Source: MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV submitted to NRP
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION IPM IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM, 2024-2027
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1033115
Grant No.
2024-70006-43496
Cumulative Award Amt.
$255,000.00
Proposal No.
2024-03522
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
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV
(N/A)
MISSISSIPPI STATE,MS 39762
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Agronomic (cotton, corn, soybean, grain sorghum, peanuts, wheat, and rice) and specialty crops (greenhouse- and nursery-grown ornamentals and fruits, pecans, and vegetables grown in the field or/or under protection) are commercially produced in Mississippi. Fruits, pecans, and vegetables are also grown in home gardens and yards. Established, invasive, and emerging diseases, insects, and weeds threaten production of commercial and home garden crops each year. In addition, insects, such as fire ants and termites, that occur in Mississippi affect the lives, homes, landscapes, and communities ofMississippi's citizens. Mississippi State University specialists maintain comprehensive, multidisciplinary Extension integratedpest management (IPM) education programs in agronomic crops, communities,and specialty crops as well asplant disease diagnostic facilities for agricultural and horticultural crops; they work to monitor pestoutbreaks and epidemics, evaluate and/or develop new pest management methods, and educate stakeholders on pests and effectiveIPM practices while striving to promote, implement, and demonstrate the value of IPM to stakeholders so stakeholderscan effectively manage pests in ways that are safe, effective, affordable, and environmentally sound.The goal of the "Mississippi State University Extension IPM Implementation Program, 2024-2027" project is to disseminate IPMinformation and increase stakeholder knowledge and IPM implementation to help Mississippi's stakeholders effectively managepests, including insects, plant pathogens/diseases, and weeds, that affect their lives, property, or produced crops/commoditiesin a manner that minimizes 1) yield or property losses, adverse impacts to human/animal health, and other adverse pest-inducedeffects, 2) pest management costs, and 3) adverse impacts of IPM strategies, including pesticide use, to humans, nontargetorganisms, and the environment in agronomic crops, communities, and specialty crops,with the support ofpest diagnostic facilities. Project collaborators with expertise in entomology, plant pathology, and weed science, or specific crops will 1) provide technical assistance and troubleshooting to stakeholders; 2) develop new and maintain/update existing traditional and modern educational IPM resources for pests, key crops, and/or production sitesthroughmultiple delivery methods; 3) develop and deliver educational programs to stakeholders; and 4) conduct surveys, trials, anddemonstrations to identify and assess target pests and their populations/occurrences in MS and test/demonstrate test/demonstrateexperimental/recommended IPM strategies. Specific activities that will be used to provide technical assistance andtroubleshooting to stakeholders include diagnostics by specialists and/or diagnostic facilities, in-person or phone/electronic communication with stakeholders, and site visits. Educational resources developed as part of this project will include traditional (in print)and virtual/online content, including Extension publications, computer-generated presentations, videos,blogs,popular press articles, field days, workshops, and short courses, based on knowledge gained from field surveys, trials, and demonstrations, published scientific literature, and attendance of scientific meetings where research is shared and discussed.
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
2162410113025%
2162410116025%
2162410114020%
2162199113010%
2162199116010%
2166099113010%
Knowledge Area
216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
2199 - Ornamentals and turf, general/other; 2410 - Cross-commodity research--multiple crops; 6099 - People and communities, general/other;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology; 1160 - Pathology; 1140 - Weed science;
Goals / Objectives
The goal of the "Mississippi State University Extension IPM Implementation Program, 2024-2027" project is to disseminate IPM information and increase stakeholder knowledge and IPM implementation to help Mississippi's stakeholders effectively manage pests that affect their lives, property, or produced crops/commodities in a manner that minimizes 1) yield or property losses, adverse impacts to human/animal health, and other adverse pest-induced effects, 2) pest management costs, and 3) adverseimpacts of IPM strategies, including pesticide use, to humans, non-target organisms, and the environment. Targeted priority areas for this project include IPM Implementation in Agronomic and Specialty Crops, IPM Implementation in Communities,and IPM Support for Pest Diagnostic Facilities. The activities used to accomplish the objectives designed to meet the overall goal of the project and the prioritization or inclusion of certain objectives may differ among priority areas included in the project, but the objectives supporting the overall goal of the project are: 1) provide technical assistance and troubleshooting to stakeholders; 2) develop new and maintain/update existing traditional and modern educational IPM resources for pests, key crops, and/or production sites through multiple delivery methods; 3) develop and deliver educational programs to stakeholders; and 4) conduct surveys, trials, and demonstrations to identify and assess target pests and their populations/occurrences in Mississippi andtest/demonstrate experimental/recommended IPM strategies.
Project Methods
The details of the methods and efforts required to complete the overall goal and the supporting objectives of the "Mississippi State University Extension IPM Implementation Program, 2024-2027" project depend on the specific activities required to meet the objectives and complete the products outlined for each described priority area. However, the methods for the overall project can be broadly grouped as follows: 1) use of trials and demonstrations to generate information and gain knowledge of current pests and populations (e.g. occurrence, numbers, and/or resistance) in Mississippi and to determine theeffectiveness of experimental/recommended IPM strategies for management of those pests, 2) development and deliverance of educational programs and resources, such as traditional (in-print) and virtual/online content including Extension publications, computer-generated presentations, videos, blogs, popular press articles, field days, workshops, and short courses, based on knowledge gained from activities listed above, published scientific literature, and attendance of scientific meetings where research is shared and discussed, and 3) provision of pest management recommendations for individual stakeholders based on diagnoses, available and effective management options, site visits, and production practices. Success of individual activities and of the various priority areas will be determined and/or measured through program outreach (e.g. numbers of stakeholders served and of publications distributed) and event attendance, direct input from stakeholders (e.g. one-on-one conversations) surveys/evaluations distributed at educational events or for various activities/services, and impact (e.g. yield, cost, etc.) to stakeholders. This feedback will allow MSU Extension Implementation Program specialists to assess changes in stakeholder knowledge, attitudes, and practices of IPM in each priority area.

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

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached during the reporting period for the "Mississippi State University Extension IPM ImplementationProgram, 2024-2027" varied according to the priority area. The target audience for IPM Implementation in Agronomic & Specialty Cropsincluded (for agronomiccrops) producers, crop consultants, agronomic commodity associations, and agricultural and Extension professionals withresponsibilities and/or interests in the production of agronomic crops, including cotton, corn, soybean, grain sorghum,peanuts, wheat, and rice, and (for specialty crops)greenhouse and nursery producers and retailers, commercial crop producers, crop consultants, and agricultural and Extension professionals with responsibilities and/orinterests in the production of ornamentals and specialty crops, including fruits, pecans, and vegetables grown in the field andin enclosed structures (high tunnels and greenhouses) produced conventionally or organically.The target audience for IPM Implementation in Communities included home gardeners, gardencenters, Master Gardeners, pest control professionals, and Extension professionals with responsibilitiesassisting Mississippi's citizens with pest control issues in their homes, landscapes, businesses, and/or communities. The target audience for IPM Support for Pest DiagnosticFacilities included commercial agricultural producers, crop consultants, agricultural businesses, commercial nurseries andretailers, homeowners and home gardeners, Master Gardeners, golf courses, public landscape managers, municipalities,and agricultural and Extension professionals with responsibilities and/or interests in assisting Mississippi's citizens andcommunities with pest management issues. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Specialists participating in this project have had the opportunity to attend professional and producer conferences/meetings inwhich they were able to network with professionals in their areas of expertise from other states and/or regions and withproducers, respectively. These opportunities allowed Mississippi's specialists to stay up to date on research being conductedon pest issues and integrated pest management practices relevant to issues occurring in Mississippi and to maintainawareness of pest epidemics and potential issues occurring outside of Mississippi that may have a future impact onMississippi stakeholders. Several CoPIs also have graduate and undergraduate students in their programs who participate in some aspects of activities for this project; these students receive first-hand experience in their disciplines and in Extension activities that would help prepare them for future graduate or employmemt opportunities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Information on pest identification and management in the various priority areas has been distributed to stakeholders andcommunities of interest through various methods, including one-on-one interactions with stakeholders in person or via email,text, mail, or phone; presentations delivered virtually or in person at various programs or group events; blog posts, social media posts, and/or podcasts (see specific accounts below); and Extension publications made available in print andelectronically on the Mississippi State University Extension website, http://extension.msstate.edu/. Blog Mississippi Crop Situation Blog (about 3,000 subscribers):https://www.mississippi-crops.com/ Podcast Mississippi Crop Situation "Crop Doctors" Podcast (about 300 subscribers):http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation/audio Social Media MSU Extension Diseases of Vegetables, Fruits, and Pecans (@MSUextDiseasesVFP) Facebook account (1,800 followers):https://www.facebook.com/MSUextDiseasesVFP MSU Extension Entomology (@msuextbev) Facebook group (2,700 members):https://www.facebook.com/groups/msuextbev/ Mississippi Pest Management Professionals (@mississippipmp) Facebook account (248 followers): https://www.facebook.com/mississippipmp MSU Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab (@MSUextPlantLab) X account (1,680 followers):https://x.com/MSUextPlantLab MSU Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab (@msuextplantlab) Instagram account (255 followers): https://www.instagram.com/msuextplantlab/ What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? IPM Implementation in Agronomic & Specialty Crops Agronomic Crops: Objective 1: Provide technical assistance and troubleshooting to stakeholders • Continue to provide stakeholders technical assistance when assistance is requested Objective 2: Conduct product evaluation and demonstration trials to support Extension recommendations and publications • Continue to conduct numerous demonstration trials to support Extension recommendations and provide in-field training opportunities for county agents and industry personnel Objective 3: Develop and disseminate information and resources through traditional and modern methods, such as in-print publications, electronic newsletters, videos, blogs, and podcasts • Further develop relevant content for the Crop Doctors Podcast, Mississippi Crop Situation Blog, and hotline on IPM-relevant topics for delivery of timely information to stakeholders Objective 4: Develop and deliver formal and informal stakeholder (including county agents) trainings on target pests of agronomic crops • Provide in-person training to stakeholders and county agents through Agronomic Scout Schools, short courses, and in-field impromptu field days around specific issues, and when troubleshooting farmer problems Specialty Crops: Objective 1: Provide technical assistance and troubleshooting to stakeholders • Continue to provide stakeholders technical assistance when assistance is requested Objective 2: Develop and disseminate educational resources, such as in-print publications, electronic newsletters, videos, on identification and IPM methods of target pests • Continue to update and create new Extension publications on target pests for stakeholders Objective 3: Develop and deliver formal and informal stakeholder trainings on target pests of commercially produced crops • Continue to offer and deliver new iterations of workshops, such as the General Pest Management Workshop, as well as shorter single-topic trainings on relevant topics IPM Implementation in Communities Objective 1: Provide technical assistance and troubleshooting to stakeholders • Continue to provide stakeholders technical assistance when assistance is requested Objective 2: Provide support and training for the Mississippi Master Gardener (MG) program • Deliver live or recorded presentations on various disease, insect, and weed topics to various county MG groups as part of the annual MG trainings in various counties • Deliver presentations/workshops for advanced MG training Objective 3: Develop and disseminate educational resources on identification and IPM methods of target pests • Continue to update/create new Extension publications on target pests and distribute these resources to stakeholders • Continue to generate content and build the database for the MyIPM for Home Gardens in Mississippi • Enhance efforts for dissemination of educational content via social media Objective 4: Develop and deliver formal and informal stakeholder trainings • Update existing or create new agent trainings on disease identification and management IPM Support for Pest Diagnostic Facilities Objective: Provide pest identification and appropriate IPM-based management recommendations to clients in a timely manner • Continue to examine submitted samples for pest identification and return reports with details on pest identification and management to clientele

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Mississippi (MS) stakeholders require assistance with identification of various pest issues and their management.Stakeholders increase their knowledge in these areas through individual assistance from specialists and from educationalresources and events created and delivered by specialists. As a result, they become more knowledgeable of pest issues, canmore easily recognize those issues, and are better prepared to effectively manage those issues. This change in knowledgeleads to reduced pest issues, quicker implementation and use of more effective management methods, improved success inproduction, and decreased costs. Note: A heavy portion of the work for this project occurs during the summer months, which have not yet occurred for theproject reporting period. IPM Implementation in Agronomic & Specialty Crops Agronomic Crops: Objective 1: Provide technical assistance and troubleshooting to stakeholders (50% completed) • Specialists have provided technical assistance and troubleshooting in-person at meetings and site-visits and via phone, email, text, and in-person, to over 3,000 stakeholders. Objective 2: Conduct product evaluation and demonstration trials to support Extension recommendations and publications (60% completed) • Over 150 demonstration, product efficacy, and variety trials were initiated by specialists. Objective 3: Develop and disseminate information and resources through traditional and modern methods, such as in-print publications, electronic newsletters, videos, blogs, and podcasts (70% completed) • Several MSU Extension publications, including the 2024 Insect Control Guide for Agronomic Crops, have been published and distributed to stakeholders. • Fifty-eight episodes of the Mississippi Crop Situation "Crop Doctors" Podcast (about 300 subscribers) were delivered. • Forty articles were posted to the Mississippi Crop Situation Blog (about 3,000 subscribers). Objective 4: Develop and deliver formal and informal stakeholder (including county agents) trainings on target pests of agronomic crops (75% completed) • Eleven educational programs were delivered in various counties in Mississippi. • Over 700 people from 10+ states attended the Mississippi Row Crop Short Course. Survey respondents represented approximately 1 million acres of row crops with an estimated economic impact of approximately $18 million. Specialty Crops: Objective 1: Provide technical assistance and troubleshooting to stakeholders (60% completed) • Specialists have provided technical assistance and troubleshooting to over 190 stakeholders, with over 20 site visits, allowing them to better manage insect and disease pests in their plantings. Objective 2: Develop and disseminate educational resources, such as in-print publications, electronic newsletters, videos, on ID and IPM methods of target pests (65% completed) • At least three MSU Extension publications on topics including greenhouse basil downy mildew, damping-off in vegetables, and disease management in tree fruits, have been published (new or revisions to existing publications) and distributed to stakeholders through various methods, including Facebook posts on the MSU Extension Diseases of Vegetables, Fruits, and Pecans (@MSUextDiseasesVFP; 1,800 followers) Facebook account, or are in press. • Regional IPM Guides with recommendations for disease, insect, and weed management in vegetables and fruit crops (blueberry, caneberry, muscadine, and peach) have been distributed to stakeholders online, via email or social media, or in-print. Objective 3: Develop and deliver formal and informal stakeholder trainings on target pests of commercially produced crops (70% completed) • At least 17 presentations on disease management in ornamentals, vegetables, fruits, and pecans have been delivered/recorded. • The annual program, the General Pest Management Workshop, was delivered. IPM Implementation in Communities Objective 1: Provide technical assistance and troubleshooting to stakeholders (70% completed) • Specialists have provided technical assistance and troubleshooting to over 740 stakeholders allowing them to better manage insect and disease pests in their homes and gardens. Objective 2: Provide support and training for the Mississippi Master Gardener (MG) program (80% completed) • Over 180 MGs were trained through the online or in person MG Training program, which includes modules for disease, insect, and weed management. • The weed management module for the MG program is under revision. Objective 3: Develop and disseminate educational resources on identification and IPM methods of target pests (70% completed) • At least five MSU Extension publications have been published (new or revisions to existing publications) on topics including bacterial wetwood and alcoholic flux, fungicide application in residential areas, large patch of turf, blossom-end rot, and two-spined trap jaw ant have been published and distributed to stakeholders through various methods, including posts on the MSU Extension Diseases of Vegetables, Fruits, and Pecans (@MSUextDiseasesVFP), MSU Extension Entomology (@msuextbev), or Mississippi Pest Management Professionals (@mississippipmp) Facebook accounts, which have 1,800 followers, 2,700 members, and 248 followers, respectively, or are in press. Objective 4: Develop and deliver formal and informal stakeholder trainings (60% completed) • Over 16 presentations have been delivered/recorded to/for various stakeholder groups, including pest control professionals, turf professionals, and a local rose society. • Two sessions of the MSU Termite University, resulting in the training and certification of approximately 60 pest control professionals, and one session of the Commercial Pest Control Training Workshop have been delivered. IPM Support for Pest Diagnostic Facilities Objective: Provide pest identification and appropriate IPM-based management recommendations to clients in a timely manner (60% completed) • Diagnoses and management recommendations were provided for 1,600 nematode, 400 plant disease, and 24 insect samples for clients in Mississippi and 10 other states. • Information on pest identification and management was distributed to stakeholders through various social media platforms. The MSU Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab (@MSUextPlantLab) X account (1,680 followers)broadcasted real-time IPM information on active pathogens and pests approximately 7 times per month during the reporting period. X posts were also shared on the MSU Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab (@msuextplantlab)Instagram account (255 followers), and the MSU Extension (@MSUExtService) Facebook account. Total numbers Peer-reviewed publications: 0 Non-peer reviewed publications: 15 Presentations: 147+ People reached: 145,000+

Publications

  • Type: Other Status: Submitted Year Published: 2025 Citation: Melanson, R. A. 2022. A checklist of disease management recommendations for vegetable production (revision). MSU Extension Service, P3761. 2 pages. URL: http://extension.msstate.edu/publications/checklist-disease-management-recommendations-for-vegetable-production
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Melanson, R. A. and Orlinski, P. Blossom-end rot. Mississippi State University Extension Service. (educational postcard)
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Melanson, R. A. 2024. A checklist of disease management recommendations for tree fruit production. MSU Extension Service, P4037. 2 pages. URL: https://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/publications/P4037_web.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Kemble, J. M. (senior editor); Albornoz, K., Bertucci, M. B., Bilbo, T., Jennings, K. M., Meadows, I. M., Melanson, R. A., Rodrigues, C., Rudoplh, R. E., Wright-Smith, H., Walgenbach, J. F., Wszelaki, A. L. (associate editors); Jackson-Davis, A., Cremonez, P., Da Silva, A., Kemble, J. M., Rodrigues, C., Trandel-Hayse, M., Sikora, E. J., Burkett, K., Ballew, J., Bilbo, T., Snipes, Z., Carter, C., Jatana, B. S., Miller, G. A., Ward, B. K., Keinath, A., Albornoz, K., Cutulle, M., Sarjeant, K., Greenewalt, S., Fontenot, K., Motsenbocker, C., Singh, R., Gregorie, C., Ayankojo, T., Coker, C. E., Orlinski, P., White, S. B., Melanson, R. A., Byrd, J., Walgenbach, J. F., Rogers, E. T., Batts, R. B., Davis, J. M., Mauney, R. C., Eure, E. R., Jennings, K. M., Schultheis, J. R., Torres, E., Gorny, A. M., Quesada-Ocampo, L. M., Meadows, I. M., Jadeja, R., Castillo, A., Woods, K. L., Cato, A., Perez, A., Lee, J., McWhirt, A., Bertucci, M. B., Wright-Smith, H., Sparks, A., Dunn, L. L., Coolong, T. W., Deltsidis, A., McAvoy, T. P., Dutta, B., Bessin, R. T., Priyesh, P. V., Rudolph, R., Gauthier, N., Wszelaki, A. L., Kuhar, T. P., Sutton, K., Strawn, L., Reiter, M. S., Higgins, D. S., Rideout, S. L., and Singh, V. (authors). 2025. 2025 Southeast U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook. Southeastern Vegetable Extension Workers. 395 pages. URL: http://vegcrophandbook.com
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Balbalian, C. J. 2025. Plant disease diagnostic laboratory (revision). MSU Extension Service, P1230. 2 pages. URL: https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/plant-diagnostic-laboratory
  • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2025 Citation: Byrd, J. 2025. Weed management (revision). In: Master Gardener Student Training Manual, Wilson, J. (editor), MSU Extension Service, P2356.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Henn, A. 2025. Bacterial wetwood and alcoholic flux (revision). MSU Extension Service, IS1664. 7 pages. URL: https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/bacterial-wetwood-and-alcoholic-flux
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Henn, A. The Plant Doctor: how to spray fungicides to protect residential landscapes, gardens, and turf (revision). MSU Extension Service, P2705. 4 pages. URL: https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/the-plant-doctor-how-spray-fungicides-protect-landscapes-gardens-and-turf-residential
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Henn, A. The Plant Doctor: large (brown) patch of warm-season turfgrasses (revision). MSU Extension Service, P3743. 6 pages. URL: https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/the-plant-doctor-large-brown-patch-warm-season-turfgrasses
  • Type: Other Status: Submitted Year Published: 2025 Citation: Henn, A. 2025. The Plant Doctor: greenhouse basil downy mildew (revision). MSU Extension Service, P2936. 9 pages. URL: https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/plant-doctor-greenhouse-basil-downy-mildew
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Crow, W. D., Cook, D., Musser, F., and Towles, T. 2024. 2025 Insect Control Guide for Agronomic Crops. MSU Extension Service, P2471. URL: https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/publications/insect-control-guide-for-agronomic-crops
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Pieralisi, B., Bullock, B., Noah, L., and Rutland, W. 2025. 2024 Mississippi on-farm cotton variety trials. MSU Extension Service. 16 pages. URL: https://www.mississippi-crops.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-County-Demo-Book-SC.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Bond, J., Avila, L., Bararpour, T., Bowman, H., Dodds, D., Irby, J., Larson, E., Pieralisi, B., Reynolds, D., Zurweller, B. 2025 weed management suggestions for Mississippi row crops. MSU Extension Service, P3171. 79 pages. URL: https://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/publications/2025_weed_suggestions_12-1_kp.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Portugal, J. S. 2024. Preparing for your Mississippi Wood Destroying Insect License exam. MSU Extension Service, P4054. 2 pages. URL: http://extension.msstate.edu/publications/preparing-for-your-mississippi-wood-destroying-insect-license-exam
  • Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2025 Citation: Portugal, J. S. and MacGown, J. 2025. MS PMP PEST SNAPSHOT: Two-spined trap-jaw ant Odontomachus haematodus. MSU Extension Service, PXXXX. 2 pages.
  • Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2025 Citation: Portugal, J.S. and Barefield, A. 2025. Economic contribution of the Mississippi professional pest management industry to the Mississippi economy. MSU Extension Service, P4115. 28 pages.
  • Type: Other Status: Submitted Year Published: 2025 Citation: Melanson, R. A. 2025 Damping-off in vegetables (revision). MSU Extension Service. MSU Extension Service, P3747. 4 pages. URL: https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/damping-vegetables