Progress 10/29/03 to 10/28/08
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) Develop, for horticultural, greenhouse, floral, nursery and landscape crops (1) new methods for assessing relationship of chemical/biopesticide application efficiency (especially coverage) to pest control efficacy; (2) new agricultural machine system for delivering reduced risk fungicides, pesticides and/or biopesticide-control agents; (3) new computer imaging systems for assessing pesticide application efficacy. Participate in cooperative research on automated production/protection technology. Approach (from AD-416) Will explore controlled injector designs for pesticide mixing accuracy and lag time in nozzle delivery and develop system transfer functions. Will examine surfactants and drift retardants for stability and ability to cut droplet reflection/drift. Will seek ways to improve canopy penetration and coverage in horticultural and nursery crops with shielding, air assistance, electrostatics and adjuvants. Sprayer configurations with two or more crossflow fans will be studied for reducing drift from orchard and nursery applications. Will use bioassay and chemical-tracer methods and scanning electron microscopy/electron beam analysis to assay drift and distribution. Will define a fan-pattern nozzle shear index and determine shear effect on application viability of bacillus thuringiensis and entomopathogenic nematodes biopesticides. Prototype disk and/or blade equipment with depth control will be investigated for soil injection of liquid encapsulated formulations. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Significant progress was made on this research project in the last year in the areas of pesticide application efficiency, drift management, and substrate management. Field studies have identified improved methods to apply pesticides in vegetable and greenhouse ornamental production systems. Further research has been initiated to study how to best treat the bottom of a soybean canopy to protect against Asian Soybean Rust infection and to determine how air-assisted application could fit into greenhouse pest management programs. Orchard management studies have demonstrated how low-drift nozzle options could reduce off-target drift next to an orchard without sacrificing deposition characteristics in a semi-dwarf apple canopy. Studies are underway to evaluate the influence of the pesticide release height in orchards on off-target drift. Research on nursery production media has revealed that producers could enhance nutrient uptake and plant growth by lower pH of the substrate. Producers will also be able improve water management and reduce water requirements in potted systems by utilizing new research findings to determine moisture content in soilless substrates. Additional studies are underway to determine the potential for nutrient and pesticide leaching in pot-in-pot nursery production systems and how to schedule irrigation to reduce chemical out-flow and reduce chemical inputs to the production system. Weed management studies in potted nursery crops are continuing to determine improved weed management guidelines. National Program 305, Component 1.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Altland, J.E., Lanthier, M. 2007. Influence of Container Mulches on Irrigation and Nutrient Management. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 25:234-238.
- Altland, J.E., Buamscha, G. 2008. Nutrient Availability from Douglas Fir Bark in Response to Substrate pH. HortScience. 43:478-483.
- Derksen, R.C., Zhu, H., Fox, R.D., Brazee, R.D., Krause, C.R. 2007. Coverage and Drift Produced by Air Induction and Conventional Hydraulic Nozzles Used for Orchard Applications. Transactions of the ASABE. 50(5) :1493-1501.
- Derksen, R.C., Vitanza, S., Welty, C., Miller, S., Bennett, M., Zhu, H. 2007. Field Evaluation of Application Variables and Plant Spacing for Bell Pepper Pest Management. Transactions of the ASABE. 50(6):1945:1953.
- Derksen, R.C., Frantz, J., Ranger, C.M., Locke, J.C., Zhu, H., Krause, C.R. 2008. Comparing Greenhouse Handgun Delivery to Poinsettias by Spray Volume and Quality. Transactions of the ASABE. 51(1)27-33.
- Altland, J.E., Owen, J. 2008. Container Height and Douglas Fir Bark Texture Affect Substrate Physical Properties. HortScience. 43:505-508.
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) Develop, for horticultural, greenhouse, floral, nursery and landscape crops (1) new methods for assessing relationship of chemical/biopesticide application efficiency (especially coverage) to pest control efficacy; (2) new agricultural machine system for delivering reduced risk fungicides, pesticides and/or biopesticide-control agents; (3) new computer imaging systems for assessing pesticide application efficacy. Participate in cooperative research on automated production/protection technology. Approach (from AD-416) Will explore controlled injector designs for pesticide mixing accuracy and lag time in nozzle delivery and develop system transfer functions. Will examine surfactants and drift retardants for stability and ability to cut droplet reflection/drift. Will seek ways to improve canopy penetration and coverage in horticultural and nursery crops with shielding, airassistance, electrostatics and adjuvants. Sprayer configurations with two or more crossflow fans will be studied for reducing drift from orchard and nursery applications. Will use bioassay and chemical-tracer methods and scanning electron microscopy/electron beam analysis to assay drift and distribution. Will define a fan-pattern nozzle shear index and determine shear effect on application viability of bacillus thuringiensis and entomopathogenic nematodes biopesticides. Prototype disk and/or blade equipment with depth control will be investigated for soil injection of liquid encapsulated formulations. Accomplishments A. Low-drift nozzle tests for orchard drift management. Tree fruit crops are particularly difficult crops to protect with pesticides because they are typically taller than most conventional application equipment. A field trial was established to determine the fate of spray released from a low-drift, air induction nozzle set (TD-02) and conventional, hollow cone nozzles (D3-25 and D4-25) which produce a larger driftable volume. These results demonstrate that producers using conventional, axial-flow, orchard sprayer have another option for mitigating drift but the ultimate choice of nozzle must also consider the coverage needs of their pest management materials. These results demonstrate that air induction nozzles may be effective drift mitigation technologies for orchard applications; however, care must be taken to ensure that coverage requirements for maximum pesticide efficacy are met. The accomplishment of this research is directed towards ARS National Program 305 � Crop Production, Research Component II � Agroengineering, Agrochemical, and Related Technology. B. Biopesticide viability in conventional sprayers. Experiments were established to determine which factors, mechanical or thermal, could be most detrimental to the biopesticide, entomopathogenic nematode (EPN), and limits their widespread use in conventional application equipment. Equipment evaluated included control valves and three types of common pumps. Tests found that a single pass of the EPN through the selected valves and pumps did not significantly affect EPN viability and that continual circulation of the tank mix through pumps to provide hydraulic agitation increased the temperature of the tank mix. These results can alert equipment manufacturers and EPN suppliers to potential conditions that could affect EPN viability and to provide alternate sprayer designs to minimize the risk of thermal stress on EPN. The accomplishment of this research is directed towards ARS National Program 305 � Crop Production, Research Component II � Agroengineering, Agrochemical, and Related Technology. Technology Transfer Number of Non-Peer Reviewed Presentations and Proceedings: 3 Number of Newspaper Articles,Presentations for NonScience Audiences: 6
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Fife, J.P., Ozkan, H.E., Derksen, R.C., Grewal, P.S. 2007. Effects of pumping on entomopathogenic nematodes and temperature increase within a spray system. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 23(4):406-412.
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Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Progress Report 1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? Environmental quality and protection of the food supply are in the forefront of public concern. Accurate placement of the desired amounts of agrochemicals is important to food producers and allied industries. Better application methods are needed to decrease the use of chemical pesticides and ensure accurate placement. This is under National Program 305, Crop Production. Several different application techniques are being compared using biological and other qualitative measures of performance. An epi- fluorescence microscopic imaging system is helping provide information about the interaction between spray deposit coverage and management of crop pests. Collaboration with other pest management specialists and industry leaders is helping define application needs of nursery, fruit, and
vegetable producers. 2. List by year the currently approved milestones (indicators of research progress) 12-month milestones Objective 1: Conduct greenhouse sprayer evaluations treating poinsettias using three treatments representing commercial type of sprayers for low- volume to high-volume treatment. Evaluate efficacy and foliar deposits. Establish vegetable field trials including efficacy and deposit evaluations Objective 2: Compare off-target spray drift produced by tower sprayers in full canopy orchard. Monitor spray movement and foliar deposits in crabapple nursery study and compare with EPA standards to evaluate experimental technique and needs for label guidelines. Objective 3: Establish experiment to pump insecticidal nematodes through different pump types. Identify insecticidal nematode species most likely to survive passage through commercial pumps. Submit manuscript on pump impact on insecticidal nematode viability. Objective 4: Develop software to automatically
evaluate foliar deposits formed by sprays of fluorescent tracers 24-month milestones Objective 1: Measure droplet size spectra of greenhouse applicators. Evaluate fungicide delivery through greenhouse sprayers. Compare sprayer performance in vegetables optimized for plant spacing. Use scanning electron microscope to evaluate spray deposit structure. Submit manuscript on greenhouse sprayer evaluations. Objective 2: Study influence of canopy development on off-target spray movement. Submit manuscript on fate of spray delivered by low-drift and conventional nozzles in commercial crabapple nursery. Objective 3: Develop delivery system to treat harvested sod before shipping and compare treatment of root-zone and top grass area using insecticidal nematodes. Objective 4: Compare deposition patterns and drift using acoustic techniques to sense canopy. Evaluate use of imaging technique to sense moisture patterns on foliage for possible feedback control of delivery devices. Submit
manuscript on imaging software. 36-month milestones Objective 1: Study effect of various surfactants on efficacy when delivered through low-volume, small droplet, and high volume, large droplet equipment as well as prototype air-assist sprayer. Submit manuscript on vegetable sprayer evaluations. Objective 2: Study effect of drift adjuvants on drift produced by tower and conventional orchard sprayers. Compare with EPA standards and best management practices Objective 3: Working with commercial lawn care firms, develop delivery system, including possible injection system, to treat residential lawns using insecticidal nematodes. Objective 4: Experiment with prototype photo-detector to sense canopy to which will control delivery of spray material. Submit manuscript on detector development. 48-month milestones Objective 1: Work with commercial applicators to evaluate use patterns of ultra-low, low-, and high-volume greenhouse sprayers. Evaluate venting patterns to minimize spray
impact on spray distribution but to quickly clear room for safe re-entry. Objective 2: Use neutral-buoyancy droplets to study airflow patterns produced by internal fans and possibilities for operating them to improve pesticide distribution produced by whole-room fogging devices. Objective 3: Use high-speed imaging to assess insecticidal nematode distribution patterns from commercial nozzle tips. Objective 4: Experiment using imaging techniques to detect conditions that enhance disease development and presence of disease spores. Submit manuscript on influence of using acoustic sensors to control spray delivery. 60-month milestones Objective 1: Study use of air-assisted delivery matched with various droplet sizes to maximize canopy penetration and underleaf coverage. Submit manuscript on use of internal vans and venting systems. Objective 2: Experiment with prototype system to control air flow used to aid in delivery of spray to tree canopies which will adjust volume depending on
canopy density. Objective 3: Optimize commercial-type of field sprayer to maximize efficacious delivery of insecticidal nematodes for managing greenhouse and field insect pests. Submit manuscript on delivery systems for sod harvesters and commercial lawn applicators. Objective 4: Use imaging techniques to control spray operation for site specific treatment depending on canopy volume and foliar conditions. Submit manuscript on sensor development for controlling sprayer operation. 4a List the single most significant research accomplishment during FY 2006. This program falls within National Program 305, Crop Production and National Program 203, Air Quality. This project is part of and contributes to the Agroengineering, Agrochemical, and related technologies component of the National Program Action Plan. Ornamental production is threatened by limitations on the available pest management tools by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). A cross-flow (CF) fan, tower sprayer and a
conventional, axial-fan type of sprayer (AF) were used to treat multiple rows of four year old, multi-stem, red maple trees, and Turkish Filbert trees in a commercial nursery. Besides sprayer type, application rate, travel speed, air-assist fan speed, and fan orientation were evaluated. The test results showed that the conventional axial-fan sprayer produced the highest deposits in the tree row closest to the sprayer. However, there was less variation in spray deposits across canopies for the standard CF treatment and the CF sprayer also produced deposits that covered more of the leaf area than compared to the AF treatment. Nursery managers can use these results to adjust the operation of their sprayers so that they can keep more spray on target which will reduce the total amount of pesticide needed to provide biological control and will reduce time spent making applications to their crops and reduce the environmental impact of operations. 4b List other significant research
accomplishment(s), if any. Biological organisms run the risk of being damaged during passage through components of conventional sprayers. It is critical to affirm whether or not they can be delivered using standard equipment. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)model approach was proposed as a means of determining the compatibility of different components with entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs). Flow of spray solution through a small, conventional, flat fan nozzle with an elliptical orifice was evaluated using bench-top experiments to determine the viability of EPNs, the nozzle modeled with the CFD programming. An empirical model was developed relating EPN damage as a function of the energy dissipation rate and the empirical model was calibrated for each of the EPN species. In general, the model was able to predict EPN damage within 5% of actual observations. The results from this study show that the CFD approach could be used to identify flow field conditions within various
sprayer components that might potentially damage biological organisms which will help manufacturers design systems to safely deliver living organisms and help entomologists understand the potential constraints on using biological pest management agents. 4d Progress report. Delivery of biological pest control organisms: Studies are underway to evaluate the viability of insecticidal nematodes as insect management tools through other components of agricultural sprayers for delivery to the root zone of nursery shrub and tree crops. Laboratory studies found that delivery through such equipment would have little impact on the viability of insecticidal nematodes. A complete delivery system is being studied to determine feasibility of injecting nematodes directly into a high-volume liquid delivery line such as those used on commercial spray equipment. These studies could provide recommendations to manufacturers and lawn protection companies on how to apply nematodes with only minor
modifications to existing equipment. Greenhouse spray delivery: Greenhouse field trials are underway to investigate the effect of spray volume on control of greenhouse whitefly on a mature poinsettia canopy. Preliminary trials indicated that spray volume has a significant influence on efficacy and is independent of sprayer atomization technique which can affect spray distribution on plant surfaces. Droplet size or spray quality also significently affected foliar spray retention. The efficacy trials can be used to establish guidelines for pest management practices that reduce overall chemical input while also reducing risk to worker safety associated with traditional application guidelines. Spray movement: Field experiments have been conducted to establish information on the potential for spray movement in orchards and shade tree nurseries. Preliminary investigates indicated that the level of canopy develop has a significant affect on downwind spray movement and that tower sprayers
can keep material down in the canopy area better than conventional, axial-fan sprayers. These results will be used to establish guidelines for best management practices for mitigating spray drift when treating tree, vine, and bush crops. Vegetable and Asian soybean rust management practices: Field experiments have been established to evaluate the influence of different application methodologies on the vegetable and soybean pest management practices. This is part of a multi-disciplinary, multi-year effort along with producer collaboration to evaluate the influence that air-assisted delivery, droplet size, and electrostatic charging will have on insect and disease management. Preliminary results indicate that drift management technologies can provide similar control as conventional application equipment when treating bell pepper canopies. Air-assisted delivery provides the best results when treating tall, dense canopies that need spray coverage in the lower sections such as
soybeans. The results will be used to optimize production practices and to develop best production strategies managing diseases such as Asian soybean rust for which there are currently no varieties exhibiting resistance. 5. Describe the major accomplishments to date and their predicted or actual impact. These accomplishments meet the goals prescribed in the Agroengineering, Agrochemical, and Related Technologies component in the National Action Plan for the Crop Production National Program. Specifically these accomplishments address the need to optimize application of crop production materials and mitigated adverse effects on worker safety and health and the environment while maintain a bountiful and safe food supply. The number of sprayer components that are available in the marketplace make it impossible for producers of insecticidal nematodes to test the viability of their organisms through each component or device. Laboratory trials and computer simulations were conducted to
evaluate flow conditions through common types of agricultural nozzles and make recommendations on sprayer components that do not pose a significant risk to biopesticide viability. Four different insecticidal nematode species were tested in the bench-top experiments including Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, H. megidis, Steinemema carposcapsae, and S. glaseri and an empirical model was calibrated for each of the insecticidal nematode species which was shown to be able to predict insecticidal nematode damage within 5% of actual observations. Spray equipment manufacturers and producers of biological agents can use this information to optimize equipment choices to achieve the greatest possible viability of the agents and enhance the success of pest management programs. Air-assist spraying, electrostatic charged spraying and large droplet applications have shown to be effective in different pest management situations. Efficacy was directly related to spray volume in greenhouse
experiments. In vegetable insect and disease management trials, new application methodologies compared favorably with the traditional small droplet application. The studies also found that lower rates of fungicides and insecticides could provide acceptable pest control. These results demonstrate to ornamental and vegetable growers new options they can include in their pest management programs to improve pesticide efficacy, reduce pesticide usage, and improve crop quality and safety. In collaboration with Ohio State University, experiments were designed to determine if a Volumetric Water Content (VWC) sensor could be successfully used to decide when to irrigate a container grown crop. Results indicated dry matter production increased for the plants identified as VWC targets but water use efficiency (grams of dry matter produced divided by liters of water delivered) decreased. These findings will help nursery growers reduce costs associated with over-watering and associated risks to
the environment and water supplies. There are few research-based recommendations on how to deliver greenhouse pest management materials. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of spray volume and droplet size on insect control. High volume applications provided good control but those applications made with smaller droplets provided the best control. These trials demonstrate to ornamental producers that application methods can influence pesticide efficacy. High volume, small droplet application for greenhouse insect control may also reduce pesticide usage and risks to workers. An over-bench, greenhouse, watering boom has been modified with sensors to study real-time foliar moisture sensing and spray delivery. This research could produce a relatively low-cost system that could indicate the presence of excess moisture on a leaf surface following a sprayer treatment and aid in delivering targeted sprays for prescription treatments. On-farm field experiments have been
conducted to evaluate means for keeping more spray material within tree canopies using tower-type of spraying concepts. The tower sprayer has been shown to better be able to deliver more material to specific target zones within tree canopies and to reduce the amount of material moving over the top of a tree canopy and away from a treatment area. On-farm research results illustrate to fruit growers and nursery tree stock producers that nozzles and the air flow characteristics can significantly affect the performance of tower sprayers. Laboratory experiments and computer simulations have been conducted to determine the stresses that insecticidal nematodes would be subjected to when delivered through typical commercial delivery systems. Nematode viability was dependent on the size and host-seeking behavior of the nematodes as well as type of agricultural nozzle they were delivered through. This research demonstrates to equipment manufacturers, nematode suppliers, and pest management
specialist methods of insuring the highest possible viability of insecticidal nematodes delivered through typical agricultural sprayers and will make them a more viable pest control option where conventional chemical options are limited or ineffective. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? Several invited meetings with extension educators, commercial applicators, and growers have been used as opportunities to transfer information about application technology research. Research information on new, low- drift nozzles and the ability of different spraying techniques to treat the bottom of leaves and to provide better canopy penetration were disseminated through industry publications, at statewide producer meetings, and a national symposium.
Presentations were also made at international meetings of colleagues working on vegetable pest management and spray drift related issues. Many of the ideas and equipment evaluated in these research projects are currently available to growers and custom applicators. One constraint to adoption of this technology is the lack of pest management or efficacy research that includes use of this technology. Label language regarding Best Management Practices and Drift Mitigation may limit the flexibility that producers have to utilize new application technology to its fullest advantage. 7. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). Comis, Don. Fine-tuning Nursery and Greenhouse plant care. Agricultural Research. February 2006. Pocock, John. Rust stop ahead. The Corn and Soybean Digest. December, 2005. Pocock, John. Optimal application. Apply. December,
2005. Pocock, John. Rust Patrol. The Corn and Soybean Digest. April 2006. Reding, M., Zhu, H., Derksen, R. Drip Irrigation as a Delivery System for Imidacloprid and Nematodes for Control of Scarab Grubs in Nursery Crops. Presented at the 2005 National Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. December 14-17, 2005.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Derksen, R.C., Krause, C.R., Fox, R.D., Brazee, R.D., Zondag, R. 2006. The effect of application variables on spray retention, coverage, and ground losses in nursery tree applications. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 24(1):45-52.
- Derksen, R.C., Zhu, H., Ozkan, H.E., Dorrance, A.E., Krause, C.R. 2006. Effects of air-assisted and conventional spray delivery systems on management of soybean diseases. Aspects of Applied Biology 77. International Advances in Pesticide Applications 2006, Robinson College, Cambridge, UK. p. 415-422.
- Fife, J.P., Ozkan, H.E., Derksen, R.C., Grewal, P.S. 2006. Using computational fluid dynamics to predict damage of a biological pesticide during passage through a hydraulic nozzle. Biosystems Engineering. 94(3) :387-396.
- Vitanza, S., Welty, C., Derksen, R.C., Bennett, M., Miller, S. 2006. Effect of plant stand density and pesticide application technology on insect pests and diseases of bell peppers [Abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 5th National IPM Symposium, April 4-6, 2006, St. Louis, MO.
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Environmental quality and protection of the food supply are in the forefront of public concern. Accurate placement of the desired amounts of agrochemicals is important to food producers and allied industries. Better application methods are needed to decrease the use of chemical pesticides and ensure accurate placement. Several different application techniques are being compared using biological and other qualitative measures of performance. An epi- fluorescence microscopic imaging system is helping provide information about the interaction between spray deposit coverage and management of crop pests. Collaboration with other pest management specialists and industry leaders is helping define application needs of nursery, fruit, and vegetable producers. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress)
from your Project Plan. Publications and presentation of results and technology transfer to customers will occur as significant outcomes arise. Annual research review meetings will continue to be held with cooperating producers and industry organizations. Meetings with EPA personal, formulators, and commodity groups will be held to evaluate impact of research findings and explore new research needs. Application workshops will be held to demonstrate how producers can make more effective use of existing or new spray delivery equipment. 12-month milestones Objective 1: Conduct greenhouse sprayer evaluations treating poinsettias using three treatments representing commercial type of sprayers for low- volume to high-volume treatment. Evaluate efficacy and foliar deposits. Establish vegetable field trials including efficacy and deposit evaluations Objective 2: Compare off-target spray drift produced by tower sprayers in full canopy orchard. Monitor spray movement and foliar deposits
in crabapple nursery study and compare with EPA standards to evaluate experimental technique and needs for label guidelines. Objective 3: Establish experiment to pump insecticidal nematodes through different pump types. Identify insecticidal nematode species most likely to survive passage through commercial pumps. Submit manuscript on pump impact on insecticidal nematode viability. Objective 4: Develop software to automatically evaluate foliar deposits formed by sprays of fluorescent tracers 24-month milestones Objective 1: Measure droplet size spectra of greenhouse applicators. Evaluate fungicide delivery through greenhouse sprayers. Compare sprayer performance in vegetables optimized for plant spacing. Use scanning electron microscope to evaluate spray deposit structure. Submit manuscript on greenhouse sprayer evaluations. Objective 2: Study influence of canopy development on off-target spray movement. Submit manuscript on fate of spray delivered by low-drift and
conventional nozzles in commercial crabapple nursery. Objective 3: Develop delivery system to treat harvested sod before shipping and compare treatment of root-zone and top grass area using insecticidal nematodes. Objective 4: Compare deposition patterns and drift using acoustic techniques to sense canopy. Evaluate use of imaging technique to sense moisture patterns on foliage for possible feedback control of delivery devices. Submit manuscript on imaging software. 36-month milestones Objective 1: Study effect of various surfactants on efficacy when delivered through low-volume, small droplet, and high volume, large droplet equipment as well as prototype air-assist sprayer. Submit manuscript on vegetable sprayer evaluations. Objective 2: Study effect of drift adjuvants on drift produced by tower and conventional orchard sprayers. Compare with EPA standards and best management practices Objective 3: Working with commercial lawn care firms, develop delivery system, including
possible injection system, to treat residential lawns using insecticidal nematodes. Objective 4: Experiment with prototype photo-detector to sense canopy to which will control delivery of spray material. Submit manuscript on detector development. 48-month milestones Objective 1: Work with commercial applicators to evaluate use patterns of ultra-low, low-, and high-volume greenhouse sprayers. Evaluate venting patterns to minimize spray impact on spray distribution but to quickly clear room for safe re-entry. Objective 2: Use neutral-buoyancy droplets to study airflow patterns produced by internal fans and possibilities for operating them to improve pesticide distribution produced by whole-room fogging devices. Objective 3: Use high-speed imaging to assess insecticidal nematode distribution patterns from commercial nozzle tips. Objective 4: Experiment using imaging techniques to detect conditions that enhance disease development and presence of disease spores. Submit manuscript
on influence of using acoustic sensors to control spray delivery. 60-month milestones Objective 1: Study use of air-assisted delivery matched with various droplet sizes to maximize canopy penetration and underleaf coverage. Submit manuscript on use of internal vans and venting systems. Objective 2: Experiment with prototype system to control air flow used to aid in delivery of spray to tree canopies which will adjust volume depending on canopy density. Objective 3: Optimize commercial-type of field sprayer to maximize efficacious delivery of insecticidal nematodes for managing greenhouse and field insect pests. Submit manuscript on delivery systems for sod harvesters and commercial lawn applicators. Objective 4: Use imaging techniques to control spray operation for site specific treatment depending on canopy volume and foliar conditions. Submit manuscript on sensor development for controlling sprayer operation. 3a List the milestones that were scheduled to be addressed in FY
2005. For each milestone, indicate the status: fully met, substantially met, or not met. If not met, why. 1. Measure droplet size spectra of greenhouse applicators. Milestone Substantially Met 2. Evaluate fungicide delivery through greenhouse sprayers. Milestone Fully Met 3. Compare sprayer performance in vegetable optimized for plant spacing. Milestone Fully Met 4. Use scanning electron microscope to evaluate spray deposit sturcture. Milestone Substantially Met 5. Study influence of canopy development on off-target spray movement. Milestone Substantially Met 6. Develop delivery system to treat harvested sod before shipping and compare treatment of root-zone and top grass using insecticidal nematodes. Milestone Substantially Met 7. Compare deposition patterns and drift using acoustic techniques to sense canopy. Milestone Substantially Met 8. Evaluate use of imaging technique to sense moisture patterns on foilage for possible feedback control of delivery devices. Milestone Fully Met
3b List the milestones that you expect to address over the next 3 years (FY 2006, 2007, and 2008). What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years under each milestone? FY2006 Objective 1: Study effect of various surfactants on efficacy when delivered through low-volume, small droplet, and high volume, large droplet equipment as well as prototype air-assist sprayer. Submit manuscript on vegetable sprayer evaluations. The impact of this research will be a better understanding of how physical properties of spray mixtures could be changed to enhance efficacy and application efficiency. Objective 2: Study effect of drift adjuvants on drift produced by tower and conventional sprayers for nurseries and orchards. Compare with EPA standards and best management practices. This research will help define how nursery ornamental and tree fruit and vne producers can change spray mixtures to reduce off-target spray movement when directing spray lateally at tall canopies.
Objective 3: Working with commercial lawn care firms, develop delivery system, including possible injection system, to treat residential lawns using insecticidal nematodes. This research could demonstrate how use of beneficial organisms such as insecticidal nematodes in turf pest management programs could become more commercially viable for pest management companies and consumers. Objective 4: Experiment with prototype photo-detector to sense canopy to which will control delivery of spray material. Submit manuscript on detector development. This research could produce an automated means for sensing spray coverage, leading to a means for changing sprayer operation to match changing conditions in the field. FY2007 Objective 1: Work with commercial applicators to evaluate use patterns of ultra-low, low-, and high-volume greenhouse sprayers. Evaluate venting patterns to minimize spray impact on spray distribution but to quickly clear room for safe re-entry. This research could lead
to the development of safer methods for delivering pesticides in closed production areas such as greenhouses where growers must contend with re-entry label concerns. Objective 2: Use neutral-buoyancy droplets to study airflow patterns produced by internal fans and possibilities for operating them to improve pesticide distribution produced by whole-room fogging devices. This research could lead to improvements in the management of the environment of a greenhouse which could lead to improved plant quality and improved delivery of pest management materials. Objective 3: Use high-speed imaging to assess insecticidal nematode distribution patterns from commercial nozzle tips. No evidence is available to demonstrate how biological pest control agents such as insecticidal nematodes are distributed in spray patterns produced by popular agricultural spray nozzles. This research will aid producers and manufactures by demonstrating how to produce more uniform and more effective delivery of
insecticidal nematodes. Objective 4: Experiment using imaging techniques to detect conditions that enhance disease development and presence of disease spores. Submit manuscript on influence of using acoustic sensors to control spray delivery. The impact of this research will be to develop new techniques that will improve early detection of conditions that promote plant disease development and will aid in better disease management models that will produce more and healthier fruit and plants. FY2008 Objective 1: Study use of air-assisted delivery matched with various droplet sizes to maximize canopy penetration and underleaf coverage. Submit manuscript on use of internal fans and venting systems. This research will help provide design guidelines on how to optimize sprayer parameters and use to maximize spray deposition where it is needed and will potentially reduce off-target losses and reduce overall chemical requirements. Objective 2: Experiment with prototype system to control
air flow used to aid in delivery of spray to tree canopies which will adjust volume depending on canopy density. The impact of this research will be to discover how to optimize air delivery for tall tree, bush, and vine crops and automate sprayer delivery and increase efficiency of applications. Objective 3: Optimize commercial-type of field sprayer to maximize efficacious delivery of insecticidal nematodes for managing greenhouse and field insect pests. Submit manuscript on delivery systems for sod harvesters and commercial lawn applicators. This research will aid in delivery of biopesticides and decrease dependence on traditional pesticides. Objective 4: Use imaging techniques to control spray operation for site specific treatment depending on canopy volume and foliar conditions. Submit manuscript on sensor development for controlling sprayer operation. This research will aid in reducing over-use of synthetic chemicals and off-target losses by development of a real-time, decision
support system. 4a What was the single most significant accomplishment this past year? Positive developments for using biological alternatives in insect management programs. The number of sprayer components that are available in the marketplace make it impossible for producers of insecticidal nematodes to test the viability of their organisms through each component or device. Laboratory trials and computer simulations were conducted to evaluate flow conditions through common types of agricultural nozzles and make recommendations on sprayer components that do not pose a significant risk to biopesticide viability. Four different insecticidal nematode species were tested in the bench-top experiments including Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, H. megidis, Steinemema carposcapsae, and S. glaseri and an empirical model was calibrated for each of the insecticidal nematode species which was shown to be able to predict insecticidal nematode damage within 5% of actual observations. Spray
equipment manufacturers and producers of biological agents can use this information to optimize equipment choices to achieve the greatest possible viability of the agents and enhance the success of pest management programs. 4b List other significant accomplishments, if any. New tools for greenhouse and vegetable pest management. Profitability in greenhouse and vegetable production is threatened by limitations on the available pest management tools by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). Experiments were conducted on research farms and in greenhouses to evaluate methodologies for applying pest management materials that will improve efficacy of these materials. Air-assist spraying, electrostatic charged spraying and large droplet applications have shown to be effective in different pest management situations. Efficacy was directly related to spray volume in greenhouse experiments. In vegetable insect and disease management trials, new application methodologies compared favorably
with the traditional small droplet application. The studies also found that lower rates of fungicides and insecticides could provide acceptable pest control. These results demonstrate to ornamental and vegetable growers new options they can include in their pest management programs to improve pesticide efficacy, reduce pesticide usage, and improve crop quality and safety. 4d Progress report. Delivery of biological pest control organisms. Studies are underway to evaluate the viability of insecticidal nematodes as insect management tools through other components of agricultural sprayers for delivery to the root zone of nursery shrub and tree crops. Laboratory studies found that delivery through such equipment Greenhouse spray delivery Greenhouse field trials are underway to investigate the effect of spray volume on control of greenhouse whitefly on a mature poinsettia canopy. Preliminary trials indicated that spray volume has a significant influence on efficacy and is independent of
sprayer atomization technique which can affect spray distribution on plant surfaces. The efficacy trials can be used to establish guidelines for pest management practices that reduce overall chemical input while also reducing risk to worker safety associated with traditional application guidelines. Spray movement Field experiments have been conducted to establish information on the potential for spray movement in orchards and shade tree nurseries. Preliminary investigates indicated that the level of canopy develop has a significant affect on downwind spray movement. These results will be used to establish guidelines for best management practices for mitigating spray drift when using conventional, axial fan sprayers. Vegetable and soybean pest management practices Field experiments have been established to evaluate the influence of different application methodologies on the vegetable and soybean pest management practices. This is part of a multi-disciplinary, multi-year effort along
with producer collaboration to evaluate the influence that air-assisted delivery, droplet size, and electrostatic charging will have on insect and disease management. The results will be used to optimize production practices and to develop best production strategies managing diseases such as soybean rust for which there are currently no varieties exhibiting resistance. 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. These accomplishments meet the goals prescribed in the Agroengineering, Agrochemical, and Related Technologies component in the National Action Plan for the Crop Production National Program. Specifically these accomplishments address the need to optimize application of crop production materials and mitigated adverse effects on worker safety and health and the environment while maintain a bountiful and safe food supply. In collaboration with Ohio State University, experiments were designed to determine if a
Volumetric Water Content (VWC) sensor could be successfully used to decide when to irrigate a container grown crop. Results indicated dry matter production increased for the plants identified as VWC targets but water use efficiency (grams of dry matter produced divided by liters of water delivered) decreased. These findings will help nursery growers reduce costs associated with over-watering and associated risks to the environment and water supplies. Greenhouse experiments are demonstrating that producers must not only consider droplet size when making decisions on how crops will be treated but also spray volume and the concentration of active ingredient in the spray droplets. High volume applications provided good control but those applications made with smaller droplets provided better insect control. Multi-disciplinary field studies have been able to shown fruit, vegetable, and ornamental industries, methods for improving placement of pesticides with new application designs as
well as through minor modifications to existing equipment with minimal expense compared to purchasing new machines. An over-bench, greenhouse, watering boom has been modified with sensors to study real-time foliar moisture sensing and spray delivery. This research could produce a relatively low-cost system that could indicate the presences of excess moisture on a leaf surface following a sprayer treatment and aid in delivering targeted sprays for prescription treatments. On-farm field experiments have been conducted to evaluate means for keeping more spray material within tree canopies using tower-type of spraying concepts. The tower sprayer has been shown to better be able to deliver more material to specific target zones within tree canopies and to reduce the amount of material moving over the top of a tree canopy and away from a treatment area. On-farm research results illustrate to fruit growers and nursery tree stock producers that nozzles and the air flow characteristics can
significantly affect the performance of tower sprayers. Laboratory experiments and computer simulations have been conducted to determine the stresses that insecticidal nematodes would be subjected to when delivered through typical commercial delivery systems. Nematode viability was dependent on the size and host-seeking behavior of the nematodes as well as type of agricultural nozzle they were delivered through. This research demonstrates to equipment manufacturers, nematode suppliers, and pest management specialist methods of insuring the highest possible viability of insecticidal nematodes delivered through typical agricultural sprayers and will make them a more viable pest control option where conventional chemical options are limited or ineffective. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to
the adoption and durability of the technology products? Several invited meetings with extension educators, commercial applicators, and growers have been used as opportunities to transfer information about application technology research. Research information on new, low- drift nozzles and the ability of different spraying techniques to treat the bottom of leaves and to provide better canopy penetration were disseminated through industry publications and at statewide producer meetings. Demonstrations of greenhouse application equipment and discussion of research findings were made at a national floriculture production conference. Presentations were also made at international meetings of colleagues working on spray drift related issues. Many of the ideas and equipment evaluated in these research projects are currently available to growers and custom applicators. One constraint to adoption of this technology is the lack of pest management or efficacy research that includes use of
this technology. Label language regarding Best Management Practices and Drift Mitigation may limit the flexibility that producers have to utilize new application technology to its fullest advantage. 7. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). Derksen, R.C., Muzzi, D. 2005. Hit the bulls eye: Know pest, plant canopy, and pesticide to boost sprayer efficiency in vegetables. The Grower Magazine. 38(4):22-24. Zhu, H., Fox, R.D., Ozkan, H.E., Derksen, R.C., Krause, C.R. 2004. An application computer program (DRIFTSIM) to predict dirft distances of water droplets from field sprayers. International Drift on Pesticide Application for Drift Management, October 27-29, 2004, Waikoloa, Hawaii. p. 317-323. Zhu, H., Derksen, R.C., Krause, C.R., Brazee, R.D., Ozkan, H.E. 2005. Spray deposition and off-target loss in nursery tree crops with conventional
nozzle, air induction nozzle, and drift retardant. ASAE Annual International Meeting, July 17-21, 2005, Tampa, Florida. Paper No. 05-1007. Zhu, H., Zondag, R.H., Krause, C.R., Derksen, R.C., Demaline, T. 2005. Preliminary investigation of water and nutrient use, substrate temperature, and moisture in pop-in-pot production. Ornamental Plants: Annual Reports and Research Reviews, 2004. The Ohio State University, The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Special Circular 195. p. 135-144. Zhu, H., Guler, H., Derksen, R.C., Ozkan, H.E. 2005. Comparison of Airborne and Ground Spray Deposits with Hollow Cone Nozzle, Low Drift Nozzle and Drift Retardant. The International Conference of CIGR, September 27-29, 2005. Izmir-TURKEY. Hansen, R.C. and A.C. Clark. 2005. A study of lateral moisture migration in container mediums. Presented at the ASAE Annual International Meeting, July 17-20, 2005, Tampa, Florida. Paper No. 05-4057. Hansen, R.C. and J.C. Christman. 2005. Growth rates of
container-grown poplar when using a volumetric water content sensor to decide when and how much to irrigate. Northeast Agricultural and Biological Engineering Conference, August 7-10, 2005, Lewes, Delaware. Paper No. 05-033.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Fife, J.P., Ozkan, H.E., Derksen, R.C., Grewal, P.S., Krause, C.R. 2005. Viability of a biological pest control agent through hydraulic nozzles. Transactions of the ASAE. 48(1):45-54.
- Ramalingam, N., Ling, P.P., Derksen, R.C. 2005. Background reflectance compensation and its effect on multispectral leaf surface moisture assessment. Transactions of the ASAE. 48(1):375-383.
- Derksen, R.C., Zhu, H., Krause, C.R., Ozkan, H.E., Fox, R.D., Brazee, R.D. 2004. Research to reduce potential damage from spray drift loss by the USDA-ARS Application Technology Research Unit. Proceedings of International Drift on Pesticide Application for Drift Management Meeting, October 27-29, 2005. Waikoloa, Hawaii. p. 414-421.
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Environmental quality and protection of the food supply are in the forefront of public concern. Accurate placement of the desired amounts of agrochemicals is important to food producers and allied industries. Better application methods are needed to decrease the use of chemical pesticides and ensure accurate placement. Several different application techniques are being compared using biological and other qualitative measures of performance. An epi- fluorescence microscopic imaging system is helping provide information about the interaction between spray deposit coverage and management of crop pests. Collaboration with other pest management specialists and industry leaders is helping define application needs of nursery, fruit, and vegetable producers. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress)
from your Project Plan. Publications and presentation of results and technology transfer to customers will occur as significant outcomes arise. Annual research review meetings will continue to be held with cooperating producers and industry organizations. Meetings with EPA personal, formulators, and commodity groups will be held to evaluate impact of research findings and explore new research needs. Application workshops will be held to demonstrate how producers can make more effective use of existing or new spray delivery equipment. 12-month milestones Objective 1: Conduct greenhouse sprayer evaluations treating poinsettias using three treatments representing commercial type of sprayers for low- volume to high-volume treatment. Evaluate efficacy and foliar deposits. Establish vegetable field trials including efficacy and deposit evaluations Objective 2: Compare off-target spray drift produced by tower sprayers in full canopy orchard. Monitor spray movement and foliar deposits
in crabapple nursery study and compare with EPA standards to evaluate experimental technique and needs for label guidelines. Objective 3: Establish experiment to pump nematodes through different pump types. Identify nematode species most likely to survive passage through commercial pumps. Submit manuscript on pump impact on nematode viability. Objective 4: Develop software to automatically evaluate foliar deposits formed by sprays of fluorescent tracers. 24-month milestones. Objective 1: Measure droplet size spectra of greenhouse applicators. Evaluate fungicide delivery through greenhouse sprayers. Compare sprayer performance in vegetables optimized for plant spacing. Use scanning electron microscope to evaluate spray deposit structure. Submit manuscript on greenhouse sprayer evaluations. Objective 2: Study influence of canopy development on off-target spray movement. Submit manuscript on fate of spray delivered by low-drift and conventional nozzles in commercial crabapple
nursery. Objective 3: Develop delivery system to treat harvested sod before shipping and compare treatment of root-zone and top grass area using insecticidal nematodes. Objective 4: Compare deposition patterns and drift using acoustic techniques to sense canopy. Evaluate use of imaging technique to sense moisture patterns on foliage for possible feedback control of delivery devices. Submit manuscript on imaging software. 36-month milestones. Objective 1: Study effect of various surfactants on efficacy when delivered through low-volume, small droplet, and high volume, large droplet equipment as well as prototype air-assist sprayer. Submit manuscript on vegetable sprayer evaluations. Objective 2: Study effect of drift adjuvants on drift produced by tower and conventional orchard sprayers. Compare with EPA standards and best management practices. Objective 3: Working with commercial lawn care firms, develop delivery system, including possible injection system, to treat
residential lawns using insecticidal nematodes. Objective 4: Experiment with prototype photo-detector to sense canopy to which will control delivery of spray material. Submit manuscript on detector development. 48-month milestones. Objective 1: Work with commercial applicators to evaluate use patterns of ultra-low, low-, and high-volume greenhouse sprayers. Evaluate venting patterns to minimize spray impact on spray distribution but to quickly clear room for safe re-entry. Objective 2: Use neutral-buoyancy droplets to study airflow patterns produced by internal fans and possibilities for operating them to improve pesticide distribution produced by whole-room fogging devices. Objective 3: Use high-speed imaging to assess nematode distribution patterns from commercial nozzle tips. Objective 4: Experiment using imaging techniques to detect conditions that enhance disease development and presence of disease spores. Submit manuscript on influence of using acoustic sensors to
control spray delivery. 60-month milestones. Objective 1: Study use of air-assisted delivery matched with various droplet sizes to maximize canopy penetration and underleaf coverage. Submit manuscript on use of internal vans and venting systems. Objective 2: Experiment with prototype system to control air flow used to aid in delivery of spray to tree canopies which will adjust volume depending on canopy density. Objective 3: Optimize commercial-type of field sprayer to maximize efficacious delivery of nematodes for managing greenhouse and field insect pests. Submit manuscript on delivery systems for sod harvesters and commercial lawn applicators. Objective 4: Use imaging techniques to control spray operation for site specific treatment depending on canopy volume and foliar conditions. Submit manuscript on sensor development for controlling sprayer operation. 3. Milestones: A. List the milestones that were scheduled to be addressed in FY 2004. How many milestones did you fully or
substantially meet in FY 2004 and indicate which ones were not fully or substantially met, briefly explain why not, and your plans to do so. The milestones that were scheduled to be met in FY 2004 include: Objective 1: Conduct greenhouse sprayer evaluations treating poinsettias using three treatments representing commercial type of sprayers for low- volume to high-volume treatment. Evaluate efficacy and foliar deposits. Establish vegetable field trials including efficacy and deposit evaluations Completed portion of greenhouse sprayer evaluations in cooperation with Ohio State University. Continuing research in this area based on new findings. Vegetable field trials established in central and northern Ohio. Objective 2: Compare off-target spray drift produced by tower sprayers in full canopy orchard. Monitor spray movement and foliar deposits in crabapple nursery study and compare with EPA standards to evaluate experimental technique and needs for label guidelines. Initiated
studies to measure orchard spray drift. Weather conditions significantly limited the number of experiments at research field site. Studies will continue using newly approved engineering guidelines (ASAE) for assessing off-target spray movement. Objective 3: Establish experiment to pump nematodes through different pump types. Identify nematode species most likely to survive passage through commercial pumps. Submit manuscript on pump impact on nematode viability. Pump study completed. Data analysis and manuscript preparation underway. Objective 4: Develop software to automatically evaluate foliar deposits formed by sprays of fluorescent tracers. Imaging software has been developed and is being tested to evaluate deposits on different plant species. Manuscripts submitted for publication. B. List the milestones that you expect to address over the next 3 years (FY 2005, 2006, and 2007). What do you expect to accomplish year by year, over the next 3 years under each milestone? In
FY 2005, we will accomplish the fillowing milestones: Objective 1: Measure droplet size spectra of greenhouse applicators. Evaluate fungicide delivery through greenhouse sprayers. Compare sprayer performance in vegetables optimized for plant spacing. Use scanning electron microscope to evaluate spray deposit structure. Submit manuscript on greenhouse sprayer evaluations. This research will aid producers in helping select equipment that will provide more efficacious pest management programs and increase the efficiency of applications. Objective 2: Study influence of canopy development on off-target spray movement. Submit manuscript on fate of spray delivered by low-drift and conventional nozzles in commercial crabapple nursery. This research will help educators and producers develop best management strategies for mitigating spray drift as tree canopies mature during a growing season. Objective 3: Develop delivery system to treat harvested sod before shipping and compare
treatment of root-zone and top grass area using insecticidal nematodes. This research could improve sod and lawn health while reducing reliance on traditional pest management chemicals. Objective 4: Compare deposition patterns and drift using acoustic techniques to sense canopy. Evaluate use of imaging technique to sense moisture patterns on foliage for possible feedback control of delivery devices. Submit manuscript on imaging software. This research will help demonstrate how matching spray delivery with the tree canopy shape will reduce off-target spray movement and will help increase efficiency for evaluating foliar spray coverage. In FY 2006, we will accomplish the following milestones: Objective 1: Study effect of various surfactants on efficacy when delivered through low-volume, small droplet, and high volume, large droplet equipment as well as prototype air-assist sprayer. Submit manuscript on vegetable sprayer evaluations. The impact of this research will be a better
understanding of how physical properties of spray mixtures could be changed to enchance efficacy and application efficiency. Objective 2: Study effect of drift adjuvants on drift produced by tower and conventional orchard sprayers. Compare with EPA standards and best management practices This research will help define how producers can change spray mixtures to reduce off-target spray movement in tree spraying operations. Objective 3: Working with commercial lawn care firms, develop delivery system, including possible injection system, to treat residential lawns using insecticidal nematodes. This research could demonstrate how use of beneficial organisms such as nematodes in turf pest management programs could become more commercially viable for pest management companies and consumers. Objective 4: Experiment with prototype photo-detector to sense canopy to which will control delivery of spray material. Submit manuscript on detector development. This research could produce an
automated means for sensing spray coverage, leading to a means for changing sprayer operation to match changing conditions in the field. In FY 2007, we will accomplish the following milestones: Objective 1: Work with commercial applicators to evaluate use patterns of ultra-low, low-, and high-volume greenhouse sprayers. Evaluate venting patterns to minimize spray impact on spray distribution but to quickly clear room for safe re-entry. This research could lead to the development of safer methods for delivering pesticides in closed production areas such as greenhouses. Objective 2: Use neutral-buoyancy droplets to study airflow patterns produced by internal fans and possibilities for operating them to improve pesticide distribution produced by whole-room fogging devices. This research could lead to improvements in the management of the environment of a greenhouse which could lead to improved plant quality and improved delivery of pest management materials. Objective 3: Use
high-speed imaging to assess nematode distribution patterns from commercial nozzle tips. No evidence is available to demonstrate how biological pest control agents such as nematodes are distributed in spray patterns produced by popular agricultural spray nozzles. This research will aid producers and manufactures by demonstrating how to produce more uniform and more effective delivery of entomopathogenic nematodes. Objective 4: Experiment using imaging techniques to detect conditions that enhance disease development and presence of disease spores. Submit manuscript on influence of using acoustic sensors to control spray delivery. The impact of this research will be to develop new techniques that will improve early detection of conditions that promote plant disease development and will aid in better disease management models that will produce more and healthier fruit and plants. 4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? A. Single Most Significant
Accomplishment during FY2004 year: Significant efforts have been made in production and formulation technologies for biopesticides such as entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) but there are few guidelines available on how to apply these to full size fields and landscape. Laboratory trials and computer simulations were conducted to evaluate flow conditions through common types of agricultural nozzles and make recommendations on sprayer components that do not pose a significant risk to biopesticide viability. Computer simulations and laboratory observations support the conclusion that extensional flow conditions, such as those observed in flat fan nozzles, are potential more harmful to EPN than nozzles with high rotation flow components such as cone nozzles. This research demonstrates practical measures producers, educators, and equipment manufactures can take to increase viability of EPN delivered through conventional equipment and increase the efficacy of such applications. B. Other
significant accomplishments: Profitability in vegetable production has been threatened by limitations on the available pest management tools by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). Field trials have been conducted on commercial operations to evaluate methodologies for applying pest management materials that will improve efficacy of these materials. Air-assist spraying, electrostatic charged spraying and large droplet applications have shown to be effective in different pest management situations. In these insect and disease management trials, these application methodologies compared favorably with the traditional small droplet application. These results demonstrate to vegetable growers new options they can include in their pest management programs to improve pesticide efficacy, reduce pesticide usage, and improve food quality and safety. C. Significant Accomplishments/Activities that Support Special Target Populations: None. D. Progress Report. Delivery of biological pest
control organisms. Studies are underway to evaluate the viability of nematodes through other components of agricultural sprayers such as delivery pumps and complete production sprayers. Repeated circulations through agricultural pumps increase the risk of mechanical damage and thermal damage. The thermal characteristics of a commercial size sprayer are also being investigated to determine the potential risk of nematodes to long-periods in a spray tank. Greenhouse spray delivery. In cooperation with Ohio State University, field trials are underway to investigate the effect of spray volume and sprayer type on control of greenhouse whitefly on a mature poinsettia canopy. Preliminary trials indicated that spray volume has a significant influence on efficacy and is independent of sprayer atomization technique. The efficacy trials can be used to establish guidelines for pest management practices that reduce overall chemical input while also reducing risk to worker safety associated with
traditional application guidelines. Spray movement. Field experiments have been conducted to establish information on the potential for spray movement in orchards and shade tree nurseries. Preliminary investigates indicated that the level of canopy develop has a significant affect on downwind spray movement. These results will be used to establish guidelines for best management practices for mitigating spray drift when using conventional, axial fan sprayers. Vegetable pest management practices. Field experiments have been established to evaluate the influence of different application methodologies on the vegetable pest management practices. This is part of a multi-disciplinary, multi-year effort along with producer collaboration to evaluate the effect that air-assisted delivery, droplet size, and electrostatic charging will have on pest management. The results will be used to optimize production practices and to develop best production strategies for vegetable crops. 5. Describe
the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. These accomplishments meet the goals prescribed in the Agroengineering, Agrochemical, and Related Technologies component in the National Action Plan for the Crop Production National Program. Specifically these accomplishments address the need to optimize application of crop production materials and mitigated adverse effects on worker safety and health and the environment while maintain a bountiful and safe food supply. Greenhouse experiments were conducted using three different forms of greenhouse application equipment to delivery insecticides to flowering ornamental plants. Results showed that producers must not only consider droplet size when making decisions on how crops will be treated but also spray volume and the concentration of active ingredient in the spray droplets. High volume applications provided good control but those applications made with smaller droplets were more
efficacious. Multi-disciplinary field studies have been able to shown fruit, vegetable, and ornamental industries, methods for improving placement of pesticides with new application designs as well as through minor modifications to existing equipment with minimal expense compared to purchasing new machines. Bench-top laboratory experiments have been conducted to determine the feasibility of extracting leaf surface moisture information from a plant canopy. The research produced a relatively low-cost system that could indicate the presences of excess moisture on a leaf surface following a sprayer treatment or a meteorological phenomenon. Field experiences have been conducted to evaluate means for keeping more spray material within tree canopies using tower-type of spraying concepts. The tower sprayer has been shown to better be able to deliver more material to specific target zones within tree canopies and to reduce the amount of material moving over the top of a tree canopy and away
from a treatment area. These results show fruit growers and nursery tree stock producers that nozzles and the air flow characteristics can significantly affect the performance of tower sprayers. Laboratory experiments and computer simulations have been conducted to determine the stresses that EPN would be subjected to when delivered through typical commercial delivery systems. Nematode viability was dependent on the size and host-seeking behavior of the nematodes as well as type of agricultural nozzle they were delivered through. This research demonstrates to equipment manufacturers, nematode suppliers, and pest management specialist methods of insuring the highest possible viability of nematodes delivered through typical agricultural sprayers and will make them a more viable pest control option where conventional chemical options are limited or ineffective. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become
available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? Several invited meetings with extension educators, commercial applicators, and growers have been used as opportunities to transfer information about application technology research. Research information on new, low- drift nozzles and the ability of different spraying techniques to treat the bottom of leaves and to provide better canopy penetration were disseminated through industry publications and at statewide producer meetings. Spray drift mitigation demonstrations and discussions were made at a state wide field day for Ohio fruit producers. Presentations were also made at international meetings of colleagues working on application related issues. Many of the ideas and equipment evaluated in these research projects are currently available to growers and custom applicators. One constraint to adoption of this technology is
the lack of pest management or efficacy research that includes use of this technology. Label language regarding Best Management Practices and Drift Mitigation may limit the flexibility that producers have to utilize new application technology to its fullest advantage. 7. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. Gordon, R. Shopping for sprayers. 2004. American Vegetable Grower Magazine. 52(5):14-15. Kruase, C.R., Zhu, H., Zondag, R., Shipitalo, M., Williams, K.A., Brazee, R.D., Derksen, R.C., Reding, M., Demaline, T. 2004. Determination of water quality, water use efficiency and water runoff in pot-in-pot nurseries. Ornamental Plants: Annual Reports Reviews, 2003. The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Special Circular. 193:78-83.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Ebert, T.A., Derksen, R.C. 2004. A geometric model of mortality and crop protection for insects feeding on discrete taxicant deposits. Journal of Economic Entomology. 97(2):155-162.
- Fife, J.P., Derksen, R.C., Ozkan, H.E., Grewal, P.S., Chalmers, J.J., Krause, C.R. 2004. Evaluation of a contraction flow field on hydrodynamic damage to entomopathogenic nematodes - a biological pest control agent. Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 86(1):96-107.
- FOX, R.D., DERKSEN, R.C. AIRFLOW MEASUREMENTS. ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AGRICULTURAL FOOD AND BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING. 2003. DOI: 10.1081/E-EAFE 120006879. p. 21-24.
- Fox, R.D., Derksen, R.C., Zhu, H., Downer, R.A., Brazee, R.D. 2004. Collection efficiency of airborne spray with nylon screen. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 20(2): 147-152.
- Krause, C.R., Zhu, H., Derksen, R.C., Brazee, R.D., Fox, R.D., Horst, L., Zondag, R.H. 2004. Detection and quantification of nursery spray penetration and off-target loss with electron bean and conductivity analysis. Transactions of the ASAE. 47(2): 375-384.
- Brazee, R.D., Williams, K.A., Lohnes, D., Derksen, R.C., Zhu, H., Zondag, R., Krause, C.R. 2004. The USDA, Agricultural Research Service research weather station network in northern Ohio nurseries. Extension Publications. 193:190-193.
- Derksen, R.C., Krause, C.R., Fox, R.D., Brazee, R.D., Zondag, R. 2004. Spray delivery by air curtain and axial fan orchard sprayers to nursery trees. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 22(1):17-22.
- Ebert, T.A., Derksen, R.C., Downer, R.A., Krause, C.R. 2003. Comparing Greenhouse Sprayers: The Dose-Transfer Process. Journal of Pesticide Science. 60:507-513.
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