry disease affects all species of blueberry and can decrease yield up to 50% in highbush and 100% in lowbush blueberries Currently the majority of growers in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts are applying up to three fungicide applications using a calendar schedule which often results in incomplete control and unnecessary fungicide applications. The adoption of a mummy berry disease forecasting model (MBFM) will produce science-based pest management that safeguards human health and the environment and promotes economic benefits for growers. Our extension goals are: to increase the adoption of the MBFM by blueberry growers in NNE, and compare the MBFM with applications based on the calendar. There are few studies on the interactive effects of management inputs on disease in lowbush blueberry. Growers and consumers are also interested in reduced-risk fungicides and cultural techniques for managing disease. Our research goals are: to determine the interactive effects of weed pressure, fertility, and fungicide treatment on disease in lowbush blueberries, test low-animal toxicity fungicides and cultural amendments for their disease control efficacy and compare pollinators for their efficiency in spreading secondary fungal inoculum to blueberry flowers. Prioritizing Cover Crops for Improving Root Health and Yield of Vegetables in the Northeast
Project Director: George Abawi This is a multi-state joint research-extension proposal. The effectiveness of eight cover crops in managing root rot diseases of vegetables in replicated field trials under experimental and commercial production conditions in New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. One of the experimental sites in New York has been managed according to organic production guidelines for 15 years. The impact of the cover crops on soil health indicators will be assessed using the Cornell Soil Health Test. We will assess the efficacy of selected cover crops to reduce the severity of root diseases under varying disease pressure regimes as well as their impact on soil health parameters. The effects of the various cover crops will be determined using beans as the main indicator crop, thus enabling us to replicate conditions encountered on farms in the Northeast. For educational training, demonstration trials will be established in commercial fields during the third year using the most promising cover crops. At the end of the project we will publish a ranking of cover crops based on their ability to manage root diseases and improve specific soil health constraints. Results will be made available to stakeholders throughout the Northeast through incorporation in vegetable production guidelines, websites, fact sheets, presentations at local and regional meetings. Project leaders will collect impact data on farmer adoption of the developed cover crop recommendations for several growing cycles following the end of the proposed work.
Webcast Training for Small Fruit Pest Management
Project Director: Marvin Pritts Few northeastern states have formal expertise in pest management for all of the berry crops grown in the region (cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries), despite the >$300,000,000 value. We are proposing to use new webcasting technology to educate ourselves about pest management challenges by holding a series of virtual meetings utilizing experts across the region. The technology allows an expert to give a presentation using voice and visuals from their computer, and allows others to hear and see the presentation over their computer - while being able to ask questions, take surveys, and use other interactive forms in real time. Presentations also can be archived for later viewing and made available to a wider audience. We will be able to educate ourselves about the latest pest management challenges without traveling, and learn to use a technology that will be beneficial in other educational venues. |
2008 Program YearRFA: IPM Partnership Grants - 2008Adopting New IPM Methods for Cucurbit Virus Diseases
Project Director: Kathryne Everts This proposal will address a priority need that was expressed by the IPM Vegetable working gropu in 2004, 2005, and 2007: the need for greater information on IPM for virus diseases of cucurbits. Our overarching goal is to help pumpkin producers in the region adopt new IPM methods to manage virus diseases. The primary pumpkin virus diseases in the mid-Atlantic are cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), papaya ringspot virus type W (PRSV-W), watermelon mosaic virus (WMV), and zucchini yellows mosaic virus (ZYMV). These diseases are spread by aphids in a non-persistent manner and therefore these viruses are primarily introduced into pumpkins by aphid transmission from a nearby cucurbit crop or from overwintering weed reservoirs. Insecticide applications, although used, are not effective. Recently virus resistance has become available in some cucurbits, most notably squash, and the release of commercial pumpkin cultivars with virus host resistance will increase in 2008 and 2009. Prevalence of each of the four viruses in the pumpkin crop and weed hosts will be evaluated in Maryland, Delaware, and southeastern Pennsylvania. The aphid vectors (including Aphis gossypii, a species new to the mid-Atlantic) will be monitored, enumerated, and speciated. This project will develop IPM strategies that encompass management of weed hosts, aphids, and host resistance. Growers will learn science-based concepts to effectively manage virus diseases in pumpkins. Behaviorally Based Management Strategies for the Plum Curculio and Apple Maggot Fly in Northeastern Apple Orchards
Project Director: Tracy C. Leskey Delaware Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (2008-2009)
Project Director: Susan King Developing a Fungicide Resistance Management Guide for Vegetable Growers in the Mid-Atlantic Region
Project Director: Christian A. Wyenandt Eco Apple IPM Educational Video Production
Project Director: Michael Rozyne In this project, the Red Tomato IPM Working Group will build on the success of the Eco Apple program by developing and producing a digital audio-visual tool for education and promotion of Advanced IPM practices, focusing specifically on Eco Apple production. The end product will be a digital slide show or video, 2-5 minutes in length, which combines images, audio and text to tell the Eco Apple Advanced IPM story. It will be designed for use on the Red Tomato website and for use in presentations, to be emailed, and reproduced in CD/DVD format for distribution to retail buyers, producers, and other associates. The video will include material from Eco Apple producers as well as scientists and other participants in the Working Group.
Facilitating Informed Decision Making on Maryland Pesticides (2008-2009)
Project Director: Amy E. Brown We propose a State Network Project to enhance the function, activities, and processes of the Northeastern IPM Center. The Maryland Pesticide Education and Assessment Program (MPEAP) will provide a structure to gather and transmit information on issues relevant to both current and transitional pest management strategies, including pesticides.
Guardian Plant Systems for Greenhouse IPM (Year 2)
Project Director: Carol S. Glenister An innovative pest management system using eggplants as crop guardians has evolved over the last decade in Holland and Canada in peppers, tomatoes, fuchsias, and poinsettias. For whitefly control, the eggplants pull whitefly out of the crops, the growers apply natural enemies directly to the eggplants, and in some crops, the eggplants supply reproduction sites for the natural enemies. The eggplants have also assisted in determining if pesticide action thresholds have been reached by offering the grower an efficient snapshot of the natural enemy impact on pest populations within the greenhouse. Thus, the eggplants have been serving as indicator, trap and banker plants in a technique that we refer to as Guardian Plant Systems (GPS). These GPS have substantially enhanced grower confidence in biological control, reduced monitoring time, and reduced the purchases of natural enemies, thereby reducing the cost of biological control and IPM. In our 2007 NEIPM study, we demonstrated that eggplants reduce monitoring time for detecting both greenhouse and sweet potato whiteflies and the whiteflies' mortality. Importantly, the eggplants strongly attracted both the normal and the Q biotype strains of sweet potato whitefly adults. We also created guidelines for the best way to deploy eggplants in a crop. However, we need a second year of observations to refine and fully analyze the eggplant/crop/whitefly relationship.
IPM for Homeowners and Gardeners: Outreach Through Brochures, a Presentation, and the Web
Project Director: Amy E. Brown Master Gardener-Facilitated IPM Education for Homeowners
Project Director: Amy E. Brown We propose a multi-state IPM Issues Project to maximize the effectiveness of outreach to homeowners by working through Master Gardeners in Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia. We will develop, implement, and evaluate educational materials aimed at increasing homeowners' knowledge and adoption of IPM and safe pesticide handling practices. Outreach materials will include a Web-based IPM education tool as well as educational brochures and a PowerPoint presentation. The brochures and presentation will be distributed/implemented by Master Gardeners at various venues.
Multiregional Working Group on Sooty Blotch and Flyspeck of Apple in the United States
Project Director: Daniel R. Cooley New England Maple Syrup Pest Management Concerns Survey; PMSP for Brambles in New England
Project Director: James Dill a. New England Maple Syrup Pest Management Concerns Survey.
New Jersey Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (2008-2009)
Project Director: George C. Hamilton This proposal addresses the maintenance of a New Jersey Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (NJinPAS) as an integral component of a Mid-Atlantic Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (MAinPAS) for the North Eastern Integrated Pest Management Center (NEIPMC). The Mid-Atlantic Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies is a planned collaboration of the land-grant universities of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and New York to maximize regional resources and communication. The purpose of these networks is to promote informed regulatory decisions on registered pesticides used on pests of commodities grown in the mid-Atlantic. New York Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (2008-2009)
Project Director: Harvey Reissig The New York State Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies will serve as the State Network Project (SNP) designed to gather and disseminate information on pesticides and pest management. The SNP will be administered and staffed by the Pesticide Management Education Program (PMEP) at Cornell University. PMEP will seek to enhance the level of knowledge, awareness, and understanding of local, state, regional, and national pest management practices for stakeholders and others by enhancing our existing website so that information can be accessed directly from the Northeastern IPM Center and associated sites; our listservs will provide immediate and timely information to our membership from these sites. Northeast Community IPM Working Group (2008-2009)
Project Director: Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann This proposal details the plan of work for the NEIPM Center Community IPM Working Group. Members represent the broad range of stakeholders that are covered in the Community IPM area. They have been proactive in passing information from the Center to their own organizations and peers. This serves to engage stakeholders with the Northeastern IPM Center and among the diverse stakeholders in Community IPM. The Community Working Group addresses priorities covered in one of the primary focus areas in the National IPM Road Map: residential and public areas. "The greatest general population exposure to pests and the tactics used to control them occurs where people live, work and play."
Northeast School IPM Implementation Working Group (2008-2009)
Project Director: Lynn Braband Implementation of integrated pest management in schools is important to reduce risks to children and other school occupants from both pests and pesticides. The status and needs of school IPM will be described in the pending national School IPM Pest Management Strategic Plan which has the goal of implementing IPM in all of the nation's schools by 2015. We propose developing a diverse and representative working group that assists states in the Northeast in working towards that goal. We will cooperate with school IPM efforts throughout the United States, especially the pending national school IPM working group and existing/pending school IPM working groups sponsored by the other three regional IPM Centers. We will serve as a multiplier of K-12 IPM teaching and learning tools. The development of such curricula has been a major activity of several states in the Northeast. We will establish research, extension, education, and implementation priorities for school IPM in the Northeast and develop a focused project for 2009.
Northeast Vegetable IPM Working Group (2008-2009)
Project Director: Ruth Hazzard Pennsylvania State Network Project (2008-2009)
Project Director: Kerry H. Richards Planning a PMSP Workshop in Ornamentals
Project Director: Brian A. Kunkel The primary goal of the meeting is to examine the ornamental industry and choose a section to develop a pest management strategic plan. PMSP for Commercial Greenhouses in the Northeastern U.S.
Project Director: Elizabeth Lamb Commercial greenhouse production in the Northeast is a large, diverse and valuable industry with critical pest issues and the potential for increased use of IPM. Issues that affect commercial greenhouses include labeling of pesticides for a wide variety of crops, the need for rapid responses to new pests, management techniques that are appropriate to both wholesale and retail greenhouses, and the limited number of research and Extension personnel working on greenhouse pests. A Pest Management Strategic Plan (PMSP) is one way to effect change in pest management alternatives. Creating a regional PMSP for commercial greenhouses serves to focus research and outreach on those issues of most importance to growers.
Production of Disease-Free Onion Bare Root Transplant Seedlings
Project Director: Christine Hoepting The first recommendation in an Integrated Pest Management strategy for controlling the neck rot disease of onion, caused by Botrytis allii, is to start with clean seed and transplant seedlings. In New York, major outbreaks of Botrytis neck rot of up to 80% loss in some varieties have occurred in association with the increase in growing onions from imported bare root transplants from Arizona over the last 6-7 years, especially during the very wet growing seasons of 2000 and 2004. A study conducted by Hoepting et al. in 2005 and 2006 revealed that 78% of 56 imported bare root onion transplant seedling samples (variety by grower) had some level of B. allii infection prior to their being transplanted into the ground in New York. Infection per sample (variety by grower) ranged from 1 to 66% of the individual transplant seedlings. Comparatively, no B. allii was detected in plug transplants or in seedlings of similar age and size as transplant seedlings that were direct seeded in local onion fields. These results confirmed that bare root transplant seedlings produced in Arizona are not produced free of the neck rot pathogen and serve as an important source of inoculum for this potentially devastating disease.
PRONewEngland Pest Management Network (2008-2009)
Project Director: James Dill a. A six-state PRONewEngland Pest Management Network to represent New England practices and needs in federal pesticide regulatory decisions, and to manage Northeastern IPM Center grants in the New England states.
Publicizing Projects that Promote IPM and Reduce Asthma Triggers in Urban Populations in the Northeast
Project Director: Edwin Rajotte Urban populations include a large number of individuals at risk of chronic pest infestations as well as over and misuse of pesticides. At-risk populations include low-income children, pregnant women and the elderly as well as asthmatics of all ages. Besides potentially acute and chronic effects, both pests and pesticides can trigger asthma, which in urban areas is at epidemic proportions. Asthma, caused and/or exacerbated by pests and pesticides, is rampant in children living in substandard housing.
Quantifying the Exposure and Effect of Farmer-Applied Pesticides on Northeast Migratory Operations Pollinating Crops in PA, NJ, ME, and MA
Project Director: Dennis vanEngelsdorp In the fall of 2006, widespread losses of bees came to be associated with symptoms known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Colonies rapidly declined, leaving behind few or no adult bees in the hive along with ample food supplies and a large area of brood. In an attempt to investigate the cause of these die offs a multi-factorial analysis of possible causes was initiated (vanEngelsdorp, Pettis, Cox-Foster, Frazier, Tarpy, et al (unpublished)). The role of parasites, pathogens, pesticides and nutrition were investigated. To date no one factor has been isolated as the sole cause of collapse. One limitation of this study, however, was the fact that samples were collected from colonies only once, in essence taking a snap shot of the colony health on the date of collection.
Second Regional Workshop with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to Foster IPM as a Conservation Practice
Project Director: Ruth Hazzard Trapping for Brown Marmorated Stinkbug
Project Director: George C. Hamilton This project requests $10,000 to examine the use of mass trapping as a management tactic for the brown marmorated stink bug in an industrial park setting. The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), is an exotic stink bug that has spread throughout DE, MD, NJ, OR, PA, VA, Washington D.C., and portions of OR and CA and become a severe nuisance. It has also been found in MS, ME, NY and WV. Currently, there are no adequate pest management alternatives to prevent overwintering adults from entering commercial buildings resulting in illegal use of bug bombs and treatment of exterior walls and eaves with insecticides. Trial of a Novel, Pasture-Safe, Botanical Compound to Control Lyme Disease Vector Ticks
Project Director: Peter W. Rand We propose to conduct a pilot study to compare the effectiveness of two sprayed pesticides: one a relatively safe
Web-based Vegetable IPM Resource Database: Publicity and Upkeep
Project Director: Ruth Hazzard West Virginia Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (2008-2009)
Project Director: John F. Baniecki RFA: Regional IPM Competitive Grants - Northeastern - 2008Biological Control of Swallow-Worts in the Northeast - Part 1
Project Director: Richard A. Casagrande This is a research project. Two species of European swallow-worts, Vincetoxicum nigrum (black) and V. rossicum (pale) have invaded the USA and are spreading throughout the Northeast and beyond. Swallow-worts contain a haemolytic glycoside which is toxic to grazing animals. In addition to pastures, swallow-worts invade gardens, lawns, shrubs, hedgerows, forests, ornamental plant nurseries, Christmas tree farms, and pine plantations. The twining climbing plants smother plants, serve as alternate hosts for Cronartium rusts of pines, and induce monarch butterflies to lay eggs on these plants where larvae cannot survive.
Combining a Disease and Weather Monitoring Network with Measurements of Inoculum Potential for Disease Forecasting in Vineyard IPM for Southern New England
Project Director: Francis J. Ferrandino This is a Joint Research-Extension project focused on improving control of vineyard diseases while reducing pesticide inputs. This will be accomplished by providing growers via the internet with disease support information on the risk of infection of disease in real time. The system uses weather based disease-risk models. We will establish weather monitoring stations in research and commercial vineyards throughout southern New England. These stations will be connected through cellular modems to a central location. Initial inoculum levels will be directly assayed at test vineyards and the survival and maturation of the over-wintering stage pathogens will be evaluated. In addition, inoculum potential will be evaluated each week using potted trap plants and mechanical spore samplers to determine the concentration of airborne inoculum. Crop growth and disease severity will be assessed each week during the growing season. Trap plants will be sprayed with systemic fungicides to obtain information on the development of fungicide resistant strains in the endemic powdery mildew populations. All disease forecast and recommended management information obtained will be accessible to the growers via the internet. At the end of each season we will report our findings to the growers at an annual meeting. Development and Implementation of Diagnostic Tools to Assess Bee Colony Health
Project Director: John P. Burand This research project is aimed at improving bee health in the Northeast region and focuses on bees in cranberry and blueberry, two of the most economically important crops in the region. The proposed work addresses priorities developed by the NE-IPM fruit working group http://www.northeastipm.org/work_fruipriority.cfm including studies of "Effective monitoring strategies for key pests in which techniques currently do not exist," and a focus on the extension priorities "Education regarding monitoring techniques, etc." and "Education for growers to recognize new and/or emerging pests and associated damage." We plan to produce assay tools to identify and monitor current and emerging diseases/parasitic mite pests of bee pollinators. Honey bees and bumble bees are the major pollinators of cranberries and blueberries. Since the level of production of these two small fruits is linked to the pollination of bees, factors that affect the health of bees in the region will untimely impact the commerce of both of these small fruits. Development of Enhanced, Web-Based New York and New England: Tree Fruit Pest Management Guidelines
Project Director: Harvey Reissig Cornell's Pest Management Guidelines for Tree Fruit Production have traditionally been a primary information source for producers. Printed guidelines cannot deliver IPM information in "real time" during the season. Web-based IPM sites that have access to weather data can provide pest development forecasts so that pest populations can be sampled and monitored at appropriate times and insure that pesticide applications and other control tactics are properly timed. Websites can also help growers choose the most appropriate pesticide when necessary. Most of this information is currently available on various Cornell websites or in the printed guidelines, but it is scattered among different sources. This project will integrate all of this information into a single user-friendly website. Users will be able to access pest forecast models linked to weather conditions at particular sites that will predict when sampling and monitoring is necessary and provide information about different management tactics. When pesticides are recommended, the site will provide a link to a pesticide decision table which includes the following categories of information to help users choose the most appropriate material: Common name, trade name, rate, Re-entry interval, Pre-harvest interval, efficacy against various pests, bee toxicity, effects on natural enemies, cost/acre, general comments and use restrictions. Development of Novel Application Technology for the Control of the Asian Tiger Mosquito in Urban Environments
Project Director: George C. Hamilton This is a Community IPM, Joint Research-Extension project to address the control of the invasive vector mosquito Aedes albopictus (the Asian tiger mosquito) in urban residential environments. The Asian tiger mosquito is responsible for most complaints to mosquito control programs. These programs rely on controversial and ineffective area-wide applications of broad-spectrum adulticides to combat this mosquito. While larvicides work effectively, it is impractical if not impossible to identify and treat all sources by hand. Without any efficient means of control, many mosquito control programs ignore this pest. The area-wide application of larvicides would solve the problem, but the technology has not been developed sufficiently for use in urban residential environments. This project will develop novel technologies for the area-wide low volume application of the bacterial larvicide Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. israelensis to control Ae. albopictus. We will develop this new biocontrol strategy by adapting low-volume truck-mounted adulticide equipment commonly in use by mosquito control programs to apply liquid Bti in an outdoor urban residential setting. After application the larvicide will drift and settle in containers of water where the larvae reside, providing quick, efficient, cost effective control. This IPM approach will reduce the abundance of this pest, the dependence on broad-spectrum adulticides, non-target impacts, and the development of resistance through the use of novel application technology, host-targeted applications of biological larvicides, and training programs for stakeholders. Efficacy of the program will be evaluated by monitoring larval mortality, adult presence, droplet size and distribution, and pesticide persistence. We will also prepare workshops and materials to train mosquito control personnel throughout the northeast and beyond in the use of this technology. The proposed project addresses the priorities of the Northeastern Integrated Pest Management Center's Public Health IPM Working Group, which include evaluation of novel IPM methodologies for vector-borne diseases, and the dissemination of IPM guidelines and educational programs for the control of insect vectors and vector-borne diseases. Fungi, Predatory Mites, and Habitat Plants for Thrips IPM in Greenhouse Ornamentals
Project Director: Margaret Skinner This is a Research project testing a novel approach for IPM of western flower thrips (WFT) in spring bedding plants, combining predatory mites, granular entomopathogenic fungi and indicator plants into one effective "habitat plant system". Adult WFT will be attracted from the crop to flowering marigolds, where they will become established. A portion of the immature WFT will serve as prey for the predatory mite, Neoseiulus cucumeris, sustaining the mite population, and encouraging dispersal throughout the greenhouse. A portion of the WFT escaping predation will drop to the soil to pupate, where they will be targeted with fungi. The granular formulation will enable the fungus to colonize the potting mix, eliminating the need for repeat applications. This concept represents a sustainable, low-cost, ecological approach to combating the most serious pest facing greenhouse growers today. This project addresses all three RIPM program goals. It will contribute to safeguarding human health and the environment by reducing growers' use of chemical insecticides, thereby lessening exposure of applicators, growers, agricultural workers and the public to toxic compounds. This study tests an innovative IPM strategy that could offer economic benefits to growers by reducing WFT damage, increasing plant quality, and minimizing production costs by providing a sustained source of biological control agents within the crop. This could lead to wider adoption of IPM by growers, thousands of whom in the Northeast struggle annually with WFT control. Growers would surely adopt this IPM strategy if they knew it worked better and cost less than chemical control. Winter Grain and Short-Season Corn Double Crop Forage Systems: An Integrated Weed Management Strategy for Organic Dairy Producers
Project Director: John M. Jemison As a result of this multi-state research and extension project, organic dairy producers will adopt an environmentally sustainable winter grain, short-season corn double crop forage production system as an alternative to intensively cultivated full-season silage corn. Organic dairy production is a strong growth area of Northeast agriculture, but sustainability of this growth is largely dependent on production of high quality feed while minimizing weed pressure. Due to high feed costs, producers must maximize on-farm forage and grain production. Field trials will be conducted at two university experiment stations and two organic dairy farms. The weed management IPM program that is the product of this work is primarily designed for northeast organic dairy producers, but it is applicable to all dairy producers. This project meets many goals identified by NE IPM including working with underserved audiences, and the development of easily implemented IPM systems and non-chemical pest management strategies where few alternatives exist. Growers will understand and implement this production system through involvement in an effective extensive Extension outreach program. Organic producers will attend grower field day presentations, on-farm twilight meetings, and other educational meetings. Production system fact sheets and a web site will be developed for this project, and information will be incorporated into an eXtension organic communities of practice led by co-PI Heather Darby. Within two years of project completion, 40% of organic dairy growers that grow corn will use this system, improve weed management, and produce high quality forages which will lead to increased milk production and improved economic and environmental sustainability.
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2007 Program YearRFA: Green-Blue Grants - 2007Educating Capital District Consumers about Lawn Care and Water Quality
Project Director: David Chinery IPM and Water Quality Training for Home Gardeners
Project Director: George Kingston IPM in Suburbanizing Watersheds: Workshops for Changing Communities
Project Director: Brian A. Kunkel Outreach to Professional Lawn Care Providers in Southern Maine
Project Director: Richard Brzozowski Teaching Sustainable Lawn Care Practices to Professionals and Residents
Project Director: Jennifer Coffey Turf Love Workshops for Nursery Retailers and Landscapers
Project Director: Dianne Olsen UNH Train the Trainers: Landscaping at the Water's Edge Program
Project Director: Sadie Puglisi RFA: IPM Partnership Grants - 2007A Partnership for Developing IPM Protocols for Bed Bug Management
Project Director: Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, is a blood-feeding parasite of humans that has reemerged as one of the most significant indoor pests of our time. Although it is well understood that integrated pest management is necessary for bed bug control, effective protocols and standardized IPM practices are lacking, particularly for multiple-unit dwellings, including homeless shelters. The integration of pesticides with physical controls is unsystematic and often ineffective. Sufferers of bed bug infestations are regularly taking matters into their own hands, by applying pesticides and discarding furniture and other possessions. The economic and health risks associated with bed bugs are presumably great. Bed bugs have reversed the benefits achieved in Urban IPM over the past fifteen years, by reintroducing frequent, unrestricted, household pesticide use. A standardized bed bug management strategy that relies on IPM is desperately needed.
Colony Collapse Disorder Monitoring and Surveillance Sample Collection
Project Director: Dennis vanEngelsdorp In Fall 2006, beekeepers reported extensive losses of colonies across the nation, without recognizable underlying
Community IPM Working Group (2007-2008)
Project Director: Lynn Braband This proposal details the plan of work for the NEIPM Center Community IPM Working Group. Members represent the broad range of stakeholders that are covered in the Community IPM area. They have been proactive in passing information from the Center to their own organizations and peers. This serves to engage stakeholders with the Northeastern IPM Center and among the diverse stakeholders in Community IPM. The Community Working Group addresses priorities covered in one of the primary focus areas in the National IPM Road Map: residential and public areas. "The greatest general population exposure to pests and the tactics used to control them occurs where people live, work and play."
Delaware Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (2007-2008)
Project Director: Susan King Developing a Fungicide Resistance Management Guide for Vegetable Growers in the Mid-Atlantic Region
Project Director: Christian A. Wyenandt Because of the vast number of fungicides available and the potential difficulty in understanding FRAC groups and their importance, vegetable producers need a simplified reference tool for the management of fungicide resistance in their farm operation. In the mid-Atlantic region, five states (NJ, MD, DE, PA and VA) share the use of a common commercial vegetable productions guide which is developed by university personnel from multiply disciplines on an annual basis. Each year over 3,500 copies of the production guide are distributed to growers who plant 221,000 acres of vegetable crops throughout the region on an annual basis. Although the recommendations guide includes FRAC groupings, a simplified version is necessary to help vegetable growers understand FRAC groupings and their importance in fungicide resistance management. Development of a Pest Identification and IPM Manual for Christmas Tree Growers and Conifer Producers in New York and New England
Project Director: Elizabeth Lamb There are over 3,500 Christmas tree growers in the six New England States plus New York State, according to the 2002 Census of Agriculture. Conifer producers in the Northeast can face serious pest management issues but limited information is currently available to producers regarding long-term management strategies for pest control. Producers have expressed a need for a pest management manual for conifers that is up to date, is specific to production sites in the Northeast, and includes user-friendly descriptions of species, damage caused, and cultural and chemical management strategies for key weeds, insects, and pathogens.
Dissemination and Vectoring of the Fire Blight Pathogen (Erwinia amylovora) by Potato Leafhopper (Empoasca fabae)
Project Director: Kathleen Leahy Fire blight is a serious disease of apple trees caused by a bacteria, Erwinia amylovora. This disease can not only destroy the current year's crop, but can destroy the tree altogether, especially in young plantings. Warmer conditions during the susceptible period in late spring and early summer, and the conversion of many orchards to new, more fire blight-susceptible varieties, have made this disease of even more concern in the Northeast in recent year. Most research on fire blight epidemiology has focused on its transmission during the spring, from bud break until after bloom. However, transmission is also possible during the summer, and insects have long been suspected of contributing to the movement and introduction of bacteria into the growing shoots during the summer.
Fostering IPM as a Resource Conservation Practice in Collaboration with the Natural Resources Conservation Service
Project Director: Ruth Hazzard Note: This project continues work from previously funded projects
Guardian Plant Systems for Greenhouse IPM (Year 1)
Project Director: Carol S. Glenister An innovative pest management system using eggplants as crop guardians has evolved over the last decade in Holland and Canada in peppers, tomatoes, fuchsias, and poinsettias. For whitefly control, the eggplants pull whitefly out of the crops, the growers apply natural enemies directly to the eggplants, and in some crops, the eggplants supply reproduction sites for the natural enemies. The eggplants have also assisted in determining if pesticide action thresholds have been reached by offering the grower an efficient snapshot of the natural enemy impact on pest populations within the greenhouse. Thus, the eggplants have been serving as indicator, trap and banker plants in a technique that we refer to as Guardian Plant Systems (GPS). These GPS have substantially enhanced grower confidence in biological control, reduced monitoring time, and reduced the purchases of natural enemies, thereby reducing the cost of biological control and IPM.
Holding a Working Group Meeting for Setting Objectives for Wireworm IPM in the Mid-Atlantic States
Project Director: George C. Hamilton Wireworms are difficult pests to manage because: 1) they are capable of feeding on a wide range of host crops; 2) often there is more than one species or variant in the same field; 3) they are soil insects with the inherent problems of estimating populations, observing behavior and feeding habits; 4) they have a poorly understood biology (larvae and adults) including conditions that provoke severe crop loss; 5) the Melanotus communis species is actually a species complex with incomplete taxonomy that may reflect different behaviors; 6) all wireworms tend to be lumped together regarding their damage and control; and 7) they have multi-year life cycles.
Identification Guide to Crane Fly (Insecta: Diptera: Tipulidae) Pests of Turfgrass in the Eastern U.S.
Project Director: Jon Gelhaus An ease of use identification guide is needed at this time by extension agents, turf grass care specialists and homeowners to separate the species of crane flies likely to be found associated with turf grasses, and focusing on the species implicated in causing turf grass damage. IPM Education and Outreach in a Latino Urban Community
Project Director: Anne Rahn The Preschool Project (The PSP) is a non-profit organization that began in 1988 as a grassroots effort of neighborhood parents and preschool teachers concerned with the lack of services and supports for families with young children in the Kensington area of Philadelphia. Today, the PSP offers training, education and technical assistance for early care and education professionals working with young children; and direct service programs for children and families. The PSP staff includes 30 full-time and 6 part-time personnel. Forty percent of staff members are Latino.
IPM Tactics Survey for Christmas Tree; Peppers PMSP for New England
Project Director: James Dill IPM Tactics Survey for Ornamentals; Ongoing Crop Profile Updates; Green Pepper Pest Management Strategic Plan (PMSP) for Delaware, Eastern Shore Maryland, and New Jersey
Project Director: Susan King Lily Host Resistance to Lily Leaf Beetle, Lilioceris lilii
Project Director: Ellie Groden The lily leaf beetle (LLB), Lilioceris lilii Scapoli, is a serious pest of native and exotic lilies in much of New England and has been attributed to economic losses for commercial horticulturists. Garden lilies (Lilium spp. and hybrids) are a popular and unique addition to gardeners' summer and early fall perennial gardens. They also constitute an important commercial commodity for bulb growers, vendors, garden centers, landscapers and landscape gardeners. However, the invasive lily leaf beetle threatens the use of garden lilies in our region. Evidence suggests that the damage caused by this beetle has resulted in many gardeners eliminating lilies from their garden choices.
Maryland Information Network for Pesticides & Alternative Strategies (2007-2008)
Project Director: Amy E. Brown The Maryland Pesticide Education and Assessment Program (MPEAP) serves as the primary source for information on pesticide policy at the state and federal levels, as well as on use, usage, economic and social benefits, and economic, environmental, and health risks. MPEAP maintains long-established connections throughout Extension, as well as with state, local, and federal authorities, growers, consultants, and other stakeholders. The Maryland Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (MINPAS) is based within MPEAP and has an especially close tie with the Maryland Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program. Since 2002, MINPAS has functioned as the SNP, serving as the link between the Northeastern IPM Center, the land grant institution at large, Extension and state government programs on pesticides and on IPM, other key agencies such as the Maryland Farm Bureau, and the grower community.
New England Pest Management Network (2007-2008)
Project Director: James Dill New Jersey Information Network for Pesticides & Alternative Strategies (2007-2008)
Project Director: George C. Hamilton The NJinPAS will:
New York Information Network for Pesticides & Alternative Strategies (2007-2008)
Project Director: Harvey Reissig The New York State Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies will serve as the State Network Project (SNP) designed to gather and disseminate information on pesticides and pest management. The SNP will be administered and staffed by the Pesticide Management Education Program (PMEP) at Cornell University. PMEP will seek to enhance the level of knowledge, awareness, and understanding of local, state, regional, and national pest management practices for stakeholders and others by enhancing our existing website so that information can be accessed directly from the Northeastern IPM Center and associated sites; our electronic lists will provide immediate and timely information to our membership from these sites. Pennsylvania State Network Project (2007-2008)
Project Director: Kerry H. Richards This proposal outlines how the Pennsylvania State Network Project (PA-SNP) through the Pennsylvania Pest Management Information Center (PMIC) can use currently established networks with the Pennsylvania division of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (PA-NASS), the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), University extension specialists, and commodity groups to serve the required functions by continuing to meet, but not limited to, the following objectives: Production of IPM in and around the Home: Northeast Guidelines
Project Director: Jennifer Grant Three-fourths of the households in the Northeast region use pesticides to deal with pests in their homes, lawns, and gardens. According to the EPA (2004), 90 million pounds of conventional pesticide active ingredients were applied to homes and gardens in the United States in 2001-2002. In New York alone, thousands of products are registered for residential use: 747 for the home garden, 1,335 for household use, 1,123 for turf and ornamentals, and 311 for structural pests (PMEP 2006). A recent survey of urban apartment dwellers by the New York State Attorney General's Office found that, statewide, 69% of respondents applied pesticides in their own homes and 33% did so at least once a week (Surgan et al. 2002). It is likely that other Northeastern states show similar rates of use.
Raspberry Crop Profile for New England
Project Director: Sonia G. Schloemann This proposal seeks funding by the Northeast Integrated Pest Management Center under the IPM Partnership Grant program; section B (Tactics Surveys, Crop Profiles, and Pest Management Strategic Plans), for the development of a raspberry crop profile for New England (6 states inclusive). It is a continuation of a previous proposal submitted by the New England Pest Management Network (NEPMNet) and funded in the last funding cycle, which included the design and implementation of a pest management tactics survey for raspberries in the New England states. Data collected from the survey will be used to form the basis of the crop profile to be formulated under this proposal. No crop profile for raspberries currently exists for any New England state, except for New Hampshire; a profile published in 1999 and which is now largely out-of-date. Additional impetus for development of the crop profile and eventual Pest Management Strategic Plan for New England raspberries comes from the fact that raspberries are among the crops commonly consumed by children. In fact, since a high percentage of the crop is sold on a PYO basis, many children are also exposed to the fields in which the raspberries are grown, increasing the risk of exposure to pesticides. The crop profile proposed here will be developed in close collaboration with state liaisons and growers in each of the 6 New England states. It will be developed using the NEPMNet crop profile template, which insures compliance with USDA Crop Profile requirements. Red Tomato Working Group: Communicating IPM Benefits to Consumers
Project Director: Michael Rozyne Apple growers in the Northeast are hungry for ways to differentiate their products and improve their market share and financial return. Their survival depends on it. The combination of consumer interest in health and safety, a demand for local Northeast apples, and a lack of commercial organic apple production in the Northeast creates the foundation for developing a differentiated product that will obtain a price premium and capture consumer loyalty. The key to rewarding growers for their innovative and often risky adoption of advanced IPM practices lies in building demand in the marketplace for advanced IPM farm products. Building demand requires the education of (i) trade buyers (the gatekeepers to the supermarket and food service industries), (ii) store-level department managers (the service providers who interact with shoppers), and (iii) consumers, the ultimate spark and source of demand. In this project, Red Tomato will develop educational/promotional vehicles for its Eco-Apple program, targeted primarily at the buying public. Season-long Use of Horticultural Oil on Vinifera Grapevines
Project Director: Alice Wise We aim to establish the feasibility of oil for season long powdery mildew control. This is of great interest to growers interested in organic techniques. We will further address the issue of fruit quality in a related project. It is absolutely essential to have a healthy preharvest canopy to maximize fruit ripeness, the holy grail of winegrape growers. We will be able to determine the impact of repeated oil application on cuticle development, if control of late season PM is enough to keep DM in check, and if loss of PM control is related to rate of oil. This work will lay the foundation for future work to fully understand strategies for the use of horticultural oil in winegrape vineyards.
Surveying and Identifying Thrips Species in Vegetable Crops Throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region
Project Director: Gerald Brust This proposal will identify the temporal and spatial occurrence and damage potential of important thrips species found in vegetable crops in the mid-Atlantic region. Vegetable IPM Working Group (2007-2008)
Project Director: Ruth Hazzard The mission of the Northeast Vegetable IPM Working Group is to foster the development and use of IPM as a means to achieve ecological and economic sustainability of vegetable farms in the Northeast.
Web-based Vegetable IPM Resource Database and Northeast Vegetable and Strawberry Pest Identification Supplement
Project Director: Ruth Hazzard West Virginia Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (2007-2008)
Project Director: John F. Baniecki Stakeholders in agriculture need to be kept abreast of current trends in pest management. It is important for their livelihood. Pest management strategies are in need of changing due to restrictions and replacement of long term used chemical pesticides. Stakeholders may also need to express comments dealing with maintenance of pesticides important for managing certain pests. Alternative methods are moving to the forefront. In West Virginia, crops requiring pest management are apples, peaches, small fruit, tomatoes, potatoes, sweet corn, and alfalfa and field corn used for feeding livestock. For instance, new chemistries with activity against the current insect problems on fruit tree are desperately needed. Disease resistance has developed with mainstay fungicides used on fruit (i.e., fire blight resistance is a continual threat). Currently, there are no effective alternatives and no alternatives to build a resistance management strategy.
RFA: Regional IPM Competitive Grants - Northeastern - 2007An Integrated Approach for Enhanced Soil Fertility, Improved Plant Health and Suppression of Plant Diseases and Pests
Project Director: Stellos Tavantzis The overall goal of this project is to improve crop production through the integration of sustainable practices promoting soil regeneration, reduction of disease pressure, and enhancement of plant growth. The specific objectives of the proposed work are (1) to improve crop production through a combination of sustainable practices promoting soil regeneration, reduction of disease pressure, and enhancement of plant growth, (2) to better understand the ecological processes occurring as a result of these sustainable practices, to allow their further development, and (3) to evaluate the efficacy, sustainability, and economics of these systems. To accomplish these objectives, the following soil amendments will be used alone or as combinations: A) Organic matter in the form of mature conifer compost which would be a) capable of supporting ample microbial biomass, and b) rich in phenolics to suppress virulence of Rhizoctonia solani; B) Biocontrol agents, such as Bacillus subtilis, and Trichoderma spp., that suppress Rhizoctonia and other soilborne diseases; C) A hypovirulent strain of R. solani, which provides biocontrol against Rhizoctonia disease, and enhances plant growth, and; D) Biofumigation brought about by a Brassica cover crop. Effects on soil chemical, physical, and biological properties, soil microbial communities, plant diseases and insect pests, and crop yield and quality will be monitored and evaluated on a potato crop through two consecutive field seasons. A cost/benefit analysis will be conducted to determine the relative economic feasibility of the sustainable treatments included in this study. The proposed work will be conducted on an organic potato farm, owned by Jim and Megan Gerritsen, and on the University of Maine Aroostook Research Farm, to determine the ecological impacts of the above practices on an organic and a conventional agro-ecosystem, respectively. The work proposed here was formulated on the basis of priorities set by stakeholders in Maine, other Northeastern States, and the General IPM Priorities for the Northeast (http://northeastipm.org/priority/2005/generalpriorities.htm). Developing a Decision Framework that Optimizes Cover Crop Integration for Weed Suppression in Northeast Cropping Systems
Project Director: William Curran Cover crops can contribute to weed management and help eliminate herbicide use. No-till is important for a number of reasons, but reduced herbicide use is not generally part of the program. Cover crops and no-till may allow both reduced herbicide inputs and effective weed suppression. This project will examine ways to incorporate cover crops most effectively into no-till systems that rely less on herbicides for weed control. We will examine options for increasing the impact that cover crops can have on weed suppression and its effect on crop yield. Development and Implementation of Novel Trapping Systems for Monitoring Cranberry Fruitworm and Cranberry Weevil Populations
Project Director: Cesar Rodriguez-Saona The proposed research will investigate the role of host-plant volatiles as attractants for the cranberry weevil (CBW) and cranberry fruitworm (CBFW), two major pests in cranberries and blueberries in the Northeast US; with the goal to develop traps that can be integrated into a reduced-risk pest management plan. Most current control methods for CBW and CBFW involve applications of broad-spectrum organophosphates and carbamates. Since more rigorous restrictions for the use of broadspectrum insecticides were implemented in cranberries and blueberries, the need for effective methods to detect, attract, and monitor these two insect pests has attained great importance. New selective, reduced-risk insecticides will require a more precise method for monitoring these pests to better assess application timing. Monitoring adult CBFW populations has relied on the use of pheromones to attract adult males. These pheromone traps, however, have failed to predict fruit damage in cranberry and blueberry fields. A trapping system for monitoring female fruitworm populations is desperately needed. No pheromones have been identified for CBW. We will investigate the behavioral and antennal electrophysiological responses of CBW and CBFW to host-plant volatiles to identify attractants for the development of new traps. After laboratory evaluations, we will conduct on-farm demonstrations to: a) identify "optimal" host-plant volatile blends to attract CBW and CBFW and b) implement traps baited with these blends into reduced risk IPM programs, and deliver an educational program on the appropriate use of the new technologies in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Michigan (states involved in this proposal).
Immune Status of Lambs, Born of Protein-Supplemented Periparturient Ewes and Creep-Grazed in Spring, Against Haemonchus contortus
Project Director: William Bryan Lamb production from pasture has great potential for expansion in the US Northeast. Combined with increased consumer appreciation for grass-fed animal products is an emerging demand for lamb by a rapidly increasing ethnic population. Since most sheep producers make frequent use of anthelmintics, resistant populations of gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes are now common. Although most conventional sheep producers believe that gastrointestinal parasites cannot be controlled with grazing management alone, preliminary studies with the sheep flock on the WVU Organic Research Farm gave favorable results. Following 5 years of observations we now propose to test protein supplementation of periparturient ewes, forage allowance and creep grazing of lambs as management regimes for the control of Haemonchus contortus (the most prevalent and lethal of the internal parasites for sheep) in lambs. In 2005 we compared 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-days of occupancy as part of pasture management to control Haemonchus contortus. In 2006 we supplemented periparturient ewes (2 wk before and 1 wk after lambing) with a high (18%) or low (12%) protein diet (fed at the rate of 270 g per head per d on a DM basis), introduced a creep gate and increased forage allowance (>2x the daily forage DM intake per animal). In spite of the fecal egg count being relatively high (>1000 egg/g), creep-grazed lambs showed no symptoms of nematode parasitism. Furthermore, the packed cell volume was within range for a normal lamb (30 - 33%), and daily gain was >150 g/d at weaning. The FAMACHA scores were between 2 and 3, with >50% of the lambs scoring a 2 or better indicating that the lambs were resilient to H. contortus parasitism (if score is greater than 3, dosing is recommended for lambs). Further testing of forage allowances and creep grazing of lambs born of protein-supplemented ewes in a replicated trial is essential to allow us to provide recommendations on the effectiveness of using grazing management alone to control Haemonchus contortus. Therefore we propose to randomly assign 64 ewes and their approximately 96 lambs to four replicates each of four treatments, two forage allowances (2.5x or 1.5x the daily forage DM intake) with creep or no creep in a replicated study. Animals will occupy a paddock for 7 days and each paddock will be rested for 28 days. This grazing management will assure that the pasture will have infective stage larvae. All animals will be weighed, sampled for feces and blood, and scored for body condition (ewes only) and anemic status, at start of experiment (early April), at weaning (late June), in August and late in October. Treatments will be compared using body weight changes, fecal egg counts, packed cell volume, body condition score (ewes) and FAMACHA scores. Forage allowances will be controlled by adjusting paddock area weekly. The experiment will be repeated a second year to evaluate year-to-year consistency of results. This field experiment, combined with experiments already conducted, will result in grazing management recommendations for both conventional and organic sheep producers in the US Northeast. We expect to provide a solution to deal with Haemonchus contortus parasitism using non chemical means.
Integrated Management and Resistance Management of Annual Bluegrass Weevil on Golf Course Turf
Project Director: Richard S. Cowles This multi-state research and extension project will evaluate biological and selective chemical alternatives to pyrethroids for managing annual bluegrass weevil (ABW) in low-cut golf course turf, and will improve the basic biological and ecological understanding of ABW relevant to its management. Over the past ten years golf course superintendents have become dependent on pyrethroids for managing ABW and other insect pests. Recent laboratory tests and field observations demonstrate that populations of annual bluegrass weevil are developing resistance to pyrethroid insecticides -- resulting in control failures and severe injury to turf. We will determine the geographical extent of pyrethroid-resistant ABW populations throughout the northeast. Failure of pyrethroids due to insecticide resistance is anticipated to motivate superintendents to accept selective pesticides or biologicals for managing ABW populations, thereby opening the door to managers' acceptance of other IPM practices. Promising candidates for control of ABW that we will test include natural product insecticides and insect pathogenic nematodes. A transition away from broad-spectrum insecticides should reduce the risk to workers, golfers, and the environment, and permit greater activity of beneficial generalist predators and insect pathogens, improving ecological stability.
IPM to Control Vector Ticks on Public Lands
Project Director: George C. Hamilton This is a Joint Research-Extension project to address control of the medically important vector ticks Ixodes scapularis (the blacklegged tick) and Amblyomma americanum (the lone star tick) at a high-use County-owned facility. After a detailed ecological assessment of tick populations and human risk, we will develop a flexible Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to the control of ticks that minimizes the use of area-wide chemical applications through the use of habitat management, host-targeted chemical applications, judicious use of acaricides in only high human risk areas, and education programs for facility employees. Efficacy of the approach will be assessed by monitoring abundance of questing ticks in treated and control areas, as well as the rate of human-tick encounters, over the three years of the study. We will also prepare training workshops and materials on the assessment and management of vector ticks for managers of public lands. Development of an IPM approach to tick control will include the creation of an Integrated Tick Management (ITM) Demonstration Project at the Monmouth County Reclamation Center (MCRC) in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. The proposed Demonstration Area will use multiple control techniques and will be able to accommodate the addition of new techniques for non-chemical or low-chemical tick control as they arise. Once the Demonstration Area is established it can be utilized as a training tool for the current technologies as well as a research area for inventing/integrating new techniques in the future. The proposed project addresses the Public Health Integrated Pest Management Priorities of the Northeastern Integrated Pest Management Center's Public Health IPM Working Group, which include evaluation of novel IPM methodologies for vector-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease, the most common vector-borne disease in the United States, and the dissemination of IPM guidelines and educational programs for control of ticks and management of vector-borne diseases. Predicting Inoculum Availability for Peach Scab: Development and Validation of a Forecasting Model
Project Director: Norman Lalancette This research project investigates the quantitative epidemiology of peach scab, caused by the plant pathogenic fungus Fusicladosporium carpophilum. Eastern states produce 62% of the total U.S. fresh production of peaches with an annual value of $179 million. Crop profiles for most peach growing states in this region, including NJ, PA, WV, and New England, list scab as a disease of major importance. Since resistant cultivars are not available and cultural controls alone are inadequate, scab is primarily managed by application of consecutive fungicide sprays on a calendar basis. This approach results in unnecessary fungicide applications when environmental conditions are unfavorable and loss of disease control when conditions are highly favorable. The New Jersey Pest Management Strategic Plan states "a better understanding of the epidemiology should allow more effective and efficient use of newer fungicides". The major goal of the proposed project is to develop a forecasting model for predicting inoculum availability for infection. Specifically, sporulation of overwintering twig lesions, the major source of inoculum, will be quantitatively described as a function of temperature. A forecasting model algorithm will be created from this temperature relationship and previously published results. Predictions of this model will be field validated over two seasons. Implementation of the model will allow optimized fungicide application timing, thereby simultaneously reducing the potential for fungicide overuse and the likelihood of yield loss. Improvements in fungicide application efficiency will decrease amount of fungicide in the environment, enhance grower profitability, reduce applicator and field crew pesticide exposure, and decrease risk of pesticide residues on harvested fruit.
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2006 Program YearRFA: IPM Partnership Grants - 2006Community IPM Working Group (2006-2007)
Project Director: Lynn Braband This proposal details the plan of work for the NEIPM Center Community IPM Working Group. Members represent the broad range of stakeholders that are covered in the Community IPM area. They have been proactive in passing information from the Center to their own organizations and peers. This serves to engage stakeholders with the Northeastern IPM Center and among the diverse stakeholders in Community IPM. The Community Working Group addresses priorities covered in one of the primary focus areas in the National IPM Road Map: residential and public areas. "The greatest general population exposure to pests and the tactics used to control them occurs where people live, work and play."
Cover Cropping Strategies for Management of Hairy Galinsoga and Corn Chamomile
Project Director: Daniel Brainard Both hairy galinsoga (Galinsoga ciliata) and corn chamomile (Anthemis arvensis) have been identified as particularly problematic species for vegetable growers, reducing yield and quality in a variety of crops. Crop rotation strategies involving use of short-duration cover crops may be helpful in managing these pests while reducing dependence on herbicides and building soil health. Successful management of these species would also benefit from improved understanding of their biology and ecology.
Delaware Crop Profile Revisions; Multistate PMSP (DE, MD, NJ, NC, VA): Watermelon
Project Director: Susan King Delaware Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (2006-2007)
Project Director: Susan King The goal of this project is to promote informed regulatory decisions on registered pesticides. Major activities of this project are: serving as an information source for federal and state partners and as a liaison among the NE IPM Center, the University of Delaware, and other Key agencies in Delaware; and providing information networking for Delaware stakeholders. Development and Dissemination of an Integrated Management Plan for Bacterial Canker of Tomato
Project Director: Christian A. Wyenandt This project was undertaken to address the growing occurrence and severity of bacterial canker of tomatoes in New Jersey. Nine commercial growers in Hunterdon, Morris and Warren in northern New Jersey counties were asked to participate in this study based on their involvement in the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program and their history of bacterial canker on tomato. Participants were provided information regarding practices that would help prevent the development and spread of bacterial canker. Additionally, participants were strongly advised to heat treat all tomato seeds prior to sowing to eliminate bacterial pathogens that might be present. Heat treatment of seed was a new practice for NJ growers. Heat treatment facilities were provided by the RCE IPM Program and one of the project participants.
Development of Northeast Regional Interactive Tree Fruit IPM Guidelines
Project Director: Harvey Reissig In 2005, a decision was made to cease production of the New England Apple Pest Management Guide due to constraints in staff and financial resources at the land-grant universities in the New England states. At that point, tree fruit producers and consultants in New England did not have a pest management guide specific to their region. In many cases, growers and consultants were using the Cornell Tree Fruit Guidelines as a substitute; a guideline tailored to New York growing conditions.
Maryland Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (2006-2007)
Project Director: Amy E. Brown We propose a State Network Project to enhance the function, activities, and processes of the Northeastern IPM Center. The Maryland Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (MINPAS) will provide a structure to gather and transmit information on issues relevant to both current and transitional pest management strategies, including pesticides. MINPAS has been previously funded by USDA.
New England IPM Tactic Survey: Raspberry; New England Crop Profile: Pepper; New England PMSP: Strawberry
Project Director: James Dill New England Pest Management Network (2006-2007)
Project Director: James Dill The New England Pest Management Network serves as the operational arm of the Northeastern Integrated Pest Management Center for team-building, communication, stakeholder participation, and information services to promote integrated pest management in the New England states.
New Jersey Information Network for Pesticides and Alternatives Strategies (2006-2007)
Project Director: George C. Hamilton New Jersey IPM Tactic Surveys and Crop Profiles: Arugula, Basil, Brussels Sprouts, Leaf Lettuce, Leeks, Parsley, Radishes; PMSPs: Brussels Sprouts, Leeks, Parsley
Project Director: George C. Hamilton New Jersey currently produces over 70 vegetables. Many of these crops are grown by numerous growers in fields that are typically less than one acre is size. As a result, statewide acreage for crops such as arugula (baby and other), basil, Brussels sprouts, leaf lettuces, leeks, parsley, and radishes tend to be less than 1,000 acres each year. This small acreage; however, masks the importance of these crops. Growing ethnic populations and resultant markets in Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, Washington DC and New Jersey have made these small acreage
Northeast Vegetable and Strawberry Pest Identification Guide
Project Director: Ruth Hazzard The Pest Identification Supplement will be a field IPM tool that will enable growers to identify pests more accurately and make appropriate and timely decisions on pest management. The process of creating and using such a guide will also enhance communication among vegetable specialists in the region. Online Garden and Pest FAQ
Project Director: Mary Kay Malinoski The overall objective of this online FAQ is to provide clients the ability to access a growing database of over 12,400 specific questions (many with photographs) along with detailed answers to those questions. This will enable HGIC to provide yet another way for clients to receive answers to their questions. It has been our experience that many questions are repeatedly submitted by clients. Having a searchable FAQ would in many cases, save the client from having to submit a question and have to wait a day or so to receive an answer. They would be able to search this ever-growing database for their specific problem and have an immediate answer. All of the answers in the database contain IPM solutions to the questions. Answers have all been screened by Regional Specialists at the Home and Garden Center for accuracy. Clients would also be able to just browse general categories if they desire. Personal information such as email addresses will not be available to the public. Optimization of a Fixed Spraying System for Commercial High-Density Apple Plantings
Project Director: Arthur Agnello The application of pesticides to fruit throughout the Northeastern US, as in the rest of the world, gives rise to concern, primarily due to inaccurate application, which often results in high residues and environmental pollution. Inaccuracy, due to over/under application, may result in high levels of disease or insect activity. Air and water pollution is a major concern due to pesticide drift. There is also a growing concern for food safety and accountability among consumers who purchase fruit. Pennsylvania State Network Project (2006-2007)
Project Director: Kerry H. Richards Red Tomato Working Group: Educating Wholesale Trade Buyers to Promote IPM (2006-2007)
Project Director: Michael Rozyne The key to rewarding growers for their innovative and often risky adoption of advanced IPM practices lies in building demand in the marketplace for advanced IPM farm products. Building demand requires the education of (i) trade buyers (the gatekeepers to the supermarket and food service industries), (ii) store-level department managers (the service providers who interact with shoppers), and (iii) consumers, the ultimate spark and source of demand.
Vegetable Educator Exchange Grant Program and IPM Resources for NRCS
Project Director: Ruth Hazzard Vegetable IPM Working Group (2006-2007)
Project Director: Ruth Hazzard The Northeast Vegetable IPM Working Group (Vegetable IWG) was established in 2002 under the umbrella of the Northeast Pest Management Center. The group represents diverse types of vegetable farmers, as well as consultants, University, state agency, and other agricultural professionals from the Northeast Region. Several Vegetable Working Group projects have been funded by the Northeast IPM Center, including a vegetable IPM resource database, a regional Sweet Corn Pest Management Strategic Plan, and a project which is building stronger collaboration with Natural Resource Conservation Service personnel and programs to increase the use of IPM on vegetable farms. The Northeast Vegetable IPM Working Group proposes to continue working to increase the use of IPM practices among vegetable growers, with the associated environmental, health and economic benefits in support of sustaining a thriving and diverse vegetable industry throughout the Northeast. We seek to provide practical and accessible tools that farmers will use to help them implement IPM, and to do that by building new partnerships and strengthening existing ones. This proposal seeks funds to hold an annual meeting in 2006, and to coordinate projects that have been initiated by the working group.
West Virginia Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (2006-2007)
Project Director: John F. Baniecki The purpose of the Mid-Atlantic Information Network for Pesticides and Alternatives Strategies is to promote informed regulatory decisions on registered pesticides used on commodities grown in states of the Mid-Atlantic region. Emphasis will be placed on decisions related to the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). To meet this goal, the West Virginia Information Network for Pesticides and Alternatives Strategies program, as a member of the Mid-Atlantic region, will (1) deliver pesticide regulatory information to Extension educators, growers, crop consultants, and pesticide users in the state; (2) gather pest management data from university researchers, Extension educators, growers, crop consultants, and pesticide users; (3) analyze these data to determine the impacts of changes in pesticide regulations on agricultural productivity in West Virginia; (4) collect environmental and economic impact data to supplement crop profile information, essential to assist the policy makers in making informed decisions; (5) increase the awareness and usage of newly registered pesticides as pest management tools for agricultural producers; (6) solicit information from other states in the Mid-Atlantic region on shared commodities; and (7) share information with other states in the Mid-Atlantic region, the Northeast Pest Management Center, U.S. EPA, and USDA. Mechanisms for establishing these connections include fact sheets, newsletters, meetings, conferences, web sites, electronic mail, and other forms of communications, as appropriate.
RFA: Regional IPM Competitive Grants - Northeastern - 2006A Grower Decision Tool for Optimized Disease Management in Snap and Dry Beans
Project Director: Helene R. Dillard White and gray molds are the primary fungal diseases on snap and dry beans in NY and PA that trigger the use of fungicides. Both fungi are aggressive and have a very wide host range that makes rotation from non-hosts difficult. Producers are in need of a decision tool that provides guidance on the strategic and prudent use of materials for pod mold control. The proposed research does not develop a forecasting tool, but develops user-friendly decision trees for action based on weather conditions and pathogen behavior. The decision tool will effectively remove the guesswork from disease management practices. Design and Delivery of IPM Outreach Programs to Low-Income Urban Neighborhoods
Project Director: Edwin Rajotte Inner-city urban residents face cumulative health risks from multiple sources of environmental pollutants and toxins both indoors and out. Particularly in low-income urban communities, exposure to pests and pesticides are a ubiquitous, pernicious health threat inside homes. The most vulnerable populations include infants and children, pregnant women and the elderly. This project assesses inner-city residents' knowledge and behavior concerning pests and pest management. In addition, it will develop new and improved outreach materials and deliver educational programming about pests and pesticide misuse. Identification of Host-plant Attractants for Cranberry Weevil and Cranberry Fruitworm
Project Director: Cesar Rodriguez-Saona The two insect pests in this study, the cranberry fruitworm (CBFW) and cranberry weevil (CBW) can cause major economic losses in the northeast US. Both insects feed on the plant's reproductive organs (flower buds, flowers, and fruit), which makes them major direct pests in blueberries and cranberries in the growing areas where they occur; thus, even few individuals may cause a substantial loss to growers. Current limitations on adequate monitoring techniques limit the management of CBFW and CBW populations. This study, if successful, will develop cost-effective and reliable monitoring techniques for CBFW and CBW based on host-plant attractants, which can be implemented into IPM programs in cranberries and blueberries across the northeast and other US regions. The proposed research will investigate the role of volatiles from flower buds, flowers, and fruit as attractants for the CBW and cranberry CBFW. Host-plant volatiles may find application in the development of traps to monitor CBW and CBFW populations. In the past, pheromone traps used for monitoring adults of the CBFW have failed to predict fruit damage, and no traps are available to monitor CBW populations. New monitoring tools will prevent unnecessary insecticide applications, reduce management costs, and decrease the development of resistant populations. This proposal will investigate the host-plant volatile emissions and the behavioral and antennal electrophysiological responses of CBW and CBFW to these volatiles.
Implementation of the IPM and Environmental Education Curriculum
Project Director: Donna Ellis The implementation of the IPM and Environmental Education Curriculum into Connecticut schools will result in a more environmentally-aware citizenry who will be better prepared to make knowledgeable decisions to protect the environment. In addition, the public will be more appreciative of the efforts made by farmers to protect the environment. Considerable interest has developed for the use of the Connecticut IPM curriculum as the basis for developing IPM curricula for other Northeastern Region states. It is anticipated that similar results will be realized throughout the nation. IPM of Pest Ants in the Urban/Suburban Landscape
Project Director: Ellie Groden Ants in the exterior urban/suburban landscape can cause considerable problems associated with: a) nuisance and health problems of stinging species, 2) exacerbation of plant pests by homopteran-tending species, and 3) contributions to interior nuisance and structural problems from outside nesting invaders. Problems associated with ants in the landscape are encountered by homeowners, building managers, park and open space managers, school officials, and business owners, yet region-specific information on the pest species and their management is not available. The European fire ant is an invasive species that has become a serious pest in many coastal communities in northern New England over the past 10 years, and populations have developed at several locations in Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York. Densities of this aggressive, stinging ant can average 1.4 nests/m2 with 300-10,000 foragers per nest, literally driving people out of their yards and displacing native fauna. A need exists for an effective, yet safe means for managing populations of this pest and to prevent further spread. The purpose of this study is to investigate 1) the potential to manage M. rubra around buildings and homes with liquid vs. solid bait stations, and 2) survey PCOs in the NE to determine the most commonly encountered pestiferous ants in the urban/suburban landscape, and 3) develop and distribute region specific information on pestiferous ant species and options for least toxic management of ants. Potato Varietal Mixtures for Potato Leafhopper Management on Organic Farms
Project Director: Abby Seaman Organic farmers in several northeast states experience significant yield reduction from the effects of potato leafhopper feeding. Currently, only one control option exists, application of an approved insecticide. Organic certification standards discourage reliance on pest management approaches that rely on chemical controls. This project examines the potential for planting mixtures of potato leafhopper susceptible and resistant varieties to protect the susceptible varieties from leafhopper damage. Reducing Potato Leafhopper (PLH) Impacts on Alfalfa through PLH-resistant Cultivars Intercropped with Perennial Forage Grass
Project Director: Don Viands Potato leafhopper is the most damaging alfalfa insect pest in the Northeast. Forage grasses in mixture with alfalfa can cause PLH to emigrate and are environmentally beneficial, but may reduce forage quality. Producing high quality forage is a key to profitability in livestock production systems. Some recent alfalfa cultivars have glandular hairs and PLH-resistance, yet are not immune to damage from PLH. Potato leafhopper-resistant alfalfa cultivars intercropped with perennial forage grass could be an IPM strategy that would have environmental, agronomic, and economic benefits to forage producers. |
2005 Program YearRFA: IPM Partnership Grants - 2005An Observational Early Warning System for Detecting Soybean Rust Incursions into the Northeast Region
Project Director: Erick DeWolf Collaborating with NRCS to Promote IPM on Northeast Vegetables
Project Director: Ruth Hazzard These grant funds are being used to engage vegetable IPM educators, consultants and farmers in a collaborative partnership with NRCS agencies across the northeast region in order to establish a network and develop plans for sharing expertise, resources and outreach activities. We have held a regional meeting that broke new ground in building understanding among members of these two very distinct agencies and opened the door for further collaboration. Many activities have supported the goal of developing IPM resources and educational programs for agricultural professionals in the Natural Resources Conservation Service, land grant universities, state agencies and other organizations and for vegetable farmers, to foster adoption of IPM through NRCS conservation programs. Community IPM Working Group (2005-2006)
Project Director: Lynn Braband Delaware Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (2005-2006)
Project Director: Susan King The goal of this project is to promote informed regulatory decisions on registered pesticides. Major activities of this project are: serving as an information source for federal and state partners and as a liaison among the NE IPM Center, the University of Delaware, and other Key agencies in Delaware; and providing information networking for Delaware stakeholders. Delaware PMSPs: Tomato, Snap Bean
Project Director: Susan King Inadequate Control of Trichoderma Green Mold on Mushrooms
Project Director: Daniel Royse We provide suggestive evidence that the recurrence of Trichoderma green mold on cultivated mushrooms, a disease that reached epidemic proportion in the 1990s in the northeastern U.S., is due to the emergence of formidable resistance in the pathogen to the only fungicide available for disease management. We also present data that proposes a direct relationship between disease incidence and on-farm sources of pathogen contamination. Our project findings were published in the major mushroom industry trade journal and presented in a series of grower meetings in which farm hygiene was emphasized as the first and foremost defense in an IPM program for green mold disease. With a reduced fungicide efficacy, farm hygiene now forms the principal tactic for disease control for the mushroom industry in the Northeast. Increasing IPM Implementation Through Identifying Stakeholder Needs and Increasing Customer Awareness
Project Director: Margaret Skinner Maryland Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (2005-2006)
Project Director: Amy E. Brown New England Crop Profile: Strawberry
Project Director: Sonia G. Schloemann This proposal seeks funding by the Northeast Integrated Pest Management Center under the IPM Partnership Grant program; section B (Tactics Surveys, Crop Profiles, and Pest Management Strategic Plans), for the development of a strawberry crop profile for New England (6 states inclusive). It is a continuation of a previous proposal submitted by the New England Pest Management Network (NEPMNet) and funded in the last funding cycle, which included the design and implementation of a pest management tactics survey for strawberries in the New England states. Data collected from the survey will be used to form the basis of the crop profile to be formulated under this proposal. No crop profile for strawberries currently exists for any New England state, except for New Hampshire; a profile published in 1999 and which is now largely out-of-date. Additional impetus for development of the crop profile and eventual Pest Management Strategic Plan for New England strawberries comes from the fact that strawberries are among the crops commonly consumed by children. In fact, since a high percentage of the crop is sold on a PYO basis, many children are also exposed to the fields in which the strawberries are grown, increasing the risk of exposure to pesticides. The crop profile proposed here will be developed in close collaboration with state liaisons and growers in each of the 6 New England states. It will be developed using the NEPMNet crop profile template, which insures compliance with USDA Crop Profile requirements. A special effort will be made to include issues related to organic strawberry production. Supplemental funding (e.g., from the New England Vegetable & Berry Growers Association, NOFA or USDA) may be sought to assist in this aspect of the crop profile, if needed. New England IPM Tactics Surveys: Residential Turf, Pepper, School IPM; PMSPs: Highbush Blueberry
Project Director: James Dill New England Pest Management Network (2005-2006)
Project Director: James Dill New Jersey Crop Profiles: Cucumber, Pumpkin, Blueberry; PMSPs: Honeybees, Blueberry
Project Director: George C. Hamilton Crop profiles for two new and one previously published commodities in New Jersey will be researched and written. Five crop profiles currently under production will be finalized.
New Jersey Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (2005-2006)
Project Director: George C. Hamilton This proposal addresses the maintenance of a New Jersey Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (NJinPAS) as an integral component of a Mid-Atlantic Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (MAinPAS) for the North Eastern Integrated Pest Management Center (NEIPMC). The Mid-Atlantic Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies is a planned collaboration of the land-grant universities of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and New York to maximize regional resources and communication. The purpose of these networks is to promote informed regulatory decisions on registered pesticides used on pests of commodities grown in the mid-Atlantic. The NJinPAS Project Director will facilitate this process for the members of MAinPAS.
Online IPM Resource Database for Vegetable Crops
Project Director: Ruth Hazzard Update, verify and promote the Northeast Vegetable Crop and Pest Management Resource Database. Pennsylvania Crop Profiles: Pumpkins, Cantaloupes, and Cabbage
Project Director: Kerry H. Richards Pennsylvania Pest Management Information Network
Project Director: Kerry H. Richards Regional Crop Profile: Sweet Corn
Project Director: Ruth Hazzard Develop a regional sweet corn crop profile for New England, based upon 2004 survey conducted by the New England Pest Management Network, into the regional sweet corn pest management strategic plan. Regional Website: Phenology Models for Apple, Forage Corn, Vegetables, and Woody Ornamentals
Project Director: James Dill Vegetable IPM Working Group (2005-2006)
Project Director: Ruth Hazzard Strengthen the capacity of the Vegetable IPM Working Group to network effectively, implement its priorities, and promote use of IPM by Northeastern vegetable farmers for one year West Virginia Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (2005-2006)
Project Director: John F. Baniecki RFA: Regional IPM Competitive Grants - Northeastern - 2005Field Testing of Resistant Tomato Lines to Control Late Blight and Early Blight in Conventional and Organic Growing Systems
Project Director: Martha Mutschler Dramatic losses in tomato yields and quality during the past several years have been recorded in the Northeast U.S. Late blight (LB), caused by Phytophthora infestans, and early blight (EB), caused by Alternaria solani and A. tomatophila, are the two most prevalent diseases responsible for these losses. Currently growers must rely upon the extensive use of fungicides to control both diseases. Unless these fungicides are used preventatively, satisfactory control is not obtained. New and more aggressive LB strains have displaced the previous indigenous strains, and these new strains are more difficult to control with fungicide sprays. Repeated use of protectant fungicides and newly introduced strobilurins has lead to loss of effectiveness in the case of protectants, and fungicide resistance in the case of strobilurins, and has made EB control more difficult. Clearly, new alternatives for LB and EB control are long overdue, and we must move forward with new IPM practices in the NE. The goal of this project is to provide immediate relief to Northeastern tomato growers by testing advanced tomato lines developed at Cornell and Penn State with multiple genetic resistance for all known races of late blight and phenotypes of early blight in the NE. This joint research and extension proposal will deploy the resistance into conventional and organic production systems. The objectives are to characterize tomato selections for disease resistance, plant maturity, yield and other desirable horticultural characteristics, while testing them at multi-sites and in two states.
IPM in and around the Home: Northeast Guidelines
Project Director: Jennifer Grant Three-fourths of the households in the Northeast region use pesticides to manage pests in their homes, lawns, and gardens. Some of these applications could be avoided. Good sources of information about alternatives to pesticides exist, but these are not synthesized, indexed, and packaged in ways that homeowners in the Northeast or even Extension educators, Master Gardeners, and other multipliers can use. An existing set of guidelines, produced by Cornell University, has the potential to be an extremely useful resource. Our plan is to substantially revise it by creating a team of subject matter experts from nine Northeastern states; hiring a project coordinator/writer who will integrate two separate volumes into a printed document called IPM in and around the Home: Northeast Guidelines; producing, marketing, and distributing the printed version to Northeast audiences; hiring a webmaster to create, post, and advertise a web-based version that users can access for free; assessing the effectiveness of the project; and helping to ensure its sustainability in the Northeast.
Leveraging Biologicals into the Turfscape: Combining Controls and Exploiting Synergisms for White Grub Management
Project Director: Daniel C. Peck White grubs are the most widespread and damaging pests in turfgrass habitats of the Northeast. In this extensive and rapidly expanding component of our urban and rural landscapes, management is highly dependent on chemical pesticides. Ten insecticides once offered a variety of control options, but only two preventive (counter to sound IPM) and one curative option (under FQPA review) still exist. Insecticide applications for grubs can be avoided 80% of the time by using sampling as a decision-making tool. Alternative biological control options are limited and largely non-efficacious. Advancing biologically-based pest management in this system may depend on the tactical combination of biological and chemical controls. This opportunity is based on recent investigations showing increased efficacy of biocontrols when insects are challenged by other stressors, such as reduced rates of preventive insecticides. The driving need is based on providing new curative options to replace preventive applications and thereby improve IPM. To seriously evaluate this approach, we will test a range of biologicals - singly and in combination with insecticide synergists - to control white grubs. These detailed laboratory studies will identify the most promising products and synergistic combinations for continued studies, and measure how efficacy varies across different white grub species. In this "critical step" research, we anticipate finding one or more truly synergistic combinations that will open the door for biologically-based curative control options. Documenting this new approach will help guide the development of biologically-based pest management options for soil insect pests in other turfgrass and horticultural systems. Long-term Evaluation and Improvement of Golf Turf Management Systems with Reduced Chemical Pesticide Inputs
Project Director: Jennifer Grant This project will provide long-term information on the costs and turfgrass quality associated with golf course turf managed with few or no chemical pesticides. Many golf courses in New York State and other areas of the U. S. are being compelled, or are choosing, to reduce or eliminate the use of chemical pesticides. Turfgrass managers need better information on how cultural practices and alternative pest management strategies can be combined to maintain acceptable, playable golf course turf. Furthermore, those advocating pesticide-restrictive policies are often unaware of the costs of implementing the policies and the resulting impacts on turfgrass quality. Our project was established in 2001and was funded through 2004 by the U.S. Golf Association. It explores total management systems, as practiced by turf managers, rather than focusing on individual technologies and isolated practices. We are requesting an additional three years of funding to continue this project and establish a long-term research site. Two cultural and three pest management systems are being compared in a factorial design, utilizing all 18 greens of a high-use public golf course. The site is a living laboratory, research and demonstration site and results have already provided a great deal of information on low- and non-chemical turfgrass management. This project addresses important scientific, environmental and social aspects of golf, and compares them in ways that are useful to golf managers as well as the general public. Our project's research is long-term and dynamic by nature, and three more years will provide critical and comprehensive additional information. Perimeter Trap Cropping in Butternut Squash: A Systems Approach to Control Striped Cucumber Beetle and Enhance Pollination and Yield
Project Director: Lynn Adler Pollination services are required for yield in many fruit and vegetable crops. However, conventional management practices generally focus on pest control. The extent to which yield is reduced by pests compared to insufficient pollination is unknown, and recent bee declines due to pesticide use, disease and parasites suggest that management of pollinator as well as pest populations may be essential to maintain crop yield.
Promoting IPM Implementation in Greenhouses: Banker Plants, Grower Education and an Assessment of Consumer Attitudes
Project Director: Margaret Skinner This project will promote ways of reducing risks associated with the use of chemical insecticides by increasing opportunities to use biological control, and IPM education. First, we will assess the utility of banker plants for on-site production of predatory mites for control of spider mites on spring bedding plants. Banker plant systems provide a steady release of natural enemies into a crop, offering extended suppression of pests while reducing the cost and increasing the quality of the biocontrol agents. Second, many natural enemies are released innundatively into a crop, several times over a growing season. Shipping costs for these beneficials are considerable. We will determine whether cheaper shipping options, i.e., ground vs. overnight, impact the quality of the natural enemies received. We will also define a simple method to empower growers to perform their own quality control tests on mite shipments. Third, we will continue to develop and present innovative hands-on IPM workshops for growers in ME, NH and VT. Specialists from Europe and North America will participate, and results from our research will be incorporated into the program to aid technology transfer. Finally, we will perform a follow-up survey to measure changes in consumer attitudes and knowledge about IPM, and to see if our efforts to promote IPM have influenced the criteria people use when purchasing greenhouse-grown plants. This will follow a customer survey we will perform in 2005, which will be accompanied by the development and distribution of educational materials on IPM in the intervening years to raise public awareness and appreciation of the importance of IPM to them and the environment. Over time, consumer awareness will be critical to increase growers' use of non-pesticidal management tactics. If customers demand plants that with no (minimal) pesticide residues, growers will have to change their production practices. Together, these initiatives will promote a decreased reliance on toxic pesticides while creating an appreciation among growers' clientele about the benefits of IPM, and greater demand for plants grown using IPM practices.
Site-specific Management of Resistance (SMOR) in the Control of Apple Scab: Final Phase of Development and Implementation
Project Director: Wolfram Koeller Apples are the most important fruit crop grown in the NE-IPM region, with a value of $260 Million in 2003. The profitability of producing processing apples has sharply declined, and the sustained viability of the industry will rely on the fresh apple market. One of the most serious and most common causes of intolerable blemishes on fresh apples are scab lesions caused by Venturia inaequalis. The disease is ubiquitous in the NE and must be managed with 4-10 applications of fungicide per season.The arsenal of scab fungicides includes conventional protectants such as mancozeb or captan. These nonspecific and purely protective fungicides have been under continuous scrutiny regarding their toxicology and their poor fit into IPM programs. Several classes of "low-risk" fungicides with post-infection activities are available as alternatives. Unfortunately, all "low-risk" fungicides have developed or will develop resistance, rendering them ineffective in scab control. Outbreaks of scab caused by resistance are unexpected by the growers affected and have become increasingly damaging. Our research over the past 15 years has shown that levels of resistance can vary considerably from orchard to orchard. Many growers, who still could effectively use particular classes of "low-risk" fungicides, have converted back to the conventional protectants to avoid potential crop losses caused by resistance. Other growers continue to apply "low-risk" fungicides in spite of resistance, thereby risking unexpected and severe losses.The goal of the proposed work is to establish and implement Site-specific Management Of Resistance (SMOR) as a service to apple growers. The novel SMOR concept consists of orchard-specific sensitivity tests combined with management recommendations based upon the sensitivity of the particular scab population to all "low-risk" options available. SMOR will allow growers to utilize "low-risk" fungicides without risking unexpected damage. Implementation of SMOR will require to validate the diagnostic precision of our orchard-specific sensitivity test, and to establish an infrastructure allowing the implementation of SMOR as a service on demand. The proposed work will be conducted in cooperation between New York as the most important apple-producing state, Massachusetts representing New England, and West Virginia as one of the southern regions of apple production in the NE. |
2004 Program YearRFA: IPM Partnership Grants - 2004A Field Guide to Tree Fruit Insect Pests, Beneficials, and Diseases of Eastern North America
Project Director: Arthur Agnello The northeastern US is affected by a suite of tree fruit insect pests, diseases, and beneficial species that is among the largest of the world's production areas. Growers may typically need to be familiar with as many as 25 key species during a given season, plus possibly dozens of additional secondary species on a less frequent but still predictable basis. There are a number of excellent information resources and references available to help familiarize growers, consultants and orchard managers with diseases, pests and beneficial species for the purpose of making informed management decisions; however, most are either too detailed, incomplete, or cumbersome to be used as a convenient field identification guide in the variety of fruit crops likely to be found on modern commercial farms. This project will result in the publication of a comprehensive yet easy-to-use field guide on over 130 arthropod species and 70 diseases occurring in apples, pears, cherries, peaches and nectarines, apricots and plums in the US and Canada east of the Mississippi. For each entry, a single page will contain the species' classification, descriptive biological information, principal period of activity or occurrence, feeding habits or hosts, and number of generations per year, accompanied by high-quality photographs of the adult, immature, and damage (for arthropods) or disease symptoms. Diagnostic keys will help the reader correctly identify pests and diseases on the basis of damage symptoms; a cross-referencing index and a glossary will facilitate finding and explaining the entries. The book will be 200+ pages, and printed in a 4.25 x 7.25-inch "pocket-size" format that is easy to carry. Crop Profile for Delaware Soybeans; PMSP for Delaware Pickles
Project Director: Susan King Delaware Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (2004-2005)
Project Director: Susan King The Delaware Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies, is a component of the NE IPM Center. The goal of this project is to promote informed regulatory decisions on registered pesticides. Major activities of this project are: serving as an information source for federal and state partners and as a liaison among the NE IPM Center, the University of Delaware, and other Key agencies in Delaware; and providing information networking for Delaware stakeholders. Developing the First Regional IPM Core Training Manual for Wildlife Control Operators in the Northeast
Project Director: Jill Shultz The American public places a high value on wildlife, yet at the same time, "nuisance" wildlife may cause formidable and expensive problems. They may damage property or threaten human health and safety. National estimates of the cost of wildlife damage to agriculture range up to $1.5 billion dollars annually, with equal costs associated with accidents caused by collisions between wildlife and cars or planes. Wildlife can spread diseases to people, livestock, or pets. Nearly all segments of society are vulnerable to wildlife damage.
Development of a Pest Profile and a Strategic Plan for the Resurgence of Bed Bugs in the United States
Project Director: Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann Bedbugs have become a significant economic pest in the many places where people sleep, including homes, rental units, hotels and college dormitories. Risks associated with bed bugs include sleeplessness, itchy bites, anemia, stress, and possible overexposure to pesticides for bed bug control. The recent increase in bedbug complaints across the US indicates a need for a national survey of the problem and the development of a pest profile and strategic plan to understand the true status of bed bugs as a pest problem and to address this emerging pest situation with research and outreach.
Development of a Region-wide Strategic Pest Management Plan for Sweet Corn in the Northeastern U.S.
Project Director: Ruth Hazzard The Northeastern IPM Vegetable Working Group proposes to develop a region-wide Pest Management Strategic Plan for sweet corn. Sweet corn comprises approximately 40% of vegetable crop acreage and is important to vegetable producers in every state in the Northeast. Pests and pest management concerns in sweet corn are similar throughout the region, and pose serious challenges to producers. Despite the presence of sweet corn IPM programs in many states, sweet corn production depends heavily upon many insecticides and herbicides that are targeted for restriction under FQPA. Sweet corn is the most likely candidate among vegetable crops for widespread adoption of genetically-modified crops for IPM purposes, a prospect which raises far-ranging issues for producers, distributors, consumers, and regulators. Sweet corn is also ranked high in importance to the diet of children. The migratory characteristics of some of the most important insect pests of sweet corn necessitate region-wide communication and cooperation. A focused effort among all northeastern states to collaborate on setting priorities for development of improved sweet corn IPM practices and programs will have the widest benefits to producers, consumers and the environment.
IPM Tactics Surveys, Crop Profiles, and PMSPs
Project Director: Glen Koehler Maryland Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (MINPAS) (2004)
Project Director: Amy E. Brown Measurement of Worker/Scout Exposure to Pesticides in "Standard" and "Reduced Risk" IPM Systems for New England Apples
Project Director: William M. Coli Many commonly used crop protection chemicals, including highly toxic, broad-spectrum, long residual, organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, certain fungicides that are possible human carcinogens, and other pesticides with estrogenic effects, are now thought to represent a significant risk to human health, to beneficial natural enemies and other non-target organisms and to the environment. The passage Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), raised the prospect that future pest management systems may be far less reliant on these relatively inexpensive, but often riskier materials. To help growers prepare for such an possible outcome, it is critical for the public sector to develop, test and analyze innovative, economically viable pest management programs that use lower risk pesticides in the context of an IPM strategy. Only when such systems are fully characterized and demonstrated to be both affordable and effective, can we anticipate that growers will willingly adopt them.
Monitoring Resistance in Colorado Potato Beetle Populations to Imidacloprid and Other Neonicotinoids
Project Director: Galen Dively Heavy selection pressure from soil treatments of imidacloprid has led to shifts towards resistance in Colorado potato beetle populations. Given the history of this insect, resistance development and its potential impacts on other neonicotinoids and potato pest management is an emerging issue in the northeast. Using previous baseline data on susceptibility to imidacloprid, a monitoring program will be conducted to detect early stages of resistance in potato beetle populations from Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Maine. Collaborators in each state will collect and ship beetles to Maryland where diet-incorporation bioassay will quantify concentration-mortality responses. Populations will also be tested for thiamethoxam susceptibility since this related neonicotinoid exhibits cross-resistance and has replaced imidacloprid on many potato farms. Bioassay results documenting departures from baseline susceptibility will help to convince growers to use insecticides with different modes of action or implement other resistance management practices before field control fails. Questionnaire surveys will document adoption of resistance management practices. Multi-Tactic Management Strategies for Internal Lepidoptera Infesting Northeast Apples
Project Director: Harvey Reissig Apple in the eastern United States is a high value crop and a cornerstone of the region's agriculture. Apple production provides a large quantity of fresh fruit and fruit products, contributes to agri-tourism, and offers bucolic amenities to an increasingly urban and suburban landscape. During the last several years, fruit growers in New York and Pennsylvania have suffered severe financial losses because infestations by internal fruit feeding Lepidoptera have led to numerous loads of apples being rejected by fresh fruit markets and processing plants. The tree fruit industry in these states is already in an economic crisis because of depressed markets, increased production costs, changes in pesticide registrations, and foreign competition. If this new crisis is not solved quickly, it could hasten the decline of this already beleaguered industry. Furthermore, if growers are forced to revert to calendar spraying at 14-day intervals and use harsh materials such as synthetic pyrethroids to control internal Lepidoptera in these outbreak areas, more than 30 years of IPM research and implementation may be subverted. New and Revised Crop Profiles
Project Director: Robert Weaver Funding part of 2004-2005 SNP grant New England Pest Management Network (2004-2005)
Project Director: James Dill New England Pest Management Network (NEPMNet)- A Regional Web-Based System to Communicate Real-Time Crop and Pest Forecasts for Apples, Vegetables, and Woody Ornamental Plants
Project Director: Glen Koehler New Jersey Crop Profiles and PMSPs
Project Director: George C. Hamilton New Jersey Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (2004-2005)
Project Director: George C. Hamilton Pennsylvania Pest Management Information Center (2004-2005)
Project Director: Robert Weaver Pocket Pesticide Calibration Guide
Project Director: James Dill Human error is arguably the most common source of pesticide related accidents. A lack of knowledge involving common conversion factors can cause mistakes in the field. These errors cause improperly calibrated application equipment, and improperly mixed materials.
Regional Pest Alert on the Brown Marmorated Stinkbug, Halyomorpha Halys (Stal)
Project Director: Carol Holko School IPM Leadership Training Program: Developing a Learning Community
Project Director: Lynn Braband Children, because of their size and developmental stage, are more vulnerable to pesticides than adults. To protect them we must decrease pesticide use in schools. Yet we cannot compromise the quality of pest control because pests such as cockroaches and mice present equally important health hazards. Pest management in schools is challenging because of the variety of heavily used settings, including classrooms, cafeterias, auditoriums, and playing fields. A 2002 statewide survey revealed that many New York State schools want to adopt IPM but they need in-depth training, technical assistance, and on-going support.
West Virginia Information Network for Pesticides and Alternative Strategies (2004-2005)
Project Director: John F. Baniecki RFA: Regional IPM Competitive Grants - Northeastern - 2004Assessment of Efficacy and Cost of Banker Plants for Aphid Control in Spring Flower Crops
Project Director: Roy Van Driesche NE US spring flower crops contribute ca 0.5 billion dollars annually to the economy. Dominant northeast crops are impatiens and geraniums. Pests include whiteflies, thrips, aphids and mites. We have developed effective, cost competitive biological controls for whiteflies in flower crops and are mid way toward doing the same for thrips. Aphids commonly appear in crops under biological control management. Non chemical controls for aphids are needed if growers are to be able to employ whitefly and thrips biological control without risk. Aphids make flowers unsightly and unsaleable. Aphid biological control options in greenhouse vegetables are well understood and in use. Application to flower crops has lagged. Greenhouse production in the northeastern US is over 90% flower production. We need to adapt the banker plant technology currently in use in Europe and Canada on vegetable crops, to flowers. The dominant aphids are Aphis gossypii and Myzus persicae. For each of these species, we need to assess the degree of efficacy and cost of Aphidius colemani banker plants under spring flower production conditions. We will run the needed trials in University greenhouses in MA and then in commercial greenhouses in both MA and NY. Controls that work in these states will work for the whole NE region. Ancillary activities needed in support of these trials include an initial aphid survey in the crop and screening potentially selective aphicides to find a compound to use for spot treating infestations of less common aphids, of species not susceptible to A. colemani.
IPM Displays for the Public
Project Director: Jennifer Grant Research has shown that citizens are interested in pest management and alternatives to chemical pesticides but remain uninformed about IPM and how to practice it at home. Because few public audiences have the opportunity to learn IPM "by doing," we will design three educational exhibits with our local science center for its 80,000 annual visitors and for use by Northeastern states. All exhibits will complement and complete the IPM interpretation underway in an adjacent city park. The first interactive IPM exhibit will help users of all ages to better understand IPM concepts. The second, traveling interactive IPM exhibit, will focus on biological control; in Year Two of this project, this exhibit will be loaned to other sites in the Northeast Region. The third project element, which will take the form of an educational kit focusing on IPM from an organismal perspective, will be loaned to visitors in the Sciencenter's Discovery Space. Upon completion of the exhibits, our community extension educator will present at least one program on IPM at the Sciencenter. We will finish an existing list of pest-resistant trees and shrubs (many of which are visible on the grounds and in the adjacent part) and print it as a brochure for visitors to take home. We will also reprint an existing introductory IPM brochure (Get the Bugs Out, NYSIPM 2003) and provide it with the exhibits. Finally, we will design an informational packet and web page for IPM programs in the Northeast so they can borrow the display and modify the brochures, helping people in the Northeast to reduce risks to human health and the environment.
Landscape Ecology and Management of Strawberry Sap Beetle in the Northeast
Project Director: Greg Loeb Strawberry sap beetle Stelidota geminata is a serious emerging threat to strawberry growers in the Northeast. The adult beetle feeds on the underside of ripe and overripe berries creating holes and likely spreading rot organisms. Of more significant concern, larvae contaminate harvestable fruit leading to consumer complaints and the need to prematurely close fields at great cost to the grower. Although strawberry sap beetle (SSB) has been reported from the Northeast for over 50 years and is widely distributed, only recently has it risen to high priority among growers (see below). Only two pyrethroid pesticides are labeled for its control. Their use is problematic for several reasons. First, they need to be applied as SSB adults move into the fields just prior to harvest, a prospect not relished by growers concerned about public perceptions of pesticide risks. Second, because of the secretive behavior of the adults and the protected position of the larvae, the insecticides are not particularly effective in the field. And third, the repeated use of broad-spectrum insecticides can disrupt biological control of other secondary pests such as spider mites. Sound IPM practices, developed over the last 20 years, are in flux due to SSB problems. Consequently, the overall goal of the research proposed here is to acquire the necessary background knowledge to develop and test cost effective and environmentally sound management alternatives for SSB.
Organic Acids as Alternative Controls and Resistance-Management Tools in Parasitic Honey Bee Mite IPM
Project Director: Dennis vanEngelsdorp Honey bees are the only reliable commercial pollinator for over 80 crops in the United States, whose cumulative annual value exceeds $47 billion. Parasitic bee mites are the greatest challenge to beekeepers and a serious threat to bee-pollinated crops. Since the introduction of tracheal and varroa mites, there has been a severe reduction in the managed honey bee population (from 4.5 to 2.7 million colonies).
Promoting Apple IPM Implementation in Eastern New York Orchards by Expansion of the Northeast Weather Association System
Project Director: Juliet Carroll To conduct integrated pest management (IPM) for eight major pests, apple growers must use weather information and pest forecast models. The Northeast Weather Association (NEWA) can provide both for free, fostering IPM implementation, environmental conservation, and land stewardship. To expand NEWA into Eastern NY, four growers are committed to purchasing weather stations, connecting to NEWA, and serving as grower educators to promote IPM implementation and the sustainability of apple production in their region. In this critical steps project cooperating growers will learn how to use NEWA, source weather data, interpret weather data and pest forecast models, and integrate weather data with scouting and monitoring to improve IPM practices. The outreach plan will target all other apple growers in Eastern NY who will benefit from the expansion of NEWA into their region. The NEWA system will be upgraded to deploy the Oriental fruit moth model and to a database format to improve data collection and web delivery. The project will be evaluated through feedback during the growing season, grower satisfaction with the NEWA system, and analysis of IPM practice implementation, spray data and yield evaluations. Because current apple IPM practices require the use of pest forecast models and not every grower has a weather station, the advantages of the NEWA system's instantaneous outreach potential to all growers in Eastern NY are considerable.
Reducing Pesticide Inputs in Nurseries Using a Portable Hot Water Recirculation Immersion System
Project Director: Stanton Gill This project involves controlling nursery pests early in the production cycle to reduce the need for pesticide inputs. In many cases nursery managers take cuttings from stock plants that have insects and mites present, often at levels undetectable to the grower. Growers place cuttings in mist systems where pest populations can survive and continue to increase as the plants move through the production cycle. Pest populations often build to levels that require the manager to apply repeated pesticide applications to bring the pest situation under control. Our method of treating plant cutting material with hot water at set temperatures and treatment times before it is moved to the propagation stages will control several of the major pests of nursery plants. This non-chemical system will reduce the pest population and reduce the pesticide inputs needed to produce a quality nursery plant.
Revision, Expansion, and Maintenance of the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management
Project Director: Paul Curtis Human-wildlife conflicts are costly, significant, and pervasive in society. Principles of integrated pest management (IPM) can be applied in most situations to reduce damage and nuisance problems to tolerable levels. Unfortunately, the educational infrastructure for IPM has not been as well developed for dealing with vertebrate species as it has been for other pest species, commodities, and systems. As the number and significance of problems with wildlife increase, so too does the need for efficient transfer of information and technology. In 1995-1997, we developed the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management (ICWDM, http://icwdm.org). The website serves as a clearinghouse for all information on the worldwide web that deals with wildlife damage management. Funding for the project was provided by the Regional Integrated Pest Management Competitive Grants Program (North Central and Western Regions). The impacts of the ICWDM are significant and documented. Results from on-line surveys of ICWDM users indicate that a revision and expansion of the website would greatly improve the visibility, utility, ease of navigation, and impacts of the ICWDM. We propose to revise and expand the ICWDM. Efforts will be coordinated through the Project Director at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and will include contributions form three regional cooperators. The ICWDM is so extensive and widely linked that it includes elements that address all six priorities of the IPM Regional Competitive Grants Program. This Extension project is nation-wide and international in scope. Therefore, we are requesting support from all four IPM regions.
Using MARYBLYT to Manage Economic Risks of Fire Blight
Project Director: Herbert Aldwinckle Fire blight, caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora, is one of the most destructive and difficult-to-control diseases of apple. Over the past 15 years, consumer and market demands have forced major changes in horticultural practices that have resulted in an overall increase in orchard risk for infection. These horticultural changes have not only increased the potential incidence of infection but also the level of damage likely to occur. Fire blight can be controlled to manageable levels in most years with the antibiotic streptomycin. Streptomycin is highly effective at controlling disease when applied at the appropriate timings. In the Northeast, this is achieved through the use of the forecaster MARYBLYT, a computer program for forecasting fire blight that predicts the four distinct types of infection events (i.e., blossom, shoot, canker, and trauma blight) as well as the appearance of symptoms that follow.
Validation and Implementation of a Weather-based Spray Advisory Model for White Rust of Spinach
Project Director: Kathryne Everts Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) was grown on more than 35,000 acres in the U.S. in 2002. It is an important crop grown for the fresh and processing markets in Maryland and Delaware where acreage has increased in the past ten years. Together Delaware and Maryland constitute the fourth leading spinach producing area in the U.S., with 2700 acres produced in Maryland alone; New Jersey and Virginia also have large acreages. A spinach stakeholders meeting was held in Milford, Delaware on December 13, 2002. Growers, processors, and University of Delaware and University of Maryland Cooperative Extension personnel attended the meeting. White rust (Albugo occidentalis G. W. Wils.) was cited as the most prevalent, and difficult to control, disease. There was near unanimous interest in adaptation of a weather-based fungicide application model for management of spinach white rust.
Verification of Web-based Real-time High-resolution Weed and Insect Predictive Models for Northeast IPM Programs
Project Director: Dennis Calvin Many mathematical models of insect and weed development are available to help predict pest management activities. The use of these models, however, has been limited by the need for high quality weather data inputs and software to run them. In 2003, the first high-resolution real-time prediction models that use up-to-date spatially interpolated (10 km2 resolution) temperature data were made available through the Penn State Departments of Entomology and Crop and Soil Sciences websites. The underlying models were site verified at specific locations, but have not had wide-scale verification. Therefore, this project proposes to collect verification data from multiple climatic/crop production regions in Pennsylvania to assure the models are adequately tracking pest development at an accuracy required for pest management. The systems are designed as an early warning system to alert farmers and pest management professional to impending pest populations. Although the verification process is currently limited to Pennsylvania, the climatic zones represented are common across most of the field crop production region of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. If the models track properly across Pennsylvania, they are likely to be on target in other areas of the region. The maps are currently being provided to other cooperating states in the region.
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2003 Program YearRFA: Regional IPM Competitive Grants - Northeastern - 2003Efficacy of Queen Replacement for Varroa IPM
Project Director: Nancy Ostiguy The number of managed and feral honey bee colonies has declined due largely to the varroa mite, and external parasite of the honey bee. Growers and others who rely on feral and managed bees for pollination or honey have noticed this loss. The current method for varroa control is the application of one of two pesticides to which mites have become resistant. Lethal and sublethal bee effects may result from both pesticides. Additionally, these pesticides have been detected in hive products, e.b., honey and wax. Integrated pest management will provide an opportunity to control varroa without contaminating hive products or harming the honey bee plus resistance development can be slowed.
Integrating Behavioral Control with Reduced Area Treatment Approach for Managing Colorado Potato Beetle and Other Insect Pests of Potato
Project Director: Andrei Alyokhin Insect pest management remains an important challenge in commercial potato production, with Colorado potato beetle being the most important defoliator in the Northeast. Currently, growers rely on insecticides for protecting their crops, but both economic and environmental considerations favor reduction of chemical use. Previous research has demonstrated that replacing uniform insecticide applications with the treatment of selected areas of the field is one possible way to decrease the amount of insecticides required for successful pest control. This will also delay development of insecticide resistance by creating refugia for susceptible individuals.
Refinement and Delivery of Bio-Based Approaches to Reducing Insecticide Against Two Key Apple Pests
Project Director: Ronald Prokopy The two key apple pests targeted here are Plum Curculio and Apple Maggot, each of which damages a majority of apples on unmanaged trees and both of which have been ranked by New England growers as arthropod pests of greatest importance to a commodity worth more than 225 million dollars annually in the Northeast. Currently, growers apply 3 organophosphate insecticide sprays in May and June to control plum curculio and 3 such sprays in July and August to control apple maggot.
Threshold-based Cover Cropping Strategies for Weed Management
Project Director: Eric Gallandt To manage weeds with reduced reliance on, or without herbicides, cropping systems require intervals during which rapid and significant reductions in the germinable portion of the weed seed bank occur or, if already small, seed banks should be managed to maintain a low equilibrium population density. Integrating tillage system and cover cropping practices, this project aims to develop management strategies that will lower the equilibrium density of the weed seed bank (see Figure, below). This systems approach promises an effective means for managing weed seed banks while maintaining or improving soil health.
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2002 Program YearRFA: Regional IPM Competitive Grants - Northeastern - 2002Development of Alternative Darkling Beetle Management Strategies for Poultry Producers in the Northeast
Project Director: Donald Rutz The darkling beetle and other "litter beetles" have emerged in recent decades as the most important arthropod pests of poultry production worldwide. The beetles are vectors of human and animal pathogens, cause costly damage to production facilities, and create public health/nuisance problems when they emigrate from farms or from land on which infested manure has been spread. The beetles are difficult to control with pesticides, of which only a few are available. The removal of any of the handful of remaining products registered for beetle control could create a crisis for the U.S. poultry industry.
Feasibility of Implementing "Least Toxic" Alternatives as Components of an IPM Approach for Public Schools in the Northeast
Project Director: Paula M. Shrewsbury The problem we address is not unique to the Northeast Region but is one common throughout the United States. It is the issue of children exposed to pesticides in schools. Concerns over pesticide use and the health and safety of students and staff have resulted in a plethora of legislative actions in the Northeast region and nationwide. Regulatory actions, both mandatory and voluntary, intended to decrease children's pesticide exposure are either already in place or are being considered in more than 30 states. The perceived benefits of IPM have resulted in several states adopting legislation that requires school systems to have IPM plans. Nationwide, 13 states have either mandatory or voluntary "IPM in Schools" laws. Most of these regulations advocate the use of least toxic approaches such as alternatives to pesticides or pesticides with reduced risk.The problem is with the exception of a limited number of reports summarizing impacts of IPM programs for indoor pests there are very few comparative studies that examine the feasibility of implementing IPM programs emphasizing the use of least toxic tactics for turf, landscape, and public health pests in public school systems despite the fact that these programs are being strongly promoted and in some cases mandated by law.
Infection Biology of Key Cranberry Fruit Rot Pathogens
Project Director: Frank L. Caruso Cranberry fruit rot (CFR) is a potentially destructive disease complex in the field before harvest and in storage after harvest. Current management strategies usually provide satisfactory control. However, there exists significant opportunity to reduce grower reliance on fungicide usage. Without fungicides CFR could cause crop losses in excess of 50% within three years. Disease potential is greatest in the Northeast, although other cranberry growing areas are also vulnerable. Wisconsin, Washington and Oregon tend to have episodic outbreaks that occur when weather conditions favor disease. For example, in 1998 El Niño conditions led to high levels of CFR in Wisconsin. Little is known about the epidemiology of key fungi in the CFR complex. This lack of knowledge is due in part to the latent nature of infections until berries ripen and/or are harvested. The perennial nature of the crop, the fact that commercial beds can be in production for several decades, the potential for inoculum buildup, and the evolution of cranberry with North American fungi makes this pathosystem both unique and complex. There are at least 15 different species of fungi that cause CFR and the frequencies of each species vary among sites and years. The factors that determine which species will predominate in a particular location or season are unknown. In addition, it has not been possible to detect fruit rotting fungi at or near the time of infection using current isolation methods. These limitations have severely hampered quantitative studies of this disease. Recently a very sensitive technique, reverse dot blot hybridization (RDBH), was developed specifically for CFR fungi. The technique is based on the detection of species-specific DNA sequences amplified using the polymerase chain reaction. RDBH can be used to detect pathogens during the early stages of fruit infection, two to three weeks earlier than by conventional methods. The development of this technology represents a substantial breakthrough, and several studies not previously possible are now approachable.
Multi-State Evaluation of Trichogramma ostriniae in Vegetable Production
Project Director: Michael Hoffmann European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis, is a damaging pest of vegetables in the northeastern U.S. and elsewhere. IPM needs assessments identified management of ECB in sweet corn, pepper and potatoes as priorities needing research.
Regional Monitoring for Northeastern IPM
Project Director: Shelby Fleischer Pest monitoring is the primary, but constantly changing, ecological information used for IPM, but monitoring programs are hard to develop and maintain in this agro- and social landscape due to farm and crop diversity, spatial segregation of farms in urbanizing landscapes, and the smaller size of many farms. This proposal advances the timely creation, management, delivery and utilization of pest monitoring information across numerous small farms nested in heterogeneous, often urbanizing landscapes. We propose to establish a regional human and information technology infrastructure for organization and delivery of agricultural pest monitoring information in the northeastern IPM region using integrated GIS and Web ("web-mapping") technology, using sweet corn as a model system.
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2001 Program YearRFA: Regional IPM Competitive Grants - Northeastern - 2001Development of IPM Methods for Oriental Beetle Management in Multiple Crops
Project Director: Sridhar Polavarapu The Oriental beetle has become a major pest of turfgrass, nursery stock, greenhouse ornamental crops, and blueberries in southeastern New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Connecticut. In addition, it is also known to infest cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, peaches, and sweet potatoes in this region. Within these systems, the Japanese beetle is considered the key pest species and has received much of the research attention even though a significant amount of the damage attributed to this species in the Northeast is actually caused by the Oriental beetle, Exomala orientalis (Waterhouse). The minor pest status often attributed to Oriental beetle is largely because adults are cryptic, and the larvae of Japanese and Oriental beetles are indistinguishable without magnification. In fact, larvae of the two species occur in mixed populations throughout most of their common area of distribution (Vittum et al. 1999), and in southeastern New York, New Jersey, and southern New England, the Oriental beetle has become the dominating white grub species (AMK, JHL, and SP, personal observations; R. Cowles, personal communication).
Improving the Environmental Impact Quotient: Evaluating Pesticides for Their Impact on Beneficial Organisms
Project Director: Curt Petzoldt The Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ), an equation divided into Consumer, Farmworker, and Environmental effects of pesticides, was published in 1992 to enable farmers and agricultural professionals to compare pesticides on the basis of environmental risk. It has been widely used for this purpose by farmers, food processors, private consultants and those who analyze and compare pesticide use patterns over time. It has been updated regularly as new pesticides are registered. Most of the information used in the EIQ equation is available from pesticide manufacturers since it is required for registration. One piece of information critical to pest mangers that is not required and is not readily available is the impact of the pesticide on beneficial organisms. A database on beneficial arthropods from 1988 was used to develop the EIQ and it has not been updated since. Companies registering new pesticides are not required to develop this information for registration. We propose to devise a standardized technique to test pesticides against key beneficial organisms and test those pesticides currently listed in the EIQ plus several recently registered pesticides. We then plan to update the EIQ and make it available to users via the already heavily visited website and through professional meetings.
Incorporating Bt-Corn Hybrids into Field Crop IPM Programs
Project Director: Dennis Calvin The European corn borer (ECB) and corn rootworm are the two most important insect pest attacking field corn in the Northeast United States. In 2000, approximately 3.38 million acres of corn were grown in the Northeast with a value of about $866 million. It is estimated that injury from ECB feeding reduces corn yield by 13%, costing Northeast U.S. farmers $112.6 million per year in lost yield.
Inoculative Releases of Trichogramma ostriniae for Control of European Corn Borer in Field Corn
Project Director: John Losey European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis, is the most damaging pest of corn in the U.S. and Canada. The insect also attacks other important crops, such as sweet corn, sorghum, cotton, potatoes, peppers, and beans. Overall yield losses and control expenditures associated with ECB cost U.S. growers >$1 billion annually. Although several insecticides are available, timing is difficult to optimize spray timing and the consequently economic and environmental cost associated with insecticides exceeds the yield benefit for most growers.
Phytoseiids and Spinosad for Thrips IPM in Greenhouses: Efficacy and Compatibility
Project Director: Roy Van Driesche Bedding plants (flowers and vegetable transplants for garden use) are a major crop nationally (Fig. 1, Appendix I) and in the NE U.S. alone, they generate a third of a billion dollars ($343,000,000) in annual sales. This is a "hidden" crop because it is composed of diverse plant material, but is unified by common production methods and timing and is a major contributor to the incomes of many small producers (458 in MA alone). In surveys, growers of bedding plants in MA have identified western flower thrips (WFT) (Frankliniella occidentalis) as their most important pest, as judged by pesticide application number (Smith 1998). This pest distorts flowers and infects plants with plant viruses (INSV, TSWV), ruining their aesthetic value and making them unsaleable. Growers in MA in a 1996 survey averaged 3.8 pesticide sprays to control WFT (in a crop that only lasts 10-12 weeks). In 1999, extension agent reports in MA suggested this approached 5-6 sprays per season. Crops infected with INSV may have to be destroyed, resulting in losses that have gone as high as $150,000 for single growers (Daughtrey unpub, Daughtrey et al. 1997). Currently one material, spinosad (Conserve®), is being relied on for thrips control by most producers, due to resistance to many older products. A clear need exists to develop an IPM program that incorporates natural enemies with selective pesticides, so that currently effective pesticides are not rendered ineffective by selection for resistance.
Reduced Antibiotic Use on Apples with Revised MARYBLYT Forecasting
Project Director: William Turechek Fire blight is one of the most destructive and difficult-to-control diseases of apple. Over the last decade, major changes in horticultural practices have increased the chances for infection and level of damage likely to occur. A common approach to disease management in the Northeast is to time streptomycin antibiotic sprays during the blossoming period using the disease forecaster MARYBLYT. However, MARYBLYT does not account for varietal susceptibility, orchard age, or inoculum pressure (factors that may dramatically reduce (or increase) the risk of infection). As a result, disease management sometimes fails and, because outbreaks are so erratic, often results in unnecessary treatments when conditions do not support infection. While many growers are willing to forego the cost of possibly ineffective treatments as insurance against the potential losses of fire blight, unnecessary applications are costly and can lead to the appearance of resistant strains in the pathogen population. This project focuses on revising MARYBLYT, a computer forecaster for fire blight on apple and pear to account for varietal susceptibility, orchard age, or inoculum pressure.
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2000 Program YearRFA: Regional IPM Competitive Grants - Northeastern - 2000A Pilot Project for Answering E-Mail Questions via the HGIC Web Site
Project Director: Mary Kay Malinoski The Home and Garden Information Center is committed to assisting Maryland residents in solving their pest, plant and landscape problems. The Center's approach to this mission has been the development of self-help diagnostic tools that are included in web sites, audiotapes, fact sheets and a Master Gardener handbook. The problem we address in this study is not unique to the Northeast Region, but is common throughout the United States. It is the problem of providing high quality information on pest identification and non-chemical control options to a vast urban/suburban audience accustomed to solving pest problems through the application of pesticides. Until recently, a highly suitable method of transferring this type of high quality information was lacking. However, with the advent of electronic information delivery we now have the capability to reach a significant portion of our urban clientele. We intend to deliver IPM information through the World Wide Web that will enable homeowners to identify causal agents of plant and household problems and select management tactics other than pesticides to solve these problems. This in turn, will lead to adoption of alternative practices that will significantly enhance and protect environmental quality and reduce the risk of health and other problems associated with the use of pesticides in densely populated urban settings.
A Sanitation Procedure to Manage Scab, Leafminers, and Voles in Apple Orchards
Project Director: William MacHardy Removing leaf litter, other debris, and drops from the orchard floor has the potential to drastically reduce or eliminate the pesticides applied to manage four important apple pests: Venturia inaequalis (the causal agent of apple scab) and the apple blotch and spotted tentiform leafminers that overwinter in apple leaf litter and the meadow vole that utilizes leaf litter and other debris for nesting material and establishing trails that help protect it from predators and eats drops as an alternative food source. The focus of all scab management programs, including IPM programs, is to prevent the leaves and fruit from becoming infected by keeping them protected with fungicide. This is a defensive tactic, and the main goal of nearly all scab IPM research, in orchards planted with susceptible cultivars, has been to improve the efficiency in scheduling fungicides rather than to replace fungicide with nonchemical practices. The IPM programs have increased the efficiency of fungicide usage, but they have also reached a plateau with respect to reducing the seasonal fungicide dose to control scab.
Developing an Integrated Strategy for Corn Flea Beetle and Stewart's Wilt Management in Sweet Corn
Project Director: Michael Hoffmann Sweet corn is a vegetable crop of major importance in NY and the northeast. Across the twelve northeastern states, sweet corn is produced on over 137,000 acres by 6800 producers, accounting for 19% of the nation's production and 30% of its producers. Stewart's wilt disease of sweet corn can result in yield and quality losses throughout the region; producers suffered severe losses in New York and other northeastern states in 1999. Sweet corn processors estimate that Stewart's wilt resulted in 15,000 tons in decreased yield of processing sweet corn across the state, with a value of over $1 million. This translates to a $20 loss per acre due to Stewart's wilt over all varieties, and a $58 loss per acre due to Stewart's wilt among susceptible varieties. Individual grower losses were frequently much higher. Additional losses were suffered by fresh market producers. Corn flea beetle and Stewart's wilt control was identified by the NY Vegetable Research Council and the NY Processing Sweet Corn Advisory Committee as its highest research priority for sweet corn in 2000.
Double Ringed Trap Crop System: Completely Pesticide-Free IPM Program for Peppers
Project Director: T. Jude Boucher Description of the problem: Our food-based IPM systems are stuck in a phase where we are reliant on pesticides as the ultimate solution. The academic institutions and chemical industry have improved cooperative efforts in recent years to help produce more environmentally sound pesticides (especially microbial products), but we seem to be mired in the idea that the magic bullet can be purchased in a bottle, while farm profitability continues to decline.
Identifying Field-specific Characteristics that Lead to Successful Postemergence Weed Management in Corn
Project Director: William Curran Postemergent applications of herbicides are increasingly important for managing weeds in com. Postemergence (POST) strategies can target specific weed species, stage of growth, and can be based on weed severity by adjusting rate and application timing. In addition, a total POST approach can reduce the number of trips across the field and can be environmentally positive, compared to using soil-applied herbicides. However, the risk of poor weed control and reduced crop yield is generally considered greater with a POST approach compared with a soil-applied approach. A single or one-pass nonresidual POST application offers a greater risk of failure compared with soil applied or multi-pass POST herbicide programs. Therefore, this strategy has not been widely accepted in corn production systems. However, previous experience by both university scientists and farmers suggests that one-pass POST programs can succeed in some situations. Identifying field specific characteristics that lead to successful POST weed management in corn is the focus of this project.
Parasitoid Evaluations: A New Paradigm
Project Director: Richard A. Casagrande The lily leaf beetle, Lilioceris lilii, first officially reported in the U.S. in 1992, has become a serious pest of native and cultivated lilies throughout its New England distribution. It is now present in every state in New England and is spreading rapidly. With no effective North American natural enemies, this exotic insect is eliminating native lilies from its range and causing growers to use insecticides or remove lilies from landscapes. It is capable of spreading throughout North America. Based upon the severity of the problem and the probability of solving it through biological control, the USDA in 1999 ranked the lily leaf beetle 7th among national biological control priorities.
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1999 Program YearRFA: Regional IPM Competitive Grants - Northeastern - 1999Bio-Based Methods of Reducing Insecticide Use Against Two Key Apple Pests
Project Director: Ronald Prokopy Apples are among the most valuable and widely grown crops in the Northeast, worth about 400 million dollars annually. The apple maggot and the plum curculio, both native to the Northeast, are key pests of apples, each damaging a great majority of fruit on unmanaged trees. In recent surveys, northeast orchardists ranked plum curculio first and apple maggot second in importance among arthropod pests attacking apple trees. Because as yet there is no effective alternative, apple growers annually apply 3 sprays of organophosphate insecticide in July and August to control apple maggot and 3 sprays of organophosphate insecticide in May and June to control plum curculio (no other insecticides are as effective). This represents more than 75% of all insecticide applied annually to apple trees in much of the Northeast.
Creation of a Distance Learning Center to Aid Grape IPM Adoption
Project Director: Timothy Weigle Grapes are ranked second in value of production among fruit crops in both New York and Pennsylvania. Approximately 30,000 acres of grapes are grown by 800 growers in the Lake Erie grape growing region of western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania. Ninety percent of this acreage consists of Native American V. labrusca varieties such as Concord and Niagara which are used for juice, jam, and other fresh and fermented grape products. The combined annual value of Labrusca grapes is over $33 million with yields averaging 5 tons per acre. Public concern over food and environmental safety, whether justified or not, are intensifying and costs of vineyard inputs are increasing. To maintain viability of the industry, growers must adopt economically and environmentally sound integrated pest management practices.
Economic Decision-Making and Biological Management of European Corn Borer in Potatoes
Project Director: Ellie Groden Potato is the most important horticultural crop in the Northeast. Heavy use of insecticides against Colorado potato beetle has been the standard practice and has also suppressed a secondary pest, the European corn borer. This changed abruptly in 1995 when imidacloprid was registered and rapidly replaced all other means of chemical control. Because this insecticide is ineffective against corn borer, economic problems with this pest have drastically increased in recent years, and wide-spread outbreaks occurred in the southern portion of Aroostook County, ME, in 1998. This pest is likely to continue to be a problem with the introduction of more specific management tactics for the primary pests, such as Bt transgenic potatoes. Growers have adopted a conservative insecticide program for managing corn borer, with little or no knowledge of the economic impact of this pest. The systemic action of soil-applied imidacloprid has increased the abundance of natural enemies of aphids and other secondary pests in potatoes, but the use of broad-spectrum foliars for control of corn borers negates this advantage. Because of these concerns, this pest/crop system was identified as a priority for IPM research in four Northeast states in 1995, and at least two additional states since then. This proposal addresses the following three objectives, findings from which will enable us to implement sound pest management programs for corn borer in the Northeast, and provide a biologically-based alternative for potato growers.
Impact of Weed Management Approaches on Population Shifts
Project Director: Mark VanGessel Weed community composition and density are often in flux. Shifts in weed species composition are likely to occur as a result of selective forces of weed management. The development of herbicide resistant crops (HRCs) is a recent technological innovation. Most herbicide-resistant crops provide the in-crop use of broad-spectrum postemergence herbicides. HRCs facilitate the implementation of IPM approaches to weed management with attributes that minimize environmental risks.
IPM for Aerial Dispersal Risk of Potato Late Blight IPM, Phytophthora infestans
Project Director: Don Aylor Strategies for controlling Potato Late Blight with fewer applications of chemical pesticides require improved methods for predicting risk of infection. The major goal of this project is to improve understanding of the aerial dispersal of Phytophthora infestans sporangia and use this knowledge to predict infection probabilities and improve management of Potato Late Blight through integrated use of sanitation, scouting, weather forecasting, resistant varieties, and fungicides.
Sweet Corn IPM in Diversified Cropping Systems
Project Director: Shelby Fleischer Vegetable production in the northeastern exists on diversified farms (growing >1 crop) with an emphasis on direct retail marketing to nearby urbanizing areas. The challenge is to design and implement IPM programs that affect multiple crops simultaneously. One approach would be to start with the major crop, where IPM on that crop would improve IPM on related crops. Sweet corn meets these criteria. Improved management in this crop could directly influence peppers, snap beans and other highly ranked crops grown on the same farmscape. Currently, insecticides remain an essential component for commercial production on the great majority of vegetable farms in the northeast. Reliance on pesticides, however, is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain due to resistance and regulatory changes, notably the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). In vegetables, however, the great majority of registered materials rely on modes of action that may not be sustained during the implementation of FQPA. Biorationals with novel modes-of-action could dramatically change commercial production recommendations, and the most notable of these in sweet corn is transgenics. Concurrently, improved monitoring and educational programs have the potential for simultaneously reducing pesticides in sweet corn and the other high-ranked crops in the same farmscape.
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1998 Program YearRFA: Regional IPM Competitive Grants - Northeastern - 1998A Diagnostic Web Site for Plants, Pests, and Landscapes
Project Director: Mary Kay Malinoski The problem we address in this study is not unique to the Northeast Region but one common throughout the United States. It is the problem of providing high quality information on pest identification and non-chemical control options to a vast urban audience accustomed to solving pest problems through the application of pesticides. Until recently, a highly suitable method of transferring this type of high quality information was lacking. However, with the advent of electronic information delivery made available to the urban population through the world wide web, we now have the capability to reach a significant portion of our urban clientele. It is through this medium that we intend to deliver IPM information that will enable homeowners to identify causal agents of plant and household problems and select management tactics other than pesticides to solve these problems. Through the widespread adoption of alternative practices we will significantly enhance and protect environmental quality and reduce the risk of health and other problems associated with the use of pesticides in densely populated urban dwellings.
A Training Program to Predict the Risk of Scab in Apple Orchards
Project Director: William MacHardy Apple scab is the major disease of apples in the Northeastern United States and in most areas worldwide where apples are grown. Historically, fungicides have been applied repeatedly throughout the growing season according to a calendar schedule, fruit bud phenological stages, or the occurrence of scab infection periods. In 1996, two new scheduling strategies were added to the New England Apple Pest Management Guide: (i) a "scab-risk" action threshold that identifies when the first fungicide is needed to control scab and (ii) a "sanitation" action threshold that identifies when sanitation can be employed to reduce inoculum (ascospores) of the pathogen to a level that will allow fewer early-season fungicide applications. For the first time, growers can base their decision-making for scheduling fungicides and employing sanitation practices on a scientifically-based prediction of "scab-pressure." The new strategies are the result of 15 years of research that established a relationship between the number of scabbed leaves counted in autumn and the level of "scab-risk" in spring. If done correctly, the "risk-assessment" procedure will improve fungicide efficiency by (i) eliminating unnecessary early-season fungicide applications in a "low-risk" orchard, (ii) employing sanitation practices to economic advantage in a "moderate-risk" orchard, and (iii) alerting the grower to prepare for a full-season fungicide schedule in a "high-risk" orchard. If the autumn assessment is done incorrectly, however, a decision to eliminate early-season fungicide sprays may result in crop loss and loss of revenue, and growers, crop consultants, and Extension Fruit and IPM Specialists have voiced concern that they do not have the confidence to make the autumn "scab-risk" assessment. In response, autumn workshops were conducted in Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire over the past two years to train growers to assess scab, but the workshops were not well attended because harvest is not a good time for a workshop that will require nearly one full day of a grower's time. Thus another technology-transfer approach is needed. Area-wide Decision Support System for Potato Late Blight (Phytophthora infestans)
Project Director: William Fry Potato production in the northeast United States has been compromised by late blight, a disease caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans. This is the same disease responsible for the Irish Potato Famine during the mid-nineteenth century (3,12). The disease is devastating and total crop loss is not unusual if proper control measures are not taken. Recently, late blight epidemics in the United States and Canada have become worse as a result of migrations of more aggressive strains of P. infestans into and throughout North America (21). The immigrant (=new) strains of the pathogen are more aggressive than the ones previously found (8,35,37) and are usually resistant to metalaxyl (26), the most effective systemic fungicide for the control of late blight.
Comparison of Herbicides, Fabric Discs and Mulches for Preventing Weeds in Nursery Containers
Project Director: Timothy Abbey Weed management in the production of ornamental plants in containers has not received as much research attention as that for weed management in field-grown crops. The concept of integrated weed management as the application of numerous weed control practices, which include cultural, genetic, mechanical, biological and chemical measures, has been discussed as a legitimate management strategy for vegetables and forage crops (Baldwin & Santelman 1980, Elmore 1996, Swanton & Murphy 1991 and Wyse 1994). However, most non-chemical weed management practices possible for field crops such as tillage, cover crops, planting patterns and crop rotation are not options for container-grown nursery plants. Thus, herbicide-based programs are currently the standard for nurseries growing ornamentals in containers.
Development of a Model IPM Recommendation Document (1998)
Project Director: Curt Petzoldt This project was a continuation of a 1997 project, focusing on Objectives 3 and 4.
Evaluation and Implementation of Glandular-Haired Alfalfa for Pest Management
Project Director: William Lamp New alfalfa cultivars with glandular hairs on the stems are now being introduced with true resistance to potato leafhopper, the major insect pest of alfalfa in the Northeast. Alfalfa is a major component of the livestock industry, with an estimated value as a crop of $840 million per year in the Northeast. Prior to the introduction of glandular-haired cultivars in 1997, most state Agricultural Experiment Station scientists had no previous exposure to these cultivars. University field trials indicated that the resistant germplasm reduced leafhopper injury, but leafhoppers colonized, reproduced, and developed in resistant cultivars. The impact on forage yield and quality remains to be clarified, as well as its impact on nontarget insect, weed, and pathogen pests and beneficials. However, growers are being encouraged to adopt this new technology and Extension Specialists and agents are being pressed to advise growers on their value with minimal independent or unbiased information, including the lack of economic guidelines.
Evaluation of Non-corn Plants as Refugia in a Resistance Management Program for ECB on Bt-corn
Project Director: John Losey The European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), is a major pest of field corn in the northeastern United States. Although a combination of control methods have been used over the last forty years to reduce ECB population levels, ECB continues to cause substantial yield losses each year. A new technology in which a gene from a bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), is spliced into the DNA of corn plants is now available that can further reduce ECB populations and its effect on corn yield. This technology is an improvement over past control tactics because it integrates the best aspects of biological control and host plant resistance with the effectiveness, efficiency, and reliability of an insecticide based program. Furthermore, Bt-corn hybrids provide season-long protection against corn injury by ECB which insecticide programs cannot economically provide. The commercial availability of Bt-corn has the potential to provide for the first time an economically-viable strategy for managing ECB in the Northeast. Among the positive attributes of Bt-corn hybrids are high selectivity, ease of use, and negligible risk of environmental contamination. The Bt toxin is selective for ECB and is non-toxin to humans, livestock, and wildlife. However, there are two potential problems with the widespread adoption of Bt-corn hybrids, the development of resistant ECB populations and the possible elimination of hosts for several important ECB parasitoids. The potential development of Bt resistant populations has lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to require a resistance management program as part of the product's registration. To meet this requirement, researchers and industry representative have met to develop a consensus on how a resistance management program should be implemented. The theory behind a resistance management program is to set aside a certain percentage of crop acreage as "refugia" where ECB are not exposed to the Bt toxin to ensure a pool of susceptible individuals that can mate with any resistant survivors to delay or prevent the development of resistance. The recommendation for refugia developed as a consensus by the University-Industry Task Force was for farmers to set aside 20 to 30% of corn acreage. The tactical implementation of this refugia, however, was not well defined because many important aspects of ECB biology and behavior are not understood. One issue is the importance of non-corn hosts as refugia for susceptible ECB. ECB has a host range of over 200 plants and these plants could act as untreated refugia. The relative abundance of these non-corn host plants varies widely between regions in the U.S. Hence, a resistance management program developed for the Midwest, with a predominance of corn and soybeans as a ground cover, may not be appropriate for the Northeast region because of the much high vegetational diversity. Specifically, refuge requirements designed for the Midwest may be unduly large and costly for farmers in the Northeast if adequate refugia exists outside their corn fields.
Integrated Management of Shoot and Rootstock Phases of Fire Blight on Apple
Project Director: Herbert Aldwinckle Apple is the most important fruit crop in the Northeast with a farm gate value of $140 million. currently most apple growers in the Northeast are replanting orchards into expensive high density systems using scion varieties and rootstocks that are very susceptible to fire blight. In New York, losses resulting from a fire blight epidemic in newly established high density orchards were estimated at $3,571 per acre (Momol et al. 1997a).
Mite Biological Control in Apples Through Distribution and Augmentation of Typhlodromus pyri
Project Director: Jan Nyrop European red mites are significant pests in most commercial apple plantings and orchardists typically rely on chemical pesticides to control them. In addition to being costly and potentially harmful to the environment, this management strategy has not proved to be sustainable because European red mite have quickly and repeatedly developed resistance to chemical pesticides. For the first time though, biological control may be a no cost and sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides for mite control in northeast orchards.
Row Cultivation for Zone-till: Implications for Reduced Inputs and Soil Conservation
Project Director: Robert Gallagher This research will evaluate row cultivation for zone-tilled corn and soybean. Zone-till is a simultaneous tillage/planting operation that removes crop residues from a 15 inch area over the row and minimally tills this area while leaving the inter-row region undisturbed. Zone-till is an alternative to no-till in regions that are not well suited to no-till due to cool spring soil temperatures. Row cultivation in zone-till is made possible by a new breed of cultivators designed to operate in untilled soil with high levels of surface residues. These cultivators have the potential to greatly reduce herbicide inputs, enhance crop productivity, and improve the efficiency of farm operations. Furthermore, these benefits may be achieved without severely compromising the soil conservation benefits of the system (ie. surface residues and soil macropore development). The proposed research is needed to provide weed and crop management alternatives of Northeast Region that address the issues of soil erosion and off-site movement of agricultural chemicals associated with conventional tillage systems. The objectives of this research are to optimize the operating parameters of row-cultivation in zone till to provide adequate weed control while minimizing the impact on soil conservation. This technology will be evaluated through a broad-based coalition of growers, cooperative extension personnel, industry representatives, and university researchers. These objectives will be achieved by 1) replicated research station experiments, 2) on-farm trials with grower and extension cooperators, 3) grower meetings, and 4) outreach publications. Rigorous evaluation of row cultivation in zone-till by a broad agricultural audience will be necessary determine the feasibility of this system for the Northeast Region. |
1997 Program YearRFA: Regional IPM Competitive Grants - Northeastern - 1997A Reduced Pesticide IPM Strategy for Control of the Parasitic Honey Bee Mite, Varroa jacobsoni
Project Director: Nicholas Calderone AIM: An Interactive, Dynamic Apple Information Manager for New England
Project Director: Lorraine Berkett Apple Information Manager (AIM) is a collaborative project involving apple growers and university extension and research personnel from the six New England states. This project features a New England Apple IPM website. Determining the Impact of an IPM Educational Effort to Field Crops Producers
Project Director: J. Keith Waldron Development of a Model IPM Recommendation Document (1997)
Project Director: Curt Petzoldt This project proposes to accomplish a major revision of the Cornell University Pest Management Recommendations for Vegetable and Potato Production in order to have the document include alternatives to pesticides as well as pesticide information, cultural practices, fertility practices, and variety information. Achieving the goal will allow users of the document to more easily understand and make use of all IPM options rather than just pesticides. At the same time we propose to make the document compatible and easily usable with the "Elements of IPM" for various crops. "Elements of IPM" are lists of IPM practices which are being used by a supermarket chain and others to identify products as IPM grown to consumers. Also, we propose to load the revised document onto the World Wide Web and make a template of the document available to other states should they need to make similar changes in their recommendations documents. Integrating Crop Rotation and Plant Resistance in Onion Pest Management (1997-1999)
Project Director: Martha Mutschler This project follows a related project funded in 1996. Integrating Disease and Mite Management in Apples and Grapes
Project Director: Greg Loeb Small-scale experiments will be conducted on apples and grapes to look at the influence of timing and seasonal application rates of EBDC fungicides (mancozeb) on establishment and persistence of the predaceous mite, Typhlodromus pyri, during the season. Linking Northeast Pest and Crop Models to Electronic Bulletin Boards
Project Director: Curt Petzoldt Northeast Pepper IPM Project
Project Director: T. Jude Boucher Weed interference can result in significant reductions in yield and quality of peppers. This project will determine the critical period and threshold of injury for weeds in peppers grown in black plastic. Quantifying Infection Probability to Improve Integrated Management of Apple Scab
Project Director: Don Aylor This research will contribute to IPM in the Northeast by helping to integrate practices which reduce inoculum, such as sanitation and mulch-mowing, into scab management programs, and by developing models to predict occurrence and abundance of scab for the purpose of making sound decisions about fungicide use. This work is complementary to other projects in the Northeast, and the model framework will be developed to readily accommodate information on degree of susceptibility to scab of various apple cultivars. Technology Transfer of Biologically Based Controls: Fungal Diseases of Greenhouse Tomatoes
Project Director: Jana Lamboy The purposes of this project are 1) to develop biologically based management strategies for control of gray mold, powdery mildew, and Cladosporium leaf spot in greenhouse tomato, and 2) to produce documentary and explanatory materials, including videos, for the use of educators. This study began in conjunction with a local grower and the County Extension Educator (Carol MacNeil) in response to an epidemic in a pesticide-free tomato production greenhouse. The extension component of the proposal includes on site work, routine pruning and tying tomato plants, and harvesting tomatoes at the commercial greenhouse; demonstration of improved cultural practices; and dissemination of information about biological control. The communication of the results of the project will include Cornell Cooperative Extension publications, and outreach to growers through trade journal articles and presentations at vegetable grower and plasticulture meetings. The research component consists of specific investigations designed to deliver information for evaluation of nonpesticidal methods for management of three fungal diseases of greenhouse tomato. |
1996 Program YearRFA: Regional IPM Competitive Grants - Northeastern - 1996Adapting Cultural Practices for Management of Arthropod & Nematode Onion Pests
Project Director: Charles Eckenrode Onion is the most economically important vegetable crop in New York, and has a history of heavy dependence on pesticides. Two serious invertebrates, the onion maggot and the northern root know nematode, threaten this commodity yearly. This project will use greenhouse tests to determine the host status of several grasses including sudangrass, barley, wheat, rye, oats, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and tall fescue to the nematode; and we will clarify the influence of these grasses and their green manures on the onion maggot. Those grasses that reduce these pests then will be compared as cover crops and windbreaks in commercial fields with the assistance of collaborating growers. Deployment of Use/Risk Reduction Practices for Imidacloprid in Colorado Potato Beetle Management
Project Director: Galen Dively Developing Traps and Fruit Volatile Lures for Monitoring Blueberry Maggot Fly
Project Director: Steve Alm The blueberry maggot is generally considered the most important insect pest of commercially grown low and highbush blueberries in the eastern and midwestern United States. The standard method of control is to apply three to five insecticide treatments against the adults. At present the treatment program followed by most growers is designed to prevent any possible injury, irrespective of whether or not maggot flies are actually present. Blueberry growers are faced with the problem of not knowing when or how often insecticides are needed for control of the blueberry maggot fly. The proposed research is designed to develop a sensitive monitoring trap and lure system which will maximize control and profit, and minimize pesticide applications. These actions in turn will reduce pesticide residues in fruit and maximize farm worker protection. Development of a More Comprehensive Weed Management Approach for Lima Bean Production
Project Director: Mark VanGessel Insect Growth Regulators and Biological Control Agents for Control of Whiteflies on Poinsettia
Project Director: Roy Van Driesche Integrated Crop Rotation and Plant Resistance in Onion Pest Management (1996-1997)
Project Director: Thomas W. Walters Botrytis leaf blight (BLB) is a major disease of onions. Resistant and susceptible onions will be planted in controlled field experiments with full and reduced fungicide protection to determine the potential for leaf blight control with resistant varieties. Additional experiments in commercial fields previously rotated out of onions will determine the rate and extent of re-colonization of these fields by onion maggot, as well as their level of Lorsban resistance. Finally, a long-term study evaluating the benefits of Sudex rotation in a commercial onion field will be initiated. Integrated Management of Immigrant Phytophthora infestans: Area Wide Systems
Project Director: William Fry The major goal of this project is to develop an area-wide late blight management system that is sensitive to weather forecasts and is adjusted to the characteristics of the immigrant strains. In order to accomplish this overall objective, it is important to understand the characteristics of immigrant strains and to develop knowledge of dispersal. IPM of Beetle Pests of Cucurbits
Project Director: Michael Hoffmann Selling the Nursery Industry on Sustainable Trees and Shrubs
Project Director: Brian Maynard The objective of this project is to further IPM in northeastern nurseries by encouraging them to grow and sell more pest-resistant plants, and encouraging consumers and landscapers to buy those plants. Our efforts with nursery stock producers will dovetail with our efforts in IPM outreach and education for the green industry and homeowners. |
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