Source: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA submitted to NRP
2024 CPPM, EIP PROJECT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA: ENTOMOLOGY AND NEMATOLOGY, PLANT PATHOLOGY AND WEED SCIENCE
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1033062
Grant No.
2024-70006-43670
Cumulative Award Amt.
$192,326.00
Proposal No.
2024-03474
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2024
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2025
Grant Year
2024
Program Code
[EIP]- Extension Implementation Program
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)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2162199113034%
2161610114033%
2161499116033%
Knowledge Area
216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
1499 - Vegetables, general/other; 2199 - Ornamentals and turf, general/other; 1610 - Pasture;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology; 1160 - Pathology; 1140 - Weed science;
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.

Progress 09/01/24 to 08/31/25

Outputs
Target Audience:Subproject 1- Extension agents, researchers, educators, Green Industry professionals, pest control professionals, regulatory agencies, Master Gardener volunteers, the public, blueberry growers. Subproject 2- Extension agents, researchers, educators, consultants, regulatory agencies, industry representatives, strawberry, blueberry and cucurbit growers, and turf specialists. Subproject 3- Individuals and public and private entities involved in forage and turfgrass production and maintenance in Florida, including extension faculty (state and regional specialists), cattle producers, federal (NRCS, etc.) agency personnel, turfgrass operation managers, sod producers, golf course superintendents, sports and athletic field managers, urban landscape managers and supervisors, landscape maintenance and pest control professionals, certified pesticide applicators, lawn care technicians, consultants, cooperative invasive species management area members, and suppliers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Subproject 1- Professional development pertaining to clientele behavior change was delivered to over 300 individuals through a Florida Native Plant Society 2025 Conference, 2025 International Conference on Ecology and Transportation, and 2025 Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education conference. Two Extension Ph.D. students were mentored in developing and conducting peer reviewed international research presentations. An Extension Ph.D. student is being trained through engagement in the planning and delivery of our team's upcoming June 2025 Integrating Pest Management and Biodiversity Conservation in Urban Landscapes in-service training.Currently, one graduate student is conducting research and Extension in this area and presented to the Florida Native Plant Society Paw Paw Chapter in spring 2025, gaining experience and confidence in Extension, communicationand teaching. A young professional has been serving as the project's Extension Program Assistant since January 1, 2025, learning about program development, evaluation, event planning and organization, team building and collaboration, and data management, among other skills. Subproject 2- A research assistant, a graduate student, and two lab technicians are working on research for the objectives of this project. The group meets bimonthly to discuss project progress and establish next steps. Subproject 3- There is considerable ongoing training associated with the survey and management of invasive grass weeds. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Subproject 1- EDIS (extension) and open-access scientific publications, workshops/trainings/seminars, field days, online webinars, shared presentation slides, and podcasts. Subproject 2- May 2025: Blackberry In-Service Training, Wimauma, FL May 2025: Blackberry Field Day, Wimauma, FL May 2025: Strawberry Agritech annual meeting, Plant City, FL Subproject 3- County extension faculty and chemical sales representatives were hosted at research and demonstrations sites to view results of herbicide applications to Australian beardgrass as well as to determine the difference between it and desirable bahiagrass. Turfgrass managers throughout Florida were provided with 11 seminars on turfgrass management: 2025 - May. 15 - Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association, Research Update - ONLINE 2025 - Mar. 27 - 36th South Florida Turfgrass Exposition - Davie, FL 2025 - Mar. 6 - Florida Turfgrass Association (FTGA) Turfgrass Seminar - Port St. Lucie, FL 2025 - Feb. 27 - Florida Turfgrass Association (FTGA) Turfgrass Seminar - St. Augustine, FL 2025 - Feb. 13 - Florida Turfgrass Association (FTGA) Turfgrass Seminar - Fort Myers, FL 2025 - Feb. 11 - Florida Turfgrass Association (FTGA) Turfgrass Seminar - New Port Richey, FL 2025 - Jan. 9 - Everglades Golf Course Superintendents Association Turfgrass Seminar - Naples, FL 2024 - Dec. 3 - Florida Turfgrass Association (FTGA) Conference, Tech Training - Citra, FL 2024 - Oct. 17 - Deep South Turf Expo - Biloxi, MS 2024 - Oct. 3 - UF/IFAS Turf Academy (IST) - Citra, FL 2024 - Oct. 2 - UF/IFAS North Central Florida Turfgrass Field Day - Citra, FL What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Subproject 1- We have planned a Florida Cooperative Extension in-service training for county agents focused on integrating pest management with biodiversity conservation in urban and residential landscapes. This event will be heldJune, 17-18 in Orlando, Florida and currently has 25 agents registered. Attendee knowledge gain and intended behavior change will be measured, as well as behavior change several months after the training. We also have developed an Extension program template for county agents to adopt and adapt for their own delivery in counties around Florida. This program will continue to focus on Wildlife-friendly Landscape Management in ornamental plant systems, and urban and residential landscapes. It includes pre-made PowerPoint presentations, hard-copy posters, brochures, publications, and participant evaluations. We plan to identify additional opportunities to translate emerging social science research into Extension products. Strategic planning will take place on the structure and content of a clientele behavior-change manual to guide county Extension agents in their programming efforts. We will continue enrolling students in the online Pollination Ecology course through June 2025, with target enrollment of 75-100 students, and launch a new Extension Online Learning course focused on Wildlife-friendly Landscape Management, targeting the public and professionals in Florida and beyond. Subproject 2- We plan to continue advancing implementation of a comprehensive, Power BI-based data management system to integrate plant diagnostic data across Florida's diagnostic laboratories. Efforts will include automating (rather than manually retrieving) the data exported from PClinic into a centralized, cloud-hosted SQL Server with secure, remote access for stakeholders and routine local backups for data preservation. We will expand host-specific databases, prioritizing crops with the highest diagnostic volume, currently watermelon, blueberry, and turf, and initiate the development of a pathogen-specific database to enable standardized reporting and deeper pathogen-level analysis. The Power BI dashboard being developed to visualize diagnostic trends by host crop will help us to identify statewide IPM priorities and improve response strategies. Ongoing coordination with clinic directors will ensure alignment of diagnostic efforts with regional expertise and stakeholder needs. Subproject 3- We plan to continue monitoring research and demonstration plots and implement the methods already in place. Additionally, we will develop identification guides and handouts outlining weed control options, as well as produce short video clips to assist with species identification. We will continue to update publications to include new management strategies for grass weeds as new data is recorded. A field day is planned for fall 2025 that will include county extension faculty and land managers, as well as federal and state agency personnel to increase knowledge in grass weed control in forage systems. Knowledge gain will be documented through pre- and post-surveys. We plan to begin documenting behavior change by determining the rate of adoption of new management strategies for weed species in grassland ecosystems.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Subproject 1- We presented on Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management to Green Industry professionals at multiple statewide and regional events. Over 350 participants in our seminars reported knowledge gain at a rate of 3.7/5 and a practice change rate of 3.9/5. All participants indicated they would contact the FDACS-DPI and UF/IFAS Extension Office the next time they encounter an invasive pest. For example, we organized a workshop on the invasive pest, Thrips parvispinus, attended by 120 people and 98% of attendees indicated they gained knowledge after attending the workshop, plus 84% of participants indicated their willingness to adopt biological control as a result of the training. We also organized a workshop that aimed to educate the ornamental nursery growers on the sustainable management of spider mites attended by 40 professionals and 80% of the participants indicated that will change their current management practices and 100% indicated their willingness to implement biological control. A workshop for landscape pest control professionals was attended by approximately 100 individuals and 100% of survey respondents (40 people) who indicated they learned new information they will apply to their job, 100% reported they will consider what beneficial insects use a plant before applying a pesticide, and 90% indicated they would tailor pest management tactics to protect pollinators on pollinator friendly plants. Based on an associated survey, 383 respondents from 43 Florida counties, 98% increased their knowledge of landscape integrated pest management and 95% plan to implement and educate others about what they learned. Additionally, 112 lawn and ornamental pest control industry professionals from 40 pest control companies demonstrated an average knowledge gain per individual of 24%, and 100% of students expressed intention to implement newly learned IPM tactics that would benefit their businesses and protect the environment. A major impact involved more than 60 ornamental nurseries that were quarantined during the 2023 spring shipping season due to T. parvispinus, with surveys documenting financial impact ranging from $100k to $500k. Six growers indicated that their estimated losses exceeded $1 million. Intensive Extension efforts to inform and guide the growers about management options resulted in zero active quarantines during the 2025 spring shipping season (information provided by FDACS-DPI). Due to our workshops, at least 150 ornamental growers (out of 1500, i.e., 10%) reportedusing the recommended sustainable insecticides and are willing to implement biological control. Home Depot, one of the largest commercial garden centers in the U.S., implemented a phased pause of contracted production and sale of tropical milkweed,Asclepiascurassavica,in Florida due to the mounting body of research demonstrating negative effects on monarch butterflies. This decision was in part due to UF/IFAS Extension activities, educationand training. Subproject 2- During the project period, significant progress was made in developing an integrated, Power BI-based data management system to enhance plant disease diagnostics and statewide IPM coordination. A centralized SQL Server database was established to aggregate data from all six Florida diagnostic labs, enabling advanced analytics and supporting the creation of curated, crop-specific datasets that feed into interactive dashboards for trend monitoring and decision support. The strawberry dashboard was completed and now serves both as a template for other crops and a model system for real-time tracking of emerging pathogens. Based on analysis of the over 4,000 plant samples diagnosed during this period, among which watermelon, blueberry, and turf accounted for the highest numbers, these crops were prioritized for future dashboard expansion. Each sample received personalized IPM guidance, including one-on-one outreach and expert consultations. The statewide Power BI dashboard will allow us to assess diagnostic sample trends and guide resource allocation. Additional outreach efforts included a blackberry and raspberry field day and presentations at industry events like the strawberry AgriTech, where stakeholders received data-driven updates on seasonal disease pressure. Collectively, these efforts are improving early detection, guiding stakeholder decision-making, and enhancing adoption of IPM practices. Subproject 3- In forage systems, we established four research and demonstration plots in Alachua and Union counties to determine the efficacy of various herbicides on Australian beardgrass. We have also conducted several on-site visits with landowners to identify Australian beardgrass as well as other grass species in pastures and hayfields. Chemical sales representatives have toured plots at various times during the year to observe herbicide efficacy and to aid their recommendations to producers. In turfgrass, we improved goosegrass and tropical signalgrass control strategies by developing sequential micro-dose topramezone programs and glufosinate + imazapic tank-mixes, respectively. These approaches received positive feedback from industry professionals, with some already testing the practices at their facilities this growing season, indicating strong potential for broader adoption.

Publications

  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2025 Citation: Tatman, V., Warner, L. A., Daniels, J., Telg, R., & Lindsey, A. B. (in review). Public perceptions of pollinator perfection. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Electronic Data Information Source.
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2025 Citation: Talton H, Canon MA, Hodges AC, Smith HA, Revynthi AM The Predatory Mite, Amblyseius tamatavensis (Blommers) (Acari: Phytoseiidae). In press by EDIS.
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2025 Citation: Revynthi AM, Velasquez-Hernandez Y, Rodriguez J, Kendra PE, Carrillo D, Mannion CM. The hibiscus bud weevil (Anthonomus testaceosquamosus Linell, Coleoptera: Curculionidae) -Update. In press by EDIS.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Sellers, B., Ellington, H., Golmohammadi, G., Moriel, P., Silveira, M., Vendramini, J., & Baker, H. (2025) UF/IFAS Range Cattle Research and Education Center Research Update 2025. The Florida Cattlemen and Livestock J. 89(9): 90-95.
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Mallinger RE, Ternest JJ, Philips DA. 2024. A guide to selecting and using pesticides during the blueberry pollination period: How can we reduce risk to pollinators? UF IFAS Extension EDIS Publication #ENY-2110. https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-IN1429-2024
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Mach B, Daniels JC, Dale AG. 2025. Balancing pest management and conservation on ornamental plants. UF IFAS EDIS #ENY2120/IN1444. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1444
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2025 Citation: Mach B, Daniels JC, Dale AG. In press. Getting the most out of your milkweed: Best management practices for monarch conservation gardens. UF IFAS EDIS.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Mach BM, Daniels JC, Dale AG. 2025. Helpful Herbivores poster. SP 681. https://ifasbooks.ifas.ufl.edu/p-1823-helpful-herbivores-poster.aspx
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Mach BM, Daniels JC, Dale AG. 2025. Natural Enemies, Natural Pest Control poster. SP 680. https://ifasbooks.ifas.ufl.edu/p-1822-natural-enemies-natural-pest-control-poster.aspx
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Petelewicz, P., & MacDonald, G. E. (2025). Identification, biology, and management of goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.] in Florida turfgrasses. EDIS, 2025(1), 112. https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-ag483-2025
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2025 Citation: Petelewicz, P., & MacDonald, G. E., Schiavon, M., & S�nchez-Quintanilla, M. C. (in press). Identificaci�n, biolog�a, y manejo de pata de gallina [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.] en c�spedes de Florida. Manuscript accepted for publication in EDIS (March 17, 2025).
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Mncube, T. & Sellers, B. (2025). Controlling Australian beardgrass in Florida Pastures. The Florida Cattlemen and Livestock J. 89(4):80-83.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2025 Citation: Conlong, D.E., Cohen, A.C., Leppla, N.C., Gillespie, D.Y., Karsten, M., Bierman, A., Terblanche, J.S., Hatting, J., and Pieterse, J.J. 2024. Chapter 7: Insect Mass Rearing for IPM Applications. In: Principles of Integrated Pest Management: A Southern African Perspective. Minette Karsten and John S. Terblanche (Eds.) CABI (in press)