Source: AUBURN UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
SOIL FUMIGATION IN SOUTHERN PINE NURSERIES
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
MCINTIRE-STENNIS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0220880
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2010
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2015
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
108 M. WHITE SMITH HALL
AUBURN,AL 36849
Performing Department
School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Non Technical Summary
Environmental concerns have spearheaded changes in nursery management during the past few years. For example, an international agreement (the Montreal Protocol) put limits on the manufacture of methyl bromide and other ozone depleting substances (Parker and others 2005). Due to countries adhering to the Montreal Protocol, the use of methyl bromide as a soil fumigant in bare-root nurseries has declined. The global consumption of methyl bromide was about 71,764 tonnes/yr in 1991 and by 2005 it was reduced to about 20,752 tonnes/yr (MEBTOC 2006). Although it is still used to fumigate soil in bare-root nurseries in the Southern U.S., some predict the use will continue to decline. Bare-root nurseries in the Netherlands once relied on methyl bromide but they increased the use of metham sodium and increased the use of container-grown plants (MBTOC 2006). In British Columbia, the use of container-grown stock gradually increased (van Erden 1996). Recently, the International Forest Company (based in Georgia) decided to close four bare-root nurseries and to expand the production of container-grown stock. However, the capital required to convert from a bare-root nursery to a container nursery can be a limiting factor. Many state-owned nurseries operate under funding constraints and many privately-owned bare-root nurseries have no incentive to convert to container production. Applying alternative chemical fumigants is cheaper than investing in container equipment and facilities In the past, many research projects have been directed at seeking alternatives to methyl bromide fumigation. However, when used at labeled rates, some of these alternatives (e.g. chloropicrin) have large buffer zones (e.g. distance from the edge of the fumigation tarp to the edge of the buffer zone). The Environmental Protection Agency now requires a buffer zone for all fumigants. The size of buffer zones will affect the economic viability of the nursery. At most nurseries, large buffers will reduce the amount of area that can be fumigated in the spring. Few projects have been directed toward determining fumigation methods that will permit a small buffer zone.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
100%
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1230611112050%
2120611116050%
Knowledge Area
212 - Pathogens and Nematodes Affecting Plants; 123 - Management and Sustainability of Forest Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
0611 - Conifer forests of the South;

Field Of Science
1120 - Nematology; 1160 - Pathology;
Goals / Objectives
OBJECTIVES: 1. Evaluate selected fumigants for efficacy in managing important pest problems in southern pine nurseries. 2. For effective fumigants, determine a method and rate of application that will provide a small buffer zone and effective pest control. Expected Outputs: Improved seed efficiency of pine nurseries due to an increase in the area of seedbeds that may be fumigated.
Project Methods
Nurseries selected for the trials will contain fields that have not been fumigated for over four years. The fields have been in pine production over the past decade and were either planted to a small grain cover crop or disk fallow during the year prior to the study. The studies are designed as a randomized complete block design with replication by nursery sections or blocks. All treatments will be replicated at least four times at each nursery for each soil treatment. In all study areas, the trials will include two years of seedling production and one year fallow to follow the standard seedling production protocol. Plots for each soil treatment will be three seedbeds wide (4.9 m), and plot lengths range from 100 to 200 m long. Seedbeds will be prepared at all nurseries by ripping the field with subsoil shanks to break up hardpans and tilled to break up clods. Fumigants tested will be either commonly used fumigants, or new, promising chemicals. The fumigants will be shank injected into the soil to a depth of 15-20 cm and covered with clear high-density polyethylene tarps (broadcast/flat tarp). Tarps will be kept in place for 10 days post-fumigation and then removed. Fumigant treatments will be applied only in the first year of the study at each nursery, of which two seedling crops and two cover crops will be sown. Soil samples will be collected at fumigation for analysis to determine macro- and micro-nutrients including soil pH, organic carbon, N, P, K, as well as physical soil properties. Soil samples will be taken at lifting from each soil treatment plot at each nursery in the first year. The composite sample for each treatment will consist of 5-10 soil cores taken to a 15 cm depth. Soil will be tested at the Soil Testing Laboratory at Auburn University for analysis of the minerals, total carbon and nitrogen, using standards set by the Southern Extension Research Activity Information Exchange Group, SERA-6 (Hanlon, 2001). A separate composite soil sample will be taken across the fields of each nursery to determine soil texture (sand:silt:clay) and bulk density.

Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience was nursery managers associated with the Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative in 11 southern US States. These seedling producers represent 90% of the forest-tree producers in the southern US. Newsletters and Research Reports highlighting recommendations in production systems were produced and disseminated to seedling producers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?These research trials in forest-tree nurseries across the southern United States (AL, GA, TN, NC and MS) have demonstrated the ability of alternative steps that can be taken to minimize the effects of weeds, insects and fungi in the production of forest-tree seedlings. This project has trained 3 graduate students, a number of undergraduate student workers, 1 Research Associate, 1 Research Assistant, a Post-Doctoral Fellow and a Research Fellow. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Most of the results obtained by this research project were disseminated to seedling producers via national meetings,workshops, newsletters and research reports. In addition, a week-long (35 hr) Nursery Management Shortcourse was held with 40 nursery assistants who are recently employed in the forest-seedling production business. The most visible meeting was the Southern Forest Nursery Association where information on new soil fumigant chemistries, weed control in native plant production systems, a rapid pitch canker identification tool and a research project that will examine seedling quality for bareroot nurseries What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? A four-acre soil fumigation trial was installed at the Plum Creek nursery in Jesup, GA that included 8 different soil fumigants, either alone or in combination under TIF. These compounds included Treatment X, Telone, Chloropicrin (Pic+), AITC (allyl isothiocyanate) and DMDS (di-methyl di-sulfide) as well as TriFecta (DMDS, Pic+ and Telone) and MBr. Early evidence suggests that weed control was lacking in some of the treatments. In addition to soil fumigant trials, the herbicide Marengo® was sprayed in a single application at 6-8 weeks post-sowing over the top of loblolly at River Bend and Westervelt and over the top of four pine species at IFCO. Initial and recent visual inspections reveal few willows present at any of the 3 nurseries; data on willow control will possibly be inadequate for this study and it may be repeated. PAC was tested at two rates on container loblolly and slash pine at IFCO's Moultrie, GA Nursery and on container loblolly at the Westervelt Nursery. Like the Marengo experiments, the weed pressure from willow and weed control information may be inadequate to determine efficacy. To determine the lowest effective rate of fungicide seed treatment, both loblolly and slash pine seedlings were treated 5 rates of Proline, standard Bayleton and water check to control fusiform rust when used as a seed treatment prior to sowing. Bayleton and non-treated seed were included as a positive and negative control. Treated seed were sown at the USFS Rust Testing Laboratory and 6 weeks post sowing were challenged with 30,000 basidiospores of Cronartium quercuum f.sp fusiforme. Three-month data inidicated that spore pressure was not high enough as controls were disease-free, thus fungicidal control may not be known. Results using the rapid ID PCR test indicate the detection of the Fusarium circinatum in 14% of Loblolly, 10% of Slash, 17% of Shortleaf and 72% of Longleaf screened seed lots. Contact has been made with the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) to ensure that the developed protocol is tested in accordance their certified screening protocols. For this purpose all collected seed lots are concurrently be screened using an ISTA approved and certified methods for comparison purposes. In accordance with the ISTA the detection limits for the rapid detection protocol was also determined. Preliminary results from this study indicate that the developed method was capable of detecting a single infected seed from a sample size of 400 seeds, for all pine species tested.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Starkey, T.E., Enebak, S.A. and South, D.B. 2015. Forest Seedling Practices in the Southern United States: Bareroot Nurseries. Tree Planters Notes. 58:4-17.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Starkey, T.E., Enebak, S.A. and South, D.B. 2015. Forest Seedling Practices in the Southern United States: Container Nurseries. Tree Planters Notes. 58:18-26.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Harper, R.A., Hern�ndez, G., Arseneault, J., Woodruff, K.J., Enebak, S.A., Overton, R.P and Haase. D.L. 2014. Forest Nursery Seedling Production in the United States; Fiscal Year 2013. Tree Planters Notes 57:62-66
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Jackson, D.P, Enebak, S.A., West, J. and Hinnant, D. 2015. Assessing tolerance of longleaf pine understory herbaceous plants to herbicide applications in a container nursery. National Proceedings: 17th Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference. Shreveport, LA. USDA. GTR SRS-203. 265-272
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Enebak, S.A. 2015. Forest tree seedling production in the southern United States for the 2013-2014 planting season. Technical Note 15-01. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Enebak, S.A. and Payne, N. 2015. Effect of timing and rate of Marengo applications on weed control and tolerance to loblolly, longleaf, slash and shortleaf pine seedlings grown in containers. Research Report 15-01. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Starkey, T.E. and Enebak, S.A. 2015. Evaluation of Sumagrow as a biological soil amendment/inoculant for the production of loblolly and slash pine. Research Report 15-03. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Payne, N. and Enebak, S.A. 2015. Effect of Terracyte Pro and Ecotect applications of moss control and tolerance to container-grown Frasier Fir seedlings. Research Report 15-04. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Starkey, T.E. and Enebak, S.A. 2015. The use of seed polymers and seed colorants as seed treatments for southern pine. Research Report 15-05. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.


Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Target audience was nursery managers associated with the Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative in 11 southern US States. These seedling producers represent 90% of the forest-tree producers in the southern US. Newsletters and Research Reports highlighting recommendations in production systems were produced and disseminated to seedling producers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? These research trials in forest-tree nurseries across the southern United States (AL, GA, TN, NC and MS) have demonstrated the ability of alternative steps that can be taken to minimize the effects of weeds, insects and fungi in the production of forest-tree seedlings. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Most of the results obtained by this research project were disseminated to seedling producers via national meetings, workshops, newsletters and research reports. The most visible meeting was the Southern Forest Nursery Association where information on new soil fumigant chemistries, weed control in native plant production systems, a rapid pitch canker identification tool and a research project that will examine seedling quality for bareroot nurseries. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The herbicide Marengo® (indaziflam) was tested in a rate and timing trial to control black willow in containers at Nursery in Georgia. Three rates of 3.75, 7.5 and 11.25 ounces per acre were sprayed at two application times over the top of four conifer species (loblolly, longleaf, shortleaf and slash). Willow seedlings present in the loblolly trays at the initial spray application were marked and are being evaluated for herbicide effectiveness. Pine seedling quality was evaluated on all 4 pine species at the end of the growing season. The herbicide showed positive control of willow, but minor stunting of pines and control of additional weeds not originally monitored. A fumigation trial testing a combination of soil fumigants as a methyl bromide alternative was conducted at a number of bare root nurseries using Spring and Fall fumigation.The experiment used high barrier plastics and reduced fumigant rates to comply with the new soil fumigation rules on the production of seedlings, weed, nematode control and Trichoderma spp levels. Seedling history plots were established in second year Trifecta® (TE-3) land at a bareroot nursery to examine the long-term affects of soil fumigation on soil properties and seedling production. At Courtland, VA, plots were established in second year Trifecta® (TE-3) land and new plots in land that was fumigated in Spring 2014 with Trifecta®. These plots were monitored for weed activity and seedling quality. A fungal extraction protocol has been confirmed with pitch canker and refined to minimize reagent use and still obtain confirmed positive and negative DNA samples for Fusarium circinatum. To date 162 seed lots, representing 8 of the most commonly planted pine species in the southeastern US have been sourced from several companies and are being screened for the presence of F. circinatum using the newly developed DNA extraction and PCR amplification protocols. All seed lots will also concurrently be screened using the current ISTA certified blotter paper method for comparison purposes.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Starkey T.E. and S.E. Enebak. 2014. Nursery Lifter Operation Affects Root Growth Potential of Pine Seedlings. Tree Planters Notes 56:35-42.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: . Control of Rhizoctonia foliar blight in forest seedling nurseries: a 3-year study. In: Haase DL, Pinto JR, Wilkinson KM, technical coordinators. National Proceedings: Forest and Conservation Nursery Associations2012. Fort Collins (CO): USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Proceedings RMRS-P-69. 11-16.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Enebak, S.A., Payne, N., Brooks. B. and Shelburne, D. 2014 Operational applications of Pendulum Aquacap (PAC) tank mixed with Goal 2XL at the time of sowing reduces prostrate spurge without the formation of herbicide galls. Research Report 14-01. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Enebak, S.A., Starkey, T.E. and Brooks, B. 2014. Effect of PAC-induced herbicide galls on seedling growth and survival 12 months after outplanting. . Research Report 14-02. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Enebak, S.A., Brooks, B. and Payne, N. 2014. Effect of timing of PAC applications 8, 12, 16 weeks after sowing on herbicide-induced gall formation and seedling growth. Research Report 14-03. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Enebak, S.A., Payne, N. and Brooks, B. 2014. Effect of timing and rate of Marengo (indaziflam) applications on weed control and loblolly pine seedling characteristics at the ArborGen supertree nursery in Shellman, GA. Research Report 14-04. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Enebak, S.A., Payne, N. and Brooks, B. 2014. Effect of Ronstar Flo alone and in tank mixes with Pendulum Aquacap and Goal 2XL at the time of sowing on the production of loblolly pine and weed control in five different nurseries. Research Report 14-06. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Starkey, T.E., Enebak, S.A. and South, D.B. 2014. The 2012 Bareroot Forest Nursery Practices in the Southern United States. Technical Note 14-01. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Starkey, T.E., Enebak, S.A. and South, D.B. 2014. The 2012 Container Forest-Seedling nursery practices in the Southern United States. Technical Note 14-02. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Enebak, S.A. 2014. Forest tree seedling production in the southern United States for the 2013-2014 planting season. Technical Note 14-03. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Enebak, S.A., Payne, N. and Brooks, B. 2014. Effect of imazamox (Raptor and Clearcast) applications at the time of sowing on 4 hardwood seedling species at the Chatsworth Nursery in GA and the East Tennessee Nursery. Research Report 14-05. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Harper, R.A., Hern�ndez, G., Arseneault, J., Woodruff, K.J., Enebak, S.A., Overton, R.P and Haase. D.L. 2014. Forest Nursery Seedling Production in the United States; Fiscal Year 2013. Tree Planters Notes 57:62-66.


Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Land managers, consulting foresters, non-industrial private land owners and managers operating nursery production systems in the southern United States that use Pinus spp for their reforestation needs. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Environmental concerns have spearheaded many changes during the past few years in use and availability of agricultural chemicals. Due to the new soil fumigation rules approved in 2012 under the RED, many of the soil fumigants are becoming more restrictive in their use with rates, tarps and exposure times designed to limit exposures to bystanders and not disease/pest control. A number ofresearch projects accurately defined the biology of host/pest interactions and will improve the overall pest management programs in forest tree nurseries to allow bystander safety, disease control and seedling production. These included research trials in forest-tree nurseries across the southern United States (AL, GA, TN, NC and MS). In addition, a number of greenhouse experiments and field plantings were conducted and analyzed that examined the effects of herbicides on seedling quality, survival and growth. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Contact and information was disseminated with nursery managers at the Southern Forest Nursery Association Meeting in Hendersonville, NC and the Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative Advisory Meeting in Auburn, AL. These two meetings included 90% of the forest-tree producers in the southern US. Newsletters and Research Reports highlighting recommendations in production systems were produced and disseminated to seedling producers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? After a 5-yr USDA Areawide MBr Alternative Program to identify an alternative soil fumigant that ended in December 2012, of the 10 new compounds tested, alone and in combination, Pic+ performed the best. Of those soil fumigants tested, those with chloropicrin appear to be the most useful in controlling pests and producing high-quality seedlings. By far, the best MBr alternatives tested were Chloropicrin and Chlor 60, with both soil fumigants controlling nematodes and producing quality seedlings. The ability to use new plastic technologies (Totally Impervious Films - TIF) has resulted in significant buffer zone reductions; as little as 150', which will allow seedling production systems to continue to maximize production areas. Rates of these compounds under TIF need to be at least 200 lb/acre as levels lower did not result in acceptable seedling quality. Other alternatives include the use of 100% chloropicrin, then Chlor 60, with 60% chloropicrin, with Paladin (DMDS + chloropicrin) a possibility if odor issues with this compound are accepted by users. Seed treatments using different rates of Proline to determine lowest effective seed-treatment rate were not effective at all as all rates resulted in rust infection. These studies indicate the fungicide carrier and rates applied need to be addressed before this fungicide can be used as a seed treatment. The use of systemic fungicides such as Proline were shown to increase seedling nutrition via increasing the uptake of soil nutrients. Thus, soil nutrition analysis needs to take into account the increased efficiency of seedling macro- and micro-nutrient uptake. In the area of weed control and seedling production, Ronstar Flo, Goal, Cobra, Certainty, and Pendulum-Aquacap were applied both pre- and post-emergence and in various tank mixes to loblolly pine seedlings to control annual sedge and seedling tolerance. Certainty stunted seedlings and reduced seed germination and would not be recommend for weed control in conifer nurseries. Pendulum AquaCap (PaC)was also tested pre-emergence to hardwoods of various seed sizes at 0.5, 1, and 2 lb/acre to determine affects of this herbicide on spurge control and seedling density and quality. The detrimental affects of this herbicide on seedling production is dependent on nursery soil and tree species. Therefore, susceptibility to PaC is not dependent upon seed size as both a large-sized species (Pyrus sp) and small-sized species (Nyssa sp) were unaffected by the application of PaC. Nursery managers need to be careful when applying this herbicide to their hardwood seed beds when controlling prostrate spurge.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Harper, R.A., Hernandez, G, Arseneault, J, Bryntesen, M, Enebak, S.A. and Overton, R. 2013. Forest Nursery Seedling Production in the United States  Fiscal Year 2012. Tree Planters Notes. 56:72-75.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Enebak, S.A., Jackson, D.P., Starkey, T.E. Quicke, M. 2013. Evaluation of methyl bromide alternatives on loblolly pine production and seedling quality over three growing seasons at the Pine Hill Nursery in Camden, Alabama. Journal Horticulture and Forestry. 6:41-47.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Enebak, S.A., Starkey, T.E., Quicke, M., and Jackson, D.P. 2013. Evaluation of Plastic Tarps, Reduced Rates and Low-Impact Application Methods of Soil Fumigants on Loblolly Pine Seedling Production. Open Forest Science Journal. 6:7-13.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Enebak SA. 2013. Soil fumigation: the critical use exemption, quarantine pre-shipment rules, reregistration decision and their effect on the 2012 growing season. In: Haase DL, Pinto JR, Riley LE, technical coordinators. National Proceedings: Forest and Conservation Nursery Associations2011. Fort Collins (CO): USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Proceedings RMRSP-68. 26-30.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Enebak, S.A., Starkey, T.E., Jackson, D.P. and Quicke, M. 2013. Evaluation of methyl bromide alterntatives and seedling quality over three growing seasons at the Pine Hill Nursery in Camden, Alabama. Research Report 13-01. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Enebak, S.A., Starkey, T.E., Jackson, D.P. and Brooks, B. 2013. Evaluation of plastic, reduced rates and low impact application methods on loblolly pine production and seeding quality over three growing seasons. Research Report 13-02. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Enebak, S.A, Whitaker, B., Brooks, B. and Jackson, D.P. 2013. The effect of hardwood seed size, species and nursery soils on the formation of stem galls and seedling tolerance to applications of Pendulum AquaCap. Research Report 13-03. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Enebak, S.A., Whitaker, B., Brooks, B and Jackson, D.P. 2013. Annual sedge (Cyperus compressus) control in loblolly pine. Research Report 13-04. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Enebak, S.A., Whitaker, B., Brooks, B. and Jackson, D.P. 2013. Controlling morning glory (Ipomoea spp) in hardwoods using pre- and post-emergence herbicides at the East Tennessee and Native Forest nurseries. Research Report 13-05. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Enebak, S.A. 2013. Forest Tree Seedling Production in the Southern United States for the 2012-2013 Planting Season. Technical Note 13-01. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.


Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Environmental concerns have spearheaded many changes during the past few years in use and availability of agricultural chemicals. Due to the FQPA, many of the soil fumigants are becoming more restrictive in their use with rates, tarps, and exposure times designed to limit exposures to bystanders and not disease/pest control. A number of research projects accurately defined the biology of host/pest interactions and will improve the overall pest management programs in forest tree nurseries to allow bystander safety and disease control. These included research trials in forest-tree nurseries across the southern United States (AL, GA, TN, NC, and MS). In addition, a number of greenhouse experiments and field plantings were conducted and analyzed that examined the effects of herbicides on seedling quality, survival, and growth. Contact and information was disseminated with nursery managers at the Southern Forest Nursery Association Meeting in Chattanooga, TN and the Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative Advisory Meeting in Auburn, AL. These two meetings included 90% of the forest-tree producers in the southern US. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Dr. Scott Enebak - PI; Professor and Director of Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative at Auburn University's School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Dr. Tom Starkey - Collaborator, Research Fellow at School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences at Auburn University. Dr. Lori Eckhardt - Collaborator, Associate Professor and Director of Forest Health Cooperative at School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences at Auburn University. Partner Organizations: The States of: Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and the USDA Forest Service. Forest Industry members including: Plum Creek Timber Company, Rayonier, Weyerhaeuser, ArborGen, International Forest Company, Williams Forestry and Associates, and Campbell Timberland Management TARGET AUDIENCES: Land managers and nursery production systems in the southern United States that use Pinus spp for their reforestation needs. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: No project modifications are planned for 2012-2013.

Impacts
The third and final growing season to collect data ending the 5-yr USDA Areawide MBr Alternative Program to identify an alternative soil fumigant. Taken together, of the soil fumigants tested, Pic+ performed the best and those soil fumigants with chloropicrin appear to be the most useful in controlling pests and producing high-quality seedlings. By far, the best MBr alternatives tested were Chloropicrin and Chlor 60, with both soil fumigants controlling nematodes and producing quality seedlings. If buffer zone restrictions that come into force in 2012 limit the use of 100 percent chloropicrin, then Chlor 60, with 60 percent chloropicrin, would be the next best alternative to methyl bromide. With respect to fusiform rust control and foliar and seed applications, seedlings treated with Compass (Flint) and Insignia did not control rust infection and were no different than the controls. In contrast, Bayleton and Proline treated seedlings had zero percent infection when applied as a foliar fungicide. Seed treatments using different rates of Proline to determine lowest effective seed-treatment rate were not effective at all as all rates resulted in rust infection. Studies indicate the fungicide carrier needs to be addressed before this fungicide can be used as a seed treatment. In the area of weed control and seedling production, Ronstar Flo, Goal, Cobra, Certainty, and Pendulum-Aquacap were applied both pre- and post-emergence and in various tank mixes to loblolly pine seedlings to control annual sedge and seedling tolerance. Certainty stunted seedlings and reduced seed germination and would not be recommend for weed control in conifer nurseries. Ronstar Flo had good weed control when applied as a pre-emergent for annual sedge. Using Goal and Cobra tank mixes provided adequate sedge control without damage to seedling production. Pendulum AquaCap (PaC)was also tested pre-emergence to hardwoods of various seed sizes at 0.5, 1, and 2 lb/acre to determine affects of this herbicide on spurge control and seedling density and quality. PaC was applied to silver maple, sweet gum, sycamore, black gum, green ash, red maple, and pear. The detrimental affects of this herbicide on seedling production is dependent on nursery soil and tree species. Both pear and black gum were unaffected by the application of PaC, however, as PaC rate increased on silver and red maple, sweetgum and green ash seedling quality and quantity decreased. Nursery managers need to be careful when applying this herbicide to their hardwood seed beds when controlling prostrate spurge.

Publications

  • Jackson, D.P., S.A. Enebak, and D.B. South. 2012. Pythium species and cold storage affect the root growth potential and survival of loblolly (Pinus taeda L.) and slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) seedlings. Journal of Horticulture and Forestry 4:114-119.
  • Jackson, D.P., Enebak, S.A., and South, D.B. 2012. Survival of southern pine seedlings after inoculations with Pythium and cold storage in the presence of peat moss. Forest Pathology. 42:44-51.
  • Jackson, D.P., Enebak, S.A., and South, D.B. 2012. Effects of Pythium species and time in cold storage on the survival of bareroot and container-grown southern pine seedlings. ISRN Ecology 1:1-7. doi:10.5402/2012/874970.
  • South, D.S., Jackson, D.P, Starkey, T.E., and Enebak, S.A. 2012. Planting deep increases early survival and growth of Pinus echinata seedlings. Forest Science Journal. 33-41.
  • Starkey, T.E, Enebak, S.A., South, D.B., and Cross, R.E. 2012. Particle size and composition of polymer root gels affect loblolly pine seedling survival. Native Plants Journal. 13:19-26.
  • Enebak, S.A. 2012. Pestaltiopsis Foliage Blight. In: Cram, M.M, Frank, M.S., Mallams, K.M., Tech. Coords. Forest nursery pests, Agriculture Handbook 680. Washington, DC: USDA Forest Service: 52-54.
  • Laband, D., Morse, W., Enebak, S.A., and Chappelka, A. 2012. The Toomers Oaks Tragedy and the importance of Cultural Environmental Services. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry. 36:220-222.
  • Enebak, S.A. and Starkey, T. 2012. Brown Spot Needle Blight. In: Cram, M.M, Frank, M.S., Mallams, K.M., Tech. Coords. Forest nursery pests, Agriculture Handbook 680. Washington, DC: USDA Forest Service: 28-31.
  • Enebak, S.A. and Starkey, T. 2012. Fusiform Rust. In: Cram, M.M, Frank, M.S., Mallams, K.M., Tech. Coords. Forest nursery pests, Agriculture Handbook 680. Washington, DC: USDA Forest Service: 41-44.
  • Enebak, S.A.,Starkey, T., and Gorden, T. 2012. Pitch Canker of Pines. In: Cram, M.M, Frank, M.S., Mallams, K.M., Tech. Coords. Forest nursery pests, Agriculture Handbook 680. Washington, DC: USDA Forest Service: 60-63.
  • Starkey, T. and Enebak, S.A. 2012. Rhizoctonia Blight of Southern Pines. In: Cram, M.M, Frank, M.S., Mallams, K.M., Tech. Coords. Forest nursery pests, Agriculture Handbook 680. Washington, DC: USDA Forest Service:63-65.


Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Two large-scale MBr alternative trials were conducted in two nurseries in Alabama on second and third year fields. Fumigants tested were MB, MBC, Chlor 60, Chloropicrin, Pic+ and DMDS, under various plastic types and application methods to examine their effectiveness on targeting/controlling nutsedge, nematodes, soilborne pathogens and seedling quality. While, Midas negatively affected Trichoderma spp. within the soil, seedling size and seedling density and seedling quality was highly dependent upon soil fumigation used and nursery location. Minimum rates under high barrier films appear to be 250 lbs per acre with 150 lbs per acre not as effective in seedling production. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Scott Enebak - PI; Professor and Director of Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative at Auburn University's School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Dr. Tom Starkey - Collaborator, Research Fellow at School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences at Auburn University. Dr. Lori Eckhardt - Collaborator, Associate Professor and Director of Forest Health Cooperative at School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences at Auburn University. TARGET AUDIENCES: Land managers and nursery production systems that use Pinus spp for their reforestation needs. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Environmental concerns have spearheaded many changes during the past few years in use and availability of agricultural chemicals. Due to the FQPA, many of the soil fumigants are becoming more restrictive in their use with rates, tarps and exposure times designed to limit exposures to bystanders and not disease/pest control. These research projects will accurately define the biology of host/pest interactions and will improve the overall pest management programs in forest tree nurseries to allow bystander safety and disease control.

Publications

  • Jackson, D.P., Starkey, T.E. and Enebak, S.A. 2011. Evaluation of methyl bromide alternatives using a low disturbance fumigation rig in the production of loblolly pine seedlings in a Georgia forest-tree nursery. Research Report 11-02. Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
  • Enebak, S.A., Starkey, T.E. and M. Quicke. 2011. Effect of methyl bromide alternatives on seedling quality, nematodes and pathogenic soil fungi at the Jesup and Glennville Nurseries in Georgia: 2007-2008. Journal of Hort and Forestry. 3:150-158.
  • Enebak, S.A., Starkey, T.E. and M. Quicke. 2011. Effect of methyl bromide alternatives on seedling quality, nematodes and pathogenic soil fungi at the Blenheim and Trenton Nurseries in South Carolina: 2008-2009. Journal of Hort and Forestry. 3:379-487.