Progress 09/15/03 to 09/14/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: A phenology model was made for plum curculio (PC) based on a degree day estimation for use in conjunction with scouting to optimize sprays. Reduced risk chemistries were sprayed in RAMP orchards and conventional chemistries were sprayed in COMP orchards. In 2004-2006 more PC were trapped in RAMP orchards on average. The 2007 PC average was higher in COMP blocks. OP rescue sprays were needed in some RAMP blocks. One was needed in 2004, 2 in 2006, and 3 in 2007, with 2 for Japanese beetle. Entomopathogenic nematodes were tested for PC control. Their efficiency was influenced by temperature. At 20C both species performed the best. At 30C Heterorhabditis bacteriophora was superior to Steinernema feltiae. Both species successfully established into the soil after three to seven applications. As copper use is re-introduced, there is concern about compatibility with insecticides for PC control. Copper mixed with lime prevents phytotoxicity, but lime changes the water pH and may affect some insecticide efficacy. Copper does not negatively influence the activity of any of the tested insecticides. Copper increased the efficacy of the OPs azinphos-methyl and phosmet. Copper mixtures decrease the efficacy of thiamethoxam and imidacloprid. Better systems of estimating cherry fruit fly (CFF) oviposition are needed to reliably transition from OPs to spinosad bait or imidacloprid. The average CFF number was consistently higher post-harvest in RAMP and COMP blocks. Post-harvest applications are being considered to aid in the control of later PC and CFF pressure. Phosmet OP rescue sprays for CFF were used in 2004, 2006, and 2007. Some neonicotinoids replacing OPs have been known to flare plant parasitic mites in other systems like apples. Monitoring suggests neonicotinoid do not flare mites in cherry. Natural enemy diversity was calculated for functional ecology assessment. COMP orchards had higher diversity than RAMP. Higher diversity in COMP orchards is theorized becuase of the orchard species equilibration after the prolonged use of OPs. The short term effects of new sprays resulted in lower diversity but the continued use of reduced-risk insecticides may result in the same adjustment. Researchers evaluated spray programs to control cherry leaf spot (CLS) centered on the strobilurin Gem, sterol demethylation inhibitor fungicides, and copper fungicides. Strobilurin Gem and the strobilurin plus boscalid Pristine and the copper fungicides all provide good CLS control. Programs that included up to three sprays of copper-based fungicides were the most effective for controlling CLS, but leaf phytotoxicidty was sometimes observed. Two sources of resistance to CLS were identified. These were crossed with Montmorency and Balaton to begin transferring resistance into commercial cultivars. Starch levels in the roots, shoots and buds were not good indicators of tree health or return crop load because of the large variation in concentration during the year. Starch levels in the fall were significantly related to starch concentration, and cold hardiness of the shoots was inversely related to the start of deep winter hardiness. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Part of the goal of this project has been to develop organophosphate alternatives for key cherry pests. Although the neonicitinoids investigated in have shown some efficacy, there have still been near failures. Through our efforts, the nine growers involved in this project have become "keystone" growers in their locale. They have "lead the way" in bringing growers to a better understanding of the orchard ecosystem and the need for more intensive management.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
The 2007 field season saw the continuation of the 2004-2006 on-farm insecticide trials in Michigan and Utah. In previous years, the insecticide trials consisted of a comparison of the reduced risk insecticides (Avaunt (indoxicarb), Actara (thiamethoxam), Spintor (spinosad), Provado (imidicloprid)) to an organophosphate spray program. In 2007, Dow Agrosciences was sure that there would be a stone fruit label for Avaunt, therefore negating the need for an experimental use permit. When the label failed to materialize, we were forced to remove Avaunt from the reduced-risk spray program. Plum curculio populations were monitored with a combination of pyramid and screen traps baited with kairomone. Early season damage sampling was performed, and 4 out of 9 reduced risk blocks had damage significant enough to warrant an organophosphate rescue spray. An additional grower had to use an organophosphate against an infestation of Japanese beetle. Cherry fruit fly and western cherry
fruit fly populations were monitored with ammonium baited yellow sticky traps. Increased trap catch was observed near harvest in the reduced risk blocks. One grower had oblique banded leaf rollers show up in his harvesting operations. Additional monitoring efforts have indicated low level populations of black cherry aphids as well. Increases in the populations of the two key pests, plum curculio and cherry fruit fly and minor pests, indicates that we will face a great deal of pressure from a variety of pests as we transition away from the organophosphate insecticides. 2007 also saw the continuation of our functional ecology measures, using natural enemy abundance and diversity as a measure of pesticide impact. Sixteen unbaited yellow sticky traps were placed in a transect through each orchard. What is being observed is a sharp decline in abundance and diversity in the reduced risk blocks. Fungicide trials against cherry leaf spot were continued in 2007. Results indicated the
strobilurin Gem and the strobilurin plus boscalid Pristine and the copper fungicides all provided excellent cherry leaf spot control. In experiments designed to maximize the integration of copper fungicides, programs that included up to three sprays of copper-based fungicides were among the most effective for controlling CLS, although leaf phytotoxicity was sometimes observed. The utility of copper is due to the extreme sensitivity of the cherry leaf spot fungus to copper. Since leaves are only on the tree about 7 months out of the year, any damage to the leaves will reduce the supply of carbon. Several approaches have been taken to determine the effect of foliage damage on current and next seasons fruit production. Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of leaf damage on both current and next years crop. It was hypothesized that storage starch in the root or shoot could be a good indicator of performance the next year. We did not find a good association between Starch
content and return yield or hardiness unless values were extremely low. Based on published and experimental data we developed a set of leaf damage thresholds for "Montmorency" cherry grown under Michigan conditions.
Impacts
Part of the goal of this project has been to develop organophosphate alternatives for key cherry pests. Although the neonicitinoids investigated in have shown some efficacy, there have still been near failures. Through our efforts, the nine growers involved in this project have become "keystone" growers in their locale. They have "lead the way" in bringing growers to a better understanding of the orchard ecosystem and the need for more intensive management.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
The 2006 field season included on farm insecticide trials, continued from the 2004 and 2005 seasons. These trials commenced in Utah and Michigan and included comparison of a reduced risk spray program including Spintor (spinosad), Avaunt (indoxicarb), Actara (thiamethoxam), and Provado (imidicloprid) with an organophosphate based system. Plum curculio and cherry fruit fly traps were evaluated in Michigan blocks. Pyramid and screen traps baited with plum curculio kairomones were deployed. Previous years yielded comparable control of major insect pests between treatments. This year, plum curculio damage was significantly higher in reduced risk treatment blocks compared to organophosphate blocks, although by harvest, all farms had fallen to below threshold. Data such as this suggests a reduced efficacy of currently available organophosphate alternatives versus current plum curculio management. Higher levels of damage were also reflected in higher plum curculio trap catch
in the reduced risk blocks. Cherry fruit fly traps yielded a higher trap catch in the reduced risk blocks near harvest. Traps on the edge of the orchard tended to catch more cherry fruit flies, but interior traps also caught a significant number. It is recommended that trapping for cherry fruit fly monitoring be performed on the edge and interior of the orchard in order to get a full representation of population levels. Increased levels of both of these major pests are indicative of increased pressure during transition away from organophosphate based insect control. Reduced-risk fungicides were evaluated during the summer of 2006. The 2006 field season also saw increased natural enemy monitoring with the hopes of determining the effect of reduced risk pesticides on the ecosystem. Yellow sticky trapping for natural enemies and limb jarring activities were performed. Overall, reduced-risk and organophosphate treatments yielded similar diversity, although post bloom sticky trapping
indicated greater natural enemy diversity in organophosphate treated blocks. Most cherry leaf spot strains have exhibited resistance to sterol inhibiting (SI) fungicides. The strategies available for immediate SI replacement are expected to result in widespread resistance as well. Therefore it has been imperative that new control technologies be developed. Copper was tested during the 2006 season as a viable alternative control for cherry leaf spot. So far, it seems that copper could successfully control cherry leaf spot and be incorporated into a control program to mitigate resistance. Continued analysis of cost of reduced risk systems indicates that, at the level necessary to attain good control, costs are approximately 2.5 times higher than a conventional organophospate spray system.
Impacts
Although not all of the socioloical impacts of this study have been assessed, some important impacts have been noticed. Using functional ecology measurement tools developed in this project, we have seen growers thinking about farm operations move from an industrial to an ecosystem approach. We have also developed an evaluation tool that will allow the management team to evaluate the broader effects upon project termination. The ultimate changes in perceptions of IPM will be evaluated during the final months of the project.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
On-farm trials of reduced risk insecticides were tested in Michigan and Utah in 2004 and 2005. In Michigan, spray programs that included Spintor (spinosad), Avaunt (idoxicarb), Actara (thiamethoxam), and Provado (imidacloprid) provided control of plum curculio, eastern cherry fruit fly, and green fruitworm that was as good as grower standard programs that included organophosphate insecticides. In Utah, Provado and GF 120 NF Naturalyte fruit fly bait were demonstrated as viable alternatives to organophosphate insecticides for controlling western cherry fruit fly. Initial field trials of entomopathogenic nematodes for control of plum curculio demonstrated that the nematodes can be successfully inoculated into field soil, become established for at least 3-4 weeks, and attact 4th instar larvae. In Michigan, we also evaluated plum curculio and cherry fruit fly traps in 2004 and 2005. Pyramid and screen traps baited with plum essence were deployed in the Michigan on-farm
study blocks. Only a few plum curculio were captured in monitoring traps and did not help in making control decisions. Better lures are necessary to make these traps effective for commercial blocks. Pherecon AM yellow sticky traps baited with ammonia carbonate caught CFF earlier and in higher numbers compared to yellow sticky traps baited with ammonia acetate. Traps deployed on the border tended to perform better but there are some sites where traps deployed in the interior of the orchard performed better. Therefore, we recommend that traps are deployed both in the border and interior of the orchard. In these trials, two border traps and one interior trap gave us a good indication of when CFF began to fly and when populations began to increase. Reduced risk fungicides were evaluated on research plots in Michigan and Wisconsin in 2004 and 2005. Spray programs that included copper cover sprays provided excellent control of cherry leaf spot on both Montmorency and Balaton. A survey of 39
tart and 1 sweet cherry orchard in Michigan revealed that resistance to DMI fungicides is much more widespread than anticipated. Two sources of leaf spot resistance have been identified from wild cherry species and incorporated into cultivated cherry. Eleven selections have been shown to be resistant to leaf spot both in mist chambers and in the field. Baseline budget data was collected from Michigan on-farm grower cooperators. Partial budgets analysis resulted in 2.5 times the cost when using reduced risk orchard management strategies compared to conventional management strategies. A Management Team was established to obtain real-time stakeholder input to continually enhance the stability and sustainability of the project. The Management Team has formally met twice annually and has included three meetings in person (10/23/03; 1/19/04; 1/20/05).
Impacts
Since the project just began in September 2003, it is difficult to report project impacts to date. Nonetheless, this project has set high expectations for project impacts and has established an innovative evaluation system to both inform researchers of best means of disseminating information and also to measure the impact of this information. A measurement tool is in place to collect industry-wide baseline information that will be used to measure change in both attitudes regarding IPM and adoption of IPM practices. A total of 757 valid surveys were mailed to tart cherry growers in the US in January, 2004 and 408 completed surveys were returned. Returned surveys have been coded and data were entered. Data summaries have been distributed to project researchers and the management team for guidance in statistical analysis. Changes in management practices and IPM perceptions will be measured with follow-up surveys in each of the 3 remaining years of the project.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
On-farm trials of reduced risk insecticides were tested in Michigan and Utah during the 2004 field season. In Michigan, spray programs that included Spintor (spinosad), Avaunt (idoxicarb), Actara (thiamethoxam), and Provado (imidacloprid) provided control of plum curculio, eastern cherry fruit fly, and green fruitworm that was as good as grower standard programs that included organophosphate insecticides. In Utah, Provado and GF 120 NF Naturalyte fruit fly bait were demonstrated as viable alternatives to organophosphate insecticides for controlling western cherry fruit fly. Initial field trials of entomopathogenic nematodes for control of plum curculio demonstrated that the nematodes can be successfully inoculated into field soil, become established for at least 3 to 4 weeks, and attact 4th instar larvae. In Michigan, we also evaluated plum curculio and cherry fruit fly traps. Pyramid and screen traps baited with plum essence were deployed in the Michigan on-farm
study blocks. Only a few plum curculio were captured in monitoring traps and did not help in making control decisions. Better lures are necessary to make these traps effective for commercial blocks. Pherecon AM yellow sticky traps baited with ammonia carbonate caught CFF earlier and in higher numbers compared to yellow sticky traps baited with ammonia acetate. Traps deployed on the border tended to perform better but there are some sites where traps deployed in the interior of the orchard performed better. Therefore, we recommend that traps are deployed both in the border and interior of the orchard. In these trials, two border traps and one interior trap gave us a good indication of when CFF began to fly and when populations began to increase. Reduced risk fungicides were evaluated on research plots in Michigan and Wisconsin. Spray programs that included copper cover sprays provided excellent control of cherry leaf spot on both Montmorency and Balaton. A survey of 39 tart and 1 sweet
cherry orchard in Michigan revealed that resistance to DMI fungicides is much more widespread than anticipated. Emphasis in 2005 will be on-farm evaluation of copper and resistance management strategies. Two sources of leaf spot resistance have been identified from wild cherry species and incorporated into cultivated cherry. Eleven selections have been shown to be resistant to leaf spot both in mist chambers and in the field. Baseline budget data was collected from Michigan on-farm grower cooperators. Partial budgets will be constructed based on changes made in orchard blocks with reduced risk orchard management compared to grower standard blocks. A Management Team was established to obtain real-time stakeholder input to continually enhance the stability and sustainability of the project. The Management Team has formally met twice annually and has included three meetings in person (10/23/03; 1/19/04; 1/20/05) and one conference call (11/2/04). In addition to numerous talks given by
individual researchers at grower meetings and trade shows, the project has held a workshop in Michigan (10/20/04), Utah (11/12/04), and Wisconsin (12/16/04).
Impacts
Since the project just began in September 2003, it is difficult to report project impacts to date. Nonetheless, this project has set high expectations for project impacts and has established an innovative evaluation system to both inform researchers of best means of disseminating information and also to measure the impact of this information. A measurement tool is in place to collect industry-wide baseline information that will be used to measure change in both attitudes regarding IPM and adoption of IPM practices. A total of 757 valid surveys were mailed to tart cherry growers in the US in January 2004 and 408 completed surveys were returned. Returned surveys have been coded and data were entered. Data summaries have been distributed to project researchers and the management team for guidance in statistical analysis. Changes in management practices and IPM perceptions will be measured with follow-up surveys in each of the 3 remaining years of the project. The 2005
survey is scheduled to go out in February.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/15/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
The Tart Cherry RAMP Management Team is essential to create a system for real-time stakeholder input and participation to continually foster rapid producer-adoption of sustainable innovations. The first Management Team meeting was held October 23, 2003 at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station. During this meeting the project was described to the Management Team, specifically their crucial role in the project. Two orders of business were also decided. First, an Executive Committee was elected to handle emergency decisions and a Project Coordinator was hired. Andrea Coombs was chosen for this position. Since Mrs. Coombs was currently employed at Michigan State University, the Management Team did not have to go through the process of posting the position and interviewing multiple candidates. Instead, Mrs. Coombs was able to be reclassified into the position and begin the job immediately. The next Management Team meeting will be held in conjunction with
the Northwest Orchard and Vineyard show at Grand Traverse Resort on January 19, 2003. During this meeting, we will lay out 2004 plans for biointensive IPM research resulting in new pest biology information to allow use of OP-alternative and reduced-risk pesticides through new thresholds, timing and monitoring tactics and tools. A project website is currently being developed and will be available on Michigan State University IPM Program website (www.ipm.msu.edu) in late January 2004. This website will include We will utilize grower surveys in order to 1) help identify the best opportunities for extension and outreach efforts for tart cherry growers, 2) identify areas of IPM that pose the greatest challenges for adoption and guide the content of extension and outreach efforts, and 3) provide the project with baseline which the project can be measured against to measure IPM adoption and attitudes. A baseline survey was developed and pilot tested in Utah, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Based on
grower feedback, the baseline survey has been finalized and will be sent to tart cherry growers in Utah, Wisconsin, and Michigan in early 2004.
Impacts
Since the project just began in September 2003, it is difficult to report project impacts to date. Nonetheless, this project has set high expectations for project impacts and has established an innovative evaluation system to both inform researchers best means of disseminating information and also to measure the impact of this information. A measurement tool is in place to collect industry-wide baseline information that will be used to measure change in both attitudes regarding IPM and adoption of IPM practices.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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