Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE
(N/A)
RIVERSIDE,CA 92521
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
(N/A)
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
50%
Developmental
0%
Goals / Objectives
The objective is to develop a precision fumigation and crop rotation strategy for management of soil borne pests of strawberry and vegetable crops based on disease risk. This is a multiyear project involving a team of 12 researchers from the USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), universities and commercial companies that is supported by a USDA-ARS Area Wide Pest Management grant. This specific agreement will support assistance in plot management and plant pathology research at the Oxnard location.
Project Methods
Field surveys to evaluate inoculum levels of several important soilborne pathogens of strawberry using molecular assays and a GIS map of the field will be prepared. Based on this data and observations from the prior season decisions will be made on the appropriate rate of fumigant that needs to be applied to control the pathogens present in different parts of the field. Yield data will be precisely measured to the level of the number of bed feet needed to fill a tray of strawberries to provide data for an economic analysis of the alternative management approach. Remote sensing data will be collected on a weekly basis during crop production to assess plant vigor and model correlations with yield data. Imagery will also support field scouting to identify areas with lower vigor so assessments of to identify pathogens can be made. This specific agreement will focus on the support of the field plots in Oxnard (assisting in management of the plots and diagnosis of plant diseases).