Source: UNIV OF HAWAII submitted to NRP
NON-CHEMICAL BASED IPM PLANS AGAINST INSECT PESTS IN AQUAPONIC VEGETABLE AND WETLAND TARO AGROECOSYSTEMS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
3D GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1001236
Grant No.
2013-41530-21346
Cumulative Award Amt.
$40,392.00
Proposal No.
2013-05618
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2013
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2015
Grant Year
2013
Program Code
[QQ.W]- Integrated Pest Management - West Region
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF HAWAII
3190 MAILE WAY
HONOLULU,HI 96822
Performing Department
Plant and Environmental Protec
Non Technical Summary
This is a joint research-extension project to develop an IPM program targeting insect pests found on green onion in aquaponic and wetland taro production. Limited availability of pesticides in agroecosystems with close proximity to fish and wildlife justifies the critical need of this project. Specific objectives are to examine the effects of: 1) insectary plants and wasp nesting block in aquaponic vegetable production; 2) intermittent foliar water spray technique for aquaponic vegetable and wetland taro production; 3) document the effects of vermicompost treatments in enhancing host plant resistance against insect pests; 4) demonstrate non-chemical based IPM plan for aquaponic vegetable crop production and wetland taro crop production; and 5) distribute non-chemical based IPM plans for aquaponic and wetland crop production through extension and outreach programs. The success of this project will make non-chemical approaches for insect management in aquaponic and wetland cropping systems economical and feasible. This is a whole system approach for insect pest management from inducing host plant resistance, promoting biological diversity (natural enemies) to efficient use of physical tactics. Our team involves multi-disciplinary personnel (entomologist, agroecologist, horticulturists, aquaculture specialists, and extension agents). Research and extension outputs will be distributed through eXtension, Hawaii Aquaponic Annual Conference, Agriculture Development in the America Pacific Project, University of Hawaii Cooperative Research and Extension Publication, Master Gardener training programs, and new farmers training program (GoFarm Hawaii). Cost evaluation and grower adoption rate collected during this project period will serves as an evaluation of the success of this program.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
0%
Applied
100%
Developmental
0%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
21103301130100%
Knowledge Area
211 - Insects, Mites, and Other Arthropods Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
0330 - Wetland and riparian systems;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology;
Goals / Objectives
We will align the objectives of this proposed project with the Research, Education, and Economics Action Plan and specifically addresses Goal 1A&B - Local and Global Food Supply and Security, focus on Crop and Animal Production and Health. In order to support the National Road Map for IPM on promoting reduced risk pest management practices for sustainable agriculture, we choose to develop non-chemical based IPM plan in two agricultural ecosystems: aquaponic and wetland taro production systems. Specific objectives are to: examine the potential of insectary plants and the wasp nesting block at the perimeter of the planting box in aquaponic vegetable production; determine the effects of an intermittent foliar water spray technique for aquaponic vegetable and wetland taro production; document the effects of vermicompost treatments in enhancing host plant resistance against insect pests; demonstrate non-chemical based IPM plan for aquaponic vegetable crop production and wetland taro crop production; and distribute non-chemical based IPM plans for aquaponic and wetland crop production through extension and outreach programs.
Project Methods
Objective 1: Examine the potential of insectary plants and wasp nesting block for insect pest management in aquaponic green onion production. An aquaponic onion trial will be conducted at the University of Hawaii Waimanalo Experiment Station.Ten sections of grow bedswill be used to compare arthropods populations on green onion plants planted in insectary vs non-insectary treatments. The insectary treatment will involve planting one row of buckwheat in the middle of 10 rows of green onion plants per section accompanied by a wasp nesting block. The non-insectary treatment will only have 10 rows of green onion plants. To avoid cross contamination, the insectary planting bed will be separated from non-insectary bed with an alley way in between. Each treatment will have 5 replications. 10 plants from each sectionwill be monitored for total numbers of leaves, number of leaves with thrips damage, numbers of aphids and leafminers from each plant at weekly intervals.Larvae and adults of syrphid flies, lady beetles, lace wingandaphid collecting waspsvisiting will berecorded. Number of nesting holes seal by wasps on the nesting block will becounted weekly. Green onion will be harvested from each section at the end of the experiment.The experiment will be repeated once. Objective 2: Determine the effects of intermittent foliar water spray technique for aquaponic and wetland taro crop production. An aquaponic green onion trial: We are proposing to spray water on foliage of green onion once a week using back pack sprayer connected to4 Twin Flat Spray Tip nozzles with orifices output for 15, 30, 60 and 90 psi will be tested. A no-spray control will be included. Each treatment will have 4 replications. Insect populations will be monitored (see Objective 1) and the experiment will be repeated once. Wetland taro trial: Field experiment will be conducted at Clifford Wong's Taro Leaf Farm in Waipahu.Per Clifford Wong advice, we will use a spray gun (adjustable from 30-800 psi) connect to a 50 gal liquid sprayer tractor. Three spraying pressure of low, medium and high settings will be tested with the spray gun. No water treatment will be included as a control. Spraying will take place once a week at one month after taro planting. Each spray treatment will be replicated in 4 paddies. Within each experimental unit, 10 most recent fully mature taro leaves will be monitored weekly for spider mites and taro leaf hopper counts. Leaf hoppers will be counted in the field, whereas spider mites will be counted by containing half of the leaf into a plastic jar, leaf wash with 70% alcohol. Data collection will last for 2 months, taro leaves will be harvested 3 months after planting and yield recorded. Objective 3: Document the effects of treatment with vermicompost (VC) and vermicompost extracts (VCE) in enhancing host plant resistance against insect pests. This objective will evaluate the impact of transplant seedling applications of VCE followed by the subsequent amending of vermicompost into the cinder grow bed in aquaponic system. VC will be contain in mesh bags distributed in four corners of the grow bed. We will compare aquaponic cinder grow beds amended with 1, 2 and 4% vermicompost solid (w/w) or left un-amended. Experiment will be conducted in 20 individual aquaponic containers (2x4 ft2). Half of the container will be planted with VCE drenched seedlings, half without VCE. Each experiment will have 5 replications andall arthropods will be monitored as described in Objectives 1 or 2. Objective 4: Demonstrate a non-chemical based IPM plan for aquaponic vegetable crop and wetland taro production. IPM plan for aquaponic green onion: Based on results to be obtained from Objective 1-3, a non-chemical based IPM plan for aquaponic vegetable growers will be established. An aquaponic experiment will be conducted at Maris's Garden. Two treatments will be compared: 1) IPM (grow bed amended with solid vermicompost at rate determined in Objective 3, planted with a row of buckwheat, attached with a wasp nesting block, followed by weekly water spray with the nozzle head determined in Objective 2); and 2) conventional insecticide application. Insect pests will be monitored (see Objective 1). Each treatment will have 5 replications. Green onion yield will be recorded at 2 months after planting. The participating farmer (Frederick Lau) will assist in recording the cost for installing the IPM plan as well as the additional labor cost involved. This will compare to the materials and labor cost of using conventional pest management. IPM plan for wetland taro:We will develop non-chemical based IPM plan for wetland taro production based on Objectives 2 & 3. An experiment will be conducted at Clifford Wong's Farm comparing IPM vs untreated taro loi. In the IPM loi, solid vermicompost will be amended into the loi prior to taro planting (i.e. when the loi is dry) based on the rate determined in Objective 3. At one month after taro planting, when taro leaves are established, taro leaves will be sprayed with water according to the best treatment determined in Objective 2. Arthropod pests population densities will be monitored as described in Objective 2. Since no effective insecticides are currently labeled for wetland taro production unless the loi is being drained, economic evaluation will mainly focus on taro leaf yield difference between IPM and untreated control. Taro leaf yield will be recorded at 3 months after planting. Labor cost will be recorded according to growers' timing and records. Statistical analysis: All data collected in Obj. 1, 2 and 4 will be subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), whereas that in Obj. 3 will be analyze by 4 X2 factorial ANOVA (SAS 9.2, Cary, NC). Means will be separated by Waller-Duncan k-ratio (k=100) t-test. Objective 5: Distribute non-chemical based IPM plans for aquaponic and wetland crop production through extension and outreach programs As described in section "Products" To evaluate our extension objective (#5), we will conduct surveys during workshops and field days, and through a new farmers' training program at GoFarm Hawaii. Cost effectiveness evaluated in Objective 4 will provide a reference for profitability of this new IPM program. Specific survey questions include: 1) Are you aware of the restrictions on insecticide use in aquaponic and wetland crop production? 2) Do you feel the need of non-chemical based insect pest management? 3) Which techniques introduced is most likely to be adopted? 4) How big of an area are you planning to fully implement non-chemical IPM strategies? 5) What other non-chemical based pest management strategies would you implement in your farm? We will provide a 1-5 scale for rating (Transition Index to Non-chemical IPM). Improvement of this transition index over time indicates a positive impact of our extension program. A digital count of visits to our YouTube videos is another measure of our outreach.

Progress 09/01/13 to 08/31/15

Outputs
Target Audience:Vegetable growers in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands Especially for aquaponic and wetland crop producers Organic farmers looking for non-chemical insect pest management New farmer training program in Hawaii (GoFarm Hawaii) Home gardeners, master gardeners Extension agents and students in agriculture field NRCS agents This project encouraged vegetable growers, in particular aquaponic vegetable and wetland taro farmers, to adopt non-chemical IPM approaches in their farming system. We are working with an organic aquaponic farm that produces organic leafy greens (lettuce, pak choi, watercress, cilantro and green onion) challenged by aphids and caterpillar pests, and a wetland taro farm challenged by mites, aphids and leaf hoppers. On farm field trials were conducted to demonstrate the use of insectary plants in their cropping systems follow by insect pest monitoring. In addition, we also involved new farmers enrolled in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), University of Hawaii's New Farmers Training program (GoFarm Hawaii), extension agents, NRCS agents throughout Hawaii during our outreach events. Changes/Problems:Twelve replicated hydroponic boxes at the experiment station was installed instead of aquaponic grow boxes for our initial insectary trials due to challenges of setting up 12 individual fish tanks at the experiment station. After three replicated experimental trials, we demonstrated the tactics of introducing insectary plants to a commercial aquaponics farmers for insect pest managements. Although we originally proposed to use green onion as the test crop, we include other vegetable crops in our tests as the insectary plants work differently against different insect pests. We were able to have access to 12 aquaponic grow beds set up by co-PIs Tamaru and Fox at Hale Tuahini. The attempt in Objective 2 to induce host plant resistance against arthropod pests by drenching uncured vermicompost tea (VCT) in aquaponic system was not successful. However, when VCT was drenched on a terrestrial crop biweekly, tea plant, mite damage was reduced. It appeared that his concept of using VCT to induce host plant resistance work better in soil ecosystems rather than aquatic systems. Thus, we extend this work to work against soil-born pests such as plant-parasitic nematodes. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project provides training for a graduate student in Entomology program where she is hired as an APT (advanced practical technician). She worked closely with the PI to conduct experimental trials at the experiment station as well as with farmers, involved in preparing extension articles for publication and presented extension talks to growers. This project also provided training for three undergraduate students sign up for directed research with the PI as their directed research (PEPS499) or part of one student's honor program research assignment. They assisted in data collection and each presented a poster at a symposium or outreach event. Ng presented on evaluating insectary plants for sustainable crop production, and won first place in Natural Sciences Poster at 2013 UH Manoa Fall Forum of Undergraduate Honor Program Research and Creative Work. Manley presented a poster at 2015 CTAHR Student Symposium and won the first place for undergraduate best poster award. Our Poamoho Outdoor Training Classroom provides a training ground for GoFarm Hawaii New Farmers Training Program as well as undergraduate students taking Environment and Agriculture (PEPS 310). Students gained knowledge on non-chemical based pest management tactics besides learning about aquaponic production, How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?During this project period, we disseminated our research outcome through: One conference presentation for aquaponic growers in Hawaii, 5 field days/workshops for local farmers in Hawaii as well as at Rotatonga, 10 periodic extension newsletters, and 3 lectures for a new farmer training curriculum, GoFarm Hawaii. A series of posters promoting the concept of IPM for pest management are posted at the PI's website at http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/WangKH/Downloads/PoamohoOutdoorClass_ALL.pdf and at http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/WangKH/CRATE.html. Field day/Workshop targeting on local farmers and new farmers: Wang, K.-H., J. Sugano, D. Meyer, S. *Ching, S. *Mishra. CRATE Day. Poamoho Experiment Station, Waialua, HI. June 27, 2015 (Attendance: ~30). https://flic.kr/s/aHskjSTrwc Wang, K.-H., J. Sugano, J. Uyeda and T. Radovich. CRATE Field Day with NRCS. Poamoho Experiment Station, Waialua, HI. Oct 25, 2014 (Attendance: ~45). https://flic.kr/s/aHsk5H4Qhd Wang, K.-H., J. *Tavares, J. Sugano, and J. Uyeda. Sustainable pest management strategies using insectary settings for insect pest management and solarization mulch for weed control. CTAHR Sustainable Agriculture Workshop Series. Aupuni Center Conference Room, Hilo, HI. November 5, 2013 (Attendance: ~40). Wang, K.-H., J.A. *Tavares, J. Sugano, S. Fukuda, J. Uyeda, T. Radovich, M. Kawate, R. Shimabuku, C. Tamaru, A. Hara, and B. Fox. Poamoho Outdoor Training Class Room Open House Event: Integrated pest management for soil and soilless systems. Poamoho, Oahu. Aug 30, 2013 (Attendance: ~50). https://flic.kr/s/aHsk6WWK5S What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Obj 1: Three demonstration trials were conducted at Poamoho Station to demonstrate the integration of buckwheat and sunn hemp as insectary plants into hydroponic green onion and pak choi production systems. Aphids and caterpillar pests were reduced by insectary settings (insectary plants and wasp nesting block) if cash crops were transplanted in synchrony of the flowering stage of the insectary plants. This research also demonstrated that thrips and whiteflies were repelled by metallic foam board. Results are promising in suppressing arthropod pests on pak choi. This result is summarized and posted at http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/WangKH/Downloads/PoamohoOutdoorClass_p9.pdf. We also generated 3 Flickr pages for general audience to have good visual aids to understand our concept (https://flic.kr/s/aHsk6WWK5S; https://flic.kr/s/aHsk6xKQpf; https://flic.kr/s/aHsk6kdjZt). In 2015, this work is published in Biological Control Journal: (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1049964415300098. Obj 2: Two tea (Camellia sinensis) trials were conducted in the field to determine the effects of a foliar hot water spray technique for mites (Tetranychus urticae andDermanyssus gallinae) and insect scale (Coccoidea) management. Hot water was generated from a portable gas powered tankless water heater (L5, Eccotemp Systems, LLC, Summerville, SC) and sprayed on tea foliage at weekly interval. These arthropods population were monitored before and after hot water spray and compared to those monitored on plant receiving same amount of unheated water spray over a 9-week period. Results showed that hot water suppressed mites or scales on several weeks, but not every week. This study suggested that more frequent spraying than weekly spray might be needed. None-the-less, hot water spray treatment could be a viable tool to be integrated with other non-chemical pest management approaches for less mobile arthropod pests such as mites and mature scale insects. A second field trial was conducted on tomato to examine the effects of hot water treatment on whiteflies. At weekly spray interval, hot water failed to suppress the population densities of whiteflies. This results are summarized in our online poster section and HainaAi Newsletter at http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/news/articles/V24-HotWaterTreatmentPoster.pdf and http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/news/articles/V23-Manley-hotwater.pdf. Obj 3: Two Manoa lettuce trials and one green onion trial were conducted at Hale Tuahini Experiment Station to examine the effect of drenching of vermicompost tea biweekly on aphids and thrips in an aquaponic system. Unfortunately, vermicompost tea drenching treatment did not suppress both of these insects. We then examined our concept of using vermicompost tea prepared from uncured vermicompost on tea plants infested by mites in terrestrial ecosystem. Two field trials were conducted. Significant reduction on mite damage was observed in both trials. We speculated that high abundance of beneficial bacteria associated with the vermicompost tea prepared from uncured vermicompost might have contributed to the transient induction of host plant resistance against the mite damage. This result is published in our Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Program (SOAP)'s Hanai'Ai Newsletter at http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/news/articles/V21-Mishra-VCT-mites.pdf. While we are continuing to understand the mechanisms involved, it is promising to see consistent effect of vermicompost drenching in terrestrial agroecosystem. Lack of soil media in the aquaponic system could be the limitation of this non-chemical pest management approach in aquatic systems. Obj. 4: Demonstrate non-chemical based IPM plan for aquaponic vegetable crop production and wetland taro crop production While aquaponics growers can easily integrate insectary plants into aquaponic system, we still need to fine tune the protocol to establish insectary plant borders in wetland taro loi. We did several preliminary trials to examine how taro farmers might adopt the planting of insectary plants in their loi. We summarize our progress made so far in this flickr link (https://www.flickr.com/gp/125718267@N02/92mTTs). It is possible to plant insectary plants in taro loi without having to modify current wetland taro production. However, the diverse pests commonly encountered by taro farmers are generating a concern for adopting hot water treatment and insectary planting for taro farmers. Drenching of vermicompost tea prepared from uncured vermicompost to the root system of crop plants remained only effective on terrestrial crops and not on aquatic copping systems. Obj 5: Extension activities: We set up an outdoor training classroom at the Poamoho Experiment Station. These outdoor classrooms composed of aquaponic set ups integrated with insectary plant borders, wasps nesting blocks, a vermicompost station and a hot water trolley to demonstrate the potential of non-chemical based insect pest management strategies. Wooden tables and benches are constructed under tent shelters to provide sit down places during outreach activities (see https://flic.kr/s/aHsk5H4Qhd). Three workshops were offered using this outdoor training class room during this project period as described in detail in this report. We also invited college students in PEPS 310 (Environment and Agriculture) and PEPS 410 (Sustainable Plant and Soil Health Management) classes to have hands on experience in setting up insectary plants, wasps nesting blocks, and aquaponic crop production.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Tavares, J., Wang, K.-H., and Hooks, C.R.R. 2015. An evaluation of insectary plants for management of insect pests in a hydroponic cropping system. Biological Control. Volume 91, December 2015, Pages 1-9 (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1049964415300098)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Mishra, S., Sipes, B.S., and Wang, K.-H. 2015. Effect of vermicompost tea on plant-parasitic and beneficial nematodes. Society of Nematologists Annual Meeting, East Lansing, MI. July 19-23, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Mishra, S. and Wang, K.-H. 2015. Examine the potential of vermicompost tea to induce host plant resistance against root-knot nematode infection. CTAHR Student Research Symposium, Honolulu, HI, April 2015 (Abstract #72).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Manley. M. and Wang, K.-H. 2015. Hot water treatment as potential control of mites and scales on tea plants. CTAHR Student Research Symposium, Honolulu, HI, April 2015 (Abstract #20).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Ng, C.-Y., Tavares, J., and Wang, K.-H. 2013. Evaluate the benefits of insectary plants for sustainable crop production in Hawaii. Natural Sciences Poster Competition at the 2013 UH Manoa Fall Forum of Undergraduate Research and Creative Work (1st place honor for poster).
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Wang, K.-H., Manley, M., Meyer, D., Sugano, J., and Uyeda, J. 2015. Hot Water Treatment for Arthropod Pests Management. HanaiAi Newsletter Vol 24: July 2015. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/news/articles/V24-HotWaterTreatmentPoster.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Wang, K.-H., Park, A., Ching, S., Mishra, S., Sugano, J., Uyeda, J. Tavares, J., and Quintanilla-Tornel, M. 2015. Insectary Plants for Organic IPM. HanaiAi Newsletter Vol 24: July 2015. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/news/articles/V24-InsectaryPoster.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Wang, K.-H., Park, A., Ching, S., Mishra, S., Sugano, J., Uyeda, J., and Tavares, J. 2015. Insectary Plants for Organic IPM. HanaiAi Newsletter Vol 24: July 2015. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/news/articles/V24-InsectaryPoster.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Manley, M., and Wang, K.-H. 2015. Hot water treatment as potential control of mites and scales in tea plants. HanaiAi Newsletter Vol 23: April 2015. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/news/articles/V23-Manley-hotwater.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Mishra, S., Park, A.Y., Sugano, J., and Uyeda, J. 2014. Suppression of mites by vermicompost tea on tea plant (Camellia sinensis). HanaiAi Newsletter V21: Sep/Oct/Nov 2014. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/news/articles/V21-Mishra-VCT-mites.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wang, K.-H. and Tavares, J. 2013. Wasps Nesting Block: A condominium to attract Natural Enemies of Insect Pests. HanaiAi Newsletter V17: Sep/Oct/Nov 2013. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/news/articles/V17-Wang-Tavares-wasps.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wang, K.-H., Tavares, J., Uyeda, J., and Sugano, J. 2013. Sustainable Pest Management: Examine insectary settings against insect pests on pak choi in a hydroponic system. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/WangKH/Downloads/PoamohoOutdoorClass_p9.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wang, K.-H., Tavares, J., Uyeda, J., and Sugano, J. 2013. Sustainable Pest Management: Evaluating efficacy of organic insecticides on key insect pests of leafy greens in hydroponic and aquaponic systems. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/WangKH/Downloads/PoamohoOutdoorClass_p10.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Tavares, J., Wang, K.-H., Sugano, J. 2013. Lady beetles in Hawaii. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/WangKH/Downloads/LB-Poster.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Tavares, J., Wang, K.-H., and Uyeda, J. 2013. Not all ladybeetles are created equal: Learn about different types of lady beetles in Hawaii with special talent. HanaiAi Newsletter V15: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/news/articles/V15-Tavares-ladybird.pdf
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wang, K.-H. 2013 Sustainable Pest Management Laboratory: Insectary Plants. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/WangKH/insectary.html
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Wang, K.-H. 2014. Sustainable Pest Management Laboratory: Sustainable Pest Management Projects. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/WangKH/sustainable-pest.html


Progress 09/01/13 to 08/31/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Vegetable growers in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands Especially for aquaponic and wetland crop producers Organic farmers looking for non-chemical insect pest management New farmer training program in Hawaii (GoFarm Hawaii) Home gardeners, master gardeners Extension agents and students in agriculture field NRCS agents This project is to encourage aquaponic vegetable and wetland taro farmers to adopt non-chemical IPM approaches in their farming system. We are working with an organic aquaponic farm that produces organic leafy greens (lettuce, pak choi, watercress, cilantro and green onion) challenged by aphids and caterpillar pests, and a wetland taro farm challenged by mites, aphids and leaf hoppers. On farm field trials were conducted to demonstrate the use of insectary plants in their cropping systems follow by insect pest monitoring. In addition, we also involved other extension agents, NRCS agents throughout Hawaii during our outreach events. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? This project provides training for a graduate student in Entomology program where she is hired as an APT (advanced practical technician). She worked closely with the PI to conduct experimental trials at the experiment station as well as with farmers, involved in preparing extension article for publication and presented extension talks to growers. This project also provided training for an undergraduate student sign up for directed research with the PI as part of her honor program research assignment. She assisted in data collection and presented a poster on evaluating insectary plants for sustainable crop production, and won first place in Natural Sciences Poster at 2013 UH Manoa Fall Forum of Undergraduate Research and Creative Work. Two other undergraduate students were hired to assist in counting insects, both of which also gained directed research credits (PEPS499). Our Poamoho Outdoor Classroom provides a training ground for GoFarm Hawaii's begining farmers program as well as undergraduate students taking Environment and Agriculture (PEPS 310). Beside learning about aquaponic production, they also gain knowledge about non-chemically based pest management tactics. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? To date, we disseminated our research outcome through: One conference presentation for aquaponic growers in Hawaii, 3 field days/workshops for local farmers in Hawaii as well as at Rotatonga, 3 periodic extension newsletters, and a new farmer training curriculum, GoFarm Hawaii. A lady beetle poster is produced to remind the publics about the present of beneficial insects and their function in agroecosystems. Many agriculture professional (extension agents, community college instructor, master gardeners, CTAHR extension specialists) had requested this poster. So far we distributed > 250 copies. We also posted this poster on our website at http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/WangKH/Downloads/LB-Poster.pdf. A series of posters promote the concept of IPM for pest management is also posted at the PI's website at http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/WangKH/Downloads/PoamohoOutdoorClass_ALL.pdf. One of these posters summarizes the results from our insectary trials: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/WangKH/Downloads/PoamohoOutdoorClass_p9.pdf. The outdoor class rooms established through this funding at the University of Hawaii Poamoho Experiment Station allowed us to host outreach activities conveniently. Currently, PI Wang is collaborating with colleague Dr. Radovich at the Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Science (TPSS) and Steven Chiang at AIP program to develop training program for beginning farmers (GoFarm Hawaii). The insectary plant project is incorporated into the GoFarm Hawaii teaching curriculum to bring the beginning farmers' attention to grow insectary plants in their farm communities. Aquaponic farmers are aware of this insectary approach. Currently we are installing insectary settings in one of the commercial aquaponic farm and conduct on-farm experiment in his aquaponic system. We generate flickr pages to updates our findings: https://www.flickr.com/photos/125718267@N02/sets/72157649399960189/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/125718267@N02/sets/72157649804313302/ What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We will execute experiments to address Objective 1-4. These include 1) initiate hot water treatment in wetland taro production; 2) integrate insectary settings with hot water treatment and vermicompost tea drenching for pak choi and taro production.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Obj 1: Three demonstration trials were conducted at Poamoho Station to demonstrate the integration of buckwheat and sunn hemp as insectary plants into the hydroponic green onion and pak choi. Aphids and caterpillar pests were reduced by insectary settings (insectary plants and wasp nesting block) if transplant of cash crop seedlings and flowering of insectary plants were synchronized, whereas thrips and whiteflies were repelled by metalic foam board. Results are promisisng in suppressing caterpillar pests and aphids on pak choi. This is summarized and posted at http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/WangKH/Downloads/PoamohoOutdoorClass_p9.pdf. We also generate a Flickr page for general audience to have good visual aids to understand our concept (https://www.flickr.com/photos/125718267@N02/sets/72157649804313302/) Obj 3: Two Manoa lettuce trials and one green onion trial were conducted at Hale Tuahini Experiment Station to examine the effect of drenching of vermicompost tea biweekly on aphids and thrips in an aquaponic system. Unfortunately, vermicompost tea drenching did not suppress both of these insects in all trials. We then reexamined our concept of using vermicompost tea prepared from uncured vermicompost on tea plants infested by mites in terrestrial ecosystem. Two field trials were conducted. Significant reduction on mite damage was observed in both trials. We speculated that high abundance of beneficial bacteria served as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria might have contributed to the transient induced host plant resistance against the mite damage. This result is published in our Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Program (SOAP)'s Hsnai'Ai Newsletter at http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/news/articles/V21-Mishra-VCT-mites.pdf. While we are continuing to understand the mechanisms involved, it is promising to see consistent effect of vermicompost drenching in terrestrial agroecosystem. Lack of soil media in the aquaponic system could be the limitation of this non-chemical pest management approach. Obj. 4.: Demonstrate non-chemical based IPM plan for aquaponic vegetable crop production and wetland taro crop production Although we still need to fine tune the protocol to establish insectary plant borders in wetland taro loi, we did several preliminary trials to examine how taro farmers might adopt the planting of insectary plants in their loi. We summarize our progress made so far in this flickr link (https://www.flickr.com/photos/125718267@N02/sets/72157649399960189/). It is possible to plant insectary plants in taro loi without having to modify current wetland taro production. However, the diverse pests commonly encountered by taro farmers are generating concern for adopting hot water treatment and insectary planting for taro farmers.

Publications

  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Mishra, S., Park, A., Sugano, J., and Uyeda, J. 2014. Suppression of mites by vermicompost tea on tea plant (Camellia sinensis). HanaiAi Newsletter V21: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/news/articles/V21-Mishra-VCT-mites.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wang, K.-H. and Tavares, J. 2013. Wasps nesting block. HanaiAi Newsletter V17: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/news/articles/V17-Wang-Tavares-wasps.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Tavares, J., Wang, K.-H., and J. Uyeda. 2013. Not all ladybeetles are created equal: Learn about different types of lady beetles in Hawaii with special talent. HanaiAi Newsletter V15: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/news/articles/V15-Tavares-ladybird.pdf
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wang, K.-H., Tavares, J., Uyeda, J., and Sugano, J. 2013. Examine insectary settings against insect pests on pak choi in a hydroponic system. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/WangKH/Downloads/PoamohoOutdoorClass_p9.pdf
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wang, K.-H., Tavares, J., Uyeda, J., and Sugano, J. 2013. Evaluating efficacy of organic insecticides on key insect pests of leafy greens in hydroponic and aquaponic systems. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/WangKH/Downloads/PoamohoOutdoorClass_p10.pdf
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Ng, A.C.-Y., Tavares, J., and Wang, K.-H. 2013. Evaluate the benefits of insectary plants for sustainable crop production in Hawaii. Natural Sciences Poster Competition at the 2013 UH Manoa Fall Forum of Undergraduate Research and Creative Work
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wang, K.-H. Sustainable Pest Management Laboratory: Insectary Plants. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/WangKH/insectary.html
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wang, K.-H. Sustainable Pest Management Laboratory: Sustainable Pest Management Projects. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/WangKH/sustainable-pest.html