Progress 03/01/11 to 02/28/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Throughout the project, we have communicated regularly with growers and extension agents about our findings and switchgrass stand performance. To reach our scientific target audience, we have published articles and given multiple presentations. In the past year, we gave the following national and international presentations: Alexander, HM, Bruns, E, Schebor, H, and Malmstrom, CM. Crop-associated virus infection in a native perennial grass: aster model assessment of fitness effects. 13th International Plant Virus Epidemiology meeting, June 6-10, Avignon, France. Bernardo, P, Bahlai, C, Bigelow, P, Busch, A, Cole, E, Landis, D, Nicholoff, K, Perrone, J., Schuh, M, Stelzner, L, Tr?bicki, P, Valice, E, VanDamme, M, Wood, A, and Malmstrom, CM. Virus accumulation in a native perennial prairie grass under development as a bioenergy feedstock. 13th International Plant Virus Epidemiology meeting, June 6-10, Avignon, France. Malmstrom, CM. Insect and disease considerations in switchgrass. Powering Michigan Agriculture Conference 2017, and tele-seminar. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In the past year, the project provided training and professional development for one postdoc (Bernardo), two research technicians (Perrone, Nicholoff, Cole), and two graduate students (Schuh, Ryskamp). After contributing to this project on agricultural disease epidemiology and pest biology, our project alumni have successfully obtained positions in agriculture, conservation, and medical science. In agriculture and conservation science and outreach, for example, project alumni Dr. Piotr Trebicki is a research scientist at Agriculture Victoria in Australia; Dr. Tawny Mata is Blue Accounting Director of Strategic Engagement with The Nature Conservancy, having previously served as a scientific program consultant at The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and as an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Office of the Chief Scientist; Dr. Pat Bigelow is the Supervising Interpreter at Kensington Farm Center at Huron-Clinton Metroparks in Michigan; Dr. Pauline Bernardo is a postdoctoral scientist in the Dept. of Plant Pathology at the Ohio State University; Mr. Colin Phillippo is a research assistant in the MSU Dept. of Horticulture; Ms. Anna Busch is a research assistant with the MSU Potato Outreach Program; and Ms. Marissa Schuh is a commercial vegetable production educator with Michigan State University Extension. In medical science and management, project alumni Ms. Emily Valice obtained her Masters of Public Health at Emory and now is a programmer analyst for Kaiser Permanente; Ms. Kasey Nicholoff works in medical data management for MIHIN in Michigan; Ms. Heba Abdel-Azim, MLS(ASCP)CM, works for McLaren-Greater Lansing; and Ms. Marisa VanDamme is preparing for medical school. In addition, Mr. Andrew Wood is attending law school. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We disseminated information through several means. To reach producers, we exchanged management and data with our grower-collaborators and with extension agents to develop outreach efforts. We presented two informational seminars to current and potential switchgrass growers. To reach researchers, we published two papers, submitted two more, and presented two scientific seminars at the 13th International Plant Virus Epidemiology Symposium. Our paper on the effects of a wheat-associated virus on switchgrass fitness generated multiple media inquiries and press. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Project Impact. Most crops suffer disease and pest damage unless protected. When new crops are introduced, however, we do not always know what pests and diseases will attack them. Bioenergy feedstocks such as switchgrass are perennials that grow for multiple years and thus may accumulate pests over time or provide a reservoir for pests seeking shelter between the growing seasons of shorter-lived crops like corn and wheat. Thus, it is important to consider whether generalist pests and diseases might accumulate in switchgrass as a new crop and how any pest problems could be mitigated. We developed evidence-based advice for growers by evaluating pest and disease accumulation in switchgrass in advance of large-scale commercial planting. We focused on generalist insect pests and viruses that might otherwise be difficult for crop breeders and growers to evaluate. Viruses, for example, can cause damage without generating notable symptoms that might alert a grower. First, we looked at how insects and viruses interacted in the laboratory with a wide range of switchgrass types. Next, we evaluated insect and virus populations in pre-existing field-grown stands. We used solar-powered suction traps to continuously measure flying insects and sweep nets and in-field traps to quantify other insects. To evaluate virus infection, we collected plant tissue and then used molecular methods. Finally, we established a landscape-scale field experiment in which we planted large stands of different switchgrass types on agricultural land and allowed them to accumulate pests and pathogens for three years. We then assessed insect populations in these experimental stands using suction traps, field traps, and sweep-netting. We measured vegetation and soil properties. We used the latest methods in virus diagnosis to evaluate which viruses were most prevalent in switchgrass. We found that cultivars of switchgrass varied in susceptibility to attack. Lowland cultivars were less preferred by insects and more resistant to virus infection. We found that wheat-associated viruses can infect switchgrass and cause substantial (~30%) loss of switchgrass fitness. However, switchgrass did not appear to serve as a large reservoir of these viruses, in part because many of the insects (aphids) transmitting the viruses do not like it. However, we did find high levels of a virus not known to infect other crops. The virus is Switchgrass mosaic virus (SwMV) and is transmitted by leafhoppers. In some stands, virus prevalence exceeded 80%; prevalence was influenced both by location and switchgrass cultivar. To reduce infection and damage, we thus recommend use of lowland switchgrass cultivars where winter hardy. Our results point out the need to better understand how viruses are distributed and exchanged in agricultural landscapes and to evaluate the ecology of newly discovered viruses such as SwMV. Growers and breeders are typically not able to conduct molecular tests for virus infection. It is thus important that diagnostic resources to detect infections be made broadly available. Obj. 1. Evaluate pest response to bioenergy-selected traits in multiple perennial biofuel grass cultivars. We conducted experiments to examine how viruses and insects interact with a wide range of switchgrass cultivars. We examined aphids, Japanese beetles, and fall armyworms, and several viruses. We have published three articles, submitted a fourth, and prepared a fifth; in addition, one master's thesis was completed. In Lacroix et al. (2016), we quantified the extent of inhibitors in native perennials that can interfere with virus detection and illustrate best methods. In Malmstrom and Alexander (2016), we summarized the known effects of crop viruses on wild plant fitness. In Alexander et al. (2017), we used a multi-year field experiment and aster modelling to demonstrate that infection with a wheat virus significantly reduced the multi-year fitness of switchgrass, in both lowland and upland cultivars. We showed that these fitness effects occurred even when foliage displayed little symptoms and infection could no longer be detected. These findings highlight the importance of considering the impacts of virus movement from annual crops to perennial bioenergy species. In Malmstrom et al. (in review), we compare effects of wheat and non-crop viruses on switchgrass and find that root growth is significantly impacted even when effects on leaves and stems are not evident. The manuscript by former graduate student Schuh, who completed her master's thesis in 2016, describes feeding assays of neonatal and late instar Fall Armyworm on switchgrass cultivars with a variety of breeding histories and ecotypes. The strongest difference in response was seen between lowland and upland switchgrass ecotypes. These findings demonstrate that pest and pathogen issues in switchgrass differ from those in traditional annual crops but merit significant attention. Encouragingly, our findings point to genetic basis in pest resistance that could be used by breeders in the future. However, it is essential that breeders consider virus resistance as an important trait in future cultivar selection. Obj. 2. Quantify relative importance of crop traits, species composition, landscape factors, and management in determining pest accumulation and exchange For Objective 2, we measured insect and virus abundance in diverse pre-existing switchgrass fields and then established a new network of experimental sites to more rigorously quantify relationships between pest and disease accumulation as a function of switchgrass traits, community composition, and landscape context. From this, we have published two articles and are working on several more. In Werling et al. (2014), we showed that aphid pest pressure is lower in stands of perennial switchgrass than in corn. In Alexander et al. (2014), we highlighted the importance of virus exchange among crop and non-crop vegetation. To measure insect pressure in switchgrass stands, we developed and deployed a unique network of portable solar-powered suction traps that allowed us to quantify aphid dynamics continuously at multiple sites in a landscape. We are working on two manuscripts describing aphid dynamics in switchgrass fields obtained with these suction traps, as well as with traditional bowl and sticky card traps. Our richest data set is derived from our landscape experiment and addresses the relative influence of trait differences, stand diversity, and landscape context on pest activities in switchgrass. Because of the nature of the system, time was required for virus infection to accumulate in our experimental stands and thus we processed this critical data at the project's end. In the past year, we completed laboratory analysis of virus prevalence in our network of experimental sites and began drafting manuscripts describing our findings with regard to insect, virus, and plant interactions across this network. Initial findings were presented at the 13th International Plant Virus Epidemiology meeting. Our major results include the finding that virus prevalence can accumulate to high levels in switchgrass stands. Switchgrass mosaic virus (the dominant virus in our network) is not known to infect annual commodity crops but its effects in switchgrass merit further attention. Obj. 3. Develop landscape-specific management strategies to limit pest exchange among bioenergy grasses and other crops. The emerging theme from our results is the greater resistance of lowland switchgrass to pest and pathogen pressure. To convey this finding, we have held informational sessions with current and potential growers and will release an extension publication this year. Dale et al. (2014) and Werling et al. (2014) further highlight the value of ecosystem services provided by bioenergy crops like switchgrass, and demonstrate some advantages of growing them.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Malmstrom CM, Alexander HM. 2016. Effects of crop viruses on wild plants. Current Opinion in Virology 19:30-36.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Alexander HM, Bruns E, Schebor H, Malmstrom CM. 2017. Crop-associated virus infection in a native perennial grass: reduction in plant fitness and dynamic patterns of virus detection. Journal of Ecology online early.DOI: 10.1111/1365-2745.12723
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Malmstrom, CM, P Bigelow, P Trebicki, AK Busch, C Friel, E Cole, H Abdel-Azim, HM Alexander. Rooting depth of native perennial grass reduced by crop-associated luteovirus more than by grass-associated polerovirus with viral suppressor of RNA silencing (VSR). In review, Virus Research.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Schuh M, C Bahlai, CM Malmstrom, DA Landis. Effect of Switchgrass Ecotype and Cultivar on Establishment, Feeding, and Development of Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). For submission to J. of Economic Entomology.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Schuh, M. Influence of switchgrass ecotype, cultivar, and planted stand diversity on herbivores, natural enemies, and biological control in bioenergy cropping systems. Thesis submitted for the Master's Degree in Entomology, Michigan State University, 2016.
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Progress 02/28/15 to 02/27/16
Outputs
Target Audience:We have communicated regularly with grower-cooperators about switchgrass stand performance. To reach our scientific target audience, we gave the following national and international presentations: Schuh, Marissa, 2015. "Impact of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) cultivar and cropping system on insect communities and biological control services" Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America in Minneapolis, MN. Schuh, Marissa, 2016. "Impact of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) cultivar and cropping system on insect communities and biological control services" at the Stewardship Network Meeting in East Lansing, Michigan Schuh, Marissa, 2016. Master's thesis seminar, "Influence of switchgrass ecotype, cultivar, and planted stand diversity on herbivores, natural enemies, and biological control in bioenergy cropping systems," Michigan State University Malmstrom, CM. Virus interactions with agricultural and native species in Poaceae-dominated landscapes. Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. October 2, 2015. Invited speaker. Malmstrom, CM. Long-term insect data collection. Workshop on synchrony in ecological systems. University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS. June 29 - July 3, 2015. Invited speaker. Changes/Problems:We requested a one-year no-cost extension, which was approved. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In Yr 5, the project provided training and professional development for two postdocs (Bigelow, Bernardo), three research technicians (Perrone, VanDamme, Nicholoff), two graduate students (Schuh, Stelzner), and eight undergraduates (Crowley, Denler, Hawkins, Jimenez, Kailin, Long, White, Wood). The team represented diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Eleven of the fifteen young scientists mentored (73%) were female. Mentoring included training in principles of American agricultural practices, fundamentals of effective research science, and responsible conduct of research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We disseminated information through several means. We exchanged management and data with our grower-collaborators and with extension agents to develop outreach efforts. We presented scientific seminars at several international and domestic venues. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1) Evaluate pest response to bioenergy-selected traits (e.g., fast growth, low lignin) across a broad spectrum of perennial grass cultivars. Completion of Ms. Schuh's Master's project on herbivore susceptibility of switchgrass cultivars and related manuscripts. Objective 2) Quantify relative influence of crop traits, species composition, landscape factors, and management strategies on crop pest accumulation and exchange. Focus 2.1. How do pest abundance, activity, and fluxes differ in present-day fields of maize, switchgrass, and mixed prairie, in which older grass cultivars are used? Expert confirmation of identification of unique aphid species. Focus 2.3. How do trait differences and management strategies influence pest activities and fluxes in plantings of new biofuel cultivars in different landscape contexts? Expert confirmation of identification of unique aphid and leafhopper species. Completion of sample processing for virus detection in switchgrass stands. Objective 3) Develop landscape-specific management strategies to limit pest exchange among bioenergy grasses and other crops. Collaborative assessment of research findings from the perspective of growers' needs and management strategies
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
To evaluate pest response to switchgrass at the organismal level (Obj. 1), graduate student Marissa Schuh designed and conducted feeding assays on neonatal and late instar Fall Armyworm (Spdoptera frugiperda) to test for differential establishment, mortality, development, and feeding on switchgrass cultivars with a variety of breeding histories and ecotypes. In addition, our team completed a novel model analysis of fitness effects of virus infection on two switchgrass cultivars. We published an article on effective methods for detecting virus infection in wild grasses. To evaluate the relative influence of trait differences, stand diversity, and landscape context on pest activities in biofuel cultivars (Obj. 2.3), we conducted a second year of extensive measures in our four-year-old network of sites. In the previous year, we focused intensively on vegetation properties. In this year, we focused intensively on virus dynamics, measuring virus symptomology and prevalence in multiple species across our landscape experiment. In addition, we measured aphid fluxes in suction traps for the entire growing season at all sites; conducted sweepnetting and deployed sticky card traps to quantify insect communities within stands; and measured biocontrol activity with an egg card assay. We further measured stand biomass and stem counts at all sites. In laboratory work, we employed a number of virus screening techniques to identify which viruses were present and then assessed the per plot prevalence of the virus of most interest.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Lacroix C., K. Renner, E. Cole, E.W. Seabloom, E.T. Borer, and C. M. Malmstrom. (2016) Methodological guidelines for accurate detection of viruses in wild plant species. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 82, 1966-1975. (http://aem.asm.org/content/early/2016/01/11/AEM.03538-15.abstract).
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Progress 02/28/14 to 02/27/15
Outputs
Target Audience: We continued regular communications with our grower-cooperators, who represent commercial growers interested in better understanding switchgrass as a crop. To expand our audience to a broader group of growers, scientists, and non-scientists, we also arranged to have a documentary video produced describing the use of drones for monitoring switchgrass stands. The video is available on You Tube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArsLT5w8j0U. To reach our scientific target audience, we gave the following national and international presentations: Malmstrom, CM. Virus ecology in the North American poaceome. CIRAD, UMR - Biologie et Génétique des Interactions Plante-Parasite, Montpellier, France, December 18, 2014. Malmstrom, CM, R. Isaacs, D. Landis, HM Alexander, P Trebicki, TM Mata, and P Bigelow. Control and mitigation of generalist pests in perennial grass-dominated bioenergy landscapes. USDA-NIFA AFRI Sustainable Bioenergy Annual Project Director Meeting, Arlington, VA, October 29-31, 2014. Alexander HM and CM Malmstrom. Effects of barley yellow dwarf virus on plant fitness components in perennial switchgrass. Ecological Society of America annual meeting, Sacramento, CA, August 10 - 15, 2014. Malmstrom, CM. Everyone has a plan for grasslands: challenges in working landscapes. Annis Water Resources Institute, Muskegon, MI, March 21, 2014. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? In Yr 4, this project provided training and professional development opportunities for one postdoc (Bigelow), four research technicians (Perrone, Valice, VanDamme, Nicholoff ), two graduate students (Schuh, Stelzner), five undergraduates (Harden, Kailin, Long, Weidman, Wood), and one high school student (Wade). The team of young scientists represented diverse rural and urban backgrounds, economic circumstances, and family educational attainments. At least two of our students were from under-represented groups. Nine of the thirteen young scientists mentored (69%) were women. The majority of the junior contributors gained their first experiences with production agriculture through this project. Mentoring included training in principles of American agricultural practices, fundamentals of effective research science, and responsible conduct of research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? We disseminated information through several means. We exchanged management observations and data with our grower-collaborators and with extension agents to develop outreach publications at project completion. We gave talks in France and California at other biofuel-related venues. Our work was featured in a You-Tube video released by Michigan State University. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? In Yr 5, we are completing the second year of sampling in our landscape network of sites (fourth year after stand establishment). We are repeating measures of insects and viruses across the network. One major focus is laboratory analysis of plant and insect samples for virus detection and quantification, which requires care, time, and bioinformatics work. In addition, we are completing processing of insect community data and species identification. Data analysis and manuscript development are ongoing. After completion of the virus metagenomics work, we will finalize management recommendations.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
To evaluate pest response to switchgrass at the organismal level (obj. 1), we completed a third year of field studies of virus impact on switchgrass fitness in the field and initiated manuscript development. We prepared a manuscript describing the results of a separate experiment comparing effects of multiple virus types on switchgrass performance. We analyzed tissue chemistry differences among switchgrass cultivars. We initiated a common garden study of the influence of switchgrass cultivars on pests in the field; the study includes 24 cultivars of switchgrass representing two ecotypes and three levels of genetic improvement. To evaluate pest fluxes in existing fields (Obj. 2.1 and 2.2), we identified aphids to species where possible from suction trap collections in switchgrass and corn fields. To evaluate the relative influence of trait differences, management strategies, and landscape context on pest activities in biofuel cultivars (Obj. 2.3), we conducted extensive field measures in our landscape network of sites, including measures of aphids, leafhoppers, Japanese beetles, and biocontrol. Aphids were measured with suction traps, sticky cards, bowl trap collections, and sweep-net assays. Leafhoppers were assayed with sticky cards and sweep-netting. Japanese beetle traps were monitored throughout the entire summer, and captured insects quantified and identified. For biocontrol studies, the network plots were sampled three times during the growing season for insect natural enemy abundance. In addition, the impact of natural enemies on sentinel prey was assayed on the same schedule. Pitfall traps were deployed at two sites to evaluate dynamics of ground-dwelling insects. During peak crop greenness, we sampled switchgrass and nearby wheat and corn fields for later analysis for virus infection. Assays of the wheat samples found substantial virus prevalence. To quantify vegetation properties, we measured switchgrass stand densities and height. We evaluated plant diversity and species richness during peak bloom times. Soil samples were collected from all sites and processed for a full suite of soil textural and nutrient properties. At the end of the season, we measured aboveground biomass production in all plots. Data were georeferenced for compilation in an ArcGIS Geodatabase. We further experimented with use of microdrones for future vegetation analysis, and installed a time-lapse camera at one site to develop videos for public outreach work.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Dale, B. E., J. E. Anderson, R. C. Brown, S. Csonka, V. H. Dale, G. Herwick, R. D. Jackson, N. Jordan, S. Kaffka, K. L. Kline, L. R. Lynd, C. M. Malmstrom, R. Garlock Ong, T. L. Richard, C. Taylor, and M. Q. Wang (2014). Take a closer look: Biofuels can support environmental, economic and social goals, Environmental Science & Technology 48 (13): 72007203
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Progress 02/28/13 to 02/27/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Throughout the year, we communicated regularly with our network of grower-cooperators to exchange data and management observations. These growers have been invaluable to the success of this project. To expand our audience to include additional growers and potential growers, we helped organize and contributed to an MSU Extension Field Day (Ottawa County, August 14, 2013) on the topic: Growing switchgrass: Important considerations when getting started. Participants included local growers and several potential growers from Detroit. To reach our scientific target audience, we gave the following national and international presentations: Alexander HA, Malmstrom CM. Plant-virus interactions and the agro-ecological interface. Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, November 7, 2013 (presented by HA). Malmstrom, CM, Opportunities to Enhance Biodiversity in Biofuel Systems. Sustainable Biofuels in the Nearer Term, workshop September 17-18, 2013, University of Minnesota. Invited speaker. Malmstrom CM, Alexander HA. Assessing the Effects of Viruses on the Fitness of Wild Plants. European Molecular Biology Organization: Green viruses, from gene to landscape. Hyères-les-Palmiers, France, September 7 - 11, 2013. Malmstrom, C. M. Dogma is deadly. IGNITE session--Bridging the gap between basic and applied science: How scientists can advance ecology and solve environmental problems at the same time. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, August 6, 2013. Invited speaker. Alexander HA, Malmstrom CM. Plant-virus interactions and the agro-ecological interface. 1st International Conference“Wild Plant Pathosystems", July 2–5, 2013, Olomouc (Czech Republic) (presented by HA). To reach educators, we gave the following presentation as part of a teacher training workshop: Malmstrom, C. M. It’s a small, small world: Plant viruses and ecology. K-12 Partnership Summer Institute at Kellogg Biological Station, June 24, 2013. Invited plenary speaker. Changes/Problems: We had to drop 3 of the 15 sites in our experimental network, due to drought impacts. Our original design called for 10 sites, but we had increased it in case of unforeseen issues such as this one, so with 12 remaining sites the numbers should still be OK. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? In Yr 3, this project provided training and professional development opportunities for two postdocs (Mata, Bigelow), three research technicians (Perrone, Cole, Withiam), and seven undergraduates (Abdel-Azim, Busch, Fry, Glover, Long, Weidman, Wood). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? We disseminated information in multiple ways. We exchanged data and management observations with participating grower-collaborators and extension agents. We participated in a field day for growers and potential growers, and gave a teacher training. We gave talks in France, the Czech republic, and at biofuel-related venues in the US. We published two articles (Euro. J Plant Pathology, and PNAS), and submitted a third. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? In Yr 4, we plan to submit manuscripts from the organismal work and studies of pests in pre-existing switchgrass stands. We will conduct extensive field measures in the landscape network of sites, including measures of aphids, leafhoppers, Japanese beetles, and biocontrol. We will sample switchgrass and nearby wheat for virus infection, and we will quantify switchgrass stand densities and diversity. We will conduct a common garden experiment to investigate the interactions of aphids and natural enemies on a range of switchgrass cultivars. As the results from this key field season become evident, we will start to draft recommendations for management strategies, to be examined further in our final field season in Yr 5.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
To evaluate pest response to bioenergy-selected traits at organismal and population levels (Obj.1), we completed a second year of field experimention on effects of virus infection on two cultivars of switchgrass. We conducted an additional experiment evaluating differences among viruses in their host effects on two host plant species. To evaluate pest fluxes in existing fields (Obj. 2.1 and 2.2), we deployed aphid suction traps to measure differences in insect fluxes between corn and switchgrass fields in late summer and fall. To evaluate pest accumulation in well established switchgrass (Obj. 2.2), we completed virus extractions from field-collected switchgrass. To evaluate the relative influence of trait differences, management strategies, and landscape context on pest activities in new biofuel cultivars (Obj. 2.3), we heavily managed our 15-site experimental network to help it recover from drought effects during the first year of establishment. Due to drought losses, we dropped three sites. In fall 2013, we measured cover and height of all cultivars and mixes at all sites. At one site, we physically harvested and weighed biomass. All other sites were mowed. During Yr 3, we also planned the intensive field measures to be taken in the network sites in Yr 4, and we planned a common garden field trial to examine the interactions of aphids and natural enemies on a range of switchgrass cultivars. To share information about potential management strategies based on our developing information (Obj. 3), we participated in an extension field day with growers and potential growers (August, 2013) and discussed findings with grower-cooperators.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Werling, B. P., T. L. Dickson, R. Isaacs, H. Gaines, C. Gratton, K. L. Gross, H. Liere, C. M. Malmstrom, T. D. Meehan, L. Ruan, B. A. Robertson, G. P. Robertson, T. M. Schmidt, A. C. Schrotenboer, T. K. Teal, J. K. Wilson, D. A. Landis (2014). Perennial grasslands increase biodiversity and multiple ecosystem services in bioenergy landscapes. PNAS 111 (4): 1652-1657
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Alexander, H.M., K. E. Mauck, A.E. Whitfield, K. A. Garrett, and C. M. Malmstrom (2014). Plant-virus interactions and the agro-ecological interface. European Journal of Plant Pathology 138:529-547. 10.1007/s10658-013-0317-1, published online 23 November 2013.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Dale, B. E., J. E. Anderson, R. C. Brown, S. Csonka, V. H. Dale, G. Herwick, R. D. Jackson, N. Jordan, S. Kaffka, K. L. Kline, L. R. Lynd, C. M. Malmstrom, R. Garlock Ong, T. L. Richard, C. Taylor, and M. Q. Wang. Take a closer look: Biofuels can support environmental, economic and social goals, in review
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Progress 02/29/12 to 02/27/13
Outputs
Target Audience: We have interacted directly with a network of grower-cooperators and shared experimental data with them. In addition, we have reached scientific and general audiences through a series of presentations in different venues (national and international) and through associated media releases, as described further below. Changes/Problems: The most challenging problem we encountered was the extreme 2012 drought, which began just after we had completed seeding our 15-site experimental network. The drought substantially hampered switchgrass germination and establishment, even with active management to help counter-act these effects. As a result, we have had to spend more time than anticipated in both Yrs 2 and 3 on management of the experiment, and some of our sites are not as fully established as we would like. We have had to drop two sites entirely and will probably need to drop one more. However, as insurance against potential problems, we had initially started 15 sites instead of our originally planned 10, which will somewhat mitigate the problem. The drought also had substantial impact on insect populations, and notably reduced aphid numbers. Thus, in year 2 we instead focused our field surveys on generalist leaf hopper pests. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? In Yr 2, this project provided training and professional development opportunities for two postdocs, four research technicians, and five undergraduates. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? As indicated above, we disseminated information in multiple ways. We distributed switchgrass establishment data to all grower-participants and participating extension professionals. We gave talks in France, at the AAAS annual meeting, in bioenergy symposia at the annual meetings of both the Ecological Society of America and the American Phytopathological Society, and elsewhere. Our work was cited in Science Daily in February 2012. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? In the next reporting period, we plan to complete analysis of our organismal experiments (Obj. 1) and to manage recovery of our landscape experimental network (Obj. 2.3) from the 2012 drought so that it will be ready for planned measures in 2014. In addition, we will continue measurement and analysis of pest accumulation in existing switchgrass stands as planned (Obj. 2.1 and 2.2). Motivated in part by the consequences of the drought, we have increased focus on leafhoppers. To disseminate information about management strategies (Obj. 3), we will hold our first Field Day for growers and other managers in August 2013.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
To evaluate pest response to bioenergy-selected traits at organismal and population levels (Obj. 1), we completed controlled experiments on the following topics: Virus susceptibility of switchgrass (2x), localization of virus within switchgrass, comparison of influence of different viruses on switchgrass, grasshopper herbivory interactions with switchgrass, Japanese beetle oviposition selectivity (2nd run), and trait differences among switchgrass cultivars (2x). In addition, we established a field experiment on fitness effects of virus infection on two switchgrass cultivars. To evaluate pest fluxes in existing fields (Obj. 2.1 and 2.2), we built and tested an initial set of portable aphid suction traps. To evaluate pest accumulation in well established switchgrass (Obj. 2.2), we quantified leaf hopper distributions and began laboratory analysis of virus prevalence in leaf hoppers and switchgrass in sites across lower Michigan. Extreme drought precluded surveys of aphids. To evaluate the relative influence of trait differences, management strategies, and landscape context on pest activities in new biofuel cultivars (Obj. 2.3), we established a 15-site experimental network across lower Michigan in collaboration with grower-cooperators. At each site, 10 large plots containing different switchgrass cultivars and species mixes were seeded. The sites were then heavily managed to support plant growth as much as possible in the face of the extreme 2012 drought that developed. In fall 2012, we measured establishment success at all sites. To further quantify landscape and management influence on virus pressure in our study region, we evaluated virus prevalence in winter wheat at sites throughout the area. To share information about potential management strategies based on our developing information (Obj. 3), we distributed switchgrass establishment data to all grower-participants and participating extension professionals. We gave talks in France, at the AAAS annual meeting, in bioenergy symposia at the annual meetings of both the Ecological Society of America and the American Phytopathological Society, and elsewhere. This work to-date has documented notable differences among switchgrass cultivars in pest interactions and broader-scale site-specific differences in pest incidence. Quantitative analysis of explanatory variables is ongoing.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Plant-virus interactions and the agro-ecological interface
H. M. Alexander, K. E. Mauck, A.E. Whitfield, K. A. Garrett, and C. M. Malmstrom, Plant-virus interactions and the agro-ecological interface. Submitted to European Journal of Plant Pathology
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Ben P. Werling, Timothy L. Dickson, Rufus Isaacs, Hannah Gaines, Claudio Gratton, Katherine L. Gross, Heidi Liere, Carolyn M. Malmstrom, Timothy D. Meehan, Leilei Ruan, Bruce A. Robertson, G. Philip Robertson, Thomas M. Schmidt, Abbie C. Schrotenboer, Tracy K. Teal, Julianna K. Wilson, Douglas A. Landis. Perennial grasslands increase biodiversity and multiple ecosystem services in bioenergy landscapes. Submitted to PNAS.
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Progress 03/01/11 to 02/28/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In Year 1 of this project (03/01/2011 to 2/28/2012), we completed hiring of personnel for this project and addressed Objective 1 (Pest response to bioenergy traits), as planned. In this work, we examined the influence of differences in switchgrass cultivar traits on pest and pathogen dynamics. We conducted a series of greenhouse experiments with 27 different switchgrass cultivars, representing a spectrum of plant traits, and evaluated switchgrass interactions with generalist pests including white grubs and aphid-vectored viruses. We further built and tested equipment to be deployed for field sampling in Year 2. We worked with Extension personnel to identify grower cooperators for field trials to be planted in Year 2. Preliminary results have been disseminated through poster presentations with scientists and other stakeholders at a spring meeting of the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center. PARTICIPANTS: Carolyn Malmstrom, PI, coordinated overall project activities as well as vector and pathogen work. Rufus Isaacs, co-PI, coordinated white grub experiments and assisted with identification of field sites. Douglas Landis, co-PI, assisted with identification of field sites and planning of biocontrol measures. Piotr Trebicki, postdoctoral researcher, conducted vector and pathogen studies. Monica Hufnagel, research technician, conducted white grub experiments. Ellen Cole, research technician, assisted with pathogen diagnostics. Colin Phillippo, student and temporary worker, assisted with equipment construction. In this work, we have collaborated with Dennis Pennington, MSU Extension Bioenergy Educator; Charles Gould, MSU Extension Educator in Nutrient Management and Bioenergy/Biomaterials Educator; and Helen Alexander, University of Kansas. We have further interacted with numerous contacts within the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center. Training has been provided to undergraduates Alisha Fischer, Anna Busch, Hayley Schebor, PJ Kohn, and Colin Phillippo, as well as to postdoctoral researcher Piotr Trebicki. TARGET AUDIENCES: Our target audience includes researchers and crop breeders, growers, agricultural policy makers, land use planners, conservationists, students, and other stakeholders in the bioenergy field. At this initial stage of our work, our efforts have focused on student training, outreach with grower cooperators, and presentation of initial findings to Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center personnel. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The Year 1 experiments allowed us to identify evident differences in pest susceptibility among switchgrass cultivars. This information was used to make selections of switchgrass cultivars to be planted in the extensive field experiment to be implemented in Years 2-5.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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