Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Specialty Crops (Primary): vegetable and fruit farmers including beginning and established farmers, immigrant farmers, and organic farmers; crop consultants; farm workers and interns; USDA agency personnel; non-profit organizations serving farmers. Secondary areas: Conservation Partnerships same as above, plus NRCS agency staff; Housing – Bedbug IPM: staff of housing authorities and departments of health in central and western MA, landlords, structural pest control industry, personal care attendants, tenants, social justice advocates, home owners; IPM in Public Health (Tick Disease Assessment and Public Education): pest managers for public and private lands, general public. The EIPM Advisory Panel for Specialty Crops (primary) and NRCS (secondary) Projects convened annually in March from 2011 to 2014 to get information about the project, offer direction and feedback and plan for the coming season. Its 15 Members represented the audience as described above including participating farmers, along with UMass Extension project personnel. Eight to 10 growers attended annually, some for 4 years. Panel-defined needs & barriers related to IPM: Readily accessible online pest information (scouting, thresholds, biology, controls) that is timely, includes wider range of vegetable and fruit crops, and is linked to local weather; more efficacy trials under local conditions on the many new, reduced-risk pesticides; public education about IPM to support marketing for farms that use IPM; in-person IPM training and coaching during the season on pest management – another pair of eyes; resources about crop rotation and other cultural practices for crop health. Impact/feedback from mentor & partner growers: In 2013, growers reported that their increased knowledge and use of weather stations, pest monitoring and crop scouting have helped them improve crop health, avoid crop losses and save costs. They consulted the NEWA late blight, early blight, apple scab, and fire blight models to time their preventative fungicide applications and to avoid unnecessary applications. This would not have been possible without the introduction of weather stations to their farms as part of the current EIPM grant. Monitoring for Spotted Wing Drosophila and other pests resulted in better timing of sprays and less crop loss. UMass training in related practices such as nutrient management and reduced tillage has helped growers improve crop quality, drought tolerance, and soil health. All growers unanimously agreed that the on-farm, one-on-one regular support provided by UMass staff, made possible by this grant, was invaluable. In 2014, value of biweekly visits to mentor farms was again expressed, as was the need for public education about IPM. Changes/Problems: Primary Area, Specialty Crops IPM: : Changes in staff occurred when two key project participants, A. Brown and C. Cavanagh, transferred to different jobs after year 2, and new staff needed to be hired. This meant that some project activities were delayed, requiring a no-cost extension through 2014 to complete certain projects. Secondary area: conservation partnerships. During the project, there were changes in workload priorities of NRCS field staff which reduced their availability to work on IPM plans as a component of EQIP projects. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Primary Area, Specialty Crops IPM: Educational Programs organized/cosponsored. From 2010 to 2012, UMass Cranberry IPM organized 14 educational programs attended by 1173 farmers and agricultural professionals, with 6 more in 2013 attended by 577. Vegetable and fruit IPM programs included 8 for fruit growers, 4 for vegetables, and 10 with a curriculum that combined vegetables and fruit, with attendance over 1,000. Of these 15 took place on commercial farms in the field. In addition, 1,400 growers were reached at the 2013 New England Vegetable and Fruit conference, a 3-day biennial program which is organized jointly by Extension programs across New England. Secondary Area: Conservation Partnerships. Vegetable & Fruit IPM: The goal of this project was to support enrollment, planning and implementation of IPM Practice 595 on vegetable and fruit farms as part of their EQIP contracts with MA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Work with NRCS state and district staff: We held two group meetings NRCS state and district staff regarding methods used to generate EQUIP contracts, IPM plans and ways of implementing plans and practices with cooperating growers. NRCS staff participated in all EIPM Advisory meetings. We interacted with the district staff regarding individual growers to develop, implement and assess their EQIP 595 IPM plans. Assist growers with EQIP 595 IPM contracts: We developed a reduced risk pesticide plan for vegetable growers enrolled in 595. We helped two growers develop their IPM plan for EQIP 595 contracts, to be submitted for review by NRCS staff. Two growers were asked to respond to resource concerns identified in WN-PST, associated with ‘intermediate risk’ from pesticides that they had been using. With the growers, we developed a plan to replace higher risk with lower risk products that would be effective against the target pests. At another farm, a new EQIP ‘high level IPM’ 595 contract was awarded to a mentor farm, as a result of combined farmer and UMass staff monitoring and IPM management. NRCS continued to use UMass-generated checklists which describe detailed IPM methods for specific fruit and vegetable crops to assist growers in their 595 IPM plans (checklists posted at https://extension.umass.edu/vegetable/publications/ipm-guidelines).NRCS staff reported that the specific goals and IPM methods developed by UMass in partnership with growers was very helpful in preparing EQIP contracts. Records of IPM practices helped growers receive EQIP payments, and achieve recognition for advanced IPM. Secondary Area: Housing IPM. Bed Bugs: Training programs were tailored for the needs and of specific interest groups. Foreign language translators (especially Russian and Spanish) were used where needed. Nine training sessions on bed bug biology and management were held in 5 cities and reached a total of 135 landlords, personal care providers, and housing authority staff and tenants. These training sessions have been shown to be effective in increasing knowledge. Training sessions for personal care providers were evaluated by conducting pre- and post-tests. In pre-tests, participants scored a mean of 45%, with a range from 0 to 100%. In post-tests, participants scored 85%, with a range from 60% to 100%. Secondary Area: Public Health IPM. Tick-Borne Disease Education: Training sessions were offered on tick identification, biology, personal protection and management in the landscape. Seven programs in 5 towns were provided to a total of 348 pest and land management professionals, vegetable control workers, and members of the public in 2012 and 2013. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Primary Area: Specialty Crops IPM Newsletters Berry Notes: 2010-2014, Volume 23-26, No. 1-12. S. G. Schloemann, ed. https://extension.umass.edu/fruitadvisor/publications/berry-notes. Circulation approx 450 annually. Seasonally relevant information on production, marketing, research, and IPM including pest alerts, scouting results, and reminders for timely management activities. IPM Berry Blast, 2011-2014. S. G. Schloemann, ed. Six to twelve issues annually. Circulation approx.. 450 annually. A periodic e-message that highlights specific, timely pest issues. Cranberry Station Newsletter: In 1-2014, 5-7 issues/ year. Sandler, H.A., M. Sylvia, A. Averill, eds.http://www.umass.edu/cranberry/pubs/newsletter.html. Reached 327 recipients in 2013-14, primarily in MA but also national and international. Weekly IPM pest alerts were issued from May to August as a phone message and at http://www.umass.edu/cranberry/cropinfo/ipmmessage.html. Healthy Fruit: 2010-2104. J. Clements, ed. Newsletter published weekly to 100 paid subscribers, March to October and as needed for alerts year-round, 23 issues/year. Includes pest alerts, meeting announcements, fact sheets and updates to the New England Tree Fruit Management Guide. https://extension.umass.edu/fruitadvisor/publications/healthy-fruit Fruit Notes: Autio, W. and W. Cowgill, editors. 2010-2014. Published quarterly at the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, UMass.http://extension.umass.edu/fruitadvisor/publications/fruit-notes Vegetable Notes, Volume 22-25, Issues 1-23, 2010-2014. R.V. Hazzard, K. Campbell-Nelson, S. Scheufele, & L. McKeag, eds. Published weekly May-September and monthly in winter, with timely pest alerts and articles to a broad spectrum of vegetable farmers state and region-wide. Email subscription list reached 1500 in 2013 and 2000 in 2014. http://extension.umass.edu/vegetable/ Survey of Vegetable and Fruit Newsletter Subscribers The impact of vegetable and fruit newsletters and Extension educational programs on their readers was assessed in winter 2014 through an online survey. The total response was 347, of whom 255 are farmers. Seasoned farmers (>20 yr farm experience) comprised 45% of the respondents while beginning farmers (<10 years) comprised 36%; about half farm conventionally and half organically. We asked respondents to indicate which of a list of practices they have done, as a result of information provided by UMass newsletters, publications, websites or educational programs. These practices were tagged to one of five categories of IPM practice, and the % of farmers doing at least one practice in each category as follows: 1 - Pest scouting, monitoring and forecasting: 73% 2- Pest Identification: 76% 3- Maintaining optimum conditions for crop health: 70% 4- Use of cultural practices to control pests: 69% 5- Optimizing spray program: 73% With respect to the overall impact of these IPM practices on the farm, 89%, 76%, and 60% of growers reported improvement in crop health, soil quality, and environmental safety, respectively, resulting from changes in IPM practices such as proper pest id and monitoring, using cultural practices, and using chemical controls responsibly (e.g., spraying based on thresholds, using reduced-risk materials, and using rotating materials). Impact on grower and farmworker health and on consumer health was reported by 50 and 42%, respectively. Fifty-one percent reported improved profitability. Overall these responses indicate that readers are using a wide range of IPM practices and seeing environmental and economic improvements on their farms as a result. IPM websites. To provide a portal to IPM information on diverse commodities, our IPM website (http://extension.umass.edu/ipm) was updated to serve as a gateway to IPM information on vegetable (http://extension.umass.edu/vegetable/), fruit (http://extension.umass.edu/fruitadvisor/ ), cranberry (http://www.umass.edu/cranberry/index.html) and other commodity websites. Invasive Pest IPM: Fruit/Spotted Wing Drosophila and Brown marmorated stink bug network and alert system: Data from the statewide reporting network is gathered into a centralized web page which disseminate alerts and management updates to multiple channels automatically (email, cell phone, web page posting, facebook, etc.). Webpages located at: https://extension.umass.edu/fruitadvisor/brown-marmorated-stink-bug https://extension.umass.edu/fruitadvisor/spotted-wing-drosophila Sample Alerts: http://extension.umass.edu/fruitadvisor/bmsb-update-week-july-7 https://extension.umass.edu/fruitadvisor/news/swd-update-week-june-9-15-2013 https://www.facebook.com/umassipmteam Educational Presentations. In 2013, 10 project personnel gave presentations in 20 different programs, reaching 1400 growers and agricultural service providers with project-related information. Several programs included multiple Extension presenters. A sample of titles (& presenters) includes: Native Pollinator Research, Native Pollinator Conservation, (Averill), Herbicide and Weed IPM update, Cranberry production and IPM (Sandler), Weather Stations, Range of Options and Disease Models, Updates of Tree Fruit Disease and Insect IPM (Cooley, Clements), Winter moth/new pests/ MRLs (Sylvia), BMSB Monitoring and Management for 2013 (Tuttle), IPM for Apple Maggot and Spotted Wing Drosophila (Garofalo), Spotted Wing Drosophila ID and Management Update, IPM in Diversified Berry Production (Schloemann), IPM for Brassicas (Hazzard). Commonwealth Quality Standards. UMass project participants worked with the MA Dept. of Agricultural Resources in 2011 to develop fruit and vegetable standards and checklists for their new Commonwealth Quality certification program, http://thecqp.com/ , based on UMass Extension Best Management Practices. Standards include soil conservation and health, IPM, worker protection, and food safety. In 2014, the program now certifies fifty vegetable and fruit farms, and provides recognition and market access for locally sourced products that are grown, harvested, and processed right here in Massachusetts using practices that are safe, sustainable and don't harm the environment.This program addresses one of the key concerns raised by our EIPM Advisory Panel, public education and marketing about the value of IPM practices. See checklists at http://ag.umass.edu/agriculture-resources/commonwealth-quality. Secondary Area: Conservation Partnerships. Vegetable & Fruit IPM. Publicizing NRCS EQIP programs. We published articles about NRCS programs 1-2 times per year in vegetable and fruit newsletters. Collaborative educational programing: Specific outputs included field walks in Seekonk, Millis, Waltham, Bristol and Deerfield, MA attended by NRCS staff where they learned IPM practices pertinent to farmers holding EQIP contracts for 595 (IPM) and other conservation practices. Two soils work shops were co-hosted with NRCS in April in South Deerfield and Dighton MA where farmers, NRCS staff, and UMass staff (total attendance of 80) all learned soil conservation methods and simple assessments for soil health. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Primary Area, Specialty Crops IPM Mentor farms were the main vehicle through which the Project personnel worked to understand, improve and implement advanced IPM on diversified fruit and vegetable farms. Mentorship went both ways between Extension and farmers; timely field-based information flowed from these farms to hundreds of others via Extension newsletters and pest alerts, and face to face at on-farm meetings. All mentor farms had high on-farm crop diversity and grew numerous vegetable and fruit crops. Farms varied in the age and size of the farm, types of markets, location, approach to pest management (conventional or organic) and level of previous experience with IPM. Each farmer set his/her own unique IPM goals for specific crops and pests at a face-to-face pre-season meeting with Extension. On-farm scouting was performed biweekly with farm and Extension staff followed by discussion of best management decisions and written recommendations from Extension. Technical support included disease diagnostics, soil and tissue testing, traps for monitoring, and NEWA-linked weather station on or near the farm. Six mentor farms participated in 2011, expanding to 13 per year in 2012 and 2013. Farms ‘graduated’ from the project after 2 or 3 years making way for new mentor farms. Farms were expected to share their farm and knowledge through on-farm meetings; in 2013 six farms hosted meetings attended by over 200 people. Mentor Grower Evaluation Data To evaluate growers’ increased knowledge and use of advanced IPM in 2013, we used three general categories of IPM practice (IPM Action Codes): AC1) PEST scouting, trapping, monitoring, forecasting, and identification, including weather data; AC2) CULTURAL practices to maintain crop health and prevent pest damage, including biological controls; AC3) PESTICIDE practices such as spraying by thresholds, using reduced risk products, and rotating chemistries to prevent resistance. Throughout the growing season in 2013, detailed timelines were kept for each Mentor Farmer that chronicled the observations and recommended actions made at each farm visit. The implementation and success of each recommended action was recorded in structured post-season interviews with mentor growers. On the 13 mentor farms, 346 recommended actions on 5 fruit and 15 vegetable crop groups were documented and analyzed. About one third of these recommendations fell within each of the three action codes (AC) described in goals above. The percent responses were as follows: Action was taken/followed by the grower as recommended or with some modification. AC 1 PEST, 84%; AC2 CULTURAL, 74%; AC3 PESTICIDE 76% AVG 80% Action was moderately or largely successful. AC 1 PEST, 97%; AC2 CULTURAL, 59%; AC3 PESTICIDE 72% AVG 81% The farmer would do the recommended action again next year. AC 1 PEST, 82%; AC2 CULTURAL, 58%; AC3 PESTICIDE 77% AVG 63% In addition we did whole-season evaluation for 11 crops on 10 farms (n=45); responses are as follows: Were you able to reduce, limit, or change your pesticide use? 80% yes Were you able to reduce or limit the damage or loss from diseases and pests? 75% yes Were you able to improve crop quality? 71% yes Were you able to improve crop yield? 51% yes Were you able to reduce on-farm inputs (e.g. water, fertilizer, tillage, fuel)? 20% yes Results indicate that, with direct on-farm IPM support, growers were able to improve their crop quality using a full suite of IPM strategies on highly diversified farms, and plan to continue those practices. Primary Area, Specialty Crops IPM: Applied research/ Partner farms – Results and Outcomes Cucurbits/Phytophthora capsici. Greenhouse bio-assays to test the effect of Caliente cover crop as a fumigant on a susceptible host (pepper) in biofumigated and non-fumigated soil from the same field. Potted sols were inoculated with P capsici. Disease ratings (#plants out of 5 w/ P. capsici) were lower in Caliente (2.5) compared to oat (3.5) and sterile soil (4.2), and plant vigor ratings were higher. Growers gained knowledge of seeding, timing and incorporation methods for Caliente. Brassicas/Cabbage maggot fly. Spring 2014 experiment: under high CRM pressure cyantraniliprole applied as transplant tray drench significantly reduced root damage and increased plant vigor and yield relative to all other treatments, while spinosad applied as soil drench at planting and again at peak flight was equal to industry standard chlorpyrifos and better than control. On farm trials: 1) spinosad applied to cabbage as banded drench at planting and at peak flight reduced injury compared to untreated control or drench at planting alone. 2) In cabbage and kale, where eggs exceeded threshold, cyantraniloprole as furrow drench at transplant provided complete control 3) in spring radish, chlopyrifos treatment had the lowest root injury and injury on cyantraniliprole was minor and did not render roots. Results suggest that cyantraniliprole and spinosad offer effective, reduced-risk alternatives to current organophosphates, with spinosad offering a much needed tool to organic growers. Brassicas/flea beetle (FB). In 2013, a border trap crop of mustard and arugula followed by cash trap crop of organic bok choy (6 acres) were sprayed for FB at threshold (1 FB/plant) and protected adjacent organic kale & collards (8 acres) from exceeding threshold, saving 8 sprays and reducing total sprayed area by 46%. After this trial the grower had confidence to continue this practice in 2014. Two other farms used bok choy & Chinese cabbage beds as sprayed or unsprayed trap crop to protect beds of kale and cabbage, using the same system on a smaller scale. Biological control in beans, pepper. The egg parasitoid Trichogramma ostriniae was released in pepper (4 releases/ farm at 120,000 wasps/A) at 4 farms in 2012 and 2 in 2013, targeting the 2nd generation European corn borer (ECB) which causes fruit damage and reduces yield of high-value ripe fruit. Non-release control plots were not feasible due to small field sizes. ECB flights were low, peaking at 14 -30 moths/week. Fruit samples (>100 per variety) were 0-5% infested with ECB. Three of 4 growers reported they will continue making releases due to low cost, ease of use, high crop value, and improved yield of colored ripe peppers. Trials of the larval parasitoid of Mexican bean beetle, Pediobius faveolatus, were conducted at 5 small farms over 3 years in ¼ to 1 acre of succession-planted snap beans, with 2-3 releases per farm. In-season impact was inconsistent; MBB was reduced in the following season on 2 farms. Apple/apple scab. For orchards where Fall scab inoculum (PAD) was below threshold, growers delayed scab sprays by 9 days and saved 1-2 sprays. Where PAD was above threshold, growers used sanitation only. Cultural practices (leaf-chopping and urea) reduce inoculum by at least 85%. Growers have learned in depth about the disease and how to use weather based models (NEWA and Orchard Radar) to link spray timing to infection periods, increasing pesticide efficiency and efficacy. Cranberry/cranberry fruitworm. 2011: On-station trials showed high efficacy for two diamides and one spinosyn; Altacor (chlorantraniliprole) received EPA approval for chemigation application in cranberry. 2012: 8 growers successfully tested Altacor using modified timing ( 50% out-of-bloom) followed by foliar spinetoram (Delegate) 10 days later; bogs with low to high egg pressure all had <3% infestation at harvest, except one that applied late. Handler restrictions and residue tolerances for US and export markets were resolved. 2013: As measured through industry survey, >90% of cranberry growers adopted the newer reduced risk insecticides targeting cranberry fruitworm. Bee-friendly products allow spray during bloom, the critical period for egg hatch. New recommendations were disseminated through Extension publications and programs.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Averill, A.L. 2011. Nest location in bumble bees: effect of landscape and insecticides. American Bee Journal 151:1187-1190.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Cooley, D.R. and T. Green. 2013. Does increased fungicide use in eastern apples mean greater pesticide risk? An evaluation using PRiME. Phytopathology. 103 (S2):S9.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Sandler, H.A. 2013. Response of four cranberry varieties to delayed applications of dichlobenil. Weed Technology 27:108-112.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Ghantous, K.M. and H.A. Sandler. 2012. Mechanical scarification of dodder seeds with a handheld rotary tool. Weed Technology 26:485-489.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Ghantous, K.M., H.A. Sandler, W.R. Autio, and P. Jeranyama. 2012. Hand-held flame cultivators as a management option for woody weeds. Weed Technology 26:371-375.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Lesky, T.C., V. Hock, G. Chouinard, D. Cormier, K. Leahy, D. Cooley, A. Tuttle, A. Eaton, and A. Zhang. 2014. Evaluating electrophysiological and behavioral responses to volatiles for improvement of odor-baited trap tree management of Conotrachelus nenuphar (Coloptera: Curculionidae). Envir. Ent. 43(3): 753-761.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
OConnell, J., H.A. Sandler, L.S. Adler, and F.L. Caruso. 2011. Controlled studies further the development of practical guidelines to manage dodder (Cuscuta gronovii) in cranberry production with short-term flooding. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 26:269-275. http://journals.cambridge.org/repo_A84kD7as. doi:10.1017/S1742170511000184.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2010
Citation:
Sandler, H.A. 2010. Managing Cuscuta gronovii (swamp dodder) in cranberry requires an integrated approach (invited paper). Sustainability 2:660-683. http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/2/2/660/. doi:10.3390/su2020660.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Ghantous, K.M., H.A. Sandler, and W. Autio. 2013. Seasonal timing and frequency of flame cultivation treatments impact dewberry control. North American Cranberry Research and Extension Workers conference, Quebec City, QC. August 25-28, 2013.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Ghantous. K.M., H.A. Sandler, and W.R. Autio. 2013. Effects of timing and frequency of flame cultivation treatments on dewberry. Joint meeting of the Weed Sci. Soc. of America and Northeast Weed Sci.Soc. Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD. http://wssaabstracts.com/public/17/abstract-198.html.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Hazzard, R. 2013. Insects and Diseases on Brassica Crops in Proceedings of the New England Veg. & Fruit Conf., Manchester, NH, 12/17/13. http://www.newenglandvfc.org/2013_conference/proceedings2013.html
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Sandler, H.A., K.M. Ghantous, and K. DeMoranville. 2013. Efficacy of napropamide and mesotrione on new cranberry plantings. Joint Annual meeting of the Weed Sci. Soc.of America and Northeast Weed Sc. Soc., Baltimore, MD. http://wssaabstracts.com/public/17/abstract-344.html.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Scheufele, S.B., Campbell-Nelson, K., McKeag, L., and R. Hazzard. 2014. Evaluation of diamide seed treatments to control cabbage root maggot (Delia radicum) in broccoli, 2014. Arthropod Management Tests. (Submitted).
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Scheufele, S.B., Campbell-Nelson, K., McKeag, L., and R. Hazzard. 2014. Evaluation of insecticide drench treatments to control cabbage root maggot (Delia radicum) in cabbage, 2014. Arthropod Management Tests. (Submitted).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Schloemann, S.G. 2013. Strawberry Insect and Disease What to be ready for and IPM practices. in Proceedings of the New England Veg. & Fruit Conf., Manchester, NH, Brassica session, 12/ 17/13. http://www.newenglandvfc.org/2013_conference/proceedings2013.html
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Sandler, H.A. and K.M. Ghantous. 2012. Challenges for dodder management in cranberry: Biology, application, and politics. Weed Sc. Soc. of America Annual Mtg, Waikoloa, HI. http://wssaabstracts.com/public/9/abstract-348.html.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Sandler, H.A. 2012. Injury from delayed applications of dichlobenil on four cranberry varieties. Proc. of the Northeastern Weed Sci. Soc. 66:77.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Hazzard, R.V., J. Howell, M.B. Dickow, R. Bonanno, editors. 2014-2015 New England Vegetable Management Guide. UMass Extension Publication. 290 pp. www.nevegetable.org.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Bonanno, R. & R. Hazzard, editors. 2014 edition, Northeast Vegetable & Strawberry Pest Identification Guide. 60 pp. UMass Extension Publication.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Averill, A.L., H Sandler, and M. Sylvia. Cranberry 2013 Chart Book: Management guide for Massachusetts. UMass Extension Publ. http://www.umass.edu/cranberry/pubs/chart_book.html
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Schloemann, S.G., et al. 2013-2014 New England Small Fruit Management Pest Guide. UMass Extension Publication. 122 pp. https://extension.umass.edu/fruitadvisor/ne-small-fruit-management-guide.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Cooley, D., W. Autio, D. Greene, J. Clements, C. Conklin, T. Bradshaw, H. Faubert, G. Koehler, and G. Hamilton, editors for the New England edition. 2014 New England Tree Fruit Management Guide. UMass, UCONN, UNH, UMAINE, UVM, and URI Extensions. 276 pp. adapted from Cornell Univ. Extension publication 2014 Pest Management Guidelines for Commercial Tree Fruit Production . https://extension.umass.edu/fruitadvisor/publications/new-england-tree-fruit-management-guide
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Recognizing that most Massachusetts farms produce a mix of fruit and vegetables for direct sale to consumers, we now utilize a multi-disciplinary team approach to IPM education and implementation centered on frequent visits by team members with relevant expertise to growers who are willing to try new (to them) IPM methods. We continued the collaboration with the Cornell NEWA system begun in 2010 to deliver weather data from 17 on-farm weather stations and 23 airport/other locations in Massachusetts. NEWA generates weather summaries and IPM forecast model results. Growers were introduced to MA NEWA via meetings, newsletter articles, and one-on-one training. We also established a statewide program of trapping for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug BMSB) at eight sites. Another invasive pest, Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD), showed up late in the season, and we were able to rapidly deploy traps and get information out to growers. We disseminated information and recommendations about this pest through our new Facebook page as well as other more traditional media. In summer 2011, we performed two separate trials to evaluate organic insecticides and biocontrols (nematodes) for cabbage maggot. We also worked with four farms over the summer of 2010 to implement Trichogramma ostriniae for control of European Corn Borer in sweet corn and peppers. We continued to maintain a Facebook Page for the UMass Vegetable & Fruit IPM network that creates a centralized forum for updating constituents with meeting announcements, pest alerts, and project updates from the IPM team; as well as providing a means for public comment and discussion. Extension staff communicate information from the field in real time by updating the page with posts, photos, and video from the field via the use of smart-phones In 2011, we began an education program to transition growers away from the broad-spectrum organophosphate diazinon, to the newly available option spinetoram (Delegate). The UMass Veg. and Fruit IPM Team publicized available NRCS programs and practices including EQIP and the 595 Pest Management Standard through articles published in Vegetable Notes Newsletter, through Berry Notes (344 subscribers) and Grape Notes, as well as at the UMass Crop and Animal Research Farm Field Day (150 attendees) and during grower consultations, farm visits, emails and phone conversations. The Tick Assessment Clinic identified almost 900 tick samples received and assessed them for the presence of the Lyme disease pathogen and, optionally, for the pathogens causing babesiosis and anaplasmosis. Four tick-related training programs were held in Year 2 and staff participated in the EPA-sponsored conference, Promoting Community IPM for Preventing Tick-Borne Diseases. The Bed Bug IPM project included additional members from neighboring Housing Authorities and Health Departments to the Bed Bug Task Force created in 2010 The group met 6 times to discuss problems with bed bugs and to receive training sessions in the area. Training was provided through 5 demonstrations of current technologies. Five training programs were held in Year 2. PARTICIPANTS: We formed an Advisory Committee and had our first annual meeting on March 14 at Brox farm in Dracut, MA. The committee had 19 members in attendance, including farmers, representatives from NRCS, an independent IPM consultant, representatives from Red Tomato (an agricultural marketing program), the New Entry Farmer Program, and Extension personnel. A key need identified by advisory group members was the lack of qualified consultants to monitor their farms and provided recommendations. We are incorporating this feedback into our core IPM program by cooperating with the Sustainable Agriculture Programs at UMass, Amherst as well as at the Community Colleges at Greenfield and Holyoke Mass. Our hope is to develop a coordinated program whereby students can gain the needed knowledge about crop and pest management, work in the field with the UMass IPM Program, and then continue on as a private consultant to diversified farms. The second advisory panel meeting was held March 21, 2012. At this meeting we reviewed the ways in which the committee's earlier feedback has been incorporated into both current work and as directions for new funding. We will continue the dialog and in-course adjustments of our program, and directly address ways to can be more effective in outreach and how we can provide support to growers so that they can make better use of existing channels of outreach. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
From March-September, 2011, about one-in-five visits to the Cornell NEWA system were from Massachusetts. Grower response has been overwhelmingly positive, especially from apple growers who use the apple scab, fire blight, and plum curculio models to enhance decision-making and timing of control sprays. Rapid response to SWD infestations helped some raspberry and grape growers manage this pest effectively and harvest at least some of their crop. Other growers, once aware of the pest, opted to terminate production and try to destroy infected fruit and lower the carry over for next year. Use of our new website, facebook page, and existing email list and network of grower contacts allowed us to rapidly respond to grower's critical needs. In a January 18, 2012 cranberry grower survey (168 responders), 84% had used Delegate for cranberry fruitworm management and of these users, 98% were pleased with efficacy. In 2012, we will introduce bee friendly Altacor in our effort to completely phase out diazinon (still used at least once by 76% of responders) and hope to see rapid adoption of Altacor. The New England Vegetable Management Guide is cited by vegetable growers as one of 2 or 3 top sources of information for crop and pest management. In 2011, 692 ticks were submitted to the the UMass Extension Tick Assessment clinic, a 70% increase over submissions in 2010. Ticks were submitted from 21 states including MA (445 ticks), NY (49), NH (34), RI (28) and PA (22): 27.5% of ticks were found infected with Borrelia. This is consistent with findings in previous years. Of 200 ticks tested this year, 6% carried Anaplasma and 3.5% carried Babesia. Bed Bug-related training sessions for personal care providers were evaluated by conducting pre- and post-tests. In pre-tests, participants scored a mean of 45%, with a range from 0 to 100%. In post tests, participants scored 85%, with a range from 60% to 100%. Trichogramma ostrinea, a biological control for European corn borer, was released three times on four farm blocks ranging from 1 to 3 acres of early sweet corn at a rate of 30,000 wasps per acre. Weekly scouting with the farm managers of release blocks continued through harvest. At one farm, one application of Warrior was made to this field, and harvest samples showed minimal damage from European corn borer. At the second release farm, scouting after releases showed infestation levels above threshold, and three applications of Warrior were made to control populations. A harvest sample showed 0% damage. And the farmers felt they had met their goal of obtaining a greater understanding of pest biology and methods used in implementing an IPM program. At a third farm, scouting of release fields showed infestation levels below threshold after all three releases were made. One pesticide application of Warrior was made to this block where, typically; 3-4 sprays are made for control of ECB in early corn. A harvest sample of ears from the release block showed only 2% side damage. At a fourth site, weekly scouting occurred in this field until harvest, and the field was never sprayed.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Twenty-two issues of a Vegetable Notes Newsletter and IPM related twilight meetings were conducted to convey information. Development of IPM standards for the Massachusetts Commonwealth Quality program were also developed. Dozens of crop disease samples were processed in the diagnostics lab for proper identification and management recommendations, and UMass Vegetable IPM team members consulted extensively with growers who had the only confirmed cases of tomato late blight in 2010. High risk farms (based on proximity to known infection, proximity to previously infected potato fields, and micro-climates favorable to disease development) were identified and scouted for late blight outbreaks on a weekly basis. We also published weekly updates of late blight severity values based on models and weather data. We worked with growers who are experimenting with deep zone tillage (DZT) systems to improve field drainage and soil health to reduce conditions favorable for the development and spread of P. Capsici. A more highly controlled small plot experiment was established at the UMass Crops Research & Education Center in South Deerfield, MA. We also published a new field guide for scouting & management of diseases in cucurbit crops which includes a section on Phytophthora Capsici. A trial addressing fly pests in organic brassicas was implemented on the research farm in spring 2011. Two blocks of apple trees were dedicated to advanced IPM research strategies and advanced IPM protocols were established for other key pests: plum curculio, apple maggot, and summer diseases. We are in the process of launching a Facebook Page for the UMass Vegetable & Fruit IPM network. The FaceBook page will create a centralized forum for updating our constituents with meeting announcements, pest alerts, and project updates from the Vegetable and Fruit IPM team; as well as providing a means for public comment and discussion. Massachusetts IPM was integrated with the Network of Environmental and Weather Applications (NEWA), The three weather stations were located in Belchertown (UMass Orchard), Northboro, and Deerfield Massachusetts. Data from the stations was automatically sent to NEWA and used to produce daily updates of Pest Forecasts that include fruit and vegetable insects and diseases and Growing Degree Days. Staff collaborated on EcoApple, a unique partnership of 14 northeastern apple growers, IPM scientists from several land grant universities, the IPM Institute of North America, and Red Tomato (a non-profit marketing firm). We helped create and update the EcoApple Protocol and Self Assessment and the EcoApple Quick Guide which guide the growers though season-long advanced IPM methods for all key apple pests. In the spring of 2010 we published a new field guide for scouting & management of diseases in cucurbit crops which includes a section on Phytophthora Capsici. Finally, UMass IPM staff contributed to the development of Commonwealth Quality standards in pest management, a brand designed by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources that identifies products grown using practices that are safe, sustainable and don't harm the environment. PARTICIPANTS: The Massachusetts Extension IPM Project is the largest in New England, and involves activities of 6.1 Research and Extension Faculty FTEs, and 9.4 Professional Staff FTEs. Our staff are participants in 16 of the approximately 20 New England IPM collaborations, and we provide support and senior leadership. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include: agricultural producers of numerous fruit and vegetable crops in such as cranberries, apples, peaches, cole crops, sweet corn, cucurbit crops, ethnic crops, and greenhouse crops, as well as the general public in the case of Tick diagnostics and bedbug management and other agencies such as NRCS. Agriculture in Massachusetts operates at the urban/rural interface, with many of our farms located in close proximity to major population centers. This proximity to markets has meant that the face of Massachusetts agriculture has changed over time from a wholesale production model to a more highly diversified, direct sales and value added model and an increase in the number of farms growing diverse fruit and vegetable crops. The 2007 Census of Agriculture reports that there are 1,500 more farms in the state than there were five years ago and the number of farms principally owned by women grew from 21% to 30%. The number of organic farms in Massachusetts increased from 129 in 2002 to 295 in 2007, and organic sales from $7.8M in sales in 2002 to $17.5M in 2007. The number of farms with 10 acres or less under cultivation jumped over 50 percent during the same period (Census of Agriculture, 2007). The majority of these new farmers did not grow up farming, so their educational needs span all aspects of running an agricultural enterprise, particularly in the area of crop and pest management. More than 31,000 acres of fruits (including cranberries) and vegetables were harvested in 2009 with an estimated combined farm-gate value of $330 million. Also, the number of subscription or membership farms (CSAs) and pick-your-own farms is increasing. Farm stands, farmers markets and Community Supported Agriculture farms are now the principal means by which many growers sell their fresh produce to the public. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Growers are gaining experience with the use of pest management models available on the NEWA website and gaining knowledge of IPM strategies. In advanced IPM blocks in 2010, depending on the pest, between 16% and 71% fewer pesticide applications were made, compared to standard blocks. The project eliminated the use of organophosphate pesticides in 2010 and is preparing to eliminate carbamates in 2011. With a few exceptions, the level of crop injury at harvest did not differ significantly between the advanced IPM blocks and the standard blocks. Many collaborators chose to employ IPM practices in their standard blocks, which makes the comparisons subtle in some cases. We increased knowledge about key apple pests and advanced IPM strategies for these pests among participating growers and other stakeholders who have attended our presentations, read our publications, and used the NEWA website. Additionally, all 11 participating growers and perhaps 20 more growers who are early adopters have performed these advanced IPM strategies and have therefore changed their behaviors. As the project matures and these advanced IPM techniques are improved and more fully adopted, these pesticide reductions among the groups of pests will contribute to changes in conditions: a safer food supply and a cleaner environment. Economic benefits to farmers of these advanced IPM practices are by way of reduced numbers of sprays and by access to niche markets. These savings are offset in part by higher costs of new reduced-risk pesticides and labor-intensive aspects of some IPM strategies. Over the past year, approximately, 175,000 visitors have used the UMass Vegetable Program website to access IPM related information. According to a survey of 1400 subscribers to our vegetable and fruit newsletters, 86% of respondents scouted before spraying for a pest, 89% had learned to identify one or more of the insect or disease problems in their crop, 44% had decreased their pesticide use, 38% switched to a lower toxicity pesticide, 89% reported an increase in crop health, and 56% reported an increase in overall farm profitability due to changes they made in response to information provided by UMass Extension programs.
Publications
- Cavanagh, A., Adler, L., Hazzard, R. 2010. Buttercup Squash Provides a Marketable Alternative to Blue Hubbard as a Trap Crop for Control of Striped Cucumber Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Journal of Environmental Entomology, 39(6):1953-1960.
- Cavanagh, A., Hazzard, R., Dicklow, M. B., Wick, R., & Brown, A. (2010). Using IPM in the Field - Diseases of Cucurbit Crops: Scouting & Management Guide, University of Massachusetts Extension, Amherst, MA
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