Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:New England Apple Growers Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The most significant impacts of the project were those experienced by the 22 apple growers who participated directly in the research demonstration trials, many for 2 years and some for all 3 years. Impacts for these growers were: greatly increased understanding of the disease and how to manage it, reduction in worry, in many cases reduction of 1or 2 sprays in the spring, shifts to cultural control (sanitation), and better management of fungicide resistance problems. Many of these growers assessed overwintering scab inoculum incidence with us, all performed the sanitation strategies between leaf fall of each year and green tip the following springs, and all did the tasks involved in maintaining delayed first spray or sanitation-only blocks of apple trees through the growing seasons. They also became expert at using the decision support tools available to them on NEWA or AgRadar regarding scab management and became advanced IPM practitioners. There were several growers in each state who heard about the project at twilight meetings and grower workshops and asked for help managing scab. Many of them had too much scab to qualify for the delayed first spray strategy, and did not have blocks of trees officially in the trials. However, after working with us on sanitation and decision support systems they all reduced their scab problems. As will be discussed in the Farmer Adoption section, most growers directly involved in the study and the research scientists in all 3 states asserted that they would be continuing the relevant practices in future years. A much larger group of growers and extension scientists were exposed to the study and it's practices at workshops, grower meetings, field walks, and through publications (see Publications/Outreach for details). It is harder to assess impacts on these groups, but the end-of-project survey attempted to do this (see Publications). From an integrated pest management standpoint, we emphasize the following results for orchard sanitation: Growers eliminated from one to three fungicide applications per year. Over six seasons there was no significant difference in scab incidence in delayed vs. check blocks During the course of the project we engaged the growers in discussions of the relative costs and benefits of most of the scab management alternative strategies. For example, the cost of doing leaf-chopping in a block of apple trees is about the same ($10.00/acre) as the cost of a scab spray (there is a wide range of costs among the many scab fungicides). When you factor in the added benefit of improving your management of resistance to a fungicide by eliminating a spray or 2, it is no wonder that sanitation practices increased during the study. Spraying urea is more costly ($60.00/acre) and although very effective, was adopted to a lesser extent. The cost of doing a PAD count in a 1 acre block = the cost of the grower's or another person's time for about 15 minutes if the block is fairly clean. Two acres would be about 20 min. If you eliminate a spray in the spring, you save the cost of the fungicide, the time to do the spray, the fuel, the wear and tear on the equipment, the soil compaction, and the possible deleterious effects on the eco-system. We did not have economists involved in the study, but growers are adept at this kind of analysis. For them it's a combination of the bottom line and managing risk. In presentations to grower groups, in addition to presenting costs, we used the following argument: Sanitation costs about as much as a scab spray Leaf chopping alone is least expensive, still gives significant reduction "If an extra spray would significantly reduce scab risk, and also help maintain efficacy of new fungicides, would I use it?" How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Groups of apple growers were educated in scab management alternatives (SMA) at 1 grower seminar in late 2013 in NH and in 6 grower meetings in 2014 in NH and MA. The average number of attendees was 41. Topics included the delayed 1st spray strategy, sanitation strategies, reduced-risk fungicides, potential ascospore dose assessments (PAD), and use of decision support tools, such as NEWA and AgRadar. The concepts and strategies pertaining to scab management alternatives (SMA) were also presented at 5 grower twilight meetings in MA and RI, and at the eIPM Stakeholder's Meeting (February in Grafton, MA) by UMass project scientists during March-June 2014. (approx. 30 attendees each). In all 3 states, project scientists worked with cooperating growers and their staff to train them in scab management alternatives. In 2014 we worked closely with 22 growers to implement and adopt advanced scab management alternatives via replicated trials. Several other growers participated in scab management activities that were not replicated. These activities were also discussed in April-June issues of Healthy Fruit (http://extension.umass.edu/fruitadvisor), J. Clements, editor, the Maine Tree Fruit Newsletter, and in the April-July issues of the New Hampshire Integrated Pest Management Newsletter (http://nhipm.wordpress.com). Frequent updates on apple scab ascospore maturity lab and field tests were sent out via these newsletters. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Under the guidance of UMass scientists, 15 sites in MA, CT, VT, and southwest NH were evaluated for fall leaf scab infestation in Oct. 2013. Nine of them had low enough levels of scab to pass the PAD test and thus qualify for the delayed 1st scab spray strategy for Spring 2014. The average number of days the blocks were delayed as compared to the "Control" plots was 9.4 days. At the time of that 1st scab spray, the average % maturity of the scab ascospores was 20%. Due to the delays, less fungicide was used in the "Test" plots: 5.5 dosage equivalents (DE) of fungicide as compared to 6.6 in the "Control" plots. "Test" plots also received urea applications and maximum leaf-chopping while "Control" plots received minimal leaf-chopping. Scab incidence was assessed in foliage in June 2014 and in fruit in Sept. and was found to be comparable to grower control blocks that received a standard fungicide program. In 7 of the 9 sites, injury was kept below the economic injury level. For 1 of the exceptions, the higher amount of fruit scab (12% incidence) was caused by the use of very low fungicide rates and by waiting too long to make the 1st application. The other high incidence of scab (8%) was probably caused by proximity to an abandoned orchard. At 5 additional sites, where blocks of apple trees failed the PAD in Fall 2012, the sanitation part of the study was performed. Test blocks received urea applications and maximum leaf-chopping. We defined maximum leaf-chopping as at least 2 passes with a flail or a rotary mower (and minimum as one pass). Many growers also added leaf-sweeping, leaf-raking and/or flexible arms that could get close to tree trunks to their maximum sanitation practices. Control blocks received no urea and less leaf-chopping. Fungicides were not delayed: rather a full protectant spray program was used from the green tip bud stage on. At 4 of the sites, there was very little scab in the leaves in June or in fruit in September in either of the plots. At the 5th site there was little scab in June, but a moderate amount appeared in the fruit in September. In both the Delayed and the Sanitation-only trials, plots ranged in size from 1 to 5 acres. Most plots were assessed for leaf scab in Fall 2014 (PADs were performed). Most growers indicated plans to continue with urea applications, leaf-chopping, and delays after the study is over. We believe this is a good indication of the positive impact of the project. At 4 commercial sites in NH,1 "Test" plot of apples was delayed until Pink or until 2 infection periods had passed. At the time of that 1st scab spray, the average % maturity of the scab ascospores was 21%. The fungicide dosage equivalents (DE) in the "Test" plots was 3.62 versus 4.12 in the "Control". All "Test" plots received maximum leaf chopping. Some received urea applications as well. The "Control" plots had minimum leaf-chopping and no urea. The 3 other sites did not delay the 1st spray in the "Test" plots, but did reduce the overall number of sprays. The average DE in the "Test" plots was 4.6 versus 7.4 in the "Controls". A savings of 2.8 fungicide full-rate applications was achieved. Scab levels were never higher in the "Test" plots (leaves or fruit) than they were in the "Controls" and were always well below 1 % incidence. All plots were assessed for leaf scab in Fall 2014, and all passed the PAD. All growers indicated plans to continue with urea applications, leaf-chopping, and delays where possible, even after the project is over. At 4 commercial sites in ME,all "Test" plots of apples were delayed until Pink or until 2 or more infection periods had passed. The average number of days that the 1st spray was delayed was 9.8. At the time of that 1st scab spray, the average % maturity of the scab ascospores was 38%. The average fungicide dosage equivalents (DE) in the "Test" plots were 4.9 versus 6.12 in the "Control". A savings of 1.2 fungicide full-rate applications was achieved. Scab levels were kept very low in all plots except for 1 "Control" plot, which had a fruit scab incidence of 5 %. All "Test" plots were assessed for leaf scab in Fall 2014, and all passed the PAD. All growers indicated plans to continue with urea applications, leaf-chopping, and delays where possible after the study is over. Growers in this study have had the benefit of access to weather-based decision support tools (within NEWA or Skybit, or AgRadar) and training from project scientists on how to use these tools. Project scientists have purchased weather stations and annual contracts with NEWA for many of the growers that worked with UMass. They have also purchased Skybit data for farms that did not have on-site weather stations and have collaborated with Glen Koehler at UME to provide AgRadar for those sites. All of the growers routinely monitored scab forecasting from one of these sources and many had weather stations directly linked to NEWA. To make the information more accurate and site-specific, this project continues work in all 3 states to improve the scab ascospore maturation model. This includes new methods and equipment for spore-trapping and maturation assessment during primary scab season (designed by Bill MacHardy at UNH). We are working on methods to adjust the models to account for dry periods. We need to more accurately predict the beginning and end of scab season. UMass scientists have also been performing replicated spray trials to compare the advantages and disadvantages of using two data sources (RainWise weather stations and Skybit) with 4 analytical tools (NEWA, Skybit, AgRadar, and RIMPro) to time scab spray applications (see Publications).
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
2015. Moran, R. et al. The New England Apple Scab Control Practices Survey. Submitted to Fruit Notes.
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
2012-2015. Cooley, D. R. Development of more sustainable disease management tactics for apple production in the Northeast. MAS 00407. Expt. Sta. Hatch Rept. http://www.reeis.usda.gov/web/crisprojectpages/225216.html (10/1/2010 9/30/2015). 3 pp.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
2015. Cooley, D. R. and J. Clements. Preliminary evaluation of four decision support systems for management of apple scab in the northeastern U.S. Phytopathology 105 (Suppl. 1):S1.6.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
2016. Garofalo, E., D.R. Cooley, J.M. Clements and A.F. Tuttle. Discrepancies Between Direct Observation of Apple Scab Ascospore Maturation and Disease Model Forecasts in the 2014 and 2015 Growing Seasons. Fruit Notes 81(2) 7-18. (http://umassfruitnotes.com/v81n2/a2.pdf)
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
2016. Cooley, D.R. Tactics for Apple Scab Management. Southwest Michigan Horticulture Days, Mendel Center, Lake Michigan College, Benton Harbor, MI, 4 Feb. 40 attendees.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
2016. Cooley, D.R. Sanitation: Stack the Deck Against Scab; New Technology in Apple Scab and Fire Blight Management. Henry Wallace Center, FDR Memorial Library, Hyde Park, NY, 3 March 2016, 70 attendees.
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Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience:Commercial apple growers in ME, NH, VT, CT and MA 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?. Project concepts, methods, and results were presented and discussed in grower workshops, meetings, and publications. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?To make the information more accurate and site-specific, this project continues work in all 3 states to improve the scab ascospore maturation model. This includes new methods and equipment for spore-trapping and maturation assessment during primary scab season (designed by Bill MacHardy at UNH). We are working on methods to adjust the models to account for dry periods. We need to more accurately predict the beginning and end of scab season.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Groups of apple growers were educated in scab management alternatives (SMA) at 1 grower seminar in late 2013 in NH and in 6 grower meetings in 2014 in NH and MA. The average number of attendees was 41. Topics included the delayed 1st spray strategy, sanitation strategies, reduced-risk fungicides, potential ascospore dose assessments (PAD), and use of decision support tools, such as NEWA and AgRadar. The concepts and strategies pertaining to scab management alternatives (SMA) were also presented at 5 grower twilight meetings in MA and RI, and at the eIPM Stakeholder's Meeting (February in Grafton, MA) by UMass project scientists during March-June 2014. (approx. 30 attendees each). In all 3 states, project scientists worked with cooperating growers and their staff to train them in scab management alternatives. In 2014 we worked closely with 22 growers to implement and adopt advanced scab management alternatives via replicated trials. Several other growers participated in scab management activities that were not replicated. These activities were also discussed in April-June issues of Healthy Fruit (http://extension.umass.edu/fruitadvisor), J. Clements, editor, the Maine Tree Fruit Newsletter, and in the April-July issues of the New Hampshire Integrated Pest Management Newsletter (http://nhipm.wordpress.com). Frequent updates on apple scab ascospore maturity lab and field tests were sent out via these newsletters.
Publications
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Cooley, D., A. Tuttle, J. Clements, S. Schloemann, and E. Garofalo. University of Massachusetts Fruit IPM Report 2014. Horticultural News 94 (Fall): 5-8. (http://www.horticulturalnews.org/94-4/a2.pdf)
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Moran, R. et al. The New England Apple Scab Control Practices Survey. Submitted to Fruit Notes.
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Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience for this last year is primarily commercial apple growers in the Northeastern U.S., extending to U.S. apple producers in areas with significant disease pressure from apple scab (caused by Venturia inaequalis) and the sooty blotch/flyspeck complex (caused by several pathogens - part of the work is to identify those most important to Massachusetts and the Northeast). Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Training and professional development came through our collaboration and on-farm research and demonstration projects which involved growers and Extension professionals from NH and ME. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Primary dissemination came through publication in the grower journal Fruit Notes, and the grower newsletter Healthy Fruit, as well as orchard meetings during the growing season. We have also collaborated with Midwest Weather Working Group by attending a day-long meeting of colleagues sharing presentations on using weather monitoring and disease models for plant disease managment. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We plan to continue work on the scab fungicide delay with colleagues in NH and ME, to further characterize fungi in the sooty blotch/flyspeck complex, and field test the efficacy of different weather monitoring and decision support systems for apple diseases, specifically NEWA, Orchard Radar, SkyBit and RIMpro.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This year work focused on the following objectives: 1) Develop and field-test cultural controls for inoculum reduction for key apple diseases; 2) Develop, test and implement forecast models for key apple diseases; and 3) Evaluate weather equipment, off-site weather networks and web-based disease management delivery for apple diseases. Cultural controls were developed and field-tested for inoculum reduction of apple scab disease. Project scientists worked with 18 commercial apple growers in CT, ME, MA, NH, NY, VT, and coordinated research at the UMass Cold Spring Research and Education Center (CSOREC) plus the University of Maine and University of New Hampshire testing methods for delaying the first scab fungicide applications of the season. This was done by evaluating potential ascospore dose (PAD) in the fall in each block of apple trees and following up with leaf-chopping and urea applications before the start of the next growing season. Spring fungicide applications were also timed according to apple scab forecasting programs on the NEWA or Orchard Radar sites using local weather data. Improvements to the model were researched and implemented to adjust for unusually dry weather that has occurred in early spring in 2012 and 2013. Scab disease incidence was monitored on leaves in late June and on fruit at harvest. PAD assessments were done in Fall 2013 at 24 orchards to prepare for the 2014 season and the next round of leaf-chopping and urea applications was started. This project leveraged funds from USDA/SARE to bring the research to a larger number of growers. As part of our endeavor to develop an improved forecast model for sooty blotch and flyspeck disease, and to understand the fungi that cause sooty blotch and flyspeck, approximately 400 isolates of putative sooty blotch species were isolated from apples and reservoir hosts in several locations in southern New England and the Hudson Valley in New York. Approximately half of these isolates were identified by PCR. Project scientists worked with 6 growers in MA to evaluate their summer disease fungicide programs and to improve management of these diseases. Disease forecasting models (NEWA-housed and experimental) were used to improve efficiency of spray programs in terms of timing and choice of materials. A total of 45 visits by staff were made to grower sites to discuss project development and maintain weather stations. Six formal presentations were made to growers on the topic of using on-line weather data for IPM and using delayed first fungicide applications for apple scab management, attended by a total of 345. The results of a web-based survey of scab management practices of New England growers that was conducted in 2012 was summarized and published in Fruit Notes (see Publications). The first fungicide application targeting scab was delayed in apple blocks until the pink or the full bloom bud stage in spring 2013 in 18 commercial orchards in MA, CT, VT and NH and in the state university orchards in MA, NH, and ME. Scab incidence at harvest in these blocks was found to be comparable to that in blocks sprayed on a standard fungicide schedule in the same orchards. At UMass CSOREC, and at the MA orchards, fungicide applications were successfully delayed until the pink bud stage (an average delay of 9 days compared to the non-delayed blocks). Injury due to scab was kept below the economically injurious level. Orchard sanitation helped lower scab incidence. At UNH, and orchards in NH, fungicide applications were successfully delayed until the full bloom stage in some trials, and the pink bud stage in others (for average delays of 10-35 days compared to non-delayed control blocks). Scab incidence was higher in 50 % of the delayed blocks compared to the controls and was the same as the controls in the other 50%. At UMaine, and in the ME orchards, fungicide applications were successfully delayed until Bloom or until Pink (20 or 10 days, respectively). Amount of scab was kept very low in 11 of the 12 delayed blocks of apple trees. In ME and in NH sanitation with leaf chopping and urea spaying helped reduce scab incidence. The results of the survey of scab management practices of New England growers were summarized and discussed with the participants in the study and at grower twilight meetings. Growers reported that sanitation, either leaf-chopping or urea applications, were used on 41% of acres. Only 15% of growers currently do a fall evaluation of ascospore dose, the primary reasons for not doing the analysis being a lack of time (37%) and lack of training (36%). The majority of growers (79%) started fungicide applications to manage scab at the green tip or half-inch green stage. However, most (75%) would try delaying the first fungicide application with additional demonstration of the effectiveness of the method and further training in ascospore dose evaluation and sanitation methods. In Fall 2013 all growers indicated their wish to continue in the study and 3 additional growers entered the study. 5 growers also indicated desire to continue to work with us on summer disease, powdery mildew, fire blight, and bitter rot management. Geastrumia polystigmatis and Peltaster spp. were found to be the predominant taxonomic groups causing sooty blotch in MA. Laboratory-based experiments were carried out to determine the effects of nutrition, temperature, and relative humidity on G. polystigmatis, and to determine in vitro sensitivity of G. polystigmatis and Peltaster fructicola isolates to several fungicides used in apple orchards. Further research will focus on field applications of these findings to manage SBFS.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Moran, R. G. Koehler, C. Smith, G. Hamilton, W. MacHardy, L. Berkette, H. Faubert, M. Conklin, A. Tuttle, J. Clements, and D. Cooley, 2013. Survey of New England apple growers on using sanitation and delaying early-season fungicide applications. Fruit Notes 78(4): 9-11
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Cooley, D., A. Tuttle, S. Villani, K. Cox, G. Koehler, T. Green, and P. Werts. 2013. Increasing fungicide use in New England apples. Fruit Notes 78(4): 1-6.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Cooley, D.R. and T. Green. 2014. Does increased fungicide use in eastern apples mean greater pesticide risk? An evaluation using PRiME. Phytopathology. Abstract accepted for publication in Phytopathology.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Green, T., M. Rozyne, A. Tuttle, J. Carroll, J. Clements K. Leahy and D. R. Cooley. Eco-apple protocol and grower self-assessment. Working document for 2013 growing season version 9.0 (Revised annually). IPM Institute of North America, Inc., Madison, WI. 38 pp.
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Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This year work focused on the following objectives: 3) Develop and field-test cultural controls for inoculum reduction for key apple diseases; 5) Develop, test and implement forecast models for key apple diseases; and 6) Evaluate weather equipment, off-site weather networks and web-based disease management delivery for apple diseases. Cultural controls were developed and field-tested for inoculum reduction of apple scab disease. Project scientists worked with 9 commercial apple growers in CT, ME, MA, NH, NY, VT, and coordinated research at the UMass Cold Spring Research and Education Center (CSOREC) plus the University of Maine and University of New Hampshire testing methods for delaying the first scab fungicide applications of the season. This is done using a combined evaluation of potential ascospore dose, leaf-chopping, and urea applications. As part of our work to develop an improved forecast model for sooty blotch and flyspeck disease, approximately 400 isolates of putative sooty blotch species were isolated from apples and reservoir hosts in several locations in southern New England and the Hudson Valley in New York. These are being identified using PCR and traditional morphology. Laboratory and field-based experiments designed to enhance understanding of sooty blotch by investigating the behavior of these fungi on several of their reservoir hosts, as well as the timing of their movement from these hosts to apple fruit, have been conducted. This project leveraged funds from USDA/SARE to research ways to reduce fungicide applications in apples by delaying the initial fungicide applications of the growing season that target apple scab. A total of 37 visits by staff were made to grower sites to discuss project development and maintain weather stations. Five formal presentations were made to growers on the topic of using on-line weather data for IPM and using delayed first fungicide applications for apple scab management, attended by a total of 304. A web-based survey of scab management practices of New England growers was conducted in order to determine the current use of delayed fungicides against apple scab, use of sanitation to manage scab, and impediments to adopting these practices. PARTICIPANTS: Daniel R. Cooley, PI. Coordinated and directed research activities in the project. Held regular on-line meetings with collaborators. Developed grant applications for additional funding. Arthur Tuttle, research associate. Performed field work and orchard visits associated with research and teaching in the project. Wrote articles and reports for the project work. Angela Madeiras, Ph. D. student. Did research on sooty blotch pathogens. University of New Hampshire University of Maine Cornell University Red Tomato, Inc. Training for Ph. D. student. Workshop to train fruit growers in Red Tomato's Eco-Apple marketing program. Workshops (3) to train growers and consultants in potential ascospore dose evaluation. Presentations (8) at grower meetings in orchards on disease management in tree fruit. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences for this project are primarily tree fruit producers in the Northeastern US, and secondarily consumers about integrated pest management through the Red Tomato Eco-Apple project. Most of the effort is through Extension efforts as listed above in participants. This includes research and demonstration sites on farms and at university research orchards, educational presentations at orchards, workshops and annual grower meetings. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The first fungicide application targeting scab was delayed in apple blocks until the pink bud stage in spring 2012 at 6 commercial orchards in MA, CT, VT and NH. Scab incidence at harvest in these blocks was found to be comparable to that in blocks sprayed on a standard fungicide schedule in the same orchards. At CSOREC, fungicide applications were successfully delayed until the pink bud stage, but could not be delayed to bloom, as evidenced by development of scab in the bloom-delay treatment. At UNH, fungicide applications were successfully delayed until the petal fall stage in one trial, and the pink bud stage in another. At UMaine, fungicide applications were successfully delayed until the pink bud stage. The survey of scab management practices of New England growers was conducted. Of 507 growers contacted, 115 responded. Growers reported that sanitation, either leaf-chopping or urea applications, were used on 41% of acres. Only 15% of growers currently do a fall evaluation of ascospore dose, the primary reasons for not doing the analysis being a lack of time (37%) and lack of training (36%). The majority of growers (79%) started fungicide applications to manage scab at the green tip or half-inch green stage. However, most (75%) would try delaying the first fungicide application with additional demonstration of the effectiveness of the method and further training in ascospore dose evaluation and sanitation methods.
Publications
- Green, T., M. Rozyne, A. Tuttle, J. Carroll, J. Clements K. Leahy and D. R. Cooley. Eco-apple protocol and grower self-assessment. Working document for 2012 growing season,Version 8.4 (Revised annually). IPM Institute of North America, Inc., Madison, WI. 34 pp. Cooley, D.R. 2011. Present understanding of the epidemiology of the sooty blotch/flyspeck disease complex. 9th International IOBC/WPRS Workshop on Pome Fruit Diseases. Aug. 29 to Sep. 2 2011. Hasselt, Belgium. Oudemans P.; Cooley, D.; Bradshaw, T.; Robinson, D.; Berkett, L. and Carroll, J. 2012. Site specific applications via integration of existing weather networks and proven predictive models. 7th International IPM Symposium: IPM on the World Stage. Memphis, TN, March 27-29. Cooley, D. R., Rozyne, M.; Reissig, H.; Agnello, A.; Green, T. 2012. A pest management program using reduced-risk pesticides, Eco-Apple protocols, and value added marketing for NY and New England growers. 7th International IPM Symposium: IPM on the World Stage. Memphis, TN, March 27-29.
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Cultural controls were developed and field-tested for inoculum reduction of apple scab disease. Project scientists worked with 12 commercial apple growers in CT, ME, MA, NH, NY, VT, and at the UMass orchard to test methods for delaying the first scab fungicide applications of the season using the potential ascospore dose evaluation, leaf-chopping, and urea spraying. Scab incidence, labor and fungicide use in these test blocks was compared to the same parameters in conventionally-managed blocks. Reduced rates of fungicides were evaluated at these orchards for the summer diseases: sooty blotch and flyspeck disease complexes (SBFS). Disease forecast models were developed and tested using weather data provided by on-site RainWise or Onset weather stations installed by project scientists. This network was linked to the NEWA network at Cornell. Growers were trained to access their own weather data and disease (and insect) forecast results directly from their own farm office computers. SBFS incidence and fungicide use in the test blocks was compared with that in conventionally managed blocks of apples. At 3 additional sites (including the UMass orchard), plots were divided among those managed according to models run with weather data from on-site weather stations and plots managed according to models run with weather data from off-site derived weather data (Orchard Radar or Skybit), and plots managed by calendar-based sprays. Preliminary results of all studies described above were disseminated to several hundred fruit growers over the year: 9 twilight grower meetings, the summer meeting of the MA Fruit Growers Assoc., the New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference, and the EcoApple Annual Meeting, among others. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Daniel R. Cooley, Wesley R. Autio, Jon Clements, Arthur Tuttle, and Angela Madeiras (support scientists), University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA; Twelve commercial apple orchards were Partner Organizations that collaborated on the research project. They helped plan and execute the experiments and made in-kind contributions of labor, supplies, and equipment: Mark and Ellen Parlee, Parlee Farms, Tyngsboro, MA; Aaron and Dana Clark, Clark Brothers Orchards, Ashfield, MA; Homer Dunn, Alyson's Orchard, Walpole, NH; Zeke Goodband, Scott Farm, Dummerston, VT; Dennis Hartley, Littletree Orchards, Newfield, NY; Barney and Chris Hodges, Sunrise Orchards, Cornwall, VT; Josh Knight, Knight Orchards, Burnt Hills, NY; John Lyman, Lyman Orchards, Middlefield, CT; Glen Schreiter, Saxtons River Orchards, Saxtons River, VT; Peter TenEyck, Indian Ladder Farms, Altamont, NY; William Truncali, Truncali Farms, Marlboro, NY; Daniel Wilson, Hicks Orchard, Granville, NY; the NYS IPM Network for Environment and Weather Applications was a collaborator. Training in advanced integrated pest management (IPM) was provided to growers, farm staff, and a few students and research assistants at the University of Massachusetts and Cornell University. TARGET AUDIENCES: The primary target audience was the group of collaborating growers and their staff. Their levels of knowledge about the pests and the advanced integrated pest management (IPM) strategies used to manage them increased. Their ability to act on the knowledge also increased. With assistance from project scientists, they operated weather stations, ran insect and disease forecasting models, and made spray decisions based on action thresholds and degree-day models. They created the comparison in their blocks of apples trees between management with advanced IPM methods versus their previous grower practices. Scientists and growers also shared results and gains with a larger group of growers, crop consultants, and researchers via grower meetings, workshops, seminars, and on-farm visits. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Apple growers involved in the study received convincing evidence that early season scab sprays could be significantly reduced if inoculum levels were kept low. They also saw that one efficient and sustainable way to do this was with leaf-chopping and urea spraying. Growers also increased their knowledge by learning to perform potential ascospore dose assessments and to calculate their scab infection periods and run disease forecasting models on their office computers. With the help of project scientists, these growers and their staff transferred these new skills to fire blight management, to summer disease management, and to management of key insect pests. Although 2011 was a challenging year for disease management due to heavy and frequent rains, growers involved in these studies produced healthy marketable crops. The fruit in 12 test blocks was as disease free (with 1 exception) as fruit produced in conventional and more heavily-sprayed comparison blocks. Pesticide reductions included: reducing the number of sprays, the rate of material used, and the toxicity of the material used (for example chemical thinning without the use of the carbamate, carbaryl). These savings have significant impacts: a cleaner crop, a cleaner environment, and delays in the development of resistance to the pesticides. Changes in knowledge described above are leading to changes in actions as these growers and their neighbors and their fellow growers are adopting pesticide-saving strategies developed and tested in this project.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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