Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Extension agents, crop consultants, sweet potato growers, packers, and shippers in Louisiana and other major sweet potato producing states in the US. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results of research activities were presented at the Annual Meeting of the Louisiana Sweet Potato Association (1/4/13), National Sweet Potato Collaborators Meeting (2/2/13-2/3/13), and LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Pre-Harvest Workshop (8/20/13). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Impact of the project: Research conducted during this project has focused on refining soil insect pest management with the evaluation of insecticides and the development of resistant sweet potato varieties. Field experiments showed that preplant insecticides must be applied within a few days of planting to be effective and that layby applications may be used as an alternative to preplant applications. In addition, these field experiments provided information on the relative efficacy of labeled insecticides, which supports up-to-date region-specific recommendations for extension agents, crops consultants, and producers. Evaluation of experimental insecticides was also conducted to obtain new labels or identify alternative modes of action for products that may be phased out. In collaboration with the LSU AgCenter sweet potato breeder and another entomologist, a host plant resistance project continued screening germplasm from a polycross nursery for resistance to the sweet potato weevil. Each year, the best performers are kept for the following year’s nursery. Two on-farm experiments evaluated the efficacy of labeled insecticides for soil insect management under current production practices. An experiment assessed the susceptibility of nine commercial and experimental sweet potato genotypes to soil insects. Sweet potato samples are being processed at the time of this report. Results are expected to further document the relative efficacy of available insecticides under a wide range of conditions, and to assist in documenting the relative susceptibility of sweet potato genotypes of interests under field conditions. Sugarcane beetle flight activity was monitored with black light traps at four locations in Louisiana from spring to fall 2013 to refine knowledge on the ecology of this sweet potato pest. Flight activity peaked in April-May, before sweet potatoes were planted. Flight activity also increased in late September, consistent with the literature. A field experiment assessed the impact of clothianidin (preplant or layby timing) and chlorpyrifos (preplant timing) on sugarcane beetle survival and injury to sweet potatoes. Sugarcane beetle mortality increased in chlorpyrifos-treated plots whereas clothianidin applications were not associated with increased mortality. However, insecticides treatments did not decrease sugarcane beetle injury. This experiment suggests that the documented activity of clothianidin is caused by an antixenotic effect rather than increased mortality. No-choice bioassays continued the evaluations of sweet potato breeding lines from the LSU AgCenter polycross nursery for sweet potato weevil resistance. The 5-10 lines exhibiting substantial resistance to weevils vs. the susceptible commercial standard ‘Beauregard’ will be maintained for next year’s nursery.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Beuzelin, J.M., T.P. Smith, and J.L. Parker, 2012. Control of soil insect pests in sweetpotatoes. Arthropod Management Tests 38: (in press).
- Type:
Other
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Smith, T.P., J.M. Beuzelin, and T. Arnold. 2013. Evaluation of insecticides for control of sugarcane beetle in sweet potato, 2012. Arthropod Management Tests 38: (in press).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Smith, T.P., J.M. Beuzelin, and T. Arnold. 2013. Evaluation of selected insecticides regimes for management of sugarcane beetle in sweetpotato. HortScience 48(9): S48.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Beuzelin, J.M. 2013. Insect pest management research update. 76th Annual Meeting of the Louisiana Sweet Potato Association. January 4, 2013. Mansura, LA.
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Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Results of research activities were presented at the Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting. In addition, presentations were made at sweet potato winter production meetings and the LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station Field day. Two non-refereed reports (Arthropod Management Tests) were published during the reporting period. PARTICIPANTS: J. Beuzelin (PI), Richard Story, Jeff Murray, Tara Smith, Don LaBonte, LSU AgCenter; Louisiana sweet potato producers; and Sweet Potato Growers Association. TARGET AUDIENCES: Sweet potato growers, packers, and shippers, and the horticultural industry in Louisiana and elsewhere in the US where vegetables and ornamentals are grown. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
In the field, two experiments assessed the efficacy of experimental and labeled insecticides for soil insect management under current production practices. In the laboratory, a non-choice bioassay evaluated 46 sweet potato breeding lines from the LSU AgCenter polycross nursery for resistance to the sweet potato weevil. In addition, a laboratory bioassay identified 7 of 46 breeding lines that were substantially less suitable for sweet potato weevil development than popular cultivar Beauregard. Although mechanisms of resistance were not determined, using these lines in the breeding program has the potential to help develop more resistant varieties. Such varieties would improve the efficacy of the mandatory Louisiana sweet potato weevil management program while reducing reliance on insecticides, costs, and environmental concerns. Research conducted during the reporting period has assisted in refining soil insect pest management with insecticides. Treatments of chlorantraniliprole applied preplant or at layby did not reduce soil insect injury.
Publications
- Story, R.N., M.J. Murray, and D.R. LaBonte. 2012. Field evaluation of sweet potato cultivars for resistance to sweetpotato weevils, white grubs, and rootworms, 2011. Arthropod Management Tests 37: M7.
- Story, R.N., M.J. Murray, and D.R. LaBonte. 2012. Evaluation of sweet potato germplasm for resistance to sweetpotato weevil, 2011. Arthropod Management Tests 37: M8.
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Results of research activities were presented at professional entomology meetings (Florida Entomologists Annual Meeting, Rocky Mountain Conference of Entomologists Annual Meeting, Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting). Presentations were also made at Louisiana sweet potato grower meetings. There were eight publications in Arthropod Management Tests. PARTICIPANTS: Richard Story (PI), Jeff Murray, Yan Chen, Tara Smith and Don LaBonte, LSU AgCenter; Louisiana sweet potato growers, Sweet Potato Growers Association. TARGET AUDIENCES: Sweet potato and vegetable growers, packers, and shippers, and the floricultural industry in Louisiana and elsewhere in the US where vegetables and ornamentals are grown. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Research on sweet potato insect pest management systems helped growers reduce losses due to insect pests, enabled growers to use insecticides more effectively, and increased their profitability. This work includes information on the effect of timing of insecticide application and product selection on expected damage reduction, and monitoring systems for adult stages of these pests with treatment thresholds designed to limit root damage to no more than 5%. The timing of pre-plant soil incorporated insecticide treatments and the efficacy of lay-by applications (made 3-4 weeks after planting) was the focus during 2011. Pre-plant insecticides must be applied within a few days of planting to be effective. Poor control was obtained when these insecticides were used a month in advance of planting. Lay-by applications may be used as an alternative to the pre-plant application. Belay, a newly labeled neonicotinoid compound, provided satisfactory control of both rootworms and white grubs in a lay-by application. A host plant resistance project involved screening germplasm from a polycross nursery for resistance to the sweet potato weevil. Each year the best performers are kept for the next year's nursery. A 3-year comparison between non-treated and treated plots revealed a 63% damage reduction where growers followed treatment thresholds and recommended IPM practices. In an average field (10% root damage in non-treated plots, 250 bushels per acre, $15.00 per bushel), of about $236.00 per acre was out.
Publications
- Story, R.N., M.J. Murray, P. Thatujirangkul, and T. Smith. 2011. Evaluation of layby and foliar insecticides in 3 grower fields for control of rootworms and white grubs in sweet potatoes, 2010. Arthropod Management Tests 36:E81.
- Story, R.N., M.J. Murray, P. Thatujirangkul. 2011. Evaluation of foliar insecticides for control of rootworms, sweet potato weevils, and white grubs in sweet potatoes, 2010. Arthropod Management Tests 36:E82.
- Story, R.N., P. Thatujirangkul, M.J. Murray, and Y. Chen. 2011. Evaluation of insecticides for control of western flower thrips, 2010. Arthropod Management Tests 36:L6.
- Story, R.N., P. Thatujirangkul, M.J. Murray, and Y.Chen. 2011. Evaluation of insecticides for control of four western flower thrips populations, 2010. Arthropod Management Tests 36:L7.
- Story, R.N., P. Thatujirangkul, and M.J. Murray. 2011. Evaluation of insecticides for control of sweet potato weevils in sweet potatoes, 2010. Arthropod Management Tests 36:L9.
- Story, R.N., P. Thatujirangkul, and M.J. Murray. 2011. Residual activity of foliar-applied insecticides to control sweet potato weevil, 2010. Arthropod Management Tests 36:L10.
- Story, R.N., M.J. Murray, D.R. LaBonte, and P. Thatujirangkul. 2011. Field evaluation of sweet potato cultivars for resistance to sweet potato weevils, white grubs, and rootworms, 2010.
- Smith, T.P., and R.N. Story. 2011. Evaluation of preplant and layby insecticides for control of soil insects in sweet potatoes, 2010. Arthropod Management Tests 36:E80.
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Results of research activities were presented at professional entomology meetings (Florida Entomology Annual Meeting, Rocky Mountain Conference of Entomologists Annual Meeting). Presentations were also made at sweet potato grower meetings. There were six publications in Arthropod Management Tests in 2010. These papers reported information on the timing of pre-plant soil incorporated insecticide treatments and the efficacy of lay-by applications in sweet potato for control of soil insect pests, the efficacy of foliar applied products, and evaluations of sweet potato lines and cultivars for resistance to sweet potato weevil, white grubs, and rootworms. PARTICIPANTS: Richard Story, principal investigator, entomology professor, conducted the research in conjunction with Jeff Murray, Research Associate, Abner Hammond, professor, and Yan Chen, assistant professor. Collaborators include Tara Smith, assistant professor, Sweet Potato Research Station, Don Labonte, professor, Horticulture Department, Chris Clark, professor, Plant Pathology Department, Clinton Hegwood, Burden Research Center, many sweet potato growers, and the Sweet Potato Growers Association. TARGET AUDIENCES: Sweet potato and vegetable growers, packers, and shippers, and the floricultural industry, in Louisiana and elsewhere in the US where vegetables and ornamentals are grown. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Research conducted on sweet potato insect pest management systems in this project helped growers reduce losses due to insect pests, enabled growers to use insecticides more effectively, and increased their profitability. We focused on the timing of pre-plant soil incorporated insecticide treatments and the efficacy of lay-by applications (made 3-4 weeks after planting). Pre-plant insecticides must be applied within a few days of planting to be effective. Most growers apply these treatments a month in advance of planting because of concerns for weed control and moisture conservation. Our research shows that very little control was obtained when these insecticides were used in this way. Lay-by applications may be used as an alternative to the preplant application. We are continuously evaluating new compounds to determine if these new products are effective. Belay, a newly labeled neonicotinoid compound, provides high levels of control of both rootworms and white grubs when applied as a lay-by application. A sweet potato host plant resistance project involved screening germplasm from a polycross nursery for resistance to the sweet potato weevil. Each year the best performers are kept for the next year's nursery. The ultimate goal is a high yielding, weevil resistant cultivar that can be grown in south Louisiana without the use of insecticides. Research from this project provided growers with information on managing their soil insect pests. This includes information on the effect of timing of insecticide application and product selection on expected damage reduction, and monitoring systems for adult stages of these pests with treatment thresholds designed to limit root damage to no more than 5%. This system has been demonstrated in grower's fields. A 3-year comparison between untreated and treated plots revealed a 63% damage reduction where growers followed treatment thresholds and recommended IPM practices. On an average field (10% root damage in untreated plots, 250 bushels per acre, $15.00 per bushel), a savings of about $236.00 per acre was realized.
Publications
- Story, R.N., A.M. Hammond and M.J. Murray. 2010. Residual activity of Admire Pro insecticide for controlling banded cucumber beetle and sweetpotato weevil, 2009. Arthropod Management Tests 35: L5.
- Story, R.N., M.J. Murray and D.R. LaBonte. 2010. Field evaluation of sweet potato cultivars for resistance to sweetpotato weevils, white grubs, and rootworms, 2009. Arthropod Management Tests 35: M8.
- Story, R.N., A.M. Hammond, M.J. Murray and T. Smith. 2010. Evaluation of layby and foliar insecticides in 3 grower fields for control of rootworms and white grubs in sweet potatoes, 2009. Arthropod Management Tests 35: E36.
- Story, R.N., A.M. Hammond, M.J. Murray and T. Smith. 2010. Residual activity of foliar-applied insecticides to control banded cucumber beetle and sweetpotato weevil, 2009. Arthropod Management Tests 35: L4.
- Smith, T.P., A.M. Hammond, and R.N. Story. 2010. Evaluation of preplant and layby insecticides for control of soil insects in sweet potatoes, 2009. . Arthropod Management Tests 35: E34.
- Smith, T.P., A.M. Hammond, and R.N. Story. 2010. Evaluation of foliar insecticides for control of Lepidopteran species in sweet potatoes, 2009. . Arthropod Management Tests 35: E35.
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Results of research activities were presented at professional entomology meetings (Annual and southeastern branch ESA meetings, Florida Entomology Annual Meeting, Rocky Mountain Conference of Entomologists Annual Meeting). Presentations were made at two sweet potato grower meetings and an ornamentals workshop in 2009. Products resulting from research efforts that were disseminated to growers included :1) a sampling protocol and treatment threshold for rootworm control to be used by growers and scouts, 2) information on the expected % damage reduction (relative effectiveness) of labeled insecticides for rootworm and white grub control used as pre-plant or as lay-by applications in sweet potatoes, 3) information on the efficacy (percent mortality at day of application and residual activity 1-3 days post application) of labeled insecticides for sweet potato weevil and banded cucumber beetle control, 4) a pheromone monitoring system for Phyllophaga, 5) facilitation of new insecticide labeling on sweet potato (Coragen) through product evaluation in the sweet potato system. Research activities in 2009 include the following. 1) Eleven insecticides (several new compounds) labeled for control of sweet potato weevil and banded cucumber beetle were evaluated. The percent mortality of these insects through time (days after application of product) was determined in the field and lab. These data enable growers to make better choices in their pest management programs. 2) An evaluation of the timing and efficacy of soil incorporated insecticide treatments made at lay-by (made 3-4 weeks after planting) was done. Lay-by applications may be used as an alternative to the traditional pre-plant application. 3) New compounds such as Coragen were evaluated. 4) A sweet potato host plant resistance project which involved screening germplasm from a polycross nursery for resistance to the sweet potato weevil was continued in 2009. Each year the best performers are kept for the next year's nursery. The ultimate goal is a high yielding, weevil resistant cultivar that can be grown in south Louisiana without the use of insecticides. 5) An investigation of the impact of western flower thrips population densities on the marketability of impatiens plants grow in the greenhouse was conducted. PARTICIPANTS: Richard Story, principal investigator, entomology professor, conducted the research in conjunction with Jeff Murray, Research Associate, Abner Hammond, professor, and Yan Chen, assistant professor. Collaborators include Tara Smith, assistant professor, Sweet Potato Research Station, Don Labonte, professor, Horticulture Department, Chris Clark, professor, Plant Pathology Department, Clinton Hegwood, Burden Research Center, many sweet potato growers, and the Sweet Potato Growers Association. TARGET AUDIENCES: Sweet potato and vegetable growers, packers, and shippers, and the floricultural industry, in Louisiana and elsewhere in the US where vegetables and herbaceous ornamentals are grown. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Research conducted on sweet potato insect pest management systems in this project helped growers reduce losses due to insect pests, enabled growers to use insecticides more effectively, and increased their profitability. We focused on the timing of pre-plant soil incorporated insecticide treatments and the efficacy of lay-by applications (made 3-4 weeks after planting). Pre-plant insecticides must be applied within a few days of planting to be effective. Most growers apply these treatments a month in advance of planting due to concerns for weed control and moisture conservation. Our research shows that very little control was obtained when these insecticides were used in this way. Lay-by applications may be used as an alternative to the preplant application. We are continuously evaluating new compounds to determine if these new products are effective. A sweet potato host plant resistance project involved screening germplasm from a polycross nursery for resistance to the sweet potato weevil. Each year the best performers are kept for the next year's nursery. The ultimate goal is a high yielding, weevil resistant cultivar that can be grown in south Louisiana without the use of insecticides. Research from this project provided growers with information on managing their soil insect pests. This includes Information on the effect of timing of insecticide application and product selection on expected damage reduction, monitoring systems for adult stages of these pests with treatment thresholds designed to limit root damage to no more than 5%. This system has been demonstrated in grower's fields. A 3 year comparison between untreated and treated plots revealed a 63% damage reduction where growers followed treatment thresholds and recommended IPM practices. On an average field (10% root damage in untreated plots, 250 bushels per acre, $15.00 per bushel), a savings of about $236.00 per acre was realized.
Publications
- Hammond, A. M., R. N. Story, T.P. Smith, and M. J Murray. 2009. Evaluation of preplant insecticides for control of white grubs in sweet potatoes, 2008. Arthropod Management Tests 34:E58
- Story, R. N., A. M. Hammond , M. J. Murray and T. P. Smith. 2009. Evaluation of lay-by insecticides for control of white grubs in sweet potatoes, 2008. Arthropod Management Tests 34:E67
- Story, R. N., A. M. Hammond , M. J. Murray and T. P. Smith. 2009. Evaluation of preplant and lay-by insecticides for control of banded cucumber beetles and white grubs in sweet potatoes, 2008. Arthropod Management Tests 34:E65
- Story, R. N., A. M. Hammond , M. J. Murray and T. P. Smith. 2009. Evaluation of lay-by insecticides for control of banded cucumber beetles in sweet potatoes, 2008. Arthropod Management Tests 34:E66
- Smith, Tara P., C. Overstreet, C. Clark, D. Ferrin, and E. Burris. 2009. Nematode Management. Louisiana Sweet Potato Production. Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service Pub. 3075.
- Smith, T, E. Burris, A. M. Hammond, and R. N. Story. 2009. Evaluation of foliar insecticides for control of lepidopteran species in sweet potato, 2008. Arthropod Management Tests 34:E63
- Smith, T, A. M. Hammond, R. N. Story and E. Burris. 2009. Evaluation of pre-plant and lay-by insecticides for control of soil insects in sweet potatoes, 2008. Arthropod Management Tests 34:E64.
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