Recipient Organization
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
208 MUELLER LABORATORY
UNIVERSITY PARK,PA 16802
Performing Department
Plant Pathology & Environmental Microbiology
Non Technical Summary
Onion (Allium cepa) is an economically important crop in the U.S., generating over 900 million dollars annually in farm receipts from 2000 to 2004. U.S. onion production area ranges from 65,000 to 70,000 hectares annually, with over 80 percent of the summer production in the western states. On average, 53 million metric tons of onion bulbs are harvested annually from nearly 3 million hectares worldwide. A significant portion of the U.S. and world supply of onion seed is produced in the western U.S., primarily in the Pacific Northwest. Projected economic impacts of Iris yellow spot virus and thrips in the U.S. could reach 60 million dollars (10 percent loss) to 90 million dollars (15 percent loss), in addition to environmental and economic costs due to additional pesticide sprays for thrips control (7.5 to 12.5 million dollars for 3 to 5 additional sprays on 48,500 hectares per year) on onion, and potentially on other allium crops.Iris yellow spot virus and its Thrips tabaci vector represent an immediate and serious threat to sustainable and productive onion production in the U.S., and the recent detection of this disease in numerous onion producing countries worldwide emphasizes the need to develop economically sound and effective IPM strategies. The objectives of this project are to 1) Screen onion germplasm for improved levels of tolerance to IYSV and thrips; 2) Study the biology and epidemiology of IYSV and thrips, and impacts of chemical, cultural and biological tactics that can reduce their impacts upon onions; and 3) transfer information on progress dealing with IYSV and thrips biology and IPM strategies to the onion industry and other interested parties. The outcome is the development of high yielding onion cultivars with increased tolerance to IYSV and/or thrips will be incorporated into commercial production and that this will lead to reduced pesticide use for managing thrips resulting in savings to the producer and positively impacting the environment.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
3. Transfer information on progress dealing with IYSV and thrips biology and IPM strategies to the onion industry and other interested parties. The overall objectives of this project are designed to promote the national network of onion and other Allium researchers, extension personnel and industry reps.In the few months prior to the renewal of this project, Penn State will be involved with the transferring of on Iris Yellow Spot Virus (IYSV) and thrips biology and IPM strategies to the onion industry and other interested parties. Project outputs include a detailed understanding of the extent and nature of genetic diversity of the pathogen causing economically important diseases such as IYSV in the U.S. will be obtained. Similarly, new alternative methods for detection, inoculation and/or screening environments for the virus and thrips pests will be developed to serve as standardized protocols across the industry. Together, this will help determine the most appropriate incoulation methods and the number and type of strains/isolates of the virus and biotypes of thrips and species that need to be used for breeding and selection. Project outcomes include the exchanging of ideas and information through the use of annul meetings, brief publications and a dedicated web site (www.alliumnet.com) specifically directed at interested clientele.
Project Methods
For the extension objective, Annual Meeting: W1008 will hold annual meetings to update participants on current research, share information on new outbreaks and ongoing concerns with onion virus (IYSV) and thrips problems, identify potential sources of support for research needs, prioritize research needs, establish cooperative approaches to research needs, pursue successful grant applications that involve stakeholders and end users, and assign committees to address specific virus and/or thrips related issues as needed. Every other year, e.g., 2008 (Georgia), 2010 (Nevada), and 2012 (New Mexico) our committee will schedule its meeting in conjunction with the 2-3 day long National Allium Research Conference. Formal and informal participation at these meetings is encouraged from all participants as a means of updating information and providing new information on onion virus (IYSV) and thrips problems. Participants will include scientists from: CO, MN, NY, OR, TX, UT, WA, WI, and USDA-ARS. Peer-reviewed research and extension publications, in addition to articles in trade magazines such as Onion World are also encouraged as a way to communicate with peers and growers. Information will be shared with collaborators in a common database that will be accessible via the web site at www.alliumnet.com.