Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Our goal is to enhance the fundamental understanding of soil microbial dynamics and develop practical tools to manage serious soilborne diseases. This work includes advances in organic production systems, conventional production systems and high tunnel production systems. In organic production systems our primary emphasis has been to integrate the utility of grafted tomato plants into open field and high tunnel systems. Our field work is multidisciplinary including plant pathologists, horticulturalists, agricultural economists and farmers (participatory on-farm-research) and included research station and on-farm experiments. On-farm trials include the evaluation of novel rootstock selections, in a collaborative program with Ohio State University. Base budgets were designed for organic field and high tunnel tomato production and future partial budget analysis will seek to document the impact of grafting and other horticultural practices. In conventional tomato production systems, fumigation for tomatoes in Western North Carolina (WNC) and surrounding areas is standard practice. Verticillium race 2 (VW) has been prevalent throughout the WNC region and no commercial sources of resistance have been identified. More recently, bacterial wilt (BW; Ralstonia solanacearum) has emerged as a serious problem. We conducted two large experiments in WNC to evaluate novel fumigants, methods of application, grafting and biologically-based systems as compared to methyl bromide (MeBr). Weed control, disease pressure, microbial ecology of soils and yield (where possible) were evaluated for specific treatments of these studies. In 2008 to 2009, two strawberry and five vegetable trials were conducted on growers' farms in NC or PA. For each fumigant based trial, standard protocols were used. Fumigant applications were done using growers' equipment with some slight modifications (i.e. orifice changes or flow meter use) which also served as a teaching tool for the grower and cooperating agent(s) present at application. Treatments used included MIDAS, Telone C-35, PicClor 60, Inline and MeBr using standard rates under standard mulch or reduced rates under VIF. Two field days were linked to the strawberry grower field experiments. Tomato grafting experiments were implemented on grower farms (4) and on research stations (1). Experiments were designed to evaluate the impact of selected rootstocks on managing BW and VW and to evaluate modified farming system practices. EVENTS, SERVICES AND PRODUCTS: Multiple conferences, training programs, field days (state-wide and local), grafting workshops and agent training programs were organized by our team or we were major contributors to such programs. DISSEMINATION: Research based information was effectively extended to clientele through local, regional and national meetings and multiple newsletters, recommendations and other extension based information was written and disseminated. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: All University-based collaborators are identified on the publications list. Ten growers who managed on-farm-research trials were also excellent collaborators. ORGANIZATIONS: North Carolina Strawberry Growers Association; North Carolina Vegetable Growers Association; North Carolina Tomato Growers Association. AGENT TRAINING/FIELD DAYS: Methyl Bromide Alternative Demonstrations and Application Considerations - On-Farm Research Demonstrations - 04/2009. Conetoe, NC, Lemon Springs, NC, Apex, NC and Winston Salem, NC (Three training/field day sessions).. Methyl Bromide Alternative Options and Application Considerations. Strawberry Field Day - 05/2009. Clayton Research Station, Clayton, NC. Co-organized with Dr. Poling. GROWER TRAINING PROGRAMS: Louws, F.J. and R. Welker. Methyl Bromide Alternatives. 41st Annaul Mtg North Carolina Tomato Growers Assn. and Winter Vegetable Conference. Asheville, NC. 19 Feb 2009. Louws, F.J. Disease management in organic vegetable production systems. CFSA 24th sustainable Agriculture Conference. Black Mountain, NC. Dec 4, 2009. Rivard, C. and F.J. Louws. "Grafting tomatoes for improved disease resistance and vigor". Small acreage conference. Asheboro, NC. Nov 14, 2009. Rivard, C. and F.J. Louws. "Benefits of grafting for heirloom tomato production"; "Grafting technique and demonstration". University of Georgia Heirloom Tomato Grafting Workshop - 03/03/09. Athens, GA Rivard, C. and F.J. Louws. "Tomato grafting, rootstock selection, and cultural management". Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention - 02/04/2009. Hershey, PA. Rivard, C. and F.J. Louws. "Grafting tomato for soilborne disease management". Lehigh-Burke County Vegetable Conference - 02/13/09. Fleetwood, PA. Rivard, C. and F.J. Louws. "High tunnels and grafting provide complementary IPM strategies for organic tomato production". 6th Annual Int'l Integrated Pest Management Symposium - 03/25/09. Portland, OR Rivard, C.L, and F.J.Louws. "Grafting tomatoes in multi-bay high tunnels to overcome soilborne diseases". Cedar Meadow Farm Field Day - 07/07/2009. Holtwood, PA Welker, R. and F.J. Louws. Alternatives to Methyl Bromide. Virginia Beach Strawberry Programs Sponsored by VA Tech Cooperative Extension - March 2009. Virginia Beach, VA. Welker, R. and F.J. Louws. Latest Developments and Future Outlook for Soil Fumigation. 24th Annual Southeast Vegetable and Fruit Expo, Myrtle Beach, SC. December 1, 2009. Welker, R. and F.J. Louws. Managing Fumigation: Current Options . North American Strawberry Growers Association - January 2009. New Orleans, LA Welker, R. and F.J. Louws. Methyl Bromide Alternatives Update for North Carolina Strawberry Growers. Regional NC Cooperative Extension Pre-Plant Strawberry Meetings - July-August 2009. Three Meetings. Welker, R. and F.J. Louws. Methyl Bromide Alternatives. 61st Crop Protection School, Raleigh NC Dec 8 2009. Welker, R.M., J.Driver and F.J.Louws. "Drip Applied Paladin Soil Fumigant as an Alternative to Methyl Bromide". MHCR&EC Vegetable Field Day - 08/11/2009. Mills River, NC. TARGET AUDIENCES: The primary targeted audiences are conventional and organic growers seeking IPM-based approaches to manage soilborne diseases. Other primary audiences are CES agents in the southeast and other train-the-trainers or consultants. Multiple presentations at conferences, field days, training programs and one-on-one contacts enabled dissemination of information. Multiple outlets for research based information and extension based recommendations were used for dissemination including wed-based outlets, newsletter articles, training manuals, peer reviewed articles, book chapters and extension publications. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Selected OSU rootstocks enhanced plant growth rates, total and marketable yields and decreased southern stem blight and early blight (foliar disease) incidence, among other parameters assessed. For example, OSU rootstock (RS) selection SGH07-320 generated 45% and 53% greater total yields than non-grafted controls (P=0.02). Analysis of data generated from 2007 to 2008 organic field trials revealed rootstock selections impact the microbial communities in tomato crowns, as determined by denaturation gradient gel electrophoresis, and baseline data portends opportunity to explore the impact of host genetics and endophytic/plant-associated microbial communities. Economic analysis revealed a major component of grafting expenses are related to seed supply and mark-up and surprisingly a lower percentage due to labor and increased supplies. On-farm economic analysis on an organic farm with high bacterial wilt (BW) pressure demonstrated dramatic economic benefits using grafted plants and this work was featured in national popular press outlets (see publication section). Two on-farm locations were identified and utilized for a fall trial in 2009 to test two rootstocks, RST-04-105 and Dai Honmei, at their ability to reduce BW and dramatic effects were seen in regards to crop yield (over 2x yields from grafted plants compared to non-grafted). Dai Honmei rootstocks showed complete control of bacterial wilt and RST-04-105 displayed intermediate resistance. Another on-farm trial tested Maxifort and TMZQ702 RS at their ability to tolerate VW in naturally-infested soils. Grafted plants at this location were grown at 36 in. and 24 in. in-row spacing and compared to non-grafted plants at the standard 18 in. in-row spacing and per acre yields were compared. Plants grafted onto Maxifort rootstock had significantly increased per acre yield compared to non-grafted plants at 18 in. Furthermore, Maxifort plants at 36 in. had similar per acre yield compared to non-grafted plants at 18 in., indicating the importance of plant spacing for reducing the economic constraints of using grafted plants. Verticillium wilt incidence (# plants infected) did not vary significantly among the grafted and non-grafted plants and ranged from 50-80%. The results from a research station BW trial showed non-grafted plants grown without fumigation had >85% plant death from BW at first harvest. Neither grafting nor fumigation gave complete control of the disease at this location, but Dai Honmei and NCS1 showed highly effective resistance and had similar crop yield to plots fumigated with MeBr. Similarly, Paladin (DMDS:Pic) showed excellent control of BW and all three rates of this fumigant had similar yields to MeBr. On-farm and research station experiments verified the practical utility and efficacy of alternative soil fumigants and many growers were educated in effective use of alternatives for strawberry and vegetable production systems providing an economic bridge for family farms. The basic and applied research program linked to a dynamic and regional extension program offers widespread benefits and economical impacts to growers as they seek optimum ways to manage soilborne diseases.
Publications
- Anonymous. 2009. Cultural strategy offers promise for tomato disease management. Organic Farm Research Foundation (OFRF) Inform. Bull. 17: 27.
- Clement, B. 2009. Grafting tomatoes on disease resistant rootstocks for small-scale organic production. Tomato Magazine 13 (6): 10-11.
- Liu, B. and F.J. Louws. 2009. Communities of Pythium and Fusarium in soils from CT, NT and SC systems and their relationship with seed rot and damping-off of soybean. Phytopathology 99 (6): S74. (abstr)
- Louws, F.J. 2009. Development of a regional transitions program: From discovery research to extension in strawberry production. Phytopathology 99 (6): S173.(abstr)
- Louws, F.J. and B. Liu. 2009. Integrated management of soilborne plant pathogens: From chemical based tactic substitution to microbial ecology based tactic development. Multitrophic Interactions in Soils, Uppsala, Sweden. (abstr)
- Louws, F.J., B. Liu and J.P. Mueller. 2009. Farming system impacts on plant pathogen and Burkholderia diversity and plant health. Bacterial Genetics and Ecology 10th annual Conference. Uppsala, Sweden. (abstr)
- Louws. F.J. 2009. IPM for soilborne disease management for vegetable and strawberry crops in SE USA. In. I. Gisi, I. Chet and M.L. Gullino, eds. Recent Developments in Management of Plant Diseases. Vol 1. 217-227.
- OConnell, S., M.M. Peet, C.L. Rivard, F.J. Louws and C.D. Harlow. 2009. The grafted heirloom tomato system for organic production in high tunnels: Are there advantages in the absence of diseases HortScience 44: 1056. (abstr)
- Peet, M, S. OConnell, C.L. Rivard, C.D. Harlow and F.J. Louws. 2009. Physiological disorders in grafted heirloom tomatoes grown in high tunnels using organic production practices. HortScience 44: 979. (abstr)
- Rivard, C.L. and F.J. Louws, S. OConnell, and M.M. Peet. 2009. Grafting tomato with inter-specific rootstock provides effective management for southern blight and root-knot nematodes. Phytopathology 99 (6): S109. (abstr)
- Rivard, C.L., F.J. Louws, S. OConnell, C.D. Harlow and M. Peet. 2009. The grafted tomato system: Are there advantages in the presence of soil borne diseases HortScience 44: 1111. (abstr)
- Rivard, C.L., S. OConnell, M.M. Peet and F.J. Louws. 2009. Grafting tomato with inter-specific rootstock to manage diseases caused by Sclerotium rolfsii and root-knot nematodes. Proc. of the Int. Res. Conf. on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reduction. 40/1-41/3.
- Welker, R. and F.J. Louws. 2009. Methyl bromide alternatives update. Small Fruit News 9(3):4-6.
- Welker, R.M., J.G. Driver, C.L. Rivard and F.J. Louws. 2009. Research and extension efforts to enable successful transition away from methyl bromide fumigation. Proc. of the Int. Res. Conf. on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reduction. 41/1-41/5.
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities: Our goal is to enhance the fundamental understanding of soil microbial dynamics and develop practical tools to manage serious soilborne diseases. Fumigation for tomatoes in Western North Carolina (WNC) and surrounding areas is standard practice in order to suppress Verticillium wilt (race 2) and weed pressure. Verticillium race 2 has been prevalent throughout the WNC region and no commercial sources of resistance have been identified. Fumigation kills inoculum to a depth sufficient to produce an economical harvest, although the disease invariably affects tomatoes toward the end of harvest, even with fumigation. We conducted two large experiments in WNC to evaluate Acrolein, dimethyl disulphide (DMDS) plus chloropicrin (21%) and standard mulch vs virtually impermeable mulch (VIF) as pre-plant fumigant treatments as compared to methyl bromide (MeBr). Weed control, disease pressure and crop yields were evaluated for this study. On-farm and participatory research is an important mechanism to enable growers to implement alternatives in vegetable and strawberry production systems. In 2007 to 2008, three strawberry and three vegetable trials were conducted on growers' farms in NC or SC. For each trial, standard protocols were used according to the area-wide standard operating procedures, which included: evaluation of virtually impenetrable film (VIF) transfer coefficients prior to and after bed formation; soil bulk density and moisture content at the time of fumigation; environmental parameters including rainfall, air temperatures and humidity, soil temperatures and moisture content for at least 5 days post fumigation; and gas concentration within the beds measured at 5 days after treatment. Fumigant applications were done using growers' equipment with some slight modifications (i.e. orifice changes or flow meter use) which also served as a teaching tool for the grower and cooperating agent(s) present at application. Treatments used included MIDAS, Telone C-35, PicClor 60, Inline and MeBr all using standard rates under standard mulch or reduced rates under VIF. Tomato grafting experiments were implemented on Organic grower farms (3) and on research stations (3). Experiments were designed to evaluate the impact of rootstocks on managing southern bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, root knot nematodes and southern blight. A large experiment was also managed to evaluate the impact of high tunnels combined with grafting. Soil samples were collected from the long-term farming systems experiment at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems in Goldsboro. Samples were analyzed for physical, chemical and biological properties from conventional tillage, no-tillage and successional plots. EVENTS, SERVICES AND PRODUCTS: Multiple conferences, training programs, field days (state-wide and local), grafting workshops and agent training programs were organized by our team or we were major contributors to such programs. DISSEMINATION: Research based information was effectively extended to clientele through local, regional and national meetings and multiple newsletters, recommendations and other extension based information was written and disseminated. PARTICIPANTS: All University-based collaborators are identified on the publications list. Nine growers who managed on-farm-research trials were also excellent collaborators. ORGANIZATIONS: North Carolina Strawberry Growers Association; North Carolina Vegetable Growers Association; North Carolina Tomato Growers Association. AGENT TRAINING: Methyl Bromide alternatives in strawberry production. R.M. Welker, P. Smith and F.J. Louws. Sothern Region Small Fruit Center Agent Training. Charlotte, NC. Nov 2-6, 2008. Strawberry disease management, diagnosis and hands-on identification. M. Rahman and F.J. Louws. Sothern Region Small Fruit Center Agent Training. Charlotte, NC. Nov 2-6, 2008. Implementing methyl bromide alternatives in strawberries. Special Strawberry Training Field Day. Clayton, NC. Aug 4, 2008. Methyl bromide alternatives research and extension in NC. Southeast Regional Methyl Bromide Alternatives Agent training program. Tifton, GA. 7 May 20008. FIELD DAYS: Methyl Bromide Alternatives Field Day. (Organized local field days based on On-Farm-Research Projects): 1 Apr 2008 - South Carolina; Organized by R. Welker and P. Smith. Methyl Bromide Alternatives Field Day. 9 Apr 2008 - Piedmont; Organized by R. Welker and T. Garwood. Methyl Bromide Alternatives Field Day. 22 Apr 2008 - Coastal Plain. Organized by R. Welker and R. Morris. Strawberry Field Day. Clayton NC. May 7, 2008. Co-organized with Dr. Poling GROWER TRAINING PROGRAMS: Rivard, C. and F.J. Louws. Grafting with Maxifort as an Alternative to Methyl Bromide for Tomato Production. Page 8 in Proc 2008 Fresh Market Tomato and Vegetable Field Day, Fletcher, NC. Aug 7, 2008. R. Welker, J. Driver, D. Walker, R. Eckhart and F.J. Louws. Paladin Fumigation as an Alternative to Methyl Bromide for Tomato Production. Page 9 in Proc 2008 Fresh Market Tomato and Vegetable Field Day, Fletcher, NC. Aug 7, 2008. R. Welker, J. Driver, D. Walker, R. Eckhart and F.J. Louws. Acrolein Fumigation as an Alternative to Methyl Bromide for Tomato Production. Page 10 in Proc 2008 Fresh Market Tomato and Vegetable Field Day, Fletcher, NC. Aug 7, 2008. Louws, F.J. Principles of diagnosis and disease management. Orange Co. Education Program (n=50). Hillsborough NC. 23 Jan, 2008. R.M. Welker. Current status of Methyl Bromide alternative. Southeast Strawberry Expo. Charlotte, NC. 7 November, 2008. F.J. Louws. Grafting tomatoes and high tunnel tomato production. Center for Environmental Center Sustainable Ag Series. Twilight Tour. May 15, 2008. F.J. Louws. Organic Disease Control in Vegetable and Strawberry Crops. Johnston County extension Program. 17 Apr 2008. TARGET AUDIENCES: The primary targeted audiences are conventional and organic growers seeking IPM-based approaches to manage soilborne diseases. Other primary audiences are CES agents in the southeast and other train-the-trainers or consultants. Multiple presentations at conferences, field days, training programs and one-on-one contacts enabled dissemination of information. Multiple outlets for research based information and extension based recommendations were used for dissemination including wed-based outlets, newsletter articles, training manuals, peer reviewed articles, book chapters and extension publications. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Both Acrolein and DMDS:PIC were evaluated as alternatives to MeBr. Weed control, disease incidence/severity, plant growth and crop yield were evaluated for each of the chemical treatments. Select acrolein and DMDS rates offered weed control, management of Verticillium wilt and generated tomato yields comparable to the standard MeBr treatment and superior to non-fumigated plots. Both of these products appear to have good efficacy for tomato production, comparable to our strawberry results. The large-scale on-farm-research experiments were arranged as a RCDB and grower managed. Alternatives on all sites proved equally effective as the current MeBr formulation (50:50), with one exception. Telone-C35 at a high rate under VIF in a SC trial caused plant stunting and reduced yields. An important part of each trial was the on-farm field days. These field days were coordinated by the CES agents in each area and attracted growers, other agents and regional agronomists. Nearly 100 people total attended the on-farm demonstrations and all were given information about currently available alternatives, equipment modifications and calibration and were shown the crop growth with the alternative treatments. Grafting proved to be an effective tool to manage targeted diseases. Soilborne diseases such as bacterial wilt, root-knot nematode, and southern stem blight were effectively managed utilizing various rootstocks in infested field and tunnel soils (P<0.05). An experiment was established at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (Goldsboro, NC) to compare grafted and non-grafted plants within field and high tunnel production. The systems comparison showed that total fruit yield was higher in the tunnels (P=0.01). Insect damage and tomato spotted wilt virus incidence was higher in the field (P<0.05). In contrast, fruit cracking and catfacing incidence was higher in the tunnel system (P<0.05). The main effect of grafting showed that yields were increased when Maxifort rootstock was used, even under little disease pressure from soilborne pathogens (P<0.01). High tunnels and grafting with resistant rootstock offer complementary roles in an integrated pest management approach for tomato. In terms of microbial ecology projects, Burkholderia populations were characterized in soils with long-term tillage (CT), no-tillage (NT) and successional (SC) systems using a most probable number (MPN) microtiter plate assay based on 21 sampling points in each system. MPN assays demonstrated that Burkholderia populations were significantly higher in SC soils compared to CT and NT soils. Denaturation gradient gel electrophoresis and sequencing of PCR amplified fragments from the 16S and RecA genes also provided an assessment of the species present in each farming system. Soil management practices affected the quantity and composition of Burkholderia spp. Similar conclusions were found for Pythium populations using molecular and culture based protocols. The basic and applied research program linked to a dynamic and regional extension program offers widespread benefits and economical impacts to growers as they seek optimum ways to manage soilborne diseases.
Publications
- Abad,Z.G., Abad,J.A., Coffey,M.D., Oudemans,P.V., Man int Veld,W.A., de Gruyter,H., Cunnington,J. and Louws,F.J. 2008. Phytophthora bisheria sp. nov., a new species identified in isolates from the Rosaceae raspberry, rose and strawberry in three continents. Mycologia 100:99 - 110.
- Liu, B and F.J. Louws. 2008. Burkholderia communities in soils with long-term tillage, no-tillage and successional systems. Phytopathology 98: S92 (abstr).
- Liu, B and F.J. Louws. 2008. Characterization of Pythium communities in soils from conventional tillage, no-tillage and successional systems. Phytopathology 98: S92 (abstr).
- Louws, F.J. and J.G. Driver. 2008. Evaluation of QRD300 and Vydate for management of root-knot nematode on tomato, 2007. Plant disease Management Reports. N033.
- Rivard, C.L. and F.J. Louws. 2008. Grafting to manage soilborne diseases in heirloom tomato production. HortScience 43: 2104-2111.
- Rivard, C.L., F.J. Louws, M.M. Peet, and S. OConnell. 2008. High tunnels and grafting for disease management in organic tomato production. Phytopathology 98: S133 (abstr).
- OConnell, S., M. Peet, C. Harlow, F.J. Louws, and C. Rivard. 2008. The performance of grafted heirloom tomatoes in organic production systems: Hightunnels and the open field. HortScience 43:1260 (abstr).
- Rivard, C.L., S. OConnell, M.M. Peet and F.J. Louws. 2008. Grafting as a viable tool to manage major tomato diseases in the Southeastern USA. Proc. of the Int. Res. Conf. on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reduction. 61/1-61/3. http://mbao.org/2008/Proceedings/061LouwsFGraftingMBAO-08.pdf
- Sydorovych,O., C.D. Safley, R.M. Welker, L.M. Ferguson, D.M. Monks, K. Jennings, J. Driver and F.J. Louws. 2008. Economic Evaluation of Methyl Bromide Alternatives for the Production of Tomatoes in North Carolina. HortTechnology 18:705-713.
- Welker, R. and F.J. Louws. 2008. Strawberry Regional Fumigation Trials: Take Time to View Them in the Field during May. In, Stephen J. Toth (ed) North Carolina Pest News. Volume 23 #3.
- Welker, R., K. Jennings and F.J. Louws. 2008. Choosing Alternatives to Methyl Bromide for Strawberries. In, Stephen J. Toth (ed) North Carolina Pest News. Volume 23 #12.
- Welker, R.M., F. J. Louws, J. G. Driver, J.P. Smith, and C.A. Schiemann. 2008. On-farm research and extension activities to implement MB alternatives: an area wide initiative update. Proc. of the Int. Res. Conf. on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reduction. 9/1-9/3. http://mbao.org/2008/Proceedings/009WelkerRMBAOAREAWIDEFJL.pdf
- Welker, R.M., J.G. Driver, and F.J. Louws. 2008. Drip applied acrolein with and without VIF mulch as a methyl bromide alternative in tomatoes. Proc. of the Int. Res. Conf. on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reduction. 51/1-51/3. http://mbao.org/2008/Proceedings/051WelkerRMBAOAcroleinFJL.pdf
- Welker, R.M., J.G. Driver, and F.J. Louws. 2008. Paladin as a methyl bromide alternative in tomatoes: Drip vs shank application methods. Proc. of the Int. Res. Conf. on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reduction. 41/1-41/2. http://mbao.org/2008/Proceedings/041WelkerRMBAODMDSFJL.pdf
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Workshops And Presentations (Research): Louws, F.J. 2007. Farming without fumigants. Invited Talk at California Strawberry Commission roundtable dealing with the same topic: "Farming without fumigants Round Table". San Diego CA. 28 Oct 2007. 2007 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention. Hershey, PA. 30-31 Jan. Louws, F.J. Bio-Fumigation. 30 Jan. Louws, F.J. Methyl Bromide Alternatives Update. 31 Jan. Rivard, C. and F.J. Louws. Grafting of tomatoes for disease resistance. 31 Jan. Other Research Presentations not listed as proceedings: Louws, F.J., R. Welker, J.G. Driver. Methyl Bromide Alternatives for Tomato Production. 22nd Annual Tomato Disease Workshop. 25-26 Oct 2007. Williamsburg VA. Rivard, C., S. O'Connell, M. Peet and F.J. Louws. High tunnel research and grafting tomatoes. 22nd Annual Tomato Disease Workshop. 25-26 Oct 2007. Williamsburg VA. Recognized Creative Artistry and Professional Accomplishments Panel Manager: Methyl Bromide Alternatives. USDA (OSQR).
Organized and managed panel. 2007 Selected to act as CORE advisor for a USDA initiative in their Area Wide Pest Management Program where they have allocated $5 million over the next 5 years to help growers transition away from methyl bromide dependence. Public Service 1) Cooperative Extension Field Faculty Training Activity Hands-on training and background in methyl bromide alternatives. NRCS and Agent training program. Fletcher, NC, 18 April 2008. Demonstration of field equipment for applying methyl bromide alternatives. Agent training and grower training. Creedmoor, NC. 11 Nov. 2007. 2) Undergraduate Training: Trained 9 undergraduate or hourly students/internships in plant pathology. 3) Clientele Training; Teaching and Outreach Presentations: Louws, F.J. Grafting: A Viable tool for large scale field production? 22nd Annual Southeast Vegetable and Fruit Expo, Myrtle Beach, SC. December 12, 2007. Welker, R.M., Louws, F.J. and Driver, J.G. 2007. Fall and Spring Fumigation for Tomato
Production. Page 5 to 6 in Proc 2007 Fresh Market Tomato and Vegetable Field Day, Fletcher, NC. Welker, R.M., Louws, F.J. and Driver, J.G. 2007. Acrolein and DMDS Fumigation for Tomato Production. Page 10 in Proc 2007 Fresh Market Tomato and Vegetable Field Day, Fletcher, NC. Methyl bromide alternatives in strawberry. (Welker, R.M. and F.J. Louws). RTP, NC. 12 November, 2007. Recommendations for methyl bromide alternatives. (Welker). Lillington, NC (tri-county grower meeting). 23 Jan, 2007. Chatham County Tomato Grafting Workshop; Advanced half-day grower workshop including grafting technique and research. (With C. Rivard) Pittsboro, NC 15 Mar 2007.
PARTICIPANTS: Individuals Frank J. Louws - PI; Mahfuzur Rahman - Postdoc; Rob Welker - Coordinator; Jim Driver - Program Technician; Bo Liu - Postdoc; Cary Rivard - Ph.D. student; Suzanne O'Connel - MS Student; Marc Gracieux - undergrad student; Diedre Walker - undergraduate student; Patsy Wilson - summer intern (organic Training Program); Amanda Watson - summer intern (organic Training Program); Tristan Underwood - Department of Biology Undergraduate Research Project; Jeremy Moore - hourly summer student. JiPeng Sun - hourly assistant; Partner Organizations North Carolina Strawberry Growers Association; North American Strawberry Growers Association; Southern Regional Small Fruit Center; IR-4 Program (Southeastern Division); North Carolina Vegetable Growers Association); North Carolina Tomato Growers Association; Many participating farmers for on-farm-research. Collaborators and contacts Clemson University (Powell Smith); Dan Chellemi - USDA-ARS florida; Univeristy of Oklahoma (Dr.
J. Zhou; Dr. S. Kang). Training or professional development: Personnel: See above. Training for Cooperative Extension Agents, Growers or other clientele: Louws, F. J. Grafting for soilborne disease management. IN: New Jersey 52nd Annual Vegetable Meeting, Atlantic City, NJ. January 16, 2008. Louws, F.J. 2007. Farming without fumigants. Invited Talk at a private California Strawberry Commission roundtable dealing with the same topic: "Farming without fumigants Round Table". San Diego CA. 28 Oct 2007. Louws, F.J. Bio-Fumigation. 2007 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention. Hershey, PA. 30-31 Jan. Louws, F.J. Disease Update. Strawberry Field Day, Clayton NC. May 2, 2007. Louws, F.J. Grafting: A Viable tool for large scale field production? 22nd Annual Southeast Vegetable and Fruit Expo, Myrtle Beach, SC. December 12, 2007. Louws, F.J. Methyl Bromide Alternatives Update. 2007 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention. Hershey, PA. 30-31 Jan. Louws, F.J. Methyl bromide replacements
for strawberries. 2008 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference. Savannah, GA. 11-13 Jan. Louws, F.J., R. Welker, J.G. Driver. Methyl Bromide Alternatives for Tomato Production. 22nd Annual Tomato Disease Workshop. 25-26 Oct 2007. Williamsburg VA. Rivard, C. and F.J. Louws. Chatham County Tomato Grafting Workshop; Advanced half-day grower workshop including grafting technique and research. Pittsboro, NC 15 Mar 2007. Rivard, C. and F.J. Louws. Grafting of tomatoes for disease resistance. 31 Jan. Rivard, C., S. O'Connell, M. Peet and F.J. Louws. High tunnel research and grafting tomatoes. 22nd Annual Tomato Disease Workshop. 25-26 Oct 2007. Williamsburg VA. Welker, R.M. and F.J. Louws. Methyl bromide alternatives in strawberry. RTP, NC. 12 November, 2007. Welker, R.M. and F.J. Louws. Recommendations for methyl bromide alternatives. Lillington, NC (tri-county grower meeting). 23 Jan, 2007.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Cooperative Extension Field Faculty and other consultants or trainers; Strawberry Growers on the eastern seaboard and eastern Canada. Vegetable growers in the SE-Region; Strawberry and Vegetable scientists and plant pathologists. Strawberry and Vegetable Grower Associations.
Impacts
Specific Strawberry Production related objectives include: 1.1 To evaluate products and develop methods that will perform as an acceptable replacement for methyl bromide soil fumigation during the phase out period. Results from two field experiments added to our basic knowledge of how a number of fumigant alternatives perform in our various soil types and climactic conditions in our region. Dimethyl disulphide plus 21% chloropicrin (DMDS:pic), Telone-C35 (T-C35) and Midas generated strawberry yields comparable to the MeBr standard in a large research station experiment. DMDS:pic benefited from virtually impermeable film (VIF) and MeBr rates could be reduced by 25-50% under VIF without loss of efficacy. Four On-Farm-Research (OFR) experiments using replicated experimental designs managed by growers demonstrated T-C35, chloropicrin (pic) alone, metam sodium (MS) alone or pic+MS generated yields comparable to MeBr. Growers appreciated the experience with alternatives and
extension support. In one OFR experiment, 50% reduced rates of pic, T-C35 and MeBr under VIF were as effective as full rates of MeBr under standard mulch. 1.2 TO organize grower groups into functional teams to address transition issues through on-farm research (OFR) trials. Organizing grower groups has not proven effective. Rather, we work with local cooperative extension agents who organize local growers around field days highlighting regional OFR trials. Specific Tomato Production related objective: 2.1 To evaluate products and develop methods that will perform as an acceptable replacement for methyl bromide soil fumigation during the phase out period. Acrolein (drip applied), DMDS:pic (+VIF), T-C35, InLine and Midas(+VIF) and at selected rates proved comparable to standard MeBr treatments under heavy Verticillium dahliae pressure. T-C35, Midas, and InLine (at full rates under standard mulch and/or under VIF with reduced rates) were as effective as full rate MeBr under standard
mulch or reduced rates of MeBr under VIF in OFR experiments. Fall-bedding combined with spring application of drip applied InLine circumvented cool and wet spring planting delays and generated tomato yields comparable to MeBr spring-treated beds. 2.2. To develop and implement grafting-based methods to control soilborne pathogens and design production systems (e.g. use of high tunnels) for enhanced productivity. Grafting was an effective tool to manage southern bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt and other crown/soil rot pathogens in Organic Farming systems. Grafting was also an effective tool to manage root knot nematodes without a breakdown of the Mi gene. High tunnels combined with grafting enhanced total and early yields in an organic production system. Specific Microbial Ecology related objective: 3.1 To develop techniques and characterize microbial communities as impacted by diverse land management practices. Burkholderia and Pythium populations and diversity were impacted
differentially by long-term (10 yr) conventional tillage, no-tillage or a successional system.
Publications
- Welker, R.M., J.G. Driver, and F.J. Louws. 2007. DMDS and acrolein studies in strawberry and tomato production systems. Proc. of the Int. Res. Conf. on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reduction. 24/1-24/3.
- Welker, R.M., J.G. Driver, J. P. Smith, P.M. Brannen, C.A. Schiemann and F.J. Louws. 2007. On-farm research to implement MB alternatives: An area wide initiative. Proc. of the Int. Res. Conf. on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reduction. 22/1-22/4. http://mbao.org/2007/Proceedings/022LOUWSareaWideMBAO07.pdf
- Welker, R.M., J.P. Smith, G.E. Fernandez, D.W. Monks, P.M. Brannen, E.B. Poling and F.J. Louws. 2007. A regional training program for methyl bromide transition: Regulatory update, alternatives research, and on-farm projects. Hortscience 42: 441.
- Welker, R.M. and Louws, F.J. June 2007. The Strawberry Grower. Monthly. Closing In On Methyl Bromide Alternatives. pg. 1.
- Bo, L. and F.J. Louws. 2007. Molecular diversity and phylogenetic analysis of Burkholderia spp. from soils in diverse farming systems in North Carolina. Phytopathology. 97:S66
- Leandro, L. F.S., L.M. Ferguson, F.J. Louws, and G.E. Fernandez. 2007. Strawberry growth and productivity in fumigated compared to compost-amended production systems. HortScience 42: 227-231.
- Leandro, L.F.S., T. Guzman, L.M. Ferguson, G.E. Fernandez, and F.J. Louws. 2007. Population dynamics of Trichoderma in fumigated and compost-amended soil and on strawberry roots. Applied Soil Ecology 35:237-246.
- Louws, F.J. , O. Sydorovych, C.D. Safley, L.M. Ferguson, E.B. Poling, G.E. Fernandez, P.M. Brannen and D.M. Monks. 2007. Efficacy and Economics of Methyl Bromide Alternatives. Proc. VI North American Strawberry Symposium. Ventura CA.
- Louws, F.J. 2007. Integrated management of anthracnose and botrytis fruit rot in strawberries. Proc. VI North American Strawberry Symposium. Ventura CA.
- Louws, F.J. and J.G. Driver. 2007. Evaluation of pepper lines for resistance to Phytophthora crown and root rot, 2006. Plant disease Management Reports. V118.
- Louws, F.J., L. Bo, and A. Collins. 2007. Dynamics and identity of Burkholderia in diverse farming systems. International Burkholderia cepacia working group. Ann Arbor MI. 19-22 Apr 2007.
- Rivard, C.L. and F.J. Louws. 2007. Grafting for soilborne disease management in organic heirloom tomato production. Phytopathology 97:S99.
- Rivard, C.L. and F.J. Louws. 2007. Induction of the jasmonic acid pathway and elevation of proteinase inhibitor II (PINII) expression as a response to tomato grafting. Phytopathology 97:S99.
- Welker, R.M., Louws, F.J. and Driver, J.G. 2007. Fall and Spring Fumigation for Tomato Production. Page 5 to 6 in Proc 2007 Fresh Market Tomato and Vegetable Field Day, Fletcher, NC.
- Welker, R.M., Louws, F.J. and Driver, J.G. 2007. Acrolein and DMDS Fumigation for Tomato Production. Page 10 in Proc 2007 Fresh Market Tomato and Vegetable Field Day, Fletcher, NC.
- Welker, R.M. and Louws, F.J. 2007. Methyl Bromide Alternatives in Strawberry. Pg 9 to 12 in Proc. 2007 Southeast Strawberry Expo.
- Rivard, C.L., M.M. Peet and F.J. Louws. 2007. Disease management and crop productivity utilizing grafted tomatoes. Proc. of the Int. Res. Conf. on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reduction. 61/1-61/3. http://mbao.org/2007/Proceedings/061LouwsGraftingMBAO07.pdf
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