Source: WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE submitted to NRP
WV EXTENSION IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1004427
Grant No.
2014-70006-22578
Cumulative Award Amt.
$253,500.00
Proposal No.
2014-07593
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2014
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2018
Grant Year
2016
Program Code
[EIP]- Extension Implementation Program
Recipient Organization
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE
PO BOX 6031
MORGANTOWN,WV 26506
Performing Department
Extension Service
Non Technical Summary
The proposed Extension Implementation Program (EIP) is structured to meet the needs identified by the West Virginia IPM stakeholder committee. Collaborative efforts with West Virginia State University and the Pennsylvania IPM (PAIPM) program are proposed to capitalize the strengths of these institutions, and to address well identified local and regional needs while conserving resources. Our primary priority will be on implementation of IPM in Specialty Crops with active participation of newly-hired extension specialists. In this component, we propose to monitor pests and implement reduced-risk IPM methods to manage them, to develop and enhance disease forecasting capabilities, to develop IPM methods in high tunnels and greenhouses, and to monitor for pesticide resistance. We also propose to launch an IPM program to manage vertebrate pests based on the severity of deer damage in the region. We expect to reach out to a wide range of clientele including commercial orchardists, small farmers, homeowners, master gardeners, school grounds keepers, and members of the landscaping industry. Our programing efforts will be delivered through various outreach methods such as training workshops, regional IPM meetings, extension meetings, newsletters, fact-sheets, pamphlets, AgAlerts, limited demonstrations at grower locations, field days, mobile pest ID clinics, etc. Well-designed tools will be utilized to measure impacts, and to evaluate the short-term and long-term successes of our efforts.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
21614991130100%
Knowledge Area
216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
1499 - Vegetables, general/other;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology;
Goals / Objectives
The primary goals of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Extension Implementation Program in West Virginia are: 1) to increase implementation of IPM practices in Specialty Crops through educational programs for commercial orchardists, small farmers, homeowners, community gardeners, and members of the landscaping industry; and 2) to coordinate IPM practices in different commodities throughout the state, and to improve the documentation procedures related to the implementation of IPM practices overall.
Project Methods
Monitor insect pests; set biofix dates, calculate degree days and egg hatch. Send information to end users.Provide mating disruption materials to growers. Provide field day/workshop training and document activities in IPM Chronicle and extension publications.Collect specimen from orchards and small fruit plantations, twilight meeting, workshop, fruit school, reach growers with web based educational materialDocumentation of herbicide resistant weeds; develop a database to document weed species shifts; provide resources to end users to identify weedsConduct education through WVU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer ProgramRisk assessment for pesticide users/applicators and training of extension agents/educators and pesticide users in safe handling, storage and use of pesticides to become better stewards of the environmentProvide information on deer damage management techniques, workshops, training, extension publicationsConduct education through WVU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer ProgramRisk assessment for pesticide users/applicators and training of extension agents/educators and pesticide users in safe handling, storage and use of pesticides to become better stewards of the environment

Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/18

Outputs
Target Audience: During the entire length of the project we have reached over 20,000 target audience individuals which included commercial orchardists, small farm producers, master gardeners, vegetable growers, woodlot owners, homeowners, county agents, row-crop producers, beginning farmers, and FFA students. The target audience were mostly from West Virginia but included audience groups from from the neighboring states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Kentucky. Efforts included classroom education, demonstrations, field days, workshops, distance education, and one-on-one training, along with dissemination of information through various extension publications such at the IPM Chronicle Newsletter, Fact sheets, journal articles etc. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Activities In the last two years of the this grant period, WVU Extension recorded 34,815 contacts related to Integrated Pest Management. These contacts were made by both Extension specialists and agents. They included educational initiatives in: High tunnel production Private applicator recertification Commercial pesticide application Weed management Fruit tree IPM/orchard management Lawn IPM Brush and weed control Garden pests Seasonal pest control Wildlife control Organic vs. conventional insecticides Organic certification Tomato/potato/cucumber plant IPM Applied plant disease management Beneficial insects Invasive pests of trees and woody shrubs Deer proofing Disease diagnosis Fungicidal and cultural control of landscape tree diseases Growers and Extension educators described their interactions with Extension specialists who are part of the IPM Extension Implementation Program. This is a summary of their responses with quotes from interviews. For growers: Onsite interactions with Extension specialists regarding IPM needs. "One thing about Rakesh-- when he's here doing experiments, he might come every couple weeks or 10 days to check on them. So, what really makes it nice for me is if I have a problem, he's here and I can ask him. It's a win/win for everybody." "If there's other issues, weed issues, insect issues, disease issues on fruit farms they have always been very good about going to those farms and helping to determine integrated approaches to pest management on crop fields, row crop fields, or vegetable operations." 2. Individual conversations/advice with specialists via phone and email. "I do believe I have conversed with them on several occasions. With Rakesh with the weeds, if I got any questions he's really helpful if I need any knowledge on that and Mahfuz he really helps out with the fire blight and the diseases." 3. Formal meetings (up to 4 a year) with Extension specialists in the counties. "I have attended the last [twilight] meeting, the grower meetings that you all did over in, I believe it was in Kearneysville. That was just phenomenal, I just thought that was really, really neat with the folks at Cornell and Washington State. So that was definitely a stand out for me." "Let's see Mahfuz and Daniel and Rakesh always showed up at our unit meetings. They were able to sponsor some of our days at the spring unit meeting this year in Parkersburg in our district and that helped tremendously, especially with some of the budget issues we were looking at in the county." 4. Participation in experiments with specialists. "And as far as Rakesh goes, you know he's done several experiments here in the past. He's done--I think it was when Alion first came out, before it was registered he was doing some stuff with it. He's actually done several different things here on the farm with a unique program or different types of products that's come out. We encourage him to do as much studying here as he needs to do." 5. Help from scout who was hired with funds from the grant. "For the first year I think it was great and I don't think I could have anybody better coming here than Whitney, she does an awesome job. She tries to keep us on track. I wasn't sure what I needed to do and when I needed to do it. After she come and read the traps, I think we're going to have everything fixed for next year." For Extension educators 1. Assistance from IPM specialists with their Master Gardener classes "Mahfuz has come out and done the disease training with master gardeners. Sheldon has done wildlife programs with master gardeners, he did a couple here this spring that were open to the public, as well as wildlife peace for the farm bureau." 2. Demonstrations and workshops presented by IPM specialists "I was able to get more agents out to listen to their demonstrations and workshops that they put on that day. It gave us a lot of tools to work with in the field." "They do a great job with teaching producers and also teaching people that teach producers, because they're getting it on two different levels." "When they did the online webinar that was really great, because this is what we are seeing in the fields, this is what you are probably going to get calls about, and this is what you should tell them. I loved those." "Also when they did the online webinars, that was really great because that was what we're seeing in the field, this is probably what you're going to get called about and this is what you should tell them. I loved those." 3. Answers to questions via text and email "I'm always sending them emails with specific questions on pest management and weed management and all those types of things and they're all really good about getting back to me." 4. Help with identifying weed, insect, and disease samples for their clients. "Here in the last three years, we have sent a number of disease samples into the labs through Mahfuz. I've sent insects for identification, as well as weeds." "So yes I would say getting that information across and out there to the community is a big part and just being there to identify, because it might not be our specialty so we can kind of call them and say 'hey this is what I got' and they can tell us what it is and what to do for it and that is a tremendous help right there." "I know that they have provided little hand lenses to help us with identifying." "You know kind of tips for identifying funguses, bacteria's, insect identifications, and what to treat it with. Those guys are really handy. I can pretty much send them anything and they can identify it if I don't know what it is." 5. Treatment recommendations that they pass on to their clients "I've been in contact with them to get treatment recommendations on a broader scale as far as preventing insect and pest issues in greenhouses and high tunnels." "They've exposed me to different products that I didn't even know were available, sometimes we use natural products, sometimes we use another insect as a predator. So over the last 2-3 years we've learned how to do that and introduce those various options to the producers who were not fully aware of it before." 6. Help with wildlife control "Sheldon has done coyote control and wildlife control programs here at my county. He's also worked with the wildlife habitat guys. So he was over here a couple years ago doing a training on coyote management. I'm glad he did that one because I had several guys who were trying to put out cyanide and different things to kill the coyotes. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Monitoring for corn earworm in field/row crops was conducted in 2018 in Wetzel, Wood, Harrison, and Monongalia Counties, WV.Additional pest monitoring for armyworm (true), fall armyworm, European corn borer, and western bean cutworm was also conducted at the Monongalia County location.Weekly trap captures for insect pests was emailed to growers and county Extension agents.Data is still being collected. The number of growers who used/will use this information has not been determined. Program staff have built 8-10 weather stations around the state that send text alerts when there is a change. More farmers are looking to incorporate this in high tunnel operations. Our lab is part of a U of MD group that received REEU funding to do more work on IPM in WV with an undergraduate student. The WVUES 2017 Pesticide Re-certification Program Video was created and distributed to all county Extension offices to provide approved pesticide re-certification training to pesticide applicators. .Continuing education units for pesticide re-certification were approved for participants attending and viewing the video. 300 commercial and private pesticide applicators completed the re-certification training. WVSU Extension held training sessions in plasticulture, integrated pest management and proper use of pesticides covering traditional as well as alternative agriculture growing situations. Through WVSU Extension efforts, small farmers gained skills in identifying the effects of pesticide and fungicide applications on fruit quality and quantity, removing and composting plant debris to prevent the spread of disease, and using IPM for high tunnel production. A concerted effort to promote and educate growers on the implementation of mating disruption in orchards was initiated at commodity meetings and workshops. Effective methods to manage jointhead Arthraxon (Arthraxon hispidus) and Japanese stilt grass (Microstegium vimenium) invasive annual weeds in pastures and hayfields, was developed as a result of field research during 2016 to 2018 disseminated to growers through the Pesticide Recertification Video.Livestock producers have indicated that they now have a viable tool to control these weeds in their pastures.County agents reported over 25 calls for recommendations to manage them in 2017 and 2018 as a result of our research efforts. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We conducted interviews with growers and 1Extension educators and collected success stories from the team. The accomplishments include (1) reduced pesticides, (2) fewer pest issues, (3) better food quality, (4 improved grower bottom line, and (5) movement toward smaller scale, productive food systems. See Table 1 for a summary of the learning, behavioral and conditional accomplishments. Accomplishmentsare illustrated with quotes. Table 1: Categories of Accomplishments for Growers and Extension Educators Audiences Knowledge and Skills Learned through Educational Programs Implementation of IPM Practices in Different Commodities Growers Growers gained knowledge in : Weed control Organic control Management of invasive grasses Growers put the following into practice: Identifying problems Tomato grafting Scouting and using records Using less/more appropriate pesticides Cultural processes Controlling wildlife Mating disruption Monitoring insects Extension Educators Extension educators gained knowledge in: Identifying weeds, insects, and diseases Selecting the best techniques Teaching subjects related to IPM Making IPM recommendations Working with producers/vendors at farmers markets Implementing scouting protocols Forecasting Extension educators put into practice: Spending face-to-face time with growers Training growers to do field scouting and using records Making educational materials Tracking and monitoring growing conditions Making recommendations to growers Accomplishment 1: Growers and Extension educators gained knowledge in the following areas: Growers learned: 1. The science behind weed and pest control "Giving them (the growers) the knowledge of the history of the bacteria and the lifecycle. To actually let them understand what it looks like before it gets bad, so they can help treat it with less pesticides and hit it a bit earlier to increase your yields." 2. To control soil-born problems organically "I guess for me, the highlight was just hearing about soil nutrition and composting and different ways to control soil-born problems on a more organic kind of a level." Extension educators learned: 1. To identify weeds, insects "I have learned techniques that apply to the integrated management of fruit tree diseases and fruit insect pests, weed management in orchards, agronomic and horticultural crops, andabout the safety of chemicals, personal protective equipment, storage practices, sprayer calibration, and delivering methodologies to reduce non-target effects." 2. To produce educational materials related to IPM and teach growers "They've walked me through the presentations. I in turn, presented at different Master Gardener events. I have actually presented that about 10 times over the last 3-4 years." 3. To work with producers/vendors at farmers markets. "I have been involved heavily with producers for the farmers market who want to grow an all-natural product without using chemicals. We try to explore the alternatives. Sometimes that takes convincing them that we can lose a little bit of a crop, but still maintain a high quality product." 4. To implement scouting protocols. "A lot of it has been helping me learn good scouting protocols and giving me the skills to get my Master Gardeners to do the same." 5. To forecast "With this weather vane, forecasting is gonna be a really big thing this growing season since it's so wet. They'll look at the data that they're gonna pull off this weather monitoring system andbe able to say whether this is a favorable climate." Accomplishment 3: Growers' and Extension educators' have changed IPM-related behaviors. Growers: 1. Identified and solved problems. "I would say there were probably at least 100 contacts with individuals that we've helped to identify issues and how to respond, whether it was a cultural method or pesticide application." 2. Did field scouting and used records . "My farmers market folks, they say they get a lot out of field scouting training, in that they're knowing how to manage their crops better and look for diseases, so they're being more comfortable with scouting their own vegetable crops." 3. Used less pesticides appropriately "I think they're using less, but I think they're using it more properly. For example, I had one guy that was using a particular product to keep late blight out of his tomatoes and this chemical he was using was completely irrelevant to tomato blight, and so after these educational programs, he stopped using that particular chemical." 4. Controlled wildlife effectively and humanely "I'd say we've probably figured out what works on rabbits. If you've got 1,000 trees to the acre or more, you've got to put tree guards on all of those trees and get them off in a few years. Rabbits will eat through Thiram, but they will not eat through hot sauce. So, we've used latex paint with hot sauce mixed in and taken care of our rabbit problem." 5. Adopted mating disruption "During the course of the previous grant cycle three major tree fruit growers in the state have implemented mating disruption in peach and/or apple to control clearwing borers, which has effectively decreased pesticide use and crop loss on these farms. . 6. Monitored insects in tree fruit Major insect pests of tree fruit were monitored in three different locations to provide important, time sensitive information to growers in these regions. Growers using this information were better able to time insecticide sprays on farms. Two growers used this information to control pests on approximately 100 acres of apple. Extension educators: 1. Spent more face-to-face time with growers "We hold 4 educational meetings annually here in the county specifically for those commercial fruit growers. In addition to those we've had meetings, multiple, countless interactions with them at fruit grower locations." 2. Trained growers to field scout and use records "I've encouraged my users to use records when they're scouting and keep track of what they're seeing so that they can apply early interventions. We'll host at one of our farms and everyone will do a field scouting. They're knowing how to manage their crops better; they're knowing how to look for diseases; andare more comfortable with scouting." 3. Made educational materials "We have done a couple of videos with one of my local producers on tomato diseases and that was a direct result of Mahfuz being here and walking us through some of those." 4. Made recommendations. "I do recommend those alternative practices like pruning out some diseases and those kind of things. I try to give them more options where earlier in my career I probably would use Roundup. Accomplishment 4: Production or economic-related conditions changed because of IPM initiatives. 1. Improvement of growers' bottom line "By having access to this information and working with specialists, Ihelp producers grow a pesticide free product to take to the market as fresh food.Growers reduce their cost as well as provide a healthy fresh product that people are more willing to pay a high quality price for." 2. Reduced use of pesticides "We're seeing some benefits from beneficials bringing the stink bug population down. We have reduced our insecticide applications probably by at least 50%." 3. Improved food quality "I'm shocked that the apples are as clean as they are with the trap count that we had on that first generation. But once the second one hit, they got lower. I mean it just cleaned them up. I can't find the codling moth damage." 4. Movement toward smaller scale yet highly productive food systems In 2017, there was an increase in the number of community gardens and high tunnels which provide tangible evidence of the movement toward smaller scale yet highly productive food systems.

Publications

  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Chandran, R.S., M. Danilovich, D. Frank, S. Owen, M.M. Rahman, B. Liedl. IPM Chronicle  Winter 2018. 6(1)1-7. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication: AG 18-23.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Chandran, R.S., M. Danilovich, D. Frank, S. Owen, M.M. Rahman. IPM Chronicle  Spring/Fall 2017. 5(3/4)1-6. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication: AG 17-272.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Chandran, R.S., M. Danilovich, D. Frank, S. Owen, M.M. Rahman, B. Liedl. IPM Chronicle  Spring 2017. 5(2)1-7. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication: AG 17-92.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Chandran, R.S., M. Danilovich, D. Frank, S. Owen, M.M. Rahman. IPM Chronicle  Winter 2017. 5(2)1-7. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication: AG 17-27.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Park, Y.-L., Gururajan, S., Thistle, H., Chandran, R. and Reardon, R. 2017. Aerial release of Rhinoncomimus latipes (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to control Persicaria perfoliata (Polygonaceae) using an unmanned aerial system. Pest Management Sci., doi:10.1002/ps.4670.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: D. Frank. 2018. Reducing tick populations advised, The Journal, http://www.journal-news.net, June 8, 2018.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: D. Frank. 2017. Lyme Disease on the rise due to tick bites, The Exponent Telegram, https://www.theet.com/, July 3, 2017.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: D. Frank. 2017. A daily tick check is the best way to prevent Lyme disease, The DA, http://www.thedaonline.com/, June 26, 2017.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: D. Frank. 2017. West Virginia expert offers tips to avoid tick attacks, Associated Press, https://www.apnews.com/, June 26, 2017
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: D. Frank. 2017. Mild winter could lead to more insects, Times West Virginian, http://www.timeswv.com/, February 26, 2017.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Frank, D. L. 2017. Management of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, using transgenic Bt maize. In: T. Islam, P. Pandey, M. M. Rahman, P. Pandey, C. K. Jha, and A. Aeron (eds.), Bacilli and Agrobiotechnology. 13 pp. Springer International Publishing. New York, NY USA.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: M. Rahman. 2017 Evaluation of fungicides for controlling powdery mildew on cucumber, 2016. Plant Disease Management Reports 11:V148.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: M. Rahman. 2017. Evaluation of fungicides for controlling Septoria leaf spot on tomato, 2016.Plant Disease Management Reports 11:V166
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Md Mohibul Alam Khan, Effi Haque, Narayan Chandra Paul , Md Abdul Khaleque , Saleh M. S. Al-Garni , Mahfuzur Rahman , Md Tofazzal Islam. 2017. Enhancement of Growth and Grain Yield of Rice in Nutrient Deficient Soils by Rice Probiotic Bacteria. Rice Science 24: 264?273.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Julakha Akter Mukta, Mosaddiqur Rahman, Abdullah As Sabir, Dipali Rani Gupta , Musrat Zahan Surovy, Mahfuzur Rahman, M. Tofazzal Islam. 2017. Chitosan and plant probiotics application enhance growth and yield of strawberry. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology 11:918.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: M. Rahman. 2017. Management of Leucostoma Canker of Stone Fruits caused by fungal pathogen Leucostoma persoonii. Small Farm Advocate. Winter 2017: 9-11.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Bulatovic-Danilovich, M. (2017). Red York - Mountaineer Apple (Winter 2017 ed., pp. 2). Morgantown/WV/WVU: West Virginia Small Farm Advocate.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Bulatovic-Danilovich, M. (in press). In R. S. Chandran, D. L. Frank, B. E. Liedl, S. F. Owen, M. M. Rahman, C. W. Talbott, & A. H. Nichols (Eds.), IPM Implementation for the Master Gardener Program in West Virginia. Alexandria, VA: 2017 ASHS Annual Conference Proceedings.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Mosaddiqur Rahman, Abdullah As Sabir, Julakha Akter Mukta, Md. Mohibul Alam Khan, Mohammed Mohi-Ud-Din, Md. Giashuddin Miah, Mahfuzur Rahman and M. Tofazzal Islam. 2018. Plant probiotic bacteria Bacillus and Paraburkholderia improve growth, yield and content of antioxidants in strawberry fruit. Scientific Reports 8: 2504. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-20235-1.pdf
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Amena Khatun, Tarin Farhana, Abdullah As Sabir, Shah Mohammad Naimul Islam, Helen M. West, Mahfuzur Rahman and M. Tofazzal Islam. 2018. Pseudomonas and Burkholderia inhibit growth and asexual development of Phytophthora capsici. Zeitschrift F�r Naturforschung C. Published Online: 2018-02-03 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/znc-2017-0065
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: M. Rahman. 2018. Integrated management of black root rot and crown rot of strawberry. Proceedings of the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention. Pp 133-134. Hershey, PA
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Bohling, J. H., L. L. Mastro, J. R. Adams, E. M. Gese, S. F. Owen, and L. P. Waits. 2017. Panmixia and Limited Interspecific Introgression in Coyotes (Canis latrans) from West Virginia and Virginia, USA. Journal of Heredity 108 (6): 608-617.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Mosaddiqur Rahman, Julakha Akter Mukta, Abdullah As Sabir, Dipali Rani Gupta, Mohammed Mohi-Ud-Din, Mirza Hasanuzzaman, Md. Giashuddin Miah, Mahfuzur Rahman, Md Tofazzal Islam. 2018. Chitosan biopolymer promotes yield and stimulates accumulation of antioxidants in strawberry fruit. PLoS ONE Published online: September 7, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203769
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Waheda Rahman Ansary, Md. Ferdous Rezwan Khan Prince, Effi Haque, Farzana Sultana, Helen M. West, Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Md. Abdul Mojid Mondol, Abdul Mannan Akanda, M. Rahman et al. 2018. Endophytic Bacillus spp. from medicinal plants inhibit mycelial growth of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and promote plant growth. Zeitschrift F�r Naturforschung C. Published Online: 2018-04-11 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/znc-2018-0002
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Chandran, R.S., M. Danilovich, D. Frank, S. Owen, M.M. Rahman, B. Liedl. IPM Chronicle  Fall 2018. 6(4)1-8. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication: AG 18-292.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Chandran, R.S., M. Danilovich, D. Frank, S. Owen, M.M. Rahman, B. Liedl. IPM Chronicle  Summer 2018. 6(3)1-7. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication: AG 18-234.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Chandran, R.S., M. Danilovich, D. Frank, S. Owen, M.M. Rahman, B. Liedl. IPM Chronicle  Spring 2018. 6(2)1-7. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication: AG 18-92.


Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/17

Outputs
Target Audience:During the reporting period we have reached over 17700 target audience individuals which included commercial orchardists, small farm producers, master gardeners, vegetable growers, woodlot owners, homeowners, county agents, row-crop producers,beginning farmers, and FFA students. The target audience were mostly from West Virginia but included a small percentage from the neighboring states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Kentucky. Efforts included classroom education, demonstrations, field days, workshops, distance education, and one-on-one training, along with dissemination of information through various extension publications such at the IPM Chronicle Newsletter, Fact sheets, journal articles etc. Changes/Problems:Although a multi-state IPM workshop for Tree Fruitswas planned for 2017it could not be accomplished due to similar events being organized in the region and scheduling problems. We plan to organize this event in early 2018. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provide training opportunities for commercial orchardists, small farmers, homeowners, community gardeners, and members of the landscaping industry and to coordinate IPM practices in different commodities throughout the state, and to improve the documentation procedures related to the implementation of IPM practices overall. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results were disseminated through various outreach events includin: West Virginia Pesticide Recertification Workshops,West Virginia County Agents Association Training Workshop,Ag-Beats Crop Pest and Production Updates,West Virginia Urban Agriculture Conference, West Virginia Master Gardener Annual Conference,West Virginia Women in Agriculture Conference,West Virginia Small Farm Conference, Fruit Growers Twilight meetings, Field Days and Demonsrations in Collaboration with Conservation Districts, etc. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The plan to build on past success to increase IPM Implementation in Specialty Crops through educational and other outreach programs for commercial orchardists, vegetable and small-fruit producers, county agents, Master Gardeners, homeowners, and consumer horticulture providers. We also expect to form IPM Conservation Partnerships with NRCS to help implement an IPM program in commercial orchards;to Support IPM Pest Diagnostic Facilities; to support IPM Education for Pesticide Applicators; and to support IPM Partnerships in Wide-Area Pest Monitoring and Reporting Systems. We will continue to document the implementation of IPM practices overall.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? A retrospective questionnaire was administered to IPM participants that asked them to indicate their skill level at the end of a workshop, and then recall what it had been before they came to the workshop. The skills which showed the greatest reported change were: 1) ability to develop a scouting/monitoring program for targeted pests, 2) ability to understand underlying problem by identifying weeds, 3) understanding of cultural practices in preventing and/or managing plant health, 4) understanding of issues related to balanced nutrition for the overall health of plants, 4) ability to identify mineral deficiency symptoms and ways to correct the problem. The participants were asked what they thought they would most likely do in the weeks following the workshop. The tasks that were cited most often were: 1) clean seeds before planting with Clorox bleach seed bath, 2) survey yard/garden for weeds early in the season, 3) use a hot water treatment of seeds. 5) identify some insects, 6) cut perennial weeds repeatedly/trim fields, 7) Evaluate soil to rectify problem soils and to discourage weeds. The 2016 Pesticide Recertification Program Video was created and distributed to all county Extension offices to provide approved pesticide recertification training to pesticide applicators. Continuing education units for pesticide recertification were approved for participants attending and viewing the video. 300 participants gained knowledge and skill from watching the pesticide recertification video. 1500 total pesticide applicators were certified in West Virginia in 2016. The Extension Implementation Program (EIP) provided expertise in greenhouse and high tunnel IPM. Technical assistance was provided to the several small growers in the state interested in utilizing biocontrol agents in their operations. Weather stations were deployed with four high tunnel growers to evaluate the effectiveness of this tool. Trainings were held for agriculture service providers or as part of the WVU NE SARE PDP programming efforts. A website hosted at WVU (http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/sustainable-ag/sare) and social media sites [facebook page "SARE in WV" and twitter "SARE in WV" #SAREinWV] act as clearinghouses for information on sustainable agriculture topics. More than 20 service providers and over 250 farmers increased their knowledge about biological control agents through the WVSU NE SARE PDP program and were better able to manage their operations. Protected culture production of tomatoes has more than doubled in WV, while at the same time the number and size of vegetable farms has been static. Production in a greenhouse or high tunnel generates higher yields than field production when using varieties bred for this environmental conditions. Unfortunately most of the varieties bred in the US are for field production and no public tomato breeder is focused on protected culture tomato varieties. Specialty crop producers in WV are producing > 60 types of fruits, nuts, vegetables and herbs, but there is a need for up-to-date information related the cultivation of specialty crops. Moreover, there must be more growers producing specialty crops in all regions of the state. In 2016 state-wide vegetable and small fruit variety trials were conducted by a WVUES team with asparagus, beans, carrots, blueberries, strawberries, popcorn, hazelnuts, kale, melons, pumpkins peppers, spinach and lettuce. Collectively, on-farm or research farm projects were conducted with three agents and four grower-cooperators. Results from the state-wide cultivar trials was used to create research reports and presentations. In their research, WVSU is focusing on selecting tomato lines with superior organoleptic and pest resistance traits. Trials will also be done to verify that the insect resistant trait, acylsugar production will not interfere with the existing biological control agents used in IPM before using marker assisted selection. Synthesis of acylsugar compounds and trials using larvae and adults of the generalist predator, green lacewing (Chrysoperia rufilabris) continued this year. Joint-head Arthraxon (small carpetgrass, joint-head grass), Arthraxon hispidus (Thunb.), Makino, is a non-native annual grass becoming increasingly prevalent in West Virginia pastures and hayfields. This invasive weed, capable of displacing desirable forages, is unpalatable to livestock and is difficult to be managed. With weeds starting to germinate earlier on in the year and warm season invasive grasses becoming more prevalent in the region, weeds such as jointhead grass and stiltgrass will become increasingly prevalent in the region. In 2011 the weed scientists in the mid-Atlantic region discussed the need for tools to manage annual invasive grass weeds in grass based forages. In 2016 the herbicide Prowl H2O (active ingredient pendimethalin) received registration from the EPA for use in grass forages. We established a field experiment near Lost Creek, to evaluate its efficacy to manage jointhead grass and a field trial near Romney to evaluate the same herbicide for Japanese stiltgrass control. The goals were to evaluate Prowl H2O to control jointhead grass and Japanese stiltgrass and to evaluate the application timing for its control. A pesticide video was taped to disseminate the results to woodlot owners, lawn care companies, and home owners in various counties throughout the state. Positive results were generated from the field experiments which encouraged producers to utilize this tool to manage an inavasive weed pasturer in 2017.

Publications

  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Frank, D. L. (2017). Management of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, using transgenic Bt maize. Bacilli and Agrobiotechnology (pp. 77-89). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Chandran, R. S., Frank, D. L., Rahman, M. M., Bulatovic-Danilovich, M., Leidl, B. E. (2017). IPM Chronicle: Spring 2017 (2nd ed., vol. 5).
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Chandran, R. S., Frank, D. L., Rahman, M. M., Bulatovic-Danilovich, M., Leidl, B. E. (2017). IPM Chronicle: Winter 2017 (1st ed., vol. 5).
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Bulatovic-Danilovich, M. Black rot disease in your apples. Morgantown, WV/WVU/ANR Publications
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Bulatovic-Danilovich, M. New Disease Resistant Rootstocks for Apples. Morgantown, WV/WVU/ANR
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Frank, D. L. Tips for Reducing Tick Population and Preventing Bites, WBOY, http://www.wvalways.com/, July 5, 2017
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Frank, D.L. Online Media, A daily tick check is the best way to prevent Lyme disease, The DA, http://www.thedaonline.com/, June 26, 2017.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Frank, D.L. Online Media, West Virginia expert offers tips to avoid tick attacks, Associated Press, https://www.apnews.com/, June 26, 2017.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Frank, D.L. Mild winter could lead to more insects, Times West Virginian, http://www.timeswv.com/, February 26, 2017.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Frank, D. L. (2017). Brown marmorated stink bug. http://extension.wvu.edu/lawn-gardeningpests/pests/brown-marmorated-stink-bug
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Chandran, R.S., M. Danilovich, D. Frank, S. Owen, M.M. Rahman, B. Liedl. IPM Chronicle  Summer 2016. 4(2)1-7. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Chandran, R.S., M. Danilovich, D. Frank, S. Owen, M.M. Rahman, B. Liedl. IPM Chronicle  Fall 2016. 4(1)1-7. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Pfeiffer, D. G., Bergh, J. C., Frank, D. L., Hooks, C. R., Walsh, C. S., Yoder, K. S., Rahman, M. M., Kotcon, J. B., Derr, J. F., Chandran, R. S., Weaver, M. J., Brown, A., Parkhurst, J., Wilson, J., Sherif, S. (2017). 2017 Spray Bulletin for Commercial Tree Fruit Growers. Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension Service. DATE STARTED EXPECTED DATE SUBMITTED DATE ACCEPTED DATE SUBMITTED ABSTRACT/SYNOPSIS DATE PUBLISHED 2017
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Frank, D.L. Lyme Disease on the rise due to tick bites, The Exponent Telegram, https://www.theet.com/, July 3, 2017


Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/16

Outputs
Target Audience:During the reporting period we have reached over 1500 target audience individuals which included small farm producers, commercial fruit growers, master gardeners, vegetable growers, homeowners, county agents, agronomic cropproducers etc. The target audience were mostly from the state of West Virginia but included a small percentage from the neighboring states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Kentucky. The represented a cross section of the population. Efforts included class room education, demonstrations,field days, workshops, distance education, and one-on-one training. Changes/Problems:Although a multi-state IPM workshop was planned for 2016 it could not be accomplished in 2016. The arrangement was to organize this workshop in West Virginia in 2015, Pennsylvania in 2016, and West Virginia in 2017. SInce a different mult-state field day was planned organized by a different group from Penn State, the joint IPM workshop wasnot be organized by the PA-IPM team to avoid duplication. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?WVUES seeks to increase implementation of IPM practices through educational programs for commercial orchardists, small farmers, homeowners, community gardeners, and members of the landscaping industry and to coordinate IPM practices in different commodities throughout the state, and to improve the documentation procedures related to the implementation of IPM practices overall. Based on feeback recieved participants gained knowledge about: organic insecticides pasture management and weed control personal pesticide safety and protective equipment ways to reduce spray drift correct ways to store chemicals how insecticides affect honeybees and link to colony collapse disorder pesticide labeling information differences between insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides symptoms of physiological and environmental disorders (nutrient deficiency, drought stress, scorch, girdling root system, winter injury, etc.) use of Apogee, a plant growth regulator that reduces shoot blight development Quatitative outcome: 4414 Pesticide Satety Education Program: Two counties held workshops with pesticide applicators who wanted to accrue continuing education units for re-certification. WVUES created a pesticide recertification video which was used in the training. 141 participants received some training that counted toward re-certification.116 individuals in WV were re-certified in the WV Pesticide Safety Education Program. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?WVUES offeredmany workshops on weed and pest management to commercial and home gardeners. Topics this year have included: "Organic vs. Conventional Insecticides," "Pasture Weed Control," "Pesticide Safety-Personal "Protective Equipment," "Tips to Reduce Spray Drift," "The Impact of Neonicitinoid Insecticides on Honeybees," "Use of Apogee for Fire Blight Control," "Pest Management for the Vegetable Garden," "Invasive Plant Control," "Weed Wipers," and "Master Gardeners Pesticide Safety." What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the third year, weplan to analyze he evaluations for our programming efforts during the project period.. This will include documentation of medium termoutcomes (learning) and long termoutcomes (action), using methods such as logs by participants, observations by experts, and interviews of both participants and experts.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Since the program began, 75 workshop participants completed evaluation forms. A retrospective questionnaire was used to measure participants' perception of whether they had improved their knowledge related to IPM. Based on a t-test analysis, ability/understanding improved in all areas including: IPM practices, scouting/monitoring, non-chemical pest management measures, selection of chemical sprays, use of pollinators, identification of pests, matching signal-words with toxicity ratings, safe pesticide storage, handling, and disposal, handling pesticide spills, balancing plant nutrition, understanding pesticide labels, identifying mineral deficiencies, and identifying weeds. The educators hope that learners will select certain skills that they learned in the workshops and go home and practice them. We asked participants what ideas they will try in the next weeks. Their answers fell within four categories as listed below. Clean and treat seeds (14) Clean seeds using hot water treatment Survey property, identify weeds, find solutions to weed control (10) Survey yard and identify weeds, including Japanese still grass (7) Send plants for identification Clean growing areas more thoroughly Cut perennial weeds repeatedly Alter growing conditions (8) Mulch Use row covers Evaluate soil and rectify problem soils to discourage weeds (2) Decide not to implement fall harvest BB Trim fields Use better eradication Decide why the yard is there and what to do with it Identify and monitor insects (10) Approach to firelight Attempt to identify insects (3) Build traps for monitoring Apply herbicide "sedge hammer" Spray with real products Talk to someone about devising a project or IPM Insect dichotomous key Evaluate pesticide use In the coming year, we plan to survey former participants to determine whether they were able to actually put these skills to practice. We will use the list above to create the survey.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Chandran, R.S. 2016. Herbicide banding in corn and associated floral diversity: yield dynamics over a five-year period. In A. Gover (Ed.). Proc. Northeast. Plant, Pest, Soils Conf. 1:70.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Chandran, R.S. 2016. Does directed application of glyphosate injure apple trees in one year? In A. Gover (Ed.). Proc. Northeast. Plant, Pest, Soils Conf. 1:123.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Chandran, R.S., M. Danilovich, D. Frank, S. Owen, M.M. Rahman, B. Liedl. IPM Chronicle  Spring 2016. 4(2)1-7. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication: AG 16-161. http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/r/download/227964
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Chandran, R.S., M. Danilovich, D. Frank, S. Owen, M.M. Rahman, B. Liedl. IPM Chronicle  Winter 2016. 4(1)1-7. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication: AG 16-40. http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/r/download/224993
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Frank, D. L. Controlling the dreaded Colorado potato beetle. The West Virginia Small Farm Advocate. Winter 2016.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Frank, D. L. Hemlock woolly adelgid: Little insect, big problem. West Virginia Forest Stewardship Newsletter. Vol. 11(1)
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Frank, D. L. Colorado potato beetle. WVU Extension Service, Fact Sheet. (http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/pests/insects/colorado-potato-beetle).
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Frank, D. L. Managing Colorado potato beetle. West Virginia Farm Bureau News. Vol. 23(9): 17, 19.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Frank, D. L. The cicadas are coming in 2016: Part II. IPM Chronicle. Vol. 4(1): 7.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Frank, D. L. The cicadas are coming in 2016! IPM Chronicle. Vol. 3(4): 1-2.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Chandran, R.S. 2015. Identification and management of invasive knotweeds. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication. ANR-IPM-15-013.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Chandran, R.S., B.M. Loyd. 2015. Autumn Olive. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication ANR-IPM-15-012.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Chandran, R.S., M. Danilovich, D. Frank, S. Owen, M.M. Rahman, B. Liedl. IPM Chronicle  Fall 2015. 3(4)1-8. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication: AG 15-262.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Frank, D. L. Pollinators vital to plant reproduction. IPM Chronicle. Vol. 3(3): 1, 8.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Frank, D. L. Protect your ash trees from emerald ash borer. IPM Chronicle. Vol. 3(2): 9.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Frank, D. L. Inspect your landscape plants for bagworms. IPM Chronicle. Vol. 3(1): 2, 4.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Frank, D. L and S. Starcher. Mating disruption for control of peachtree borers in small block orchards. 91st Annual Cumberland-Shenandoah Fruit Workers Conference. Winchester, VA.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. Rahman. 2015. Management of Brown Rot on Stone Fruit. Chandran, R. (ed) IPM chronicle 3(1) P 3. http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/r/download/208239
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. Rahman. 2015. Bacterial canker of tomato. Chandran, R. (ed) IPM chronicle 3(2) P 4. http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/r/download/212556
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. Rahman. 2015. Widespread Seiridium canker on Leyland Cypress-Hot Topic; Disease management in organic production systems. Chandran, R. (ed) IPM chronicle 3(3) pp2-3. http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/r/download/215001
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. Rahman. 2015. Landscape tree decline: Verticillium wilt or abiotic problems? Chandran, R. (ed) IPM chronicle 3(4) P 4. http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/r/download/220961
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. Rahman. 2015. Control of major onion and garlic diseases. WV Farm bureau news February 2015, P 17.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. Rahman. 2015. Septoria leaf spot on tomato. http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/pests/diseases/septoria-leaf-spot
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. Rahman. Nutrient deficiencies in plant. http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/r/download/214442
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. Rahman. Downy mildew of cucurbits. http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/pests/diseases/downy-mildew
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. Rhaman. Seiridium canker on Leyland Cypress http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/r/download/220966
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. Rahman. Rhizopshaera needle cast of spruce. http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/r/download/214441
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. Rahman. Preventing winter damage on evergreens and landscape trees. http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/r/download/222583
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. Rahman. Fourteen most frequently asked questions on various plant diseases http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/pests/faqs/disease-faqs
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. Rahman. 2015. Evaluation of fungicides for the control of tomato foliar diseases, 2014. Plant Disease Management Reports 9: https://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/trial/pdmr/reports/2015/V009.pdf
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. Rahman. 2015. Integrated Management of major diseases on brambles. Proceedings of the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention Pp 47-49, Hershey, PA.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. Rahman. 2015. Improved management of tomato foliar diseases by conventional and organically acceptable products. Phytopathology 105. S4 p 15. http://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/pdf/10.1094/PHYTO-105-11-S4.1
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. Rahman. 91st Annual Cumberland-Shenandoah Fruit Workers Conference. Mid-Atlantic Tree Fruit integrated pest information platform for extension and education (iPiPE) . Winchester, VA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Rahman, M. Winchester Regional Commercial Tree Fruit Production School. Utilization of pest scouting and cyberage IT for improved IPM practices.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: m. Roahman. Fire Blight on Pome Fruit. http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/r/download/222662
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Rahman. M. National Plant Diagnostic Network meeting. Diseases of landscape trees: Seiridium Canker on Leyland cypress. Arlington, VA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Rahman, M. APS Potomac Division annual meeting Major diseases of 2015 in West Virginia-an industry-extension update. Richmond, VA.


Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/15

Outputs
Target Audience:During the reporting period we have reached over 1300 target audience individuals which included small farm producers, commercial fruit growers, master gardeners, vegetable growers, homeowners, county agents, producers etc. The target audience were mostly from the state of West Virginia but included a small percentage from the neighboring states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Kentucky. The represented a cross section of the population. Efforts included class room education, field days, workshops, distance education, and one-on-one training. Changes/Problems:Although three clinics were planned in 2015 only one will be carried out since we initiated a new Go-To-Meeting progam to perform troubleshooting from a central location more efficiently. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Mating disruption demonstration for clearwing borers currently being conducted in 3 peach orchard blocks located in Hampshire Co., WV. Presentations on insect management were prepared for 3 tree fruit grower meetings in Hampshire Co., WV. Presentation on tree fruit insect management and mating disruption was given at the regional IPM meeting between PA and WV Bi-weekly Go-To-Meetings carried out to deliver current information related to pest management and other isuees to county agents during the growing season of 2015. Multistate IPM workshop (through active collaboration with PA IPM pogram) carried out to discuss IPM methods and efforts for fruit growers in the region (WV, PA, VA, and MD). Multiple workshops and training events carried out for Master Gardeners, Small Farm owners in areas of disease and weed management in vegetables, small fruits, lawns, and gardens. For the Master Gardener component alone, the Co-PD had 9 MG Classes where she talked about disease and insect management in fruits and one class where she talked about disease management in ornamentals and pesticides. Th Co-PD also had two sessions where she talked about the importance of balanced nutrition and how to determine and manage nutritional needs for the benefit of the crops and environment (potential for over-fertilization/water contamination/pollution). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Through fact sheets, journal articles, web-casts, telephone conferences, newsletters. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the second year (2015-2016) of the project period, we will continue to partner with West Virginia State University (WVSU; 1890 Land Grant University) to utilize the expertise available at WVSU and the infrastructure offered by West Virginia University (WVU; 1862 LGU) Extension Service. We will also continue to have a collaborative partnership with the Pennsylvania State University to carry out educational programs for fruit growers.In the areas of Specialty Crops and School IPM, we plan to initiate a multi-state collaborative program with the Pennsylvania State University IPM team. In Specialty Crops, the two neighboring states have agreed to carry out an Annual Regional IPM Workshop targeted at commercial fruit growers. We also plan to analyze he evaluations for our programming efforts in 2015. This will include documentation of short-term outcomes (learning), primarily in the form or retrospective questionnaires that ask participants to rate their knowledge prior to training and after training. Documentation of medium-term outcomes (action), using methods such as logs by participants, observations by experts, and interviews of both participants and experts.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Time sensitive insect monitoring information is currently being posted on the KTFREC website for public viewing by tree fruit growers, extension agents, and consultants. Monitoring information includes biofix dates and weekly trap captures for 8 major tree fruit pests (codling moth, oriental fruit moth, tufted apple bud moth, redbanded leafroller, spotted tentiform leafminer, dogwood borer, peach tree borer, and lesser peach tree borer) in the region. In addition, temperature data collected from weather stations located at the KTFREC are being used to calculate accumulated degree-days (DD) for codling moth, oriental fruit moth, and tufted apple bud moth, so that more accurate timing of insecticide sprays can occur. DD accumulations from biofix and the percentage of estimated egg hatch for these pests are similarly being posted online. We have collected disease specimens (Apple, Pear, Cherry) from orchards that have received multiple strobilurin sprays but did not get optimum disease control and had raised the suspicion of potential resistance in causal agents against products. Isolation of organisms were done from some samples and pure cultures obtained. In addition, samples were also kept frozen for direct extraction of DNA. Specimens were also collected from twigs that had heavy Fire blight infections. We are in the process of completing our specimen collection. Fungal/bacterial DNA will be extracted from these samples and analyzed for resistance by available protocols. Educational outreach on strobilurins and other fungicide resistance included Tree fruit twilight meetings and Master gardeners' classes. A Co-PD (platn pathologist) is participating in cucurbit downy mildew (CDM) conference calls and set sentinel plots to report disease outbreak to the online system and make growers aware of the disease spread with recommendation of measures should be taken. Similar tracking system is also being followed for Late blight of tomato and potato. Five workshops on grafting tomatoes on resistant rootstocks were conducted with growers and plant propagators as a practical IPM tool for managing soilborne tomato diseases. In addition, demonstration trials were also set at the WVU organic farm and a grower's field to show the benefit of using grafted tomatoes in comparison with other available methods of disease management in organic systems. In wildlife management, the Co-PD has held 5 deer management workshops with 58 attendees. In addition he has 2 locations where he is testing the effectiveness of motion-activated bioacustic devices to reduce deer damage. In Consumer Horiculture High Value Crops, participants learned about most common pests (diseases and insects) found in fruit crops and ornamentals as well as what the pesticides are and how to deal with them: the importance of how to read and understand the pesticide label, how to properly handle (mix & spray), store, dispose pesticides to prevent accidental exposure (health risk), spills and environmental contamination. Evaluation of Project Activities. During the first grant period, 63 individuals responded to an evaluation survey designed to find out if they perceived that they had gained knowledge and/or skills related to integrated pest management (IPM). Of West Virginia's 55 counties, 16 counties were represented at the workshops. About one-fourth of the participants (26.3%) were men and three-fourths were women (73/7%). About two-thirds said that they had college degrees. Sixteen of the participants identified themselves as farmers. Two training events were surveyed: one was entitled "Advanced Certification Training in IPM" and the other was entitled, Indicator Weeds of Abnormal Conditions." A total of 63 participants responded to the survey. A retrospective questionnaire was administered to participants that asked them to indicate their skill level at the end of a workshop, and then recall what it had been before they came to the workshop. A paired sample t-test of the data resulted in significant differences on all questions (p<.02). The skills which showed the greatest reported change from skills mastered before coming to the workshop to skill master as a result of the workshop (the differences between the means were greater than .8000) were: Ability to develop a scouting/monitoring program for targeted pests (1.06522) Ability to understand underlying problem by identifying weeds (1.0000) Understanding of cultural practices in preventing and/or managing plant health (.86716) Understanding of issues related to balanced nutrition for the overall health of plants (.86077) Ability to identify mineral deficiency symptoms and ways to correct the problem (.85219) The participants were asked what they thought they would most likely do in the weeks following the workshop. The tasks that were cited most often were: Clean seeds before planting with Clorox bleach seed bath (7) Survey yard/garden for weeds early in the season (5) Use a hot water treatment of seeds (5) Identify some insects (4) Cut perennial weeds repeatedly/trim fields (2) Evaluate soil to rectify problem soils and to discourage weeds (2) Participants were also ask what else they would like to receive from the Extension educators. Some of the responses were related to tools and some were related to knowledge/skills. With regard to tools, participants said that wanted a website or an app on their phone that would give them illustrations/photos of WV weeds so that they can identify them easily. One participant said that a good ID booklet would be helpful. One participant said that he or she wanted access to a slicks-CD/flashdrive. Participants also wanted more information on the following: Edible vs. toxic weeds Acidic plants Nemetoads or carrots Pest ID Controls for BMSB & SWD Uses for weeds Of those who responded, 51.8 percent said that they do not use pesticides, while 48.2% said that they do use pesticides. Most, however (87.5%) said that the workshop would influence how they would use pesticides in the future. Questions related to satisfaction with the workshops were all positive. On a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 indicating not satisfied and 5 indicating very satisfied, all means were above 4.0. In the fall months of 2015, participants will be contacted to see if they were able to put into practice the skills they learned and the skills they said that they would use in the growing season following the workshops.

Publications

  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Chandran, R.S. 2015. How to establish a lawn. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication ANR-IPM-15-11. http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/r/download/213447.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Collier, C.W. and R.S. Chandran. 2015 Maintaining turfgrass in shady areas. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication ANR-IPM-15-009. http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/r/download/213406
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Chandran, R.S. 2015. Lawn care. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication ANR-IPM-15-007. http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/r/download/213177.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Chandran, R.S. 2015. Weed management in lawns. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication ANR-IPM-15-010. http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/r/download/213568.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Collier, C.W. and R.S. Chandran. 2015. Lawn liming. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication ANR-IPM-15-008.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Bhowmik P.C., and R.S. Chandran. 2015. Biology, ecology, distribution and current status of Heracleum mantegazzianum Sommier & Levier. J. Crop and Weed, 11:1-17.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Chandran, R.S., M. Danilovich, D. Frank, S. Owen, and M.M. Rahman. IPM Chronicle  Summer 2014. 2(3)1-6. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication: AG 14-276.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Chandran, R.S., M. Danilovich, D. Frank, S. Owen, and M.M. Rahman. IPM Chronicle  Fall 2014. 2(4)1-6. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication: AG 14-396.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Chandran, R.S., M. Danilovich, D. Frank, S. Owen, M.M. Rahman, B. Liedl. IPM Chronicle  Winter 2015. 3(1)1-6. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication: AG 15-17.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Chandran, R.S., M. Danilovich, D. Frank, S. Owen, M.M. Rahman, B. Liedl. IPM Chronicle  Spring 2015. 3(2)1-9. West Virginia University Extension Service Publication: AG 15-120.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. Rahman, P.S. Ojiambo and F. Louws. 2015. Initial inoculum and spatial dispersal of Colletotrichum gloeosporiodies, the causal agent of strawberry anthracnose crown rot. Plant Disease 99:80-86. http://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/pdf/10.1094/PDIS-02-13-0144-RE
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. Rahman. 2015. Evaluation of fungicides for the control of tomato foliar diseases, 2014. Plant Disease Management Reports 9:V009. https://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/trial/pdmr/reports/2015/V009.pdf
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. Rahman. 2015. Integrated Management of major diseases on brambles. Proceedings of the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention Pp 47-49, Hershey, PA.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Chandran, R.S. 2014. Experiences with implementation and adoption of Integrated Pest Management in Northeastern USA. In Integrated Pest Management  Experiences with Implementation, Global Overview, Vol. 4. Peshin, R and Pimentel, D. (Ed.). Springer. pp 37-64.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Chandran, R.S. 2014. Strategies for reduced herbicide use in Integrated Pest Management. In Integrated Pest Management: Pesticide Problems, Vol.3 Pimentel, D. and Peshin, R. (Ed.). Springer. pp 303-329.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Chandran, R.S. 2015. Effect of glyphosate application rates, timings, and formulations on apple trees. Int. J. Trop. Agri. 33(2):1329-1330.