Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: "EVENTS Conducted Winter Onion Association meetings (Brigham City Utah) on Feb 14, 2012. Held annual onion grower field day. Discuss USU research, identified onion related problems, and addressed grower needs (Aug 16). Meet with Utah Onion Association advisory council to discuss educational and research needs for 2013 (Nov 14). Set program for winter onion meetings, discussed research objectives, identified industry needs for coming year. SERVICES Growers/researchers/industry/support personnel observed and learned to identify onion thrips, Iris Yellow Spot Virus and the relationship between nitrogen nutrition, crop rotation and plant stress. Growers evaluated how planting dates impact onion growth and productivity. Over 140 persons involved. Collected research data from 5 farm sites and used this to assess thrips pressure, onion performance and IYSV presence. Advised growers on management and production strategies to make onions sustainable. PRODUCTS Summers, L. 2012. Iris Yellow Spot Virus and Thrips in Onions (W1008: 2008-2012) - Impact Report. www.alliumnet.com Drost, D. 2012. Utah Annual Report - W1008." PARTICIPANTS: Utah participants: Diane Alston, Dan Drost, Ruby Ward, Claudia Nischwitz and Bonnie Bunn (MS student): TARGET AUDIENCES: Onion growers, shippers, packers, and peripheral group associated with onion production in the USA. Others benefiting include growers, shippers, and packers from Canada, Central and South America, Europe, and Australasia. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
"More than 375 acres of Utah's onions now using a reduced N-reduce spray program to help manage thrips and this has reduced pesticide applications. More than 1/3 of Utah growers now rotate some of their onion fields after corn. USU research has shown that onions after corn have fewer thrips and less IYSV and growers are adopting and transitioning their production practices to take advantage of this. Working with USU Agriculture Economist Ruby Ward, the PI continued our economic analysis of Utah Onion Production. Growers reported more than $100/acre savings on nitrogen costs using USU's program and reduced insecticide and related application costs by nearly $200/acre. In cooperation with onion researchers in Washington, New York and Michigan, we are evaluating low-N production systems and how this affects IYSV control and thrips management. Producers in those states (additional 35,000 acres) are now exposed to techniques that can save nitrogen, pesticides and still control onion thrips and IYSV. In addition, researchers are interested in USU's systems approach to thrips/IYSV management and are requesting additional information for use in their onion growing regions."
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: EVENTS: Conducted Winter Onion Association meetings (Brigham City Utah) on Feb 15, 2011. Held onion grower field day to discuss research and grower needs (Aug 16). Meet with onion advisory council to discuss educational and research needs for 2012 (Nov 29). SERVICES: Growers/researchers/industry/support personnel observed and learned to identify onion thrips, Iris Yellow Spot Virus and the relationship between nitrogen nutrition, crop rotation and plant stress. Over 122 persons involved. Collected research data from 10 farm field sites to assess thrips pressure, onion performance and IYSV presence. PARTICIPANTS: Utah participants: Diane Alston, Dan Drost, Ruby Ward, Cluadia Nischwitz and Bonnie Bunn (MS student): National Onion Association, California Garlic and Onion Dehydrators, Colorado Onion Association, Columbia (WA) Basin Vegetable Seed Growers Association, Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Grand Canyon Sweet Onion (AZ), Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee, Idaho Onion Growers Association, Malheur County Onion Growers Association, Michigan Onion Committee, New Mexico Dry Onion Commission, New York State Onion Growers Association, New York State Vegetable Growers Association, Noonday Onion Growers Association (TX), Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association, South Texas Onion Committee, Texas Produce Association, Utah Onion Association, Vidalia Onion Committee, Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee, Washington Potato and Onion Association, Western Oregon Onion Commission, and Wisconsin Muck Farmers Association Onion Seed Companies: Nunhems, American Takii, Bejo, Crookham, Seminis, etc. Pesticide Companies: BASF, Dupont, Syngenta, etc. TARGET AUDIENCES: Onion growers, shippers, packers, and peripheral group associated with onion production in the USA. Others benefiting include growers, shippers, and packers from Canada, Central and South America, Europe, and Australasia. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
More than 375 acres of Utah's onions now using a reduced N-ruduce spray program to help manage thrips and this has reduced pesticide applications. Working together with USU Agriculture Economist Ruby Ward, the PI conducted an economic analysis of Utah Onion Productions. Our analysis suggests growers may be able to save $100/acre on nitrogen costs and approximately $200/acre on insecticides and related costs. In cooperations with onion researchers in Washington, New York and Michigan, we are evaluating how a Low-N production system works and if it improves IYSV control and thrips management. This exposes producers in those states (addtional 35,000 acres) to techniques that can save nitrogen, pesticides and still control onion thrips and IYSV.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Conducted Winter Onion Association meetings (Brigham City Utah) on Feb 14, 2010. Held 2 onion grower related field days to discuss research and grower needs (Jun 30 and Aug 10). Growers observed onion research efforts at Kaysville field day (Aug 17). Growers/researchers/industry/support personnel observed and learned to identify onion thrips, Iris Yellow Spot Virus and the relationship between nitrogen nutrition, crop rotation and plant stress. Over 100 persons involved. PARTICIPANTS: National Onion Association, California Garlic and Onion Dehydrators, Colorado Onion Association, Columbia (WA) Basin Vegetable Seed Growers Association, Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Grand Canyon Sweet Onion (AZ), Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee, Idaho Onion Growers Association, Malheur County Onion Growers Association, Michigan Onion Committee, New Mexico Dry Onion Commission, New York State Onion Growers Association, New York State Vegetable Growers Association, Noonday Onion Growers Association (TX), Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association, South Texas Onion Committee, Texas Produce Association, Utah Onion Association, Vidalia Onion Committee, Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee, Washington Potato and Onion Association, Western Oregon Onion Commission, and Wisconsin Muck Farmers Association Onion Seed Companies: Nunhems, American Takii, Bejo, Crookham, Seminis, etc. Pesticide Companies: BASF, Dupont, Syngenta, etc. TARGET AUDIENCES: Onion growers, shippers, packers, and peripheral group associated with onion production in the USA. Others benefiting include growers, shippers, and packers from Canada, Central and South America, Europe, and Australasia. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
More than 350 acres of onions now using reduced N program to help manage thrips and this has reduced pesticide applications by 80% on these farms compared to existing practices.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In 2009, the second year of a three year project was completed which surveyed 15 onion fields throughout Utah to ascertain IYSV and thrips levels over the production period. We are looking for strategies that can help reduce reliance upon high-risk insecticides, while improving onion productivity, profitability, sustainability, and food safety. The approaches used in the field surveys in 2008 were outlined to the growers at the February 17, 2009 onion growers winter meetings (48 attending). On June 15(12 persons), July 21 (8 persons) and August 11 2009 (52 persons) growers, industry and government representatives toured the onion growing area of Box Elder County to view Utah State University's extension and research efforts related to IYSV and onion thrips. Growers were exposed to thrips monitoring techniques and control strategies, viewed IYSV symptoms on onion, and discussed the severity and incidence in local onion fields. On November 5, the onion advisory groups meet with USU representatives (Dan Drost and Diane Alston) to provide input on future activities and plan the February 2010 winter education meetings. Growers requested information on USU's IYSV-Thrips project, details on the Utah Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crops Block grant onion weed management project, a national over-view of IYSV efforts and more information related to Sec 18 requirements. Growers want to use this information to make their onion production operations more sustainable. The Utah findings were presented to the W1008 working group at the December 2009 meetings held in San Antonio by graduate student Kristie Buckland. Findings from all 2008 research projects were made available at the winter and summer Utah Onion Association meetings, participants were made aware of where information was to be stored, and those farm practices that alter IYSV incidence or severity and modify thrips populations. We evaluated our research plan for the 2009 production year with the advisory board and had individual discussions with the farmers participating in the field surveys. On December 3, 2009, graduate student Kristie Buckland presented preliminary findings of her MS thesis work supported by the WSARE IYSV-Thrips grant to the W1008 working group in Texas. Diane Alston, Jennifer Reeve, and Dan Drost presented a poster on the Utah onion thrips farm field survey results. The poster outlined the knowledge gained during the 2009 production year and how this may help improve thrips and IYSV management in other regions of the US, Canada, Europe, South America, and Austral-Asia. PARTICIPANTS: National Onion Association, California Garlic and Onion Dehydrators, Colorado Onion Association, Columbia (WA) Basin Vegetable Seed Growers Association, Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Grand Canyon Sweet Onion (AZ), Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee, Idaho Onion Growers Association, Malheur County Onion Growers Association, Michigan Onion Committee, New Mexico Dry Onion Commission, New York State Onion Growers Association, New York State Vegetable Growers Association, Noonday Onion Growers Association (TX), Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association, South Texas Onion Committee, Texas Produce Association, Utah Onion Association, Vidalia Onion Committee, Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee, Washington Potato and Onion Association, Western Oregon Onion Commission, and Wisconsin Muck Farmers Association Onion Seed Companies: Nunhems, American Takii, Bejo, Crookham, Seminis, etc. Pesticide Companies: BASF, Dupont, Syngenta, etc. TARGET AUDIENCES: Onion growers, shippers, packers, and peripheral group associated with onion production in the USA. Others benefiting include growers, shippers, and packers from Canada, Central and South America, Europe, and Australasia. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Two growers in Box Elder County (~260 acres of the 1300 commercial acres) are using the information we generated and are applying the information on their farms. One of these growers reported that his annual cost of production has decreased by about $800/acre due to the reduction in nitrogen fertilizer applications, through savings on reduced insecticide costs (2009: spray savings, less equipment costs, labor savings) and these practice changes translated into improved storage quality and higher pack-outs. These savings then resulted in an increased farm value of approximately US $208,000 to the growers.
Publications
- Evans, K., Bag, S., Frank, E., Reeve, J., Ransom, C., Drost, D. and Pappu, HR 2009. Green Foxtail (Setaria viridis), A Naturally Infected Grass Host of Iris yellow spot in Utah. Plant DIsease 93(6):670.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We conducted an extensive survey of 15 onion fields in Utah to ascertain if IYSV (Iris yellow spot virus) and thrips management strategies used on commercial onion farms can help reduce reliance upon high-risk insecticides, while improving onion productivity, profitability, sustainability, and food safety. The approaches used in the field surveys were outlined to the growers, demonstrated at the summer field tour and shared with the Onion Association leadership at the advisory board meeting. We outlined the project to the W1008 working group (Biology and Management of Iris Yellow Spot Virus and Thrips in Onions) in January 2008 (see http://www.alliumnet.com/index.htm). Morgan Reeder (Utah Onion Association) reported that low nitrogen (N) inputs on his farm reduced thrips populations, lessened Iris Yellow Spot Virus (IYSV) while supporting good onion yields (1600 bags/acre). IYSV is a thrips vectored disease. Most onion farms spray for thrips six to eight times per year. In the last 5 years, Morgan Reeder has reported that a low nitrogen fertility program and improved crop rotation sequence has resulted in reduced thrips pressure and thus less IYSV. Others farmers are now integrating a low N approach to onion production. Utah State University's Western SARE project assessed thrips pressure and IYSV severity in 15 onion fields in Utah. Seven fields had low to moderate thrips densities (10-20 adult and 5-100 larval thrips per plant). Eight fields had adult thrips counts greater than 50 and larval thrips between 100 and 370 per plant. Fields with low-moderate thrips density had IYSV severity of 1-2 while fields with high thrips densities had IYSV severities of 2-3. 55 growers, industry and government representatives learned about thrips monitoring techniques (adults vs. larval), outlined common control strategies, viewed IYSV symptoms on onion, and discussed the severity and incidence of IYSV in local onion fields. Growers requested further updates on USU's research projects so they can use this information to make better onion production decisions. On Dec 10, 2008, preliminary findings of the USU IYSV-Thrips grant was discussed with the W1008 working group. We presented an oral overview of our findings in Savannah, GA as well as a poster at the National Alliums Researchers Conference (Dec 11-12, 2008). During the course of the year we created fact sheets on Onion Powdery Mildew, Onion Thrips, submitted a paper on a new weed host for IYSV and created a popular article on the information presented at our winter educational meetings. Information collected in 2007 and 2008 was disseminated to partners, collaborators, and growers through visual assessments of IYSV symptoms, thrips identification, weed assessments and herbicide responses during our summer onion field day. Findings from 2007 were made available at the winter and summer meetings, participants were made aware of where information was to be stored, and those farm practices that alter IYSV incidence or severity and modify thrips populations. With grower input, we outlined and evaluated the research plans for the 2009 production year. PARTICIPANTS: National Onion Association, California Garlic and Onion Dehydrators, Colorado Onion Association, Columbia (WA) Basin Vegetable Seed Growers Association, Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Grand Canyon Sweet Onion (AZ), Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee, Idaho Onion Growers Association, Malheur County Onion Growers Association, Michigan Onion Committee, New Mexico Dry Onion Commission, New York State Onion Growers Association, New York State Vegetable Growers Association, Noonday Onion Growers Association (TX), Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association, South Texas Onion Committee, Texas Produce Association, Utah Onion Association, Vidalia Onion Committee, Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee, Washington Potato and Onion Association, Western Oregon Onion Commission, and Wisconsin Muck Farmers Association Onion Seed Companies: Nunhems, American Takii, Bejo, Crookham, Seminis, etc. Pesticide Companies: BASF, Dupont, Syngenta, etc. TARGET AUDIENCES: Onion growers, shippers, packers, and peripheral group associated with onion production throughout the USA. Others benefiting include growers, shippers, and packers from Canada, Central and South America, Europe, and North America. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Four of the seven field with low to moderate thrips populations and IYSV severity ratings also were using a reduced nitrogen growing system in an attempt to control both thrips and IYSV. These growers reported that where they use to spray 6-8 times each season for thrips with the new program they reduced their spray applications to 1-3 times. Reducing nitrogen applications by 50-75 units per acre saved those growers $38-50 per acre in 2008. Reducing the number of insecticide sprayed saved growers $50 per acre per application (total seasonal savings of $200-250 per acre). These economic savings can help ensure sustainable onion production for onion growers in Utah and the US. Reduced nitrogen and insecticide applications also improve the environment by lowering potential soil and water contamination. Utah's onion farmers are taking the nitrogen information, IYSV severity rankings, thrips population results and using this learned information on their own farms in an effort to be more sustainable. Researchers, growers and industry leaders from around the US are interested in Utah's use of novel crop rotations, soil quality changes, alternative crop hosts for thrips and the role that these play in thrips pressure under field conditions.
Publications
- Evans, K., Bag, S., Frank, E., Reeve, J., Ransom, C., Drost, D. and Pappu, HR. 2008. Natural Infection of Atriplex micrantha with Iris yellow spot virus. Plant Disease (in press).
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