Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Wisconsin, Upper Midwest, and U.S. organic and transitional grain and forage crop farmers, land-grant university Extension educators and county agents, undergraduate students at the freshman/sophomore campus of University of Wisconsin-Marathon County, UW Fox Valley, and agriculture industry professionals that serve organic grain crop farmers. Target audience also included research science peers in Agronomy, Soil Science, Crop Science, and Entomology fields. 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?Outreach methodology included summer growing season field days, winter grower meetings, Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference workshops, meetings with farmer advisors to project, eOrganic webinar (live and archived), and regional and national scientific meeting presentations (submitted papers, poster, and invited symposia): Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN (2013); North Central Branch Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, Des Moines, IA (2014); ASA-CCSA-SSA and Entomological Society of America Joint Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN (2015). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
IMPACTS: This project developed and delivered systems based programs to address insect pest related management problems for organic grain and forage crops. A university researcher (Dr. Eileen Cullen, UW-Madison), farmer (Christine Mason, Standard Process Farm, Palmyra, WI) and a graduate student (Robin Mittenthal, UW-Madison) co-taught an eOrganic Webinar titled 'Integrated Pest Management for Organic Field Crops' delivering organic field and laboratory research results and pest management content tailored to organic crops to 127 farmers, extension agents and agricultural professionals from all regions of the U.S., and attendees from Canada, Greece and Chile. 63 percent participant survey respondents (post-program) improved their understanding of insect mangement strategies for organic farming, and 69 percent intend to use this knowledge on their own farms or advising organic farmers. The eOrganic webinar has been viewed as on online resource over 1,200 times since the March 29, 2011 live presentation. The workshop was approved for Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) Continuing Education Credit and is available at eExtension's Campus website. CCAs take the course online, complete a 10-question exam, and earn credit for pest management content fitting to an organic production system. In the undergraduate education and on-farm research internship portion of this project, we developed a freshman/sophomore course curriculum titled 'Social and Scientific Aspects of Organic Agriculture'. This interdisciplinary three-credit semester course was cross-listed as Botany and Sociology. It was taught for five year by Dr. Paul Whitaker and lecturer Kat Becker at UW-Marathon Co. campus and offered live via distance education technology to students throughout the UW Colleges system. Approximately 200 students enrolled in the course, and 184 completed it. The course has since been adapted by Dr. Eileen Cullen, now at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and offered as an upper division PLT 499 course 'Introduction to Organic Agriculture', since spring 2015. Finally, the project engaged north central Wisconsin freshman/sophomore students in paid internship faculty and farmer mentored research. Students addressed research questions developed in consultation with local organic farmers in north central WI. 2- 4 students participated each summer for 3 years, on field and lab research, and presented their findings at an organic farmer conference research symposium. RESULTS: Objective 1) Evaluate two different organic fertility systems in a certified organic grain/forage crop long-term experiment by comparing soil and crop plant nutrient status with pest and beneficial insect response; Study 1.1 [Environ. Entomol. 43(5): 1264-1274] This study examined: 1) The European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), larval response on corn (Zea mays L.) grown in field soils with different soil management histories; and 2) resilience of these plants to O. nubilalis herbivory. Treatments included: 1) standard organic - organically managed soil fertilized with dairy manure and 2 yr of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in the rotation; 2) basic cation saturation ratio - organically managed soil fertilized with dairy manure and alfalfa nitrogen credits, plus addition of gypsum (CaSO42H2O) according to the soil balance hypothesis; and 3) conventional - conventionally managed soil fertilized with synthetic fertilizers. Results demonstrate that different fertilization regimens can significantly affect insect performance within the context of organic systems, but the effects in this study were relatively minor compared with effects of intraspecific competition. Study 1.2 [Ecosphere, 6(6): doi:10.1890/ES14-00501.1] We obtained soils from agricultural fields managed under 3 different soil fertilization practices for 5 continuous years: Synthetic fertilizers only with a 2-year corn-soybean rotation (conventional farming, or CONV), dairy manure with a 4-year alfalfa/oat-alfalfa-corn-soybean rotation (standard organic farming, or STDO), and dairy manure þ 4-year alfalfa/oat-alfalfa-corn-soybean rotation with biannual gypsum applications (organic basic cation saturation ratio farming, or BCSR). We reared field corn plants in these soils in a greenhouse, then used them to conduct oviposition choice assays with the corn insect pest Ostrinia nubilalis (European corn borer, or ECB). Our results indicate that both fertilization practices and mycorrhizal associations can interact to modify oviposition in pest insects, which may have significant implications for the utilization of fertilization practices for pest insect suppression. Study 1.3 [ASA-CSSA-SSA 2015 Annual Meeting with Entomological Society of America, Symposium Proceedings] Mineral supplementation can benefit nutrient deficient crops, but the plant mineral composition can also affect the insect pests that feed upon them. Gypsum (Ca2SO4) is a fertilizer used to improve soil aggregation and increase calcium and sulfur concentrations. It is unknown how regular gypsum additions may affect plant-insect interactions. We conducted a field study in 2013 using 8 randomized corn plots in Wisconsin, organically farmed in a corn-soybean-alfalfa-alfalfa rotation since 2008. Plots had been fertilized with manure only (standard organic, or STDO) or manure+gypsum (mineral balanced plots, or BAL). Plants were infested with European corn borer (ECB) egg masses; our results suggest that mineral supplementation may benefit early season insect pests, but may negatively impact late season pests and impart some protection to maturing corn. Objective 2) Conduct simple experiments on working organic farms to test hypotheses from the long-term experiment and grower observations on their farms that integrate organic fertility practices with other National Organic Program-compliant insect pest suppression tactics; Study 2.1 [Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 37:550-577]. This study presents a conversation among researcher, agroecology student, and farmers about the association between cover crops and seedcorn maggot in organic grain crops. Survey data showed that Wisconsin organic farmers would use cover crop management, insect degree day forecasting, and planting date cultural controls, given appropriate knowledge context and extension information provision. We developed electronic and print resources and engaged with farmers and educators nationally through the eOrganic Community of Practice. Project outcomes exemplify student and farmer ability to effect change in land grant university extension recommendations through integrated pest management content and delivery aligned with a cropping systems perspective. Objective 3) Develop a multi-institutional partnership between Wisconsin organic farmers, UW Madison, Cooperative Extension, and two-year campuses of the UW Colleges system to achieve full integration of research, extension, and education project goals. A 3 credit semester course, Scientific & Social Aspects of Organic Agriculture was developed and taught at UW Marathon County for 5 years. The curriculum begins with an introduction to organic agriculture - its origins, philosophical and biological science assumptions, and current practice under regulation by the USDA's National Organic Program. The course content is organized around "issues" in organic agriculture including social and scientific challenges to the principles of organic agriculture that have arisen as consumer awareness and market share have increased. Positions on both sides of these issues (pro- and anti- or unaware about organic production) are often aired publicly, but are not always well supported by research data. This course explores some of these issues in order to understand social and scientific foundation of organic agriculture production methods and systems-based thinking.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Murrell, E.G., Hanson, C.R., Cullen, E.M. (2015). European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) oviposition response to soil fertilization practices and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of corn. Ecosphere 6(6). doi:10.1890/ES14-00501.1
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Murrell, E.G., Cullen, E.M. (2014). Conventional and organic farming practices affect corn nutrition and Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) larval performance. Environmental Entomology, 43(5): 1264-1274.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Murrell, E.G., Cullen, E.M. (2015). Is Mineral Balance Beneficial Gypsum Fertilization Affects European Corn Borer Development and Insect Damage to Corn. American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting, November 2015, Minneapolis, MN. In Symposium - Insect Ecology in Organic Crop Management Systems.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Cullen, E.M., Holm, K.M. (2013). Aligning insect IPM programs with a cropping systems perspective: Cover crops and cultural pest control in Wisconsin organic corn and soybean. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems 37: 550-577.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Cullen, E.M. (2012). Crop plant nutrition and insect response in organic field crop production: Linking farmer observation to university research and extension. In Institute of Food Production and Sustainability Organic Programs Project Directors Meeting Proceedings, pp. 55-59. October, 2012. USDA NIFA, Washington, DC.
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Cullen, E.M., Mason, C., Mittenthal, R. (2011). Integrated Pest Management in Organic Crops Webinar. eOrganic. https://articles.extension.org/pages/33362/integrated-pest-management-in-organic-field-crops-webinar Accessed: 02/11/2016.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Whitaker,P., Cyr, K., Lange, A., Murphy, N. (2014). Evaluating neem oil as a systemic soil drench to protect Brassica transplants from cucumber beetle feeding. Submitted poster presentation at the Organic Research Symposium in La Crosse, WI, February 28 - March 1, 2014.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2010
Citation:
Cyr, K. 2014. Effects of foliar and soil applications of cold-pressed neem oil solutions on vigor and leaf phytotoxicity in cucurbits. University of Wisconsin Colleges Student Research Journal 1: 1-18.
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Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Target audiences include Wisconsin, Upper Midwest, and U.S. organic and transitional grain and forage crop farmers, land-grant university Extension educators and county agents, IPM researchers at land-grant universities and colleges, undergraduate students at the freshman/sophomore campuses of the UW Colleges system, and educators and agricultural professionals who serve or interact with a diversity of organic farmers and farmers or educators interested in learning more about insect pest management in organic systems. Efforts to reach target audiences included extension and outreach field day presentations, research presentation and proceedings publications at organic farming conference research symposia, roundtable meetings with organic farmer advisory board to project, and eOrganic webinar presentation by project PI, graduate student, and organic farmer advisor to national audience. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Postdoctoral Associate, Dr. Ebony Murrell entered her second year with the project completing two studies, submitting one manuscript, a second manuscript is in final preparation, and presented at two national meetings (Ecological Society of America, and Entomological Society of America). Undergraduate Student, Christine Walrath, UW-Madison Biology 152 student completed a fall 2013 semester mentored research project quantifying, analyzing and presenting results at a campus poster symposium. Ms. Walrath's project examined beneficial root fungi (arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization) in corn plants grown in the two organic field soil treatments collected form the long-term experimental field plots. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Co-PIs E. Cullen and K. Shelley and postdoctoral associate E. Murrell presented a field day extension talk titled Impact of Mineral Balance Fertility Strategies on Crop Performance featuring OREI research plots and project results at the 08/13/13 UW-Madison CALS Organic Agriculture Field Day at Arlington Agricultural Research Station. The event was attended by 67 organic farmers, county extension agents, university researchers and students and NRCS technical service providers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? In the next reporting period, we are revising and submitting two publications (listed below). A no-cost extension is being filed for the project because the postdoctoral associate started in year 2 of the project and salary budget remains to support completion of work under Objective 1) Evaluate two different organic fertility systems in a certified organic grain/forage crop long-term experiment by comparing soil and crop plant nutrient status with pest and beneficial insect response. Work planned for the 2014-15 reporting cycle includes documentation of the effects of organic soil fertility treatments on a range of properties that are pivotal to the functioning and productivity of organic pest management systems including soil chemistry and crop root association with beneficial fungal communities in the soil (mycorrhizal colonization of crop roots under different soil fertility systems, and resulting crop nutrient uptake, plant tissue profiles and foliage feeding insect response. Study locations include the long-term experiment Arlington research station trial and up to 20 on-farm study sites with organic farmer advisors to the project. To date, this project has tested the hypothesis that soil amendments of gypsum in Wisconsin cornfields alter crop plant nutrition and, correspondingly, insect response. We have found this to be the case (see publications below), however the primary change to plants appears to be increase in uptake of additional sulfur, and not the additional calcium, provided by gypsum. Our data suggest that soil balance organic fertility practices in organic crops can alter pest insect response and possibly reduce crop damage, although not necessarily due to the nutritional mechanisms hypothesized (e.g., relative proportion of cation exchange capacity occupied by Ca:Mg:K). Our results indicate that the relationship between soil fertility type and mycorrhizal associations interact to influence crop plant nutrition and insect response when comparing organic and conventional, but that the different organic fertility systems tested in our study are not significantly different from each other. To measure this we will collect soil from organic and conventional farm fields with known history (grain and forage crop rotation, years in organic production, soil type). Soybean will be grown in the greenhouse in each of these soil treatments and root analysis conducted to assess vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza associations, crop plant nutrient profiles, and insect response for both a chewing (beet armyworm) and piercing-sucking (soybean aphid) insect. Publications in next reporting period: Murrell, E.G., and E.M. Cullen. Accepted pending revision. Conventional and organic farming practices affect corn nutrition and Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) larval performance. Environmental Entomology. Murrell, E.G., C.R. Hanson, and E.M. Cullen. In prep. European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) oviposition response to soil fertilization practices and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of corn. Ecological Applications.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Through this project, land-grant university entomology research and extension in Wisconsin offered improved systems-based programs to address insect pest related problems for organic crops. This project focused on integrated pest management in organic grain and forage crops studying soil fertility management practices, crop plant nutrition and pest and beneficial insect response. The project team has on-going communication and meetings with an 8-member organic farmer advisory board to incorporate farmer knowledge into the research and experimental results discussion and application. Results from this project are leading to change in knowledge for organic and transitional farmers, extension educators, and technical service providers that allows them to better integrate soil and crop nutrient managagement under the National Organic Program pest management standard 205.206. Objective 1: Evaluate two different organic fertility systems in a certified organic grain/forage crop long-term experiment by comparing soil and crop plant nutrient status with pest and beneficial insect response. Murrell EG, Cullen EM. (2014). Conventional and organic soil fertility management practices affect corn plant nutrition and Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) larval performance. Submitted: Environmental Entomology. Few studies compare how different soil fertilization practices affect plant mineral content and insect performance in organic systems. This study examined: (1) European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), larval response on corn (Zea mays L.) grown in field soils with different soil management histories, and (2) resilience of these plants to O. nubilalis herbivory. Treatments included: (1) standard organic (STDO) – organically managed soil fertilized with dairy manure and two years of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in the rotation, (2) basic cation saturation ratio (BCSR) – organically managed soil fertilized with dairy manure and alfalfa nitrogen credits, plus addition of gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) according to the soil balance hypothesis, and (3) conventional (CONV) – conventionally managed soil fertilized with synthetic fertilizers. Corn plants were reared to maturity in a greenhouse, then infested with 0-40 O. nubilalis larvae for 17 days. O. nubilalis exhibited lethal and nonlethal competitive response to increasing larval densities. Mean development time was significantly faster for larvae consuming BCSR plants than those on STDO plants, with CONV plants showing intermediate larval development time. Neither total yield (number of kernels), nor proportion kernels damaged, differed among soil fertility treatments. Soil nutrients differed significantly in K, Mg, and S, as well as Ca:Mg and Ca:K ratios, but plant tissue samples taken prior to O. nubilalis infestation differed among soil fertility treatments only in S. Results demonstrate that different fertilization regimens can significantly affect plant nutrition and insect performance within the context of organic systems. Application: While plant maturation was significantly faster in both organic treatments compared to CONV, the addition of gypsum in BCSR served only to increase O. nubilalis performance without any significant benefit to development or yield of the plants over STDO. Manure applications only provided the best compromise for suppressing insect development and improving plant nutrition. Murrell, E.G., C.R. Hanson and E.M. Cullen. (2014). European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) oviposition response to soil fertilization practices and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of corn. In Preparation: Ecological Applications. Conventional and organic farming both rely on soil fertilization to optimize yields, crop nutrition. These practices can also affect the colonization and efficacy of arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM), which in turn may improve crop resilience to drought and soil nutrient deficiencies. Both soil mineral fertilization and AM colonization have been shown to affect herbivorous insect oviposition response and performance. However, the below-ground interaction of common fertilization practices and AM colonization on plant nutrition and insect oviposition response has been largely unexplored. To test this, we obtained soils from fields in Arlington, WI that have employed 3 fertilization practices for at least 5 years: Synthetic fertilizers only (conventional farming, or CONV), manure only (standard organic farming, or STDO), and manure + biannual gypsum applications (organic basic cation saturation ratio farming, or BCSR). We reared field corn plants in these soils in a greenhouse, then used them to conduct oviposition choice assays with the common corn pest Ostrinia nubilalis (European corn borer, or ECB). Soil nutrients varied among soil treatments in their Ca:Mg:K ratios and also in S content. Colonization of AM on plant roots did not significantly differ among soil treatments. Plant tissue nutrients (primarily S, Fe, and Cu) varied significantly among soil treatments but were not affected by AM colonization. However, the number of ECB eggs laid per plant per trial varied significantly by both plant tissue nutrient composition and AM colonization, with a significant interaction effect between AM colonization and some plant nutrients. Our results indicate that both fertilization practices and mycorrhizal associations should be taken into account when managing crops for optimal nutrition and pest insect suppression. Application: Ostrinia nubilalis moths showed a strong positive response to S-fertilized plants when mycorrhizae abundance was low, but this response dissipated when mycorrhizae were present. Addition of mycorrhizae to fields has the potential to mediate pest attraction to well-fertilized fields. Objective 3. Develop a multi-institutional partnership between Wisconsin organic farmers, UW-Madison, Cooperative Extension, and two-year campuses of the UW Colleges system to achieve full integration of research, extension, and education project goals. Work under Project Objective 3 resulted in Social and Scientific Aspects of Organic Agriculture, the first organic/community agriculture course offering in the UW Colleges system. The 3-credit fall semester course was offered over the last five years at UW-Marathon County and UW-Fox Valley, meeting UW Colleges’ interdisciplinary (biology and sociology) and writing emphasis curriculum requirements. Both campuses, located in northern Wisconsin, serve many first-generation college students, returning students, and those for whom a four-year university is not economically accessible. This USDA OREI project also provides stipends for UW Colleges students to conduct research projects with UW faculty and farmer mentors at Stoney Acres, a Community Supported Agriculture farm in Athens, WI near the UW-Marathon County campus.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Murrell, E. and E.M. Cullen. 2013. Bottom-up effects of conventional and organic soil fertility management on Ostrinia nubilalis development and resistance of corn plants to herbivory. Abstract and Paper Presentation, Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN. August 4-9, 2013.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Murrell, E.G., C. Hanson and E.M. Cullen. 2013. ottom-up effects of conventional and organic soil fertility management on Ostrinia nubilalis oviposition response and larval development, and resistance of corn plants to herbivory. Abstract and Paper Presentation, Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, Austin, TX. November 9-14, 2013.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Murrell E.G. and E.M. Cullen. (2014). Conventional and organic soil fertility management practices affect corn plant nutrition and Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) larval performance. In Review: Environmental Entomology.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Hanson, C.R., E. Murrell and E.M. Cullen. 2013. Soil fertility practices, plant nutrient profiles, and mycorrhizal colonization affect oviposition response of Ostrinia nubilalis to corn plants. Absract and Poster Presentation, Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN. August 4-9, 2013.
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: LARVAL EXPERIMENT: A greenhouse experiment of soil type effects on European corn borer (ECB) larval performance and yield was conducted at UW-Madison. Soil was collected from 2012 corn plots at the long-term experimental site, Arlington, WI for Standard Organic (STD), Soil Balance Organic (BAL), and Conventional (CONV). One hundred thirty-five pots were lined with plastic to prevent nutrient loss and filled with one of the three soil types (total: 40 CONV, 45 STD, and 50 BAL pots). A single untreated corn seed was planted in each pot, raised to maturity and hand-pollinated. At 10-12 days post-pollination, the primary ear on each corn plant was infested with 0, 10, 20, 30, or 40 first-instar ECB larvae. All ears were bagged to prevent migration of ECB larvae among plants. After 17 days post-infestation, each plant was collected, frozen, and later dissected to determine the yield loss (proportion kernels damaged) as a function of both ECB density and soil type, and also to determine ECB performance (proportion survival, mean mass, and mean developmental stage) as a function of end-point infestation rates and soil type. Both lethal and nonlethal effects of intraspecific larval competition were present. There was an additional significant effect of soil type on developmental stage of ECB (p=0.0021), in that ECB larvae on BAL plants were significantly more developed than larvae on the STD plants, with CONV falling between the two organic soil types. Overall, there is some evidence that STD (standard organic soil treatment) could suppress ECB larval development in relation to CONV or BAL soil types. Ongoing work includes analysis of corn plant tissue collected from each of the plants in this experiment prior to infestation. These data will be used to determine (a) if plant tissue profiles differ among soil types, and (b) if ECB larval performance and/or yield loss is correlated with plant tissue profiles. ADULT OVIPOSITION EXPERIMENT: This was an mentored undergraduate student project. Soil was collected from the same corn plots at the long-term experiment as described above for a total of 44 pots (14 CONV, 15 STD, 15 BAL). A single corn plant was raised to the V5 stage per pot. For each replicate, one plant reared in each soil type was randomly selected and placed in a cage. Five cohort adult Z-strain ECB females and 2 males were released into the cage and allowed to oviposit on the 3 plants for two days. Eggs were counted on each plant and removed. Female ECBs showed a significant oviposition preference (p<0.0001), laying fewest eggs on CONV plants and greatest on BAL plants. Ongoing work includes analysis of plant tissue nutrient profiles and soil micronutrients, and assessment of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization in the roots of plants used in this experiment. Results will determine if AM colonization differs among the soil types, which could explain differences in plant tissue nutrient profiles and ECB oviposition behavior we observed. PARTICIPANTS: INDIVIDUALS: EILEEN CULLEN, Associate Professor/Extension Specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison Entomology Department. Roles: Project coordination and responsibility, experimental research design and oversight, graduate student advising, generate, analyze, publish and disseminate results through research/Extension field crops IPM program. PHILLIP BARAK, Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison Soil Science Department. Roles: soil science project expertise to improve understanding of soil mineral composition and interpretation of crop plant nutrient analyses. KEVIN SHELLEY, University of Wisconsin-Madison Nutrient and Pest Management Program Outreach Coordinator, Project Co-director. Roles: Organic crop management at the 30-acre Arlington Agricultural Research Station long-term experiment (LTE) site and organic grower advisory board communications/educational outreach coordination. PAUL WHITAKER, Professor, Biological Sciences. Roles: Responsible for development and teaching of UW Colleges Bot/Soc 291 three credit fall semester course titled Social and Scientific Aspects of Organic Agriculture. Directs UW Marathon County summer intern students in on-farm research entomology and plant biology summer program in collaboration with local organic farmers. COLLABORATORS: KAT BECKER, Associate Lecturer of Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Marathon County. Roles: Responsible for co-development, coordination and teaching of a UW Colleges Bot/Soc 291 titled Scientific and Sociological Aspects of Organic Agriculture with Whitaker. KAT BECKER and TONY SCHULTZ, Stoney Acres Farm, Athens, WI. Roles: Farmer mentors to UW Marathon County summer intern students. Co-design and supervise student research intern experiments on insect IPM issues relevant to Stoney Acres Farm needs. TRAINING OR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: EBONY MURRELL, PhD Postdoctoral Research Associate. Role: Conduct entomology and soil science field and laboratory experiments, data analyses and manuscript preparation. PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS: UW Arlington Agricultural Research Station, Arlington, WI. Roles: Assist, advise and provide logistical farming support for organic production and annual organic certification inspection at LTE study site. Wisconsin Organic Farmer Advisory Board to the project includes: DAN and DARLENE COEHOORN, Viewpoint Farm, Rosendale, WI; CHRISTINE MASON/DARREN PAULSON, Standard Process Farms, Palmyra, WI; TOM AND JIM MILLER, R & G Miller and Sons, Columbus, WI; STEVE SLINGER, Randolph, WI; TIM ZANDER, Columbus, WI; TOM WEAVER, Weaver Feeding and Management, Cuba City, WI; GARY WEDIG, Platteville, WI. Roles: Input on determining and pursuing project objectives to meet the needs of organic grain/forage crop producers. Guide researchers on best management practices for organic field crop production systems. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include Wisconsin, Upper Midwest, and U.S. organic and transitional grain and forage crop farmers, land-grant university Extension educators and county agents, IPM researchers at land-grant universities and colleges, undergraduate students at the freshman/sophomore campuses of the UW Colleges system, and educators and agricultural professionals who serve or interact with a diversity of organic farmers and farmers or educators interested in learning more about insect pest management in organic systems. Efforts to reach target audiences included extension and outreach field day presentations, research presentation and proceedings publications at organic farming conference research symposia, roundtable meetings with organic farmer advisory board to project, and eOrganic webinar presentation by project PI, graduate student, and organic farmer advisor to national audience. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Intended Outcome (medium-term) from Project Logic Model: Land-grant university research/extension and technical service providers will offer improved systems based-programs to address insect pest-related management problems for organic field crops. Project Impacts: (1) A university researcher (Eileen Cullen), organic farmer (Christine Mason), and graduate student (Robin Mittenthal) taught an eOrganic webinar 'Integrated Pest Management for Organic Field Crops' delivering research results and IPM content tailored to organic grain crops to 127 farmers, extension agents and agricultural professionals from all regions of the U.S., plus Canada. Sixty-three percent of participants improved their understanding of insect management strategies for organic farming, and 69% intend to use this knowledge on their farms or in educational and service provider programs. (2) The eOrganic webinar 'Integrated Pest Management for Organic Field Crops' has been viewed online 733 times to date since the March 2011 live presentation. The webinar was also approved for Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) Continuing Education Credit (1 credit) and is now available online at eXtension's Campus website. CCAs can take the course online, complete a 10-question exam and earn credit for IPM content aligned with an organic cropping systems perspective. (3) Insect sampling data from this project's long-term experiment site at Arlington, WI were used to develop an online seedcorn maggot degree-day thermal model to help WI and MN farmers predict seedcorn maggot peak flights and plan spring cover crop incorporation and corn and soybean planting dates outside peak pest activity (cultural pest control). (4) Results from a mail survey of WI organic farmers (n=252; 60% response rate from 55 counties) were used to launch a new publication series specific to organic IPM through UW Extension Cooperative Extension Publications. (5) A 3-credit course and curriculum developed by Paul Whitaker and Kat Becker for this project (BOT/SOC 291 'Social & Scientific Aspects of Organic Agriculture) is offered fall semester at UW-Marathon County in Wausau, WI and simultaneously via distance education technology to UW-Fox Valley students in Menasha, WI. To date, 134 students have successfully completed this course. The course meets UW Colleges interdisciplinary requirement. In 2012, the course was expanded to fulfill UW Colleges' Writing Emphasis option requirement.
Publications
- Cullen, E.M. and K.M. Holm. 2013. Aligning insect IPM programs with a cropping systems perspective: Cover crops and cultural pest control in Wisconsin organic corn and soybean. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. In Press.
- Holm, K. and E. Cullen. 2012. Insect IPM in Organic Field Crops: Seedcorn Maggot. Publication A3972-01. University of Wisconsin-Extension Cooperative Extension Publishing, Madison, WI. 6pp.
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Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: During a previous grant (USDA NIFA IOP/OREI, CRIS Accession No. 0207138), ending via no-cost extension 08/31/2011, project PIs completed the first four years of data collection and analyses at the certified organic long-term experiment site Arlington, WI, USA. This includes soil fertility system whole plot treatment (soil balance, standard organic) x crop rotation (oat/alfalfa/grass - alfalfa/grass - corn - soybean) with analyses of mineral composition and organic matter soil chemistry properties, crop plant nutrient profiles, and pest and beneficial insect population response variables. Standard organic and soil balance plots had Ca:Mg ratios of 1.8 and 1.7, respectively, at the beginning of the experiment in 2006 prior to CaSO4.H20 amendment of soil balance whole plots. Current ratios are 1.9 for the standard organic system plots, and 2.5 for the soil balance system plots, a statistically significant increase (p<0.0001, independent sample t-test). Crop yields (corn, soybean, alfalfa) were not significantly different between soil balance and standard organic treatments. Lepidoptera larvae on corn and potato leafhopper in alfalfa were not significantly different. Soybean aphid densities on soybean were significantly different by fertility system with avg. aphids/plant lower in both organic systems (soil balance, standard organic) than conventional check (p<0.05) and no difference between organic systems. Caged soybean plant experiments (natural enemy exclusion) to isolate soybean plant nutrient mediated effects on soybean aphid showed similar results. Although the soil balance treatment had numerically lower aphid peak, it was not significantly different from the standard organic treatment. In the laboratory, we successfully modified organic field soils to establish a range of target cation ratios for Ca:Mg, low (2.05), medium (2.95) and high (4.65). We also characterized calcium oxalate (CaOX) crystal distribution in soybean plant tissue and positively correlated soil test Ca levels with soybean plant tissue CaOX levels. Insect feeding and development assays were conducted on soybean plants grown in the three Ca:Mg ratio treatments above using soybean aphid and beet armyworm larvae, respectively, to represent sucking and chewing insect feeding types. Data analysis and manuscript preparation from this greenhouse study are underway. Significant product outputs include March 2011 eOrganic webinar presented to national audience by project researcher, graduate student, and organic farmer to disseminate project information and results. Our webinar was selected by eOrganic as an audio/video product at the eXtension.org campus website for Certified Crop Advisor continuing education units, http://www.extension.org/pages/60988. Additionally, our UW Colleges curriculum and 3-credit fall semester course Bot/Soc 291 Social and Scientific Aspects of Organic Agriculture entered its second year at UW Marathon and UW Fox Valley campuses, as did the UW Marathon County summer internship for organic IPM research mentored by organic farmers and offered for credit under project objectives 2 and 3. PARTICIPANTS: INDIVIDUALS: EILEEN CULLEN, Associate Professor/Extension Specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison Entomology Department. Roles: Project coordination and responsibility, experimental research design and oversight, graduate student advising, generate, analyze, publish and disseminate results through research/Extension field crops IPM program. PHILLIP BARAK, Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison Soil Science Department. Roles: soil science project expertise to improve understanding of soil mineral composition and interpretation of crop plant nutrient analyses. KEVIN SHELLEY, University of Wisconsin-Madison Nutrient and Pest Management Program Outreach Coordinator, Project Co-director. Roles: Organic crop management at the 30-acre Arlington Agricultural Research Station long-term experiment (LTE) site and organic grower advisory board communications/educational outreach coordination. PAUL WHITAKER, Professor, Biological Sciences. Roles: Responsible for development and teaching of UW Colleges Bot/Soc 291 three credit fall semester course titled Social and Scientific Aspects of Organic Agriculture. Directs UW Marathon County summer intern students in on-farm research entomology and plant biology summer program in collaboration with local organic farmers. COLLABORATORS: KAT BECKER, Associate Lecturer of Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Marathon County. Roles: Responsible for co-development, coordination and teaching of a UW Colleges Bot/Soc 291 titled Scientific and Sociological Aspects of Organic Agriculture with Whitaker. KAT BECKER and TONY SCHULTZ, Stoney Acres Farm, Athens, WI. Roles: Farmer mentors to UW Marathon County summer intern students. Co-design and supervise student research intern experiments on insect IPM issues relevant to Stoney Acres Farm needs. TRAINING OR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: ROBIN MITTENTHAL, PhD Graduate Research Assistant, University of Wisconsin-Madison Entomology Dept. Role: Conduct entomology and soil science field and laboratory experiments, data analyses, assistance with organic farming duties at LTE site, coordination of organic record-keeping for certification purposes at LTE study location. PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS: UW Arlington Agricultural Research Station, Arlington, WI. Roles: Assist, advise and provide logistical/technical farming support for all aspects of organic production and certification transition at LTE study site. Additionally, a Wisconsin Organic Farmer Advisory Board meets formally once per year with project individuals in a winter/spring project meeting and a second time each summer at a field day or other Extension venues. Members: DAN and DARLENE COEHOORN, Viewpoint Farm, Rosendale, WI; CHRISTINE MASON/DARREN PAULSON, Standard Process Farms, Palmyra, WI; TOM AND JIM MILLER, R & G Miller and Sons, Columbus, WI; STEVE SLINGER, Randolph, WI; TIM ZANDER, Columbus, WI; TOM WEAVER, Weaver Feeding and Management, Cuba City, WI; GARY WEDIG, Platteville, WI. Roles: Input on determining and pursuing project objectives to meet the needs of organic grain/forage crop producers. Guide researchers on best management practices for organic field crop production systems. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include Wisconsin, Upper Midwest, and U.S. organic and transitional grain and forage crop farmers, land-grant university Extension educators and county agents, IPM researchers at land-grant universities and colleges, undergraduate students at the freshman/sophomore campuses of the UW Colleges system, and educators and agricultural professionals who serve or interact with a diversity of organic farmers and farmers or educators interested in learning more about insect pest management in organic systems. Efforts to reach target audiences included extension and outreach field day presentations, research presentation and proceedings publications at organic farming conference research symposia, roundtable meetings with organic farmer advisory board to project, and March 2011 eOrganic webinar presentation by project PI, graduate student, and organic farmer advisor to national audience. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
With overlap between 08/31/11 end of previous USDA NIFA IOP/OREI grant (CRIS Accession No. 0207138) and year one of the current USDA NIFA OREI grant in this report, Outcomes/Impacts text is the same between the two reports for 09/01/10 to 08/31/11 CHANGE IN KNOWLEDGE: 127 individuals participated in the March 29th, 2011 eOrganic webinar presented by our researcher/farmer team titled Integrated Pest Management in Organic Field Crops. Content included information from this USDA project and IPM concepts and practices/recommendations for organic systems. eOrganic organizers administered a survey to participants with the following results. Of 127 respondents invited, 86 completed the survey for a response rate of 67.72%. The majority of survey respondents were farmers (22%) or Extension personnel (13%) with the remainder University researcher/educator or non-profit organization staff. Respondents were from all regions of the U.S. as well as Canada, Greece and Chile. Two-thirds of respondents significantly (23%) to moderately (40%) improved their understanding of organic field crop IPM and soil and crop nutrient management as part of a pest management approach. One-third (33%) improved their understanding a little, and only 5% indicated no improvement at all. 70% of respondents intend to apply the knowledge they gained in this webinar to their work with the remainder opting to apply a little (24%) or none (6%) of the information. 84% felt the information presented was just right, not too technical and not too basic. 72% would definitely recommend this webinar to others and 27% may recommend it to others. Examples of comments from respondents include: I liked having the farmer talk practicality and the research backing up the topic. I would like more from the farmer, discussing the impact of the research; I think it was very helpful to have research-based speakers as well as speakers who are using methods on their farms. I liked the mix of practical and academic. In addition to the eOrganic webinar at the end of this project term, face-to-face contacts were made with target audience at 11 field days and workshops over four years. These contacts allowed over 520 individuals (Upper Midwestern and U.S. farmers, educators, researchers and agriculture professionals) to gain knowledge and expand their concept of applying the IPM paradigm to organic field and forage crops. CHANGE IN ACTIONS: eOrganic and eXtension created an audio/video product of our webinar and project PI Cullen wrote CCA study questions to accompany this distance education product. CCAs now have the option to utilize this product as a resource specific to organic agriculture pest management, earn CCA continuing education units and apply this knowledge in pest management decision-making on farm or in the field. CHANGE IN CONDITIONS: Our UW Colleges interdisciplinary Bot/Soc 291 curriculum and 3-credit fall semester course titled Social and Scientific Aspects of Organic Agriculture is the first interdisciplinary course offering on organic agriculture through UW Colleges. Entering its third year fall 2011, it is an established offering of the UW Colleges institution.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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