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Funded Project |
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Funding Program:
Regional IPM Competitive Grants - Northeastern |
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Project Title:
Integrating Disease and Mite Management in Apples and Grapes |
Project Directors (PDs):
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Lead State: NY Lead Organization: Cornell University |
| Research Funding: $86,885 |
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Start Date: Apr-01-1997 End Date: Nov-30-1999 |
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Site/Commodity: apples, grapes |
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Area of Emphasis: biological control, biocontrol |
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Summary:
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.
Objectives: 1. Examine the relationship between rate and timing of EBDC fungicides on establishment and persistence of predaceous mites in grapes and apples. These experiments will allow us to quantify the impact of EBDC fungicides on T. pyri and determine the relative contribution of timing and rate. Although data from Europe indicate that EBDC fungicides sometimes negatively influence predaceous mite populations, we currently have no information of whether they are particularly vulnerable to early vs. late applications on can tolerate low rates but not high. These details are essential for developing disease management recommendations that are compatible with biological control of mites. 2. Determine how current commercial EBDC use patterns in grapes and apples affect abundance of predaceous mites over multiple years. Results from objective 1 will provide us with a good understanding of the impact of EBDC fungicides on the establishment of T. pyri over the short run (acute or within-season effects) relative to alternative materials. It is likely, however, that repeated use of these compounds over multiple years will have important additional implications for predator/prey relationships and persistence of predaceous mites. To obtain meaningful results, these longer-term experiments must be carried out in relatively large plots for several consecutive seasons. 3. Conduct an economic analysis to compare the costs and benefits of using integrated disease and insect management programs to facilitate biological control of spider mites on apples and grapes with grower's standard pesticide programs. This analysis will be conducted in the large plots established over multiple seasons in commercial orchards and vineyards. Yields, product quality, costs (including pesticides and application costs), and an estimate of environmental impacts (E.I.Q), will be compared in the different programs with those in grower's standard plots in the same commercial plantings. Outcomes and Impacts Summary from 2001 IPM Center report The beneficial mite Typhlodromus pyri preys upon harmful mite species that cause damage to grape and apple crops in the Northeast. If uncontrolled, the harmful mites could cause losses up to $45 million annually in New York apples alone. This threat is a good reason to protect beneficial species like T. pyri, which will help to limit the destructive mites. Unfortunately, certain types of fungicides that are used to control diseases in orchards and vineyards can have the unintended effect of hurting the populations of beneficial mites. Greg English-Loeb and his collaborators in entomology and plant pathology have examined the long-term effects of fungicide use on T. pyri populations and studied the costs and benefits of managing disease with chemicals that are less toxic to the friendly mites. The switch to lesstoxic fungicides would increase populations of the beneficial mites that keep other mites in check, thereby reducing mite control costs. This approach could bring a savings of $17 per acre to grape growers, as well as a significant long-term savings to apple growers. The researchers have shared this information with grape and apple growers, and some producers report that adopting this approach has eliminated their problems with harmful mites altogether. |
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