Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audiences include both commercial and home garden tomato growers who can use host resistance as the first line of defense against late blight caused by the fungal-like pathogen Phytophthora infestans. Coupling host resistance with OMRI approved and reduced-risk fungicides will also provide conventional and organic tomato growers with additional tools for the management of late blight and reduce their reliance on fungicides which in turn benefits both the environment and the public at large. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Graduate students from both PI Gugino and Foolad’s research programs were involved in establishing these field trials and are involved in related projects on identifying and mapping new late blight resistance genes in the wild tomato species Solanum pimpinellifolium as well as the evaluation of oospore production, metalaxyl sensitivity and forecasted-based fungicide applications for the management of Phytophthora infestans on tomato in Pennsylvania. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Research results were disseminated at several vegetable grower meetings/conferences including the 2013 and 2014 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Conventions as well as during the 14th Annual College of Agricultural Sciences Research Tour which was geared towards the media and legislators who are interested in learning more about agricultural research that directly impacts the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Results were also disseminated through the season via one-on-one interactions with growers and web newsfeed postings and newsletter articles regarding late blight management. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
IMPACT STATEMENT: Tomato is the most popular and second most economically important vegetable crop in the world, is in the top three most economically important vegetable crops in the U.S. with onion and sweet corn and the third most economically important vegetable crop in Pennsylvania. Late blight (LB), caused by the fungal-like pathogen Phytophthora infestans, is one of the most devastating diseases of tomato as it can destroy the crop in as few as 5 to 7 days when conditions are favorable. LB management currently relies on planting pathogen-free transplants, frequent scouting for early disease detection, use of a protectant fungicide spray program initiated prior to disease onset and subsequent use of LB specific fungicides once the disease is detected in the field or region. Host resistance is an important disease management tool which reduces grower reliance on fungicides. The goal of this project was to cost-effectively manage tomato LB by combing the use of LB-resistant breeding lines and cultivars in combination with a conventional or OMRI-approved biopesticide program applied following the program BLITECAST. Data collected across all five field trials conducted over two years indicated that advanced fresh market tomato breeding lines and hybrid cultivars from North Carolina State and Penn State breeding programs which contain various combinations of LB resistance genes (Ph-2, Ph-3 and Ph-5) in the homozygous or heterozygous state, exhibited strong resistance to LB presence of high disease pressure and without fungicide application. Diversifying tomato production systems to include LB resistant cultivars will reduce reliance of both conventional and organic growers on fungicides for disease management. The use of a fungicide scheduling program like BLITECAST can further reduce reliance on fungicides helping growers time their application only when needed. In these trials, one to three fewer fungicide applications were made compared to the 7-day program. In addition, coupling host resistance with reduced risk biofungicides provides organic (as well as conventional) growers with additional integrated pest management tools for effectively managing LB. REPORT: During this project three replicated field trials were established in both 2012 and 2013 on two research farms (Russell E. Larson Research and Extension Center in Centre Co., PA and the Southeast Research and Education Center in Lancaster Co., PA) and one commercial farm (in collaboration with Furman Foods, Inc. in Northumberland Co., PA). In all trials, we evaluatee the reaction of late blight (LB) resistant breeding lines and hybrid cultivars containing different combinations of resistance genes (Ph-2, Ph-3 and Ph-5) in combination with three fungicide/biopesticide programs scheduled using BLITECAST. Unfortunately in 2013, due to a lack of immediate access to irrigation water and the sustained high temperatures at planting in early July, the one commercial trial was discontinued due to the death of a significant proportion of the transplants shortly after planting. As a result, a total of five trials were conducted. In each year the 11 or 12 advanced breeding lines and commercial cultivars evaluated included in each trial were Mountain Fresh Plus (susceptible), Mountain Magic (heterozygous for Ph-2 and Ph-3), Mountain Merit (heterozygous for Ph-2 and Ph-3), Plum Regal (heterozygous for Ph-3), NC1 CELBR (homozygous for Ph-2 and Ph-3), NC-25 (homozygous for Ph-3), NC63EB (homozygous for Ph-2), F-080Ph5-133-24 (homozygous for Ph-5), F-Ph5-8-2A (homozygous for Ph-5), F-Ph3-1-17-1121A (homozygous for Ph-3), F-Ph3-1-21-1211 (homozygous for Ph-3), and F-Ph3-2-17-5223A (homozygous for Ph-3). The fungicide programs consisted of the following: 1) unsprayed control; 2) protectant program alternating chlorothalonil (2.75pt/A) and mancozeb (1.5lb/A); 3) standard program rotating mandipropamid (8.0fl oz/A), propamocarb hydrochloride (1.5pt/A) and cyazofamid (2.75fl oz/A); and 4) biopesticide program containing Bacillus subtilis (QST713) (3.0lb/A) plus copper hydroxide (1.0lb/A). Timing of the fungicide applications was based on either a 7-day regular spray schedule or the disease forecasting model BLITECAST which was run using real-time mesoscale weather data from ZedX, Inc. An in-field Campbell Scientific solar powered weather station was also located in each field to collect site specific weather data for comparison to the interpolated weather data. Trials were arranged in a split-split plot design with the breeding lines/cultivars as the main plot, the fungicide program as the sub-plot and fungicide application timing as the sub-sub plot. Each plot was 10 ft long and planted with 5 or 6 transplants at 24-in. in-row spacing and 5 ft row-middle spacing. Treatment rows were separated by guard rows planted with either the susceptible processing cv. H3402 or H9704. The trials were mechanically transplanted between early to mid-July to off-set them from commercial tomato production. Symptoms resulting from natural inoculum (US 23 clonal lineage) were observed in late August across all trials in both years. Individual plots were rated for foliar disease severity (%), stem lesion severity (scale 0 = no lesions to 3 = >50% stems have lesions), and presence or absent of LB on fruit. Data collected across all five trials indicated that fresh market tomato breeding lines and hybrid cultivars from North Carolina State and Penn State breeding program which contain various combinations of LB resistance genes (Ph-2, Ph-3 and Ph-5) in the homozygous or heterozygous state, exhibited strong resistance to LB in the absence on fungicides and presence of high disease pressure. Season-long disease severity as measured by area under the disease progress (AUDPC) values was consistently highest on cv. Mountain Fresh Plus (susceptible; ranging between 631.8 to 2348.8) and Plum Regal (heterozygous Ph-3; 51.4 to 178.9) and then was negligible (AUDPC values between 0 and 14.2) across the rest of the breeding lines and commercial cultivars evaluated. At all locations disease severity in the cv. Mountain Fresh Plus plots reached near 100% by the end of the trial. One to three fewer fungicide applications were recommended based on the BLITECAST compared to a regular 7-day fungicide spray program. In the cases of cv. Mountain Fresh Plus and Plum Regal which developed LB, there were no significant differences in disease management despite the fewer number of fungicide applications. As expected, the number of forecasted applications also varied by trial location. Also, the OMRI-approved biopesticide program was as effective as a convention for managing late blight on the moderately resistant cv. Plum Regal. In 2013, the incidence of LB on 30 fruit per plot was assessed in the research farm trial in Centre Co. For two of the commercial cultivars (Mountain Fresh Plus and Plum Regal) and six breeding lines, the integration of a fungicide program with host resistance significantly reduced the incidence of LB infected fruit. Except for the susceptible cv. Mountain Fresh Plus, there was not a significant difference between the three different fungicide programs or the timing of their application.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Huerta Arrendondo, I.A., L. Joseph, I. Small, W. Fry and B.K. Gugino. 2014. The integrated use of host resistance, fungicides and disease forecasting for the management of late blight (US-23) on tomato in Pennsylvania. Phytopathology 104: S1.2.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Gugino, B.K., I.A. Huerta, M.R. Foolad and B. Fry. 2014. The integrated management of late blight on tomato. 2014 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention Proceedings, Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association, Richfield, PA. pp. 118-121.
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Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audiences include both commercial and home garden tomato growers who can use host resistance as the first line of defense against late blight caused by the fungal-like pathogen Phytophthora infestans. Coupling host resistance OMRI approved and reduced-risk fungicides will also provide conventional and organic tomato growers with additional tools for the management of late blight and reduce their reliance on fungicides which in turn benefits both the environment and the public at large. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Graduate students from both PI Gugino and Foolad’s research programs were involved in establishing these field trials and are involved in related projects on identifying an mapping new late blight resistance genes in the wild tomato species Solanum pimpinellifolium as well as the evaluation of oospore production, metalaxyl sensitivity and forecasted-based fungicide applications for the management of Phytophthora infestans on tomato in Pennsylvania. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Research results were disseminated at several vegetable grower meetings/conferences including the 2013 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention as well as during the 14th Annual College of Agricultural Sciences Research Tour which was geared towards the media and legislators who are interested in learning more about agricultural research that directly impacts the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Results were also disseminated through the season through one-on-one interactions with growers and web newsfeed postings regarding late blight management. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? In 2012 and 2013, a total of five replicated fields were conducted. A comprehensive analysis of this dataset as well as economic assessment is planned. In addition, the results will be further disseminated to project stakeholders and published in the peer reviewed literature.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During the 2013 field season, three additional replicated field trials were established to evaluate the reaction of late blight (LB) resistant lines and cultivars containing different combinations of resistance genes (Ph-2, Ph-3 and Ph-5) in combination with three fungicide/biopesticide programs scheduled using BLITECAST. The 11 lines evaluated included Mountain Fresh Plus (susceptible), Mountain Magic (heterozygous for Ph-2, Ph-3), Plum Regal (heterozygous for Ph-3), NC1 CELBR1 (homozygous for Ph-2, Ph-3), F-08-Ph5-133-211 (Ph-5; new addition for 2013), NC63EB (homozygous for Ph-2), F-080Ph5-133-24 (Ph-5), F-Ph5-8-2A (Ph-5), F-Ph3-1-17-1121A (Ph-3), F-Ph3-1-21-1211 (Ph-3), and F-Ph3-2-17-5223A (Ph-3). The fungicide programs consisted of the following: 1) unsprayed control; 2) protectant program alternating chlorothalonil (2.75 pt/A) and mancozeb (1.5 lb/A); 3) standard program rotating mandipropamid (8.0 fl oz/A), propamocarb hydrochloride (1.5pt/A) and cyazofamid (2.75fl oz/A); and 4) biopesticide program containing Bacillus subtilis (QST713) (3.0 lb/A) plus copper hydroxide (1.0 lb/A). Trials were arranged in a split-split plot design with the breeding lines/cultivars as the main plot with the fungicide program as the sub-plot and fungicide application timing as the sub-sub plot. Each plot was 10 ft long and planted with 5 or 6 transplants at 24-in. in-row spacing and 5 ft row-middle spacing. Treatment rows were separated by guard rows planted with either the susceptible processing cultivar H3402 or H9704. The two trials established at Russell E. Larson Research and Extension Center in Pennsylvania Furnace (located outside of University Park, PA) and the Southeast Research and Education Center located near Landisville, PA consisted of three reps. A third trial was also established in a commercial production field in collaboration with Furman Foods, Inc. and consisted of 11 breeding lines/cultivars with three replications. Unfortunately, due to a lack of immediate access to irrigation water and the sustained high temperatures at planting in early July, this trial was discontinued due to the death of a significant proportion of the transplants shortly after planting. Timing of the fungicide applications was based on either a 7-day regular spray schedule or the disease forecasting model Blitecast which was run using real-time mesoscale weather data from ZedX, Inc. An in-field Campbell Scientific solar powered weather station was also located in each field to collect site specific weather data for comparison to the interpolated weather data. The trials were mechanically transplanted between 12 and 17 July to off-set them from commercial tomato production. Symptoms resulting from natural inoculum (US 23 clonal lineage) were observed in late August in both trials. Individual plots were rated for foliar disease severity (%) stem lesions (scale 0 = no lesions to 3 = >50% stems have lesions), and presence or absent of LB on fruit. Data collected from the field trials this season are in the process of being analyzed. Preliminary evaluation of fresh market tomato breeding lines and hybrid cultivars from North Carolina State and Penn State breeding programs which contain various combination of LB resistance genes (Ph-2, Ph-3, and Ph-5) in the homozygous and heterozygous state, exhibited strong resistance to LB in the absence of fungicides. Breeding lines and cultivars containing both Ph-2 and Ph-3 exhibited the highest level of resistance. The continued monitoring of outbreaks of LB in combination with the use of breeding lines and hybrid cultivars with multiple resistance genes will enable growers to more effectively manage this disease in the future.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Gugino, B.K. 2013. Update on late blight and use of host resistance for disease management. 2013 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention Proceedings, Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association, Richfield, PA. pp. 95-97.
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: As described in the proposal, three field trials were conducted in 2012 to evaluate the reaction of late blight (LB) resistant lines and cultivars containing different combinations of resistance genes (Ph-2, Ph-3 and Ph-5) in combination with three fungicide/biopesticide programs scheduled using BLITECAST. The 12 lines evaluated included Mountain Fresh Plus (susceptible), Mountain Magic (heterozygous for Ph-2, Ph-3), Mountain Merit (heterozygous for Ph-2, Ph-3), Plum Regal (heterozygous for Ph-3), NC1 CELBR (homozygous for Ph-2, Ph-3), NC-25 (homozygous for Ph-3), NC63EB (homozygous for Ph-2), F-080Ph5-133-24 (Ph-5), F-Ph5-8-2A (Ph-5), F-Ph3-1-17-1121A (Ph-3), F-Ph3-1-21-1211 (Ph-3), and F-Ph3-2-17-5223A (Ph-3). The fungicide programs consisted of the following: 1) unsprayed control; 2) protectant program alternating chlorothalonil (2.75pt/A) and mancozeb (1.5lb/A); 3) standard program rotating mandipropamid (8.0fl oz/A), propamocarb hydrochloride (1.5pt/A) and cyazofamid (2.75fl oz/A); and 4) biopesticide program containing Bacillus subtilis (QST713) (3.0lb/A) plus copper hydroxide (1.0lb/A). Trials were arranged as a split-split plot design with the breeding lines/cultivars as the main plot with the fungicide program as the sub-plot and fungicide application timing as the sub-sub plot. Each plot was 10 ft long and planted with 6 transplants at 24-in. in-row spacing and 5 ft row-middle spacing. Treatment rows were separated by guard rows planted with either the susceptible processing cultivar H3402 or H9704. The two trials established at Russell E. Larson Research and Extension Center in Pine Grove Mills (located outside of University Park, PA) and the Southeast Research and Education Center located near Landisville, PA consisted of three reps while the third trial established in a commercial production field in collaboration with Furman Foods, Inc. consisted of 10 breeding lines/cultivars and four reps due to field constraints. It was anticipated that in-field Campbell Scientific solar powered weather stations would be used to collect site specific weather data that would be used to drive the BLITECAST forecasting program however, the widespread and early outbreaks of LB across the state triggered a 7-day fungicide spray program for all three trials during the season so this treatment was not applied to the trial this season. All three trials were mechanically transplanted between 6 and 11 July to off-set them from commercial tomato production. Symptoms resulting from natural inoculum were observed in mid- to late August. Individual plots were rated for foliar disease severity (%) stem lesions (scale 0 = no lesions to 3 = >50% stems have lesions), and presence or absent of LB on fruit. Although data specific to this project are still in the process of being collected/analyzed, information regarding the use of host resistance and selection of fungicides for managing LB in both conventional and organic has been disseminated via several statewide newsletters and the Penn State Extension Vegetable and Small Fruit blog (www.extension.psu.edu/vegetable-fruit/). PARTICIPANTS: Beth K. Gugino and Majid R. Foolad, co-PIs, designed the trials, provided leadership for the establishment and maintenance of the trials and collected all the disease evaluation data. Tim Grove and Peter Lucas are field technicians in the Gugino and Foolad programs, respectively and provided technical assistance with growing the transplants, planting, maintaining and spraying the trials. Ken Martin, Scott Hoffman, and Don Bergy from Furmano Foods, Inc. donated space in their commercial field, aided in preparation of the land, setting-up the irrigation and maintenance of the trial using standard commercial production practices (fertility, herbicides, etc). TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences include both commercial and home garden tomato growers who can use host resistance as the first line of defense against late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans. Coupling host resistance OMRI approved and reduced-risk fungicides will also provide conventional and organic tomato growers with additional tools for the management of late blight and reduce their reliance on fungicides which in turn benefits both the environment and the public at large. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Data from this first season of field trials is still in the process of being collected and analyzed from the three field trial locations. Foliar symptoms of LB resulting from natural inoculum were observed in mid- to late August. Samples collected from all three trials were determined to be from the US23 clonal lineage (W. Fry, Cornell University, personal communication). US 23 is characterized as the A1 mating type that can infect both tomatoes and potatoes and is sensitive to mefenoxam, the active ingredient in Ridomil (Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC). This was the most common genotype associated with LB outbreaks in 2011 and also in 2012. Preliminary evaluation of fresh market tomato breeding lines and hybrid cultivars from North Carolina State and Penn State breeding programs which contain various combination of LB resistance genes (Ph-2, Ph-3, and Ph-5) in the homozygous and heterozygous state, exhibited strong resistance to LB in the absence of fungicides. Breeding lines and cultivars containing both Ph-2 and Ph-3 exhibited the highest level of resistance. In all three trials, fruit symptoms were observed in the absence of foliar and stem lesions in two breeding lines that contained only Ph-2 or Ph-5. Fruit symptoms were also observed across most resistant cultivars and breeding lines when the fruit were compromised due to mechanical injury or insect damage. LB host resistance when coupled with a protectant fungicide program further reduced LB severity while the organic fungicide program consisting of copper hydroxide tank mixed with Bacillus subtilis (QST 713) (Serenade MAX, AgraQuest) also helped to manage bacterial spot caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria. The continued monitoring of outbreaks of LB in combination with the use of breeding lines and hybrid cultivars with multiple resistance genes will enable growers to more effectively manage this disease in the future.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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