Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
G022 MCCARTY HALL
GAINESVILLE,FL 32611
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
This EIP proposal has three coordinated subprojects. The first, "Integrating pest management and biodiversity conservation in horticultural systems"is designed to develop and deliver Cooperative Extension programs and products focused on the integration of pest management and biodiversity conservation that drive knowledge gain, behavior change, and economic and environmental gains. Ultimately, the aim is to develop a self-sustaining Extension program that provides life-long learning for a broad audience of practitioners and consumers. The second subproject, Securing Florida's agricultural future with artificial intelligence-driven integrated pest management (AIS-IPM)", will enhance integrated pest management strategies across Florida's agricultural sector by leveraging the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and real-time data visualization. Because Florida has unique peninsular geography and is a leading producer of diverse crops with substantial economic impacts, it faces substantial challenges in plant disease management. The objectives include establishing a comprehensive Power BI-based data system, identifying statewide IPM needs, monitoring factors that disrupt IPM strategies, and offering disease management advice. Finally, "Survey and management of established and invading grass weeds in perennial forage and turfgrass systems" will provide a means for Extension specialists and clientele to be able to identify established, difficult to control grass weeds as well as those that are invading particular areas of the state. The proposed demonstration plots and trainings will provide knowledge gain for county Extension and USDA-NRCS personnel on weed identification and management. These in-person trainings will be used to develop online modules to on-board new Extension personnel, thereby decreasing the frequency of training required by state Extension Specialists. This will ultimately provide a more comprehensive body of knowledge that will enable land managers in both turfgrass and forage systems to be more productive and provide rights-of-way managers a means to provide safer environments for transportation and utility infrastructure.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
This is an EIP proposal with three coordinated subprojects: 1) Integrating pest management and biodiversity conservation in horticultural systems, 2) Securing Florida's agricultural future with artificial intelligence-driven integrated pest management (AID-IPM), and 3) Survey and management of established and invading grass weeds in perennial forage and turfgrass systems. Overall goals of the first subproject: 1) increase knowledge of plant pest ID and IPM tactics, 2) increase adoption of IPM tactics for biodiversity conservation, 3) increase knowledge and adoption of behavior change best practices, and 4) generate positive environmental and economic impacts. IPM Implementation in Agronomic and Specialty Crops (40%), IPM in Communities (40%), and IPM for Pollinator Health (20%). Second subproject goals: 1) implement a comprehensive, integrated Power-BI-based data management system across plant diagnostic laboratories, 2) identify, through this network, the priorities for state-wide pathology IPM needs, 3) monitor factors that disrupt IPM strategies, and 4) offer IPM-focused disease management advice to Extension agents, stakeholders, and clients. IPM Support for Pest Diagnostic Facilities (100%). Goals of the third subproject: (turfgrass and forage): 1) document the efficacy of herbicides used in the U.S. for control of Australian beardgrass and goosegrass for weed control under Florida's environmental conditions, 2) Provide Extension professionals with increased knowledge of grass weed identification andmanagement. IPM Implementation in Animal Agriculture (100%).
Project Methods
Subproject #1-We will develop and deliver three separate ISTs targeting horticulture Extension professionals throughout Florida: 1)pest management and merging IPM and conservation in ornamental plant systems, 2) cold-hardy citrus IPM in North FL targeting N. FL Extension professionals, and 3) principles of driving behavior change, targeting Extension professionals state-wide and intended to provide them with the tactics to enhance their own efforts and achieve greater industry, environmental, and economic impacts.Subproject #2-An integrated approach was designed to harness the capabilities of Power BI and the extensive network of Florida's plant diagnostic labs, thereby enhancing IPM implementation, addressing emerging challenges, and providing effective disease management solutions. The methods include: 1) acentralized database will be established to implement a comprehensive integrated Power BI-based data management system across Florida's plant diagnostic labs, 2)identifying state-wide IPM needs through thenetwork, data being collected and analyzed from the Power BI system, 3) monitoring factors that often disrupt IPM strategies, such as emerging or re-emerging pathogens and fungicide resistance, and 4)offering IPM-focused disease management recommendations will involve developing a repository of IPM strategies and best practices.Subproject #3-Survey and management of established and invading grass weeds in perennial forageand turfgrass systems will involve the following:1) through collaboration with the University of Florida Herbarium, our group will attempt to determine the spread of Australian beardgrass and Brunswickgrass throughout the state, 2) research and demonstration plots will be setup in various locations throughout peninsular Florida to examine specific herbicides known to have activity on Australian beardgrass and goosegrass to validate herbicide efficacy observed in other states and to assess any possible injury associated with these herbicides on desirable turfgrass and forage crops, 3)research and demonstration plots will be setup in various locations throughout peninsular Florida to examine specific herbicides known to have activity on Australian beardgrass and goosegrass to validate herbicide efficacy observed in other states and to assess any possible injury associated with these herbicides on desirable turfgrass and forage crops,4) training opportunities for county extension faculty will be conducted to train and/or reinforce existing county extension faculty on various aspects of turfgrass and/or forage management, 5)supportcounty extension faculty by providing training to improve their job-related skills is imperative to not only their success, but also to the success of turfgrass managers and livestock owners who rely upon forages as their main feedstuff, and 6) develop extension documents that outline management plans for each of the pestgrass weed species.