Source: PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to
GOING UNDERGROUND: DIGGING UP THE DIRT ON METARHIZIUM-PLANT-PEST INTERACTIONS IN AN ORGANIC CROPPING SYSTEM
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1010492
Grant No.
2016-51106-25715
Project No.
PENW-2016-06198
Proposal No.
2016-06198
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
112.E
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2016
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2021
Grant Year
2016
Project Director
Barbercheck, M. E.
Recipient Organization
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
408 Old Main
UNIVERSITY PARK,PA 16802-1505
Performing Department
Entomology
Non Technical Summary
Demand for organic feed exceeds supply, resulting in the need to facilitate production while maintaining environmental quality, beneficial processes and natural cycles. Overwintering cover crops in annual crop rotations promote soil conservation and natural enemies of pests, but little is known about cover crop effects on an often over-looked natural enemy - insect pathogens. We are investigating the effects of cover crops and soil characteristics on the novel interactions among the fungus, Metarhizium, an endemic disease-causing organisms of insects and plant-protective plant-associate, with crops and cover crops in an organic corn-soybean-wheat cropping system. Our objectives include: 1) characterize Metarhizium isolates from on-going organic research-station and on-farm experiments; 2) determine the ability of naturally-occuring isolates to form a relationships with cash crops and selected cover crops; 3) determine effects of Metarhizium infection of plants in a model system of corn, Zea mays, black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon; and Cochliobolus heterostrophus, the causal agent of southern corn leaf blight; and 4) determine the effect of plant-associated Metarhizium on the expression of key defense genes that protect plants from crop pests and diseases. Information from this research will be incorporated into evaluated Extension materials and activities to strengthen the capacity of Extension and other agricultural professionals to serve organic growers, and into undergraduate curricula. This project seeks to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of organic crop producers and those transitioning to organic practices, and to understand the effects of soil management and characteristics, crop rotation and cover crops on biodiversity and plant protection in organic feed-grain rotations.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
80%
Developmental
10%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
21501101102100%
Knowledge Area
215 - Biological Control of Pests Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
0110 - Soil;

Field Of Science
1102 - Mycology;
Goals / Objectives
Our long-term goal is to understand how to exploit the multiple benefits of the endemic soil fungus, Metarhizium, as an insect pathogen and as a plant symbiont in organic production systems.Our immediate research objectives are to:1) characterize isolates of Metarhizium from the on-going research-station and on-farm field experiments associated with a USDA OREI-funded project;2) determine the ability of endemic isolates to form endophytic relationships with cash crops and selected cover crops;3) determine the effects of endophytic Metarhizium on the performance of corn, Zea mays, and two corn pests, the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon, and Cochliobolus heterostrophus, the causative agent of southern corn leaf blight; and4) determine the effect of endophytic Metarhizium on the expression of key defense genes that protect plants from crop pests.
Project Methods
A field trial on certified organic land includes 12 cover crop treatments to compare ecosystem services associated with cover crop monocultures with cover crop mixtures designed to target particular services in an organic corn-soybean-wheat rotation. The experiment is a full-entry stripped plot design with 4 replicates, for a total of 144 treatment plots. Replicated experiments on 8 organic farms in the Mid-Atlantic will compare the effects of a standard and location-adjusted 5-cover crop mixture on the following corn crop. Isolates of Metarhizium from all treatments plots and sites will be cultured and identified using standard molecular techniques for this fungus to determine the effects of cover crop species, species diversity, and soil characteristics on the species and diversity of Metarhizium. The ability of selected isolates of Metarhizium to form an endophytic relationship in corn will be conducted as a greenhouse trial. Endophytic growth will be determined by reisolation of Metarhizium from exposed plants. We will conduct greenhouse assays to compare the effects of colonization with Metarhizium compared to no colonization on performance indicators on corn, including corn growth, relative growth rate of larval black cutworm, and infection by southern corn leaf blight. The effects of Metarhizium infection on plant defense gene expression in corn will be examined using realtime-PCR to obtain relative quantification of gene expression.

Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/21

Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers, Extension specialists and educators, other agricultural professionals, undergraduate and graduate students Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project provided training in the ecology and biology of tri-trophic interactions (microbe-plant-plant pest) to project personnel. Opportunities for scientific communication, presentations and networking were also provided to the post-doctoral scientist and graduate student associated with the project. The post-doctoral scientist mentored the graduate student on microbiological and molecular techniques. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results of the project were disseminated in academic seminars, in oral presentations at scientific and technical meetings, in undergraduate courses, and in extension programs. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1,we recovered more than 500 isolates from Metarhizium-infected cadavers of Galleria mellonella. Sanger sequencing of translation elongation factor 1 alpha (TEF 1-alpha) of representative isolates from our research site and collaborating commercial farms showed that all the selected isolates were M. robertsii.We submitted the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1-alpha) sequence of M. robertsii to the NCBI GenBank under accession number MK988559 and the single spore isolated culture to The Agricultural Research Service Collection of Entomopathogenic Fungal Cultures (ARSEF) under the accession number 14325. Onjective 2. In assays with maize, we recovered M. robertsii from 70 - 91% of plants grown from M. robertsii-treated seed. We detected M. robertsii more frequently in roots compared with leaves. Colonized plants were greater in plant height and above-ground biomass compared to control plants.The chlorophyll content (SPAD) of the 4th true leaf of maize plants grown from M. robertsii-treated seed was not significantly different from control plants.We tested the effects of M. robertsii inoculation of seeds of three cover crop species in three plant functional groups that were associated with different levels of detection of M. robertsii in the field: Austrian winter pea (Pisum sativum L. 'Arvika'), cereal rye (Secale cereale L. 'Aroostook'), and winter canola (Brassica napus L. 'Wichita'). We recovered M. robertsii from AWP (58.72 ± 0.62%; n = 52), cereal rye (46.45 ± 3.91%; n = 68), and canola (39.05 ± 3.74%; n = 51) plants grown from inoculated seeds. When we compared among cover crop species, we found greater endophytic colonization in Austrian winter pea than cereal rye and canola. There was no difference in endophytic colonization between canola and cereal rye (p < 0.03, F2,91 = 3.8, n = 94). Endophytic colonization of root tissue was greater than colonization of leaf tissue in Austrian winter pea (p = 0.007, F1,28 = 8.23, n = 30) and canola (p = 0.02, F1,24 = 6.72, n = 26), and was not different in cereal rye (p = 0.43, F1,36 = 0.64, n = 38).Endophytic M. robertsii significantly increased height and above-ground biomass of Austrian winter pea and cereal rye, but did not affect chlorophyll content of any of the cover crop species compared with non-inoculated control plants. The ability of M. robertsii to systemically colonize plants commonly grown as winter cover crops suggests that an additional benefit of cover crops may help to conserve Metarhizium in annual cropping systems. Objective 3. The mean relative growth rate (RGR) of 2nd instar black cutworm fed for 96 hours on maize grown from M. robertsii-treated seed was significantly lower than BCW fed on control plants (F2, 11=16.11; P = 0.006). The RGR for black cutworm was weakly negatively correlated with the proportion of endophytic leaf (r2 = 0.02; P=0.03) and root tissue (r2 = 0.02; P=0.03). We conducted greenhouse assays to determine the effects of endophytic M. robertsii on the growth and severity of Southern Corn Leaf Blight (SCLB) disease caused by Cochliobolus heterostrophus in maize. The severity of SCLB in C. heterostrophus-inoculated plants was lower in M. robertsii-endophytic maize compared to non-endophytic plants. Objective 4. Maize leaf tissue from M. robertsii-colonized plants showed changes in the expression of genes involved in plant defense.In the jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis pathway, lipoxygenase 1 (lox1) (P = 0.0001; F1,22 = 29.5) and 12-oxo-phytodienoate reductase 7 (opr7) (P = 0.02; F1,22 = 6.56) in V4 leaf tissue from plants grown from M. robertsii- inoculated plants were up-regulated compared to control plants. In the JA response pathway, maize protease inhibitor (mpi) (P = 0.002; F1,22 =13.23) in leaf tissue from plants grown from M. robertsii- inoculated plants was down-regulated compared to control plants. In the salicylic acid (SA) response pathway, pathogenesis-related protein 5 (pr5) (P = 0.0001; F1,22 = 24) in V4 leaf tissue from M. robertsii- inoculated plants was up-regulated compared with control plants. The chitinase gene, endochitinase A (P = 0.0036; F1,22 =10.63) was up-regulated in V4 leaf tissue from M. robertsii- inoculated plants whereas pathogenesis-related protein 4 (pr4) (P = 0.006; F1,22 =16.11) was down-regulated compared to control plants. In assays that compared selected gene expression and phytohormone content of maize sequentially inoculated with M. robertsii followed by C. heterostrophus, both defense gene expression and phytohormone content were different ompared with control plants. lox1,lox3, and lox 6were upregulated in maize leaf tissue inoculated with C. heterostrophus compared to control, M.robertsii-inoculated, and plants inoculated sequentially with both microbes. Endochitinase A was upregulated in plants in C. heterostrophus compared to plants inthe control and M. robertsii treatment. Pathogeneis-related genes (pr4 and pr5 ) were upregulated in plants in the C. heterostrophus treatment compared to the control and M. robertsii and M. robertsii + C. heterostrophus treatments. Among the measured phytohormones in maizee leaf tissue, cis-zeatin was greater in the C. heterostrophus treatment compared with the control and M. robertsii treatments. Giberellin 19 was lower in treaments with C. heterostrophus compared to the M. robertsii treatment. The salicylic acid content of maize leaf tissue was greater in the M. robertsii + C. heterostrophus treatment compared to the control and M. robertsii treatment.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Flonc, B., Barbercheck, M., Ahmad. I. 2021. Observations on the relationships between endophytic Metarhizium robertsii and Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on maize. Pathogens 10(6), 713. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10060713. Special Issue Plant-Microbe-Invertebrate Pest Interactions. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/6/713
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Wallace, J.M., Barbercheck, M.E., Curran, W., Keene, C.L., Mirsky, S.B., Ryan, M. and VanGessel, M. 2021. Cover crop-based, rotational no-till (CCORNT) management tactics influence crop performance in organic transition within the Mid-Atlantic U.S. Agron. J. 00:1-13, https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20822
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Submitted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Peterson, H., Barbercheck, M. 2022. Impact of Water Stress on the Establishment and Persistence of Endophytic and Entomopathogenic Metarhizium robertsii. Eastern Branch ESA Meeting, Feb. 19-21, Philadelphia, PA
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Ahmad, I. M. d. M. Jim�nez-Gasco, D. S. Luthe. and M. E. Barbercheck. Antagonistic effects of endophytic Metarhizium robertsii on Cochliobolus heterostrophus and its role in modulation of maize defense. In prep. to be submitted to PLoS Biology in 2022
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Barbercheck, M., Borrelli, K. (Eds). 2021. Penn State Organic Crop Production Guide. AGRS 124-G. https://extension.psu.edu/penn-state-organic-crop-production-guide


Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21

Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers, Agricultural professionals, Scientists, Extension, Students Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results of the project were disseminated through extension webinars and articles. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The project is coming to a close. We will analyze data and write up results for publication in scientific journals.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We recovered more than 500 isolates from Metarhizium-infected cadavers of Galleria mellonella. Sanger sequencing of translation elongation factor 1 alpha (TEF 1-alpha) of representative isolates from our research site and collaborating commercial farms showed that all the selected isolates were M. robertsii. We evaluated the effects of seed inoculation of maize with M. robertsii on Southern Corn Leaf Blight (SCLB) caused by Cochliobolus heterostrophus at V4-V5 growth stage. We treated seed either treated with 0.1% triton x-100 (control) or with M. robertsii spore suspension in 0.1 % triton x-100 solution (M. robertsii treated). At V3 growth stage, half of the plants from each treatment were sprayed with 0.1 % triton x-100 solution and half were treated with C. heterostrophus spore suspension in 0.1 % triton x-100 solution (1 x 104 spores/ml). We evaluated plants at V4-V5 stage after 96 hours of C. heterostrophus inoculation. There was significant difference in plant height (p< 0.036; F3,129 = 3.05) and above-ground biomass among treatments (p< 0.0007; F3,129 = 6.05). Height and biomass of M. robertsii-treated plants (C. heterostrophus-infected and non-infected) was greater than those of control plants. There was no difference in height and biomass of C. heterostrophus-infected and non-infected plants. The severity of SCLB was less in M. robertsii-treated maize infected with C. heterostrophus than the non-treated maize. We evaluated the effects of treatment on the concentration of different defense and growth related phytohormones in maize leaf at V4-V5 stage. There was significant difference in the content of cis-Zeatin (p< 0.04; F3,23 = 3.27), gibberellin 19 (p< 0.0002; F3,14 = 14.14) and salicylic acid (p< 0.007; F3,22 = 5.17) among treatments. M. robertsii and C. heterostrophus inoculation also modulated the express of key defense genes in maize. There was significant difference in the expression of lipoxygenase1 (p< 0.0001; F3,14 = 23.5), lipoxygenase 3 (p< 0.0001; F3,43 = 8.6), lipoxygenase 6 (p< 0.02; F3,43 = 8.6), endochitinase A (p< 0.0001; F3,43 = 10.21), pathogenesis related gene 4 (p< 0.0001; F3,43 = 11.79) and pathogenesis-related gene 5 (p< 0.005; F3,43 = 4.88). Endophytic colonization of maize plants by M. robertsii promoted plant growth and altered defense gene expression and phytohormone content in maize in response to Southern Corn Leaf Blight.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Ahmad, I., M. del M. Jim�nez-Gasco, D. S. Luthe, M. E. Barbercheck. 2020. Systemic colonization by Metarhizium robertsii enhances cover crop growth. Journal of Fungi 62(2):64 https://doi.org/10.3390/jof6020064
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Ahmad I., Zaib S. 2020. Mighty Microbes: Plant Growth Promoting Microbes in Soil Health and Sustainable Agriculture. In: Giri B., Varma A. (eds) Soil Health. Soil Biology, vol 59. Springer, Cham. http://doi-org-443.webvpn.fjmu.edu.cn/10.1007/978-3-030-44364-1_14
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Cloutier, M., E. Murrell; M. Barbercheck; J. Kaye; D. Finney; I. Garcia-Gonzalez; M. A. Bruns. 2020. Fungal community shifts in soils with varied cover crop treatments and edaphic properties. Scientific Reports 10: 6198. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-63173-7
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Ahmad, I., M. Jim�nez-Gasco, D. S. Luthe, S.N. Shakee, M.E. Barbercheck. 2020. Endophytic Metarhizium robertsii promotes maize growth and suppresses insect growth by eliciting plant defense. Biological Control 144: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2019.104167
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Barbercheck, M. 2020. Many Factors Influence Interpretation of Soil Health Tests. Penn State Extension Field Crop News, 15 May 2020.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Borelli, K. Busch, A., Barbercheck, M. 2020. Is organic certification right for your operation? . Penn State Extension Field Crop News 27 May 2020


Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20

Outputs
Target Audience:Scientists, undergraduate and graduate students, farmers, agricultural professionals Changes/Problems:We will complete the project under a no-cost extension becasue our progress was delayed due to restrictions associate with COVID-19. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Five undergraduate students conducted internships associated with this project. One graduate student completed a Master's Degree. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results from this project were disseminated in two courses: AGECO144 Principles and Practices of Organic Agriculture, Fall Semester 2019, 3 credits, 25 undergraduate students; and FOR 597 Global Agricultural Systems, delivered lecture, Arthropod Management and IPM. Fall semester 2019; 3 hrs; 12 graduate students. Information from this project wass included in Extension presentations:Barbercheck, M. (organizer and presenter) 2020. Organic Research Flash Talks & Discussion Session. PASA Farming for the Future Conference, 8 Feb. 2020. 80-min workshop. Lancaster, PA;and Barbercheck, M. (panelist with J. Wallace, K. Borrelli, J. Cook). 2020. Organic Crop Production Q & A. Virtual Ag Progress Days Session. 34 attendees. 11 August 2020. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Because of restrictions associate with COVID-19, we were unable to finish experiments associated with Objective3) determine the effects of endophytic Metarhizium on the performance of corn, Zea mays, and two model corn pests, the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon, and Cochliobolus heterostrophus, the causative agent of southern corn leaf blight. Expected outcome: The effect of endophytic Metarhizium on corn growth and on growth and survival of black cutworm and on the development of southern corn leaf blight will vary according to Metarhizium species and isolate. One replicate has been completed. We have requested and received a no-cost extension so that we may complete experiments associated with this objective. Upon completion of the experiment and data analysis, we will write up the results for publication in scientific journals.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We recovered more than 420 isolates from Metarhizium-infected cadavers of Galleria mellonella. Sanger sequencing of TEF 1-alpha of representative isolates from our research site. All the selected isolates were M. robertsii. We inoculated seeds of maize (Zea mays L.) with spores of Metarhizium robertsii and evaluated V4 maize for endophytic colonization of leaves and roots, measured plant height, chlorophyll content and above-ground biomass, and relative growth rate of black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel), and expression of selected plant defense genes. We recovered M. robertsii from 91% of plants grown from inoculated seeds. We detected M. robertsii more frequently in roots compared with leaves. Colonized plants were greater in plant height and above-ground biomass compared to control plants suggesting a beneficial effect on plant growth. Leaf tissue from colonized plants showed changes in the expression of genes involved in plant defense. Phytohormone analyses of leaf tissues showed that the levels of jasmonic acid and salicylic acid were not different between control and M. robertsii-treated plants. Phytohormone gibberellin 19 was greater in leaf tissue of M. robertsii-treated plants compared with control plants. There was no difference in the level of gibberellin 24 in the leaf tissue of control and M. robertsii-treated plants. In feeding bioassays, the relative growth rate of black cutworm was lower on leaves from endophytic plants compared to control plants. We evaluated the effects of seed inoculation of maize with M. robertsii on southern corn leaf blight caused by Cochliobolus heterostrophus at V4-V5 growth stage. Seeds were either treated with 0.1% triton x-100 (control) or with M. robertsii spore suspension in 0.1 % triton x-100 solution (M. robertsii treated). At V3 growth stage, half of the plants from each treatment were sprayed with 0.1 % triton x-100 solution and half were treated with C. heterostrophus spore suspension in 0.1 % triton x-100 solution (1 x 104 spores/ml). We evaluated plants at V4-V5 stage after 96 hours of C. heterostrophus inoculation. Biomass (p < 0.05; F3,46 = 3.01) and chlorophyll content (p < 0.068; F3,46= 2.56) were not different among treatments. There was significant difference in plant height among treatments (p < 0.036; F3,46 = 3.09). Height of M. robertsii+ / C. heterostrophus+ plants (82.49 ± 1.55 cm) was greater than control (M. robertsii- / C. heterostrophus-) plants (76.0 ± 1.55 cm) but was not different than M. robertsii+ (77.99 ± 1.5 cm) or C. heterostrophus+ (78.11 ± 1.7 cm) plants. There was no difference among the heights of C. heterostrophus+ (78.11 ± 1.7 cm), M. robertsii+ (77.99 ± 1.5 cm) and control (M. robertsii- / C. heterostrophus-) plants (76.0 ± 1.55 cm). We evaluated the effects of treatment on the concentration of different defense and growth related phytohormones in maize leaf at V4-V5 stage. There was significant difference in the concentration of gibberellin 19 among treatments (p < 0.0001; F1,11 = 41.83). M. robertsii+ plants (12.37 ± 0.57 ng/g FW) had greater level of gibberellin 19 than control (M. robertsii- / C. heterostrophus-) (7.56 ± 0.56 ng/g FW), C. heterostrophus+ (4.90 ± 0.56 ng/g FW) and M. robertsii+ / C. heterostrophus+ (4.36 ± 0.56 ng/g FW). The level of gibberellin 19 in control (M. robertsii- / C. heterostrophus-) (7.56 ± 0.56 ng/g FW) plants was greater than C. heterostrophus+ (4.90 ± 0.56 ng/g FW) and M. robertsii+ / C. heterostrophus+ (4.36 ± 0.56 ng/g FW). There was no difference in the level of gibberellin 19 in C. heterostrophus+ (4.90 ± 0.56 ng/g FW) and M. robertsii+ / C. heterostrophus+ (4.36 ± 0.56 ng/g FW). There was significant difference in the concentration of gibberellin 24 among treatments (p < 0.0001; F1,11 = 30). M. robertsii+ plants (8.72 ± 0.74 ng/g FW) had greater level of gibberellin 24 than C. heterostrophus+ (0.00 ± 0.74 ng/g FW) and M. robertsii+ / C. heterostrophus+ (2.12 ± 0.74 ng/g FW). The level of gibberellin 24 in control (M. robertsii- / C. heterostrophus-) (6.97 ± 0.74 ng/g FW) plants was greater than C. heterostrophus+ (0.00 ± 0.74 ng/g FW) and M. robertsii+ / C. heterostrophus+ (2.12 ± 0.74 ng/g FW). There was no difference in the level of gibberellin 24 in C. heterostrophus+ (0.00 ± 0.74 ng/g FW) and M. robertsii+ / C. heterostrophus+ (2.12 ± 0.74 ng/g FW). There was no difference in the level of gibberellin 24 in leaves from M. robertsii+ plants (8.72 ± 0.74 ng/g FW) and control (M. robertsii- / C. heterostrophus-) (6.97 ± 0.74 ng/g FW) plants. There was significant difference in the concentration of salicylic acid (SA) among treatments (p < 0.0045; F1,11 = 9.94). The level of SA in C. heterostrophus+ plants (15.42 ± 1.72 ng/g FW) was greater than in control (M. robertsii- / C. heterostrophus-) (3.18 ± 1.72 ng/g FW), C. M. robertsii+ / C. heterostrophus+ (6.42 ± 1.72 ng/g FW) and M. robertsii+ (5.15 ± 1.72 ng/g FW) plants. There was no difference in the levels of SA in control (M. robertsii- / C. heterostrophus-) (3.18 ± 1.72 ng/g FW), C. M. robertsii+ / C. heterostrophus+ (6.42 ± 1.72 ng/g FW) and M. robertsii+ (5.15 ± 1.72 ng/g FW) plants. SA induction is the marker of defense response by in diseased plants. There was no difference in the levels of jasmonic acid among treatments (p < 0.36; F1,11 = 9.94) suggesting the absence of herbivory defense response due to no herbivory stress. Endophytic colonization of maize plants by M. robertsii promoted plant growth and altered defense gene expression in maize, and suppressed growth rate of black cutworm larvae. We will repeat the experiment three times on the evaluation of effects of M. robertsii on C. heterostrophus.

Publications

  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Flonc, B. 2019. do Fungi Make Caterpillars Picky Eaters? Effects of Endophytic Metarhizium robertsii on Corn, Zea mays, Growth and Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Barbercheck, M., Borrelli, K. 2020. Terminating Winter Cover Crops in Organic Feed and Forage Crops Field Crop News, July 8, 2020. https://extension.psu.edu/terminating-winter-cover-crops-in-organic-feed-and-forage-crops
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Barbercheck, M. 2020. Many Factors Influence Interpretation of Soil Health Tests. Field Crop News, 15 May 2020. https://extension.psu.edu/many-factors-influence-interpretation-of-soil-healthtests?j=536510&sfmc_sub=35519620&l=159_HTML&u=10724487&mid=7234940&jb=9&utm_medium=email&utm_source=MarketingCloud&utm_campaign=FAFC-2020-MAY-13-GN-EM-Field+Crop+News&utm_content=FAFC-2020-MAY-13-GN-EM-Field+Crop+News&subscriberkey=0030W00003P0ySiQAJ
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Barbercheck, M. 2020. Predators control pests and crop damage during transition to organic. Research highlight. Field Crop News 15 April 2020. https://extension.psu.edu/predators-control-pests-and-crop-damage-during-transition-to-organic?j=531624&sfmc_sub=35519620&l=159_HTML&u=10500004&mid=7234940&jb=9&utm_medium=email&utm_source=MarketingCloud&utm_campaign=FAFC-2020-APR-16-GN-EM-Field+Crop+News&utm_content=FAFC-2020-APR-16-GN-EM-Field+Crop+News&subscriberkey=0030W00003P0ySiQAJ
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Borelli, K. Busch, A., Barbercheck, M. 2020. Is organic certification right for your operation? Field Crop News 27 May 2020 https://extension.psu.edu/is-organic-certification-right-for-your-operation?j=538536&sfmc_sub=35519620&l=159_HTML&u=10818935&mid=7234940&jb=9&utm_medium=email&utm_source=MarketingCloud&utm_campaign=FAFC-2020-MAY-28-GN-EM-Field+Crop+News&utm_content=FAFC-2020-MAY-28-GN-EM-Field+Crop+News&subscriberkey=0030W00003P0ySiQAJ
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Ahmad, I., M. del M. Jim�nez-Gasco, D. S. Luthe, M. E. Barbercheck. 2020. Systemic colonization by Metarhizium robertsii enhances cover crop growth. Journal of Fungi 62(2):64 https://doi.org/10.3390/jof6020064
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Ahmad I., Zaib S. 2020. Mighty Microbes: Plant Growth Promoting Microbes in Soil Health and Sustainable Agriculture. In: Giri B., Varma A. (eds) Soil Health. Soil Biology, vol 59. Springer, Cham. http://doi-org-443.webvpn.fjmu.edu.cn/10.1007/978-3-030-44364-1_14
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Ahmad, I., M. Jim�nez-Gasco, D. S. Luthe, S.N. Shakee, M.E. Barbercheck. 2020. Endophytic Metarhizium robertsii promotes maize growth and suppresses insect growth by eliciting plant defense. Biological Control 144: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2019.104167
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Cloutier, M., E. Murrell; M. Barbercheck; J. Kaye; D. Finney; I. Garcia-Gonzalez; M. A. Bruns. 2020. Fungal community shifts in soils with varied cover crop treatments and edaphic properties. Scientific Reports 10: 6198. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-63173-7
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Neher, D.A. and Barbercheck, M.E. 2019. Soil microarthropods and soil health: Intersection of decomposition and pest suppression. Insects 10(12): 414.doi: 10.3390/insects10120414


Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19

Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers,agricultural professionals, scientists, graduate and undergraduate students Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Presentations at scientific meetings/seminars: Ahmad I., Jiménez-Gasco, M.D.M., Luthe, & Barbercheck, M. (2019). Mighty Microbes: The Tri-trophic interactions of endophytic Metarhizium in maize. XXVIII Plant and Animal Genome, 2020, San Diego, CA, USA, Jan. 11-15, 2020. (Oral presentation) Ahmad I., Jiménez-Gasco, M.D.M., Luthe, D.S. Shakeel S.N. & Barbercheck, M. (2019). Endophytic Metarhizium robertsii affects maize growth and gene expression and growth of black cutworm by eliciting plant defense. Society for Invertebrate Pathology 2019, Valencia Spain, Jul. 28-Aug.1, 2019. (Oral presentation) Ahmad I., Jiménez-Gasco, M.D.M., Luthe, D.S. Shakeel S.N. & Barbercheck, M. (2019).Conservation of a multifunctional insect-pathogenic fungus in agroecosystems. Field Day,Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Station, Rock Springs, PA, Jun. 11, 2019. (Oral presentation) Ahmad I., Flonc, B., Voortman, C., Jiménez-Gasco, M. D. M., Luthe, D. S. & Barbercheck, M. (2018). Going underground: The ecology of a beneficial fungus in an organic agroecosystem. North-East Cover Crop Council Meeting, State College, PA, USA. Nov. 15, 2018. (Poster presentation) Ahmad I., Voortman, C., Jiménez-Gasco, M. D. M., Luthe, D. S. & Barbercheck, M. (2018).Harnessing nature: Role of beneficial soil-borne fungi in an agroecosystem. Pestworld2018, Orlando, FL, USA, Oct. 23-27, 2018. (Oral presentation) Ahmad I., Voortman, C., Jiménez-Gasco, M. D. M., Luthe, D. S. & Barbercheck, M. (2018). Going underground: The ecology of a beneficial fungus in an organic agroecosystem. Plant Sciences Symposium, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA. Sep. 6, 2018.(Poster presentation) Ahmad,I., M. Jiménez-Gasco,D.S. Luthe,S. N. Shakeel,M.E.Barbercheck (2019). EndophyticMetarhizium robertsiipromotes maize growth and suppresses insect growth by eliciting plant defense. ASPB Annual Conference, Plant Biology 2019, Aug. 3-7, 2019, San Jose, USA. Ahmad,I., M. Jiménez-Gasco,D.S. Luthe,S., M.E.Barbercheck (2019). Endophytic Metarhizium robertsii Affects Maize Growth and Gene Expression and Growth of Black Cutworm. Society for Invertebrate Pathology/IOBC Annual Meeting, Valencia, Spain, July 29 - Aug. 1, 2019. Barbercheck, M., Voortman, C. 2019. Conservation of Metarhizium, a multifuctional beneficial fungus, in agronomic crops. Eastern Branch Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, Blacksburg, VA, March 9-12, 2019 (Invited). Barbercheck, M. 2019. Ecology of a multifunctional fungus, Metarhizium robertsii, in organic cropping systems. Invited seminar. Dept. of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, Penn State University. Sept. 30, 2019. Barbercheck, M., Gruver, J. Pest and weed management strategies for the transitioning producer. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Webinar and Podcast Series. 19 March 2019. 175 attendees. Barbercheck, M. 2019. Cover Crop Identity, Not Diversity, & Agroecosystem Characteristics Affect the Occurrence of a Beneficial Soil Fungus Northeast Cover Crop Council Annual Meeting, State College, PA, Nov. 15, 2019. 50 participants Barbercheck. 2019. Managing soil health on urban farms. Homewood Historical Farm. Pittsburgh, PA. 13 July 2019. 35 attendees, 3 African American, 3 youth, 20 women. Barbercheck, M. 2019. Organic 101. A Growing Opportunity for PA Farmers. Allegheny Co. Crops Day. Meadville, PA. 21 March 2019. 20 attendees, 2 women Barbercheck, M., H. Karsten. 2019. AGECO 144 Principles and Practices of Organic Agriculture. Fall semester 2019. 3 credits. 25 students. Jabbour, R., Francis, C., Barbercheck, M., Ullman, K, Organic Agriculture Teaching and Learning in 2025: An Exercise in Visioning. (poster) June 18-21, 2019. University of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls, ID What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We have completed field experiments associated with this project and are now planning the new directions for continuing to optimize practices to conserve beneficial soil organisms and soil health in organic agronomic cropping systems. We are currently writing and submitting manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and extension articles and materials.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We have completed field experiments associated with this project and are now planning the new directions for continuing to optimize practices to conserve beneficial soil organisms and soil health in organic agronomic cropping systems. We are currently writing and submitting manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and extension articles and materials. In a greenhouse study, we used spores of M. robertsii to compare the degree of endophytic colonization in maize when grown from inoculated seed vs inoculation through drenching soil with spores. For seed inoculation, we exposed seed with spores of M. robertsii (1 x 108 spores/ml) and control seed with 0.1 % triton X-100 for 2h. For soil inoculation, we inoculated the base of each maize plant at V1 growth stage with 10 ml of spore suspension (1 x 108 spores/ml) and control plant with 10 ml of 0.1 % triton X-100. We sampled all the plants at V4 growth stage and plated at CTC growth media for evaluation of endophytic colonization. We recovered endophytic M. robertsii more frequently from soil- compared with seed-inoculated plants (p<0.002; F1,20=12.3; n=22). We recovered M. robertsii more frequently from the roots of soil-inoculated plants compared with seed-inoculated plants (p<0.03; F1,15=5.89; n= 17). Height (p<0.16; F1,21=2.1; n=22) and aboveground biomass (p<0.69; F1,22=0.16; n=22) of endophytic plants were not different between the inoculation methods. In field experiments, we detected only M. robertsii in research-station and on-farm plots in PA and NY, which is consistent with past studies indicating its cosmopolitan distribution and wide host range. In an experiment that included winter cover crop species mixtures of varying composition and diversity, ranging from none to seven species, we detected M. robertsii most frequently in soil from corn plots following a winter cover crop of Austrian winter pea (AWP) (Pisum sativum L. var. Arvika) and least following winter canola (Brassica napus L. var. Wichita). The proportion of cereal rye (Secale cereale L. var. Aroostook) in cover crop mixtures was negatively related to the detection of M. robertsii. These results indicate that cover crop species, which is easily changed, can directly or indirectly influence the prevalence of Metarhizium. We conducted greenhouse assays to determine the ability of M. robertsii to colonize AWP, cereal rye and canola from seed-inoculation. Thirty days after germination, we recovered M. robertsii from 58.8±2.6%, 47.1±16.3%, and 48.9± 16.5% of AWP, cereal rye, and canola plants grown from M. robertsii-treated seed, respectively. The proportion of all species from which we detected endophytic colonization in only root tissues (32.8±2.1%) was significantly greater than those with endophytic colonization only in leaves (23.3±2.2%) or both leaves and roots (30.3 ± 2.0%) (p < 0.0001, F9,88 = 8.29). Endophytic M. robertsii increased the height and biomass of AWP and cereal rye, but only the height of canola relative to control plants. The chlorophyll content of endophytic plants was not different from control plants. The ability of M. robertsii to colonize a range of common cover crops suggests that they have the potential to conserve M. robertsii in annual cropping systems. Even cover crops that were negatively associated with M. robertsii in the field hosted endophytic M. robertsii, suggesting that further examination of environmental factors is needed to identify practices or soil factors that may limit the prevalence of M. robertsii. In greenhouse assays to examine colonization of corn by seed inoculation, we recovered M. robertsii from 91.1±4.1% of plants grown from treated seed. We detected M. robertsii more frequently in roots (49.6 ± 2.3%) than in leaves (33.3 ± 2.4%) of V4 plants. Colonized corn plants were greater in height (F2,227 = 3.73, p = 0.03) and above-ground biomass (F2,211 = 6.37, p = 0.002) than control plants. Above-ground biomass of corn plants was positively correlated with the proportion of root, but not leaf, sections/plant in which M. robertsii was detected (r2Adj = 0.03; p = 0.006; Estimate = 0.67).3 In detached-leaf feeding assays, the relative growth rates of 2nd instar BCW were lower (F2,211 = 4.66, p = 0.01) when fed on corn leaves from M. robertsii-colonized plants compared to control plants. In leaf tissue from M. robertsii-treated plants, defense genes in the JA pathway, including lipoxygenase 1 (LOX1) and oxo-phytodienoate reductase 7 (OPR7) were up-regulated and maize protease inhibitor (MPI) was down-regulated, whereas the pathogensis-related gene (PR5) in the SA pathway was upregulated compared with control plants. The expression of endochitinase A, a defense gene against chitin-containing pathogens was up-regulated and PR4, a gene that encodes a chitin-binding protein that can degrade the gut lining of insects that feed on corn leaves110 was down-regulated in M. robertsii-treated plants. These results confirm the ability of M. robertsii to readily establish a systemic relationship with corn that has growth promoting and insect-suppressive effects and alters plant defense-related gene expression.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ahmad, I., Zaib, S., Alves, P. C., Luthe, D. S., Asghari, B., & Shakeel, S. N. (2019). Molecular and physiological analysis of drought stress response in Zea mays treated with Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria. Biologia Plantarum 63: 536-547.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Bell, T., K.L. Hockett, R.I. Alcal�-Brise�o, M. Barbercheck, G. A. Beattie, M.A. Bruns, J. Carlson, T. Chung, A. Collins, B. Emmett, P. Esker, K. A. Garrett, L. Glenna, B. Gugino, M. del mar Jimenez-Gasco, L. Kinkel, J. Kovac, K. Kowalski, G. Kuldau, J. Leveau, J. Myrick, K. Peter, A. Shade, N. Stopnisek, X. Tan, A. T. Welty, K. Wickings, E. Yergeau. 2019. Manipulating Wild and Tamed Phytobiomes: Challenges and Opportunities. Published Online: 9 May 2019. https://doi.org/10.1094/PBIOMES-01-19-0006-W
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Hunter, M.C., M. E. Schipanski, M. H. Burgess, J. C. LaChance, B. A. Bradley, M. E. Barbercheck, J. P. Kaye, D. A. Mortensen. 2019. Cover Crop Mixture Effects on Maize, Soybean, and Wheat Yield in Rotation. Agric. Environ. Lett. 4:180051 (2019) doi:10.2134/ael2018.10.0051
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2019 Citation: Jabbour, R., C. Francis, M. Barbercheck, K. S. Ullman. 2019. Organic Agriculture Teaching and Learning in 2025: A Futuring Workshop to Guide Transformation of the Learning Landscape. In press. NACTA Journal. (MS# 2019-0115)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2019 Citation: Neher, D.A.; Barbercheck, M.E. In press. Soil microarthropods and soil health: Intersection of decomposition and pest suppression. Insects: Manuscript ID: insects-629084. Invited review for special issue: Elucidating the Role of Soil Arthropods in Soil Health. https://www.mdpi.com/journal/insects/special_issues/soil_arthropods
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Under Review Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ahmad, I., Zaib, S. (2019). Beneficial microbes in sustainable agriculture in Soil Health. Elsevier. (Under Editorial review)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2020 Citation: Cloutier, M., E. Murrell; M. Barbercheck; J. Kaye; D. Finney; I. Garcia-Gonzalez; M. A Bruns.: Mycorrhizal, entomopathogenic, and core fungal assemblages respond to cover crop type, species mixtures and soil texture in a multi-species experiment. Revision submitted to Agr. Ecosyst. Environ. MS. #AGEE22387R2
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2020 Citation: Hinds, J., Barbercheck, M.E. Diversified floral provisioning enhances performance of the generalist predator, Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), submitted to Biological Control, 30 Sept. 2019, ms # BCON_2019_668
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2020 Citation: Rowen, E., Regan, K., Barbercheck, M., Tooker, J. Tillage in agriculture: Is it beneficial or detrimental for invertebrate pest management? Submitted to Agric. Ecosyst. Environment, September 6, 2019.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Neher, D.A.; Barbercheck, M.E. Soil microarthropods and soil health: Intersection of decomposition and pest suppression. Preprints 2019, 2019110093 (doi: 10.20944/preprints201911.0093.v1).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ahmad, I., Jim�nez-Gasco, M. D. M., Luthe, D. S., Barbercheck, M. Endophytic Metarhizium robertsii enhances maize growth and suppresses insect growth by eliciting plant defense. Biological Control (Under review)


Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/18

Outputs
Target Audience:Agricultural scientists, agricultural professionals, extension specialists, undergraduate and graduate students, farmers Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project team delivered19 presentations at scientific and agricultural industry conferences. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The project team participated in and predented project-related information at four Extension/Outreach events. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In coming year, we will process samples and data from experiments to assess naturally-occurring infections of corn by Metarhizium. We will identify the Metarhizium isolates from on-going research station experiment and on-farm experiments using molecular techniques to determine effects of cover crops and soil properties on Metarhizium prevalence. We will initiate experiments to determine the study the effects of endophytic M. robertsii on Cochliobolus heterostrophus, the causative agent of southern corn leaf blight to expand our understanding of the role of Metarhizium in crop plants. We will also initiate experiments to determine the role of Metarhizium-plant interactions on plant defense and growth-related gene expression regulation. We will present project information at conferences and educational events as the opportunity arises.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In greenhouse assays to determine rates of colonization of maize by M. robertsii by inoculation of seed, we recovered M. robertsii from 91.06 ± 4.05 % of plants grown from treated seed. We detected M. robertsii more frequently in roots (49.66 ± 2.33 %) compared with leaves (33.33 ± 2.43 %). Endophytically colonized plants were significantly greater in plant height (P = 0.03; F2,227 = 3.73) and above-ground biomass (P = 0.002; F2,211 = 6.37) compared to control plants. Chlorophyll content did not differ (P = 0.35; F2,227 = 1.05) among treated and control plants. In assays with Agrotis ipsilon, the Black cutworm (BCW), the relative growth rate of 2nd instar black cutworm was lower (P = 0.01; F2,211 = 4.66) when fed on maize leaves from endophytic plants compared to control plants. In assays with the Spodoptera frugiperda, the Fall Armyworm (FAW), there was no difference in relative growth rate (RGR) of fall armyworm larvae fed a diet of M. robertsii-exposed corn leaf tissue and the RGR of fall armyworm larvae fed untreated control leaf tissue. FAW exhibited no preference between M. robertsii-infected corn leaf tissue and untreated corn leaf tissue in choice assays. In summary, in greenhouse assays, infection of corn with M. robertsii, had growth promotive effects on maize plants and growth suppressive effects on black cutworm larvae, but no effect of fall armyworm larvae.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Randhawa, P. K., Mullen, C., Barbercheck, M. 2018. Plant identity, but not diversity, and agroecosystem characteristics affect the occurrence of M. robertsii in an organic cropping system. Biological Control 124:18-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2018.06.001
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Ahmad I., Brianna Flonc, Christina Mullen, Maria Jimenez-Gasco, Dawn Luthe, Mary Barbercheck. 2018. Going underground: The ecology of a beneficial fungus in an organic agroecosystem. North-East Cover Crop Council Meeting, State College, PA, USA. Nov. 15th, 2018. (Poster presentation)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Ahmad I., Christina Mullen, Mary Barbercheck, Dawn S. Luthe, Maria Jimenez-Gasco. 2018. Harnessing nature: Role of beneficial soil-borne fungi in an agroecosystem. Pestworld2018, Orlando, FL, USA, 23-27th Oct. 2018. (Oral presentation)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Ahmad I., Christina Mullen, Maria Jimenez-Gasco, Dawn Luthe, Mary Barbercheck. 2018. Going underground: The ecology of a beneficial fungus in an organic agroecosystem. Plant Sciences Symposium, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA. Sep. 6th, 2018. (Poster presentation)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Ahmad I., Christina Mullen, Maria Jimenez-Gasco, Dawn Luthe, Mary Barbercheck. 2018. Going underground: The ecology of a beneficial fungus in an organic agroecosystem. Plant Biology Symposium, Penn State, PA, USA, 19-22 June 2018. (Poster presentation)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Ahmad I., Brianna Flonc, Christina Mullen, Maria Jimenez-Gasco, Dawn Luthe, Mary Barbercheck. 2018. Going underground: The ecology of a beneficial fungus in an organic agroecosystem. 8th Annual PSU Sustainable Cropping Systems Symposium, Penn State, PA, USA. April 6th, 2018. (Poster presentation)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Ahmad I., Brianna Flonc, Christina Mullen, Maria Jimenez-Gasco, Dawn Luthe, Mary Barbercheck. 2018. Going underground: The ecology of a beneficial fungus in an organic agroecosystem. Farming for the future, organized by Pennsylvania Sustainable Agriculture (PASA), Penn State, PA, USA, 7-10 Feb. 2018. (Poster presentation)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Ahmad, I., Christina Mullen, Mary Barbercheck, Dawn S. Luthe, Maria Jimenez-Gasco. 2017. Metarhizium: A Multifunctional Fungal Bodyguard of Plants. Post-Doctoral Research Exhibition, Penn State, PA, USA, 22nd Sep. 2017. (Poster Presentation)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Ahmad, I., Christina Mullen, Mary Barbercheck, Dawn S. Luthe, Maria Jimenez-Gasco. 2017. Metarhizium: A Multifunctional Fungal Bodyguard of Plants. Bioinformatics & Genomics Retreat 2017, Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, Penn State, PA, USA, 22-23rd Sep. 2017. (Poster Presentation)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Ahmad, I., Christina Mullen, Mary Barbercheck, Dawn S. Luthe, Maria Jimenez-Gasco. 2017. Natural Nurture: Plant Growth Promotion by Multifunctional Fungi. National Pest Management Association, Pestworld2017, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, 24-27th Oct. 2017. (Oral Presentation).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Barbercheck, M. 2018. Soil health and pest management. Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention. Hershey, PA. 31 January 2018. 200 people.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Barbercheck, M.E., P. Randhawa, C. Mullen. 2018. Cover Crop Identity, not Diversity, & Agroecosystem Characteristics Affect the Occurrence of a Beneficial Soil Fungus. Northeast Cover Crops Council Annual Conference, State College, PA. 15 November 2018 (Invited).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Barbercheck, M. 2018. Restructuring plant-associated arthropod composition. Workshop on "Manipulating phytobiomes: challenges and opportunities," Wild and Tamed Phytobiomes:21st Penn State Plant Biology Symposium, June 19-22, 2018. University Park, PA. (Invited oral presentation)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Barbercheck, M. 2018. Effects of cover crops on invertebrate pests and their natural enemies in conservation tillage systems. 2018 North Central Branch ESA Meeting, March 18-21, 2018, Madison, WI. Invited Symposium (Influence of Cover Crops on Crop Insect Management)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Barbercheck, M. 2018. Farming and fungi: Agroecosystem impacts on a multifunctional fungus in an organic cropping system. Wild and Tamed Phytobiomes:21st Penn State Plant Biology Symposium, June 19-22, 2018. University Park, PA. (Invited plenary presentation)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Barbercheck, M., T. Gareau, R. Smith, D. Mortensen. 2018. Using spider plots to understand multifunctionality of agroecosystems. Workshop on teaching organic agriculture. June 10  12, 2018. Ames, Iowa. Invited oral presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Flonc, B., Ahmad, I., Mullen, C., Barbercheck, M. 2018. Can fungi make caterpillars picky eaters? Effect of endophytic Metarhizium in corn on fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) feeding behavior. 21st Penn State Plant Biology Symposium: Wild and Tamed Phytobiomes. 19-22 June 2018.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Flonc, B., Ahmad, I., Mullen, C., Barbercheck, M. 2018. Can fungi make caterpillars picky eaters? Effect of endophytic Metarhizium in corn on fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) feeding behavior. Eastern Branch Entomological Society of America (EB-ESA) Conference. 17-19 March 2018
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Regan, K. and Flonc, B. 2018. Whos in our crop fields? Penn State University Cover Crop/Reduced Tillage Field Day for Argentinian Farmers. 17 May 2018.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Flonc, B., Ahmad, I., Mullen, C., Barbercheck, M. 2018. Can fungi make caterpillars picky eaters? Effect of endophytic Metarhizium in corn on fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) feeding behavior. Penn State Life Science Symposium. 18 May 2018.


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

Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers, Extension educators and other agricultural professionals, scientists. We participate in extension events and scientific meetings. We hold an annual advisory board meeting in the spring to engage with our grower and extesnion collaborators. Ahmad, I., Mary Barbercheck, Brianna Flonc, Christina Mullen, Maria Jimenez-Gasco, Dawn Luthe. 2017."Farming for Success 2017" by Penn State Extension, Manheim, PA, USA, 29th June 2017. (Extension Meeting) Ahmad, I., Christina Mullen, Mary Barbercheck, Dawn S. Luthe, Maria Jimenez-Gasco. 2017. Metarhizium: A Multifunctional Fungal Bodyguard of Plants. Post-Doctoral Research Exhibition, Penn State, PA, USA, 22nd Sep. 2017. (Poster Presentation) Barbercheck, M., Leslie Pillen, Jermaine Hinds, Brianna Flonc. 2016. Student Farm Field Trip for AGECO 144: Principles and Practices of Organic Agriculture, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, Sept. 21, 2016. (Student field trip) Barbercheck, M., Regan, K.., Murrell, E. 2017. Crop Management and Soil Health: Is Your Soil Alive? Agronomy Team Diagnostic Clinic workshop, Russell E Larson Research and Education Center, Rock Springs, PA Barbercheck, M., K Regan 2017. Pest and beneficial insects and soil health workshop. The Student Farm at Penn State, University Park, PA Barbercheck, M. 2017. No pesticides? No problem! Insect management in organic crops. 2017 Mid-Atlantic Crop Management School. Ocean City MD. Barbercheck, M. 2017. Fungal Endophytes: Fungi that Facilitate Farming. Penn State Extension Sustainable Agriculture Webinar Series focused on Cropping Strategies for Managing Soil Health. February 6, 2017. 56 attendees Curran, W., Esbenshade, W. 2017. Managing Cover Crops with reduced tillage for soil health. Organizer. PASA conference. 3 Feb. 2017. 75 attendees. Kaye, J, Ebony Murrell, Dave Mortensen, Mary Barbercheck. 2017. Mixing your cover crop cocktail. 3 Feb. 2017. PASA Conference. University Park, PA. 100 attendees. Extension Education Program Kaye, J., Barbara Baraibar, Mary Barbercheck, Brosi Bradley, Sarah Cornelisse, Katie Ellis, Denise Finney, Brianna Flonc, Scott Harkcom, Jermaine Hinds, Mitch Hunter, Shan Jin, Dawn Luthe, Dave Mortensen, Christina Mullen, Ebony Murrell, Imtiaz Ahmad, Puneet Randhawa, Dayton Spackman, Charlie White. 2017. Annual Cover Crop Cocktails Field Day, Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Station, Rock Springs, PA, May 24, 2017. (Field day) Kaye, J., Barbara Baraibar, Mary Barbercheck, Brosi Bradley, Sarah Cornelisse, Katie Ellis, Denise Finney, Brianna Flonc, Scott Harkcom, Jermaine Hinds, Mitch Hunter, Shan Jin, Dawn Luthe, Dave Mortensen, Christina Mullen, Ebony Murrell, Imtiaz Ahmad, Puneet Randhawa, Dayton Spackman, Charlie White. 2017. Field Day for Argentinian Delegation of Organic Farmers for the Cover Crop Cocktails Project, Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Station, Rock Springs, PA, June 13, 2017. (Field day) Barbercheck, M. (Fall 2017). AGECO144 Principles and Practices of Organic Agriculture (Co-instructor). 35 students. Barbercheck, M. (Fall 2017). Introduction to Organic Agriculture. Guest lecture, AGRO 28. Principles of Crop Management. 40 students. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Ahmad, I. 2017. Internship training awarded by National Pest Management Association Pestworld2017, Baltimore, Maryland. 24-27 Oct. 2017 Ahmad, I., Christina Mullen, Mary Barbercheck, Dawn S. Luthe, Maria Jimenez-Gasco. 2017. Natural Nurture: Plant Growth Promotion by Multifunctional Fungi. National Pest Management Association, Pestworld2017, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, 24-27th Oct. 2017. (Oral Presentation) Ahmad, I., Christina Mullen, Mary Barbercheck, Dawn S. Luthe, Maria Jimenez-Gasco. 2017. Metarhizium: A Multifunctional Fungal Bodyguard of Plants. Bioinformatics & Genomics Retreat 2017, Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, Penn State, PA, USA, 22-23rd Sep 2017. (Poster Presentation) Barbercheck,M., J. Hinds, A. Rivers, C. Mullen. 2017. Effects of cover crops on insect pests and their natural enemies. Northeast Cover Crops Council Annual Meeting, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, Nov. 8, 2017. (Invited oral presentation) Barbercheck,M., I. Ahmad, B. Flonc, M. Jimenez-Gasco, D. Luthe, Christina Mullen. 2017. Going underground: The role of a multifunctional fungus in organic cropping systems. Northeast Cover Crops Council Annual Meeting, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, Nov. 8, 2017. (Poster presentation) Barbercheck, M.,I.Ahmed, M. Jimenez-Gasco, D.Luthe. 2017.Going underground: Conserving Insect-Pathogenic Fungi for Biological Control?.3rd Annual NEIPMC Online Conference, 23 October 2017 (5-minute flash talk). Barbercheck, M.,I.Ahmed, M. Jimenez-Gasco, D.Luthe. 2017.Going underground: Conserving Insect-Pathogenic Fungi for Biological Control?.NEIPMC Annual Advisory Council Meeting, 31 October 2017 (invited 30-minutepresentation) Flonc, B., Mary Barbercheck, Mary Ann Bruns, Nina Jenkins. 2016. Committee meeting: Effect of agricultural practices on Metarhizium in an organic system. The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, Feb. 22, 2017. (Committee meeting) Flonc, B., Mary Barbercheck, Christina Mullen. 2017. Does endophytic Metarhizium make insects picky eaters? 7th Annual Sustainable Cropping Systems Symposium, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, March 31, 2017. (Poster presentation) Hinds, J., Barbercheck, M.E., Hagler, J. 2017. Impacts of cover crop diversification on attraction, dispersal, and pest suppression by generalist predators. Newport, RI. Invited Speaker for Mark Recapture Symposium, Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Eastern Branch, Newport RI, March 17 - 21, 2017. Hinds, J and Barbercheck, M. 2017. Impacts of cover crop diversification on attraction, dispersal, and pest suppression by generalist predators. USDA Arid Land Agricultural Research Center. Maricopa, AZ. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Participation in extesnion, outreach, and publication of a project newsletter. Ahmad, I., Mary Barbercheck, Brianna Flonc, Christina Mullen, Maria Jimenez-Gasco, Dawn Luthe. 2017."Farming for Success 2017" by Penn State Extension, Manheim, PA, USA, 29th June 2017. (Extension Meeting) Ahmad, I., Christina Mullen, Mary Barbercheck, Dawn S. Luthe, Maria Jimenez-Gasco. 2017. Metarhizium: A Multifunctional Fungal Bodyguard of Plants. Post-Doctoral Research Exhibition, Penn State, PA, USA, 22nd Sep. 2017. (Poster Presentation) Barbercheck, M., Leslie Pillen, Jermaine Hinds, Brianna Flonc. 2016. Student Farm Field Trip for AGECO 144: Principles and Practices of Organic Agriculture, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, Sept. 21, 2016. (Student field trip) Barbercheck, M., Regan, K.., Murrell, E. 2017. Crop Management and Soil Health: Is Your Soil Alive? Agronomy Team Diagnostic Clinic workshop, Russell E Larson Research and Education Center, Rock Springs, PA Barbercheck, M., K Regan 2017. Pest and beneficial insects and soil health workshop. The Student Farm at Penn State, University Park, PA Barbercheck, M. 2017. No pesticides? No problem! Insect management in organic crops. 2017 Mid-Atlantic Crop Management School. Ocean City MD. Barbercheck, M. 2017. Fungal Endophytes: Fungi that Facilitate Farming. Penn State Extension Sustainable Agriculture Webinar Series focused on Cropping Strategies for Managing Soil Health. February 6, 2017. 56 attendees Curran, W., Esbenshade, W. 2017. Managing Cover Crops with reduced tillage for soil health. Organizer. PASA conference. 3 Feb. 2017. 75 attendees. Kaye, J, Ebony Murrell, Dave Mortensen, Mary Barbercheck. 2017. Mixing your cover crop cocktail. 3 Feb. 2017. PASA Conference. University Park, PA. 100 attendees. Extension Education Program Kaye, J., Barbara Baraibar, Mary Barbercheck, Brosi Bradley, Sarah Cornelisse, Katie Ellis, Denise Finney, Brianna Flonc, Scott Harkcom, Jermaine Hinds, Mitch Hunter, Shan Jin, Dawn Luthe, Dave Mortensen, Christina Mullen, Ebony Murrell, Imtiaz Ahmad, Puneet Randhawa, Dayton Spackman, Charlie White. 2017. Annual Cover Crop Cocktails Field Day, Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Station, Rock Springs, PA, May 24, 2017. (Field day) Kaye, J., Barbara Baraibar, Mary Barbercheck, Brosi Bradley, Sarah Cornelisse, Katie Ellis, Denise Finney, Brianna Flonc, Scott Harkcom, Jermaine Hinds, Mitch Hunter, Shan Jin, Dawn Luthe, Dave Mortensen, Christina Mullen, Ebony Murrell, Imtiaz Ahmad, Puneet Randhawa, Dayton Spackman, Charlie White. 2017. Field Day for Argentinian Delegation of Organic Farmers for the Cover Crop Cocktails Project, Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Station, Rock Springs, PA, June 13, 2017. (Field day) What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In coming year, we identify the Metarhizium isolates from on-going research station experiment and on-farm experiments using molecular techniques to determine effects of cover crop treatments and soil properties on Metarhizium abundance and diversity. We will continue feeding assays with Black Cutworm and FAW, as well as conduct virulence assays with selected isolates of Metarhizium against Black Cutworm and Fall armyworm larvae and pupae. We will initiate experimetns to determine the study the effects of endophytinc Metarhizium on Cochliobolus heterostrophus, the causative agent of southern corn leaf blight to expand our understanding of the role of Metarhizium in crop plants. We will also initiate experiments to determine the role of Metarhizium-plant interactions on plant defense and growth-related gene expression regulation. We will participate in extension and outreach events, including a workshop at the annual Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture's Farming for the Future conference in February 2018. We will also present research results at the 8th Annual Sustainable Cropping Systems Symposium at Penn State, The Annual Meeting of The Entomological Society of America (ESA) Eastern Branch 2018, and Annual Meeting of the Society for Invertebrate Pathology Meeting 2018.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? To address the research objective 1, we conducted sentinel insect assays of soil from the field experiment at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research and Education Center at Rock Springs from the cover crop treatments that varied in diversity. There was no effect of cover crop mixture diversity on detection of Metarhizium. Mean infection rates of the sentinel insect, Galleria mellonella, in cover crop treatments were, from least to greatest: 3 spp. mix (6.8%), Canola (9.2%), Fallow (12.8%), Forage radish (13.6%), Triticale (13.9%), Crimson clover (13.9%), Austrian winter pea (14.2%), 5 spp. mix (15.5%), 3 spp. N (15.8%), Oat (15.8%), 6 spp. mix (20.8%), and 2 spp. mix (21.7%). We have established approximately 400 Metarhizium isolates via sentinel insect assay from soil collected from research station and on-farm experiments. We are continuing to collect isolates of Metarhizium isolates with the goal of identifying them via molecular methods to determine the effects of cover crop treatments and soil properties on the diversity and abundance of Metarhizium. To address objective 2, we are conducting experiments to assess the ability of Metarhizium to infect corn, canola, cereal rye and Austrian winter pea (AWP). 100% of corn plants germinated from seeds exposed to Metarhizium spores showed endophytic colonization by Metarhizium with varying degree of colonization among different plant tissues. At V4, we recovered Metarhizium from 65% of corn root samples and 56% of 4th true leaf samples grown from plants grown from exposed seed, respectively. Corn height, biomass, and leaf greenness in plants grown from seed exposed to Metarhizium were not different from untreated control plants. Cereal rye plants germinated from Metarhizium-treated seeds showed 26.7% and 33% endophytic colonization in leaves and roots, respectively. The Metarhizium treated plants had greater leaf greenness, plant height and biomass compared to control (non-inoculated) plants. We did not recover Metarhizium from the roots or leaves of canola plants grown from seeds exposed to Metarhizium. However, canola plants grown from seed exposed to Metarhizium treated had greater leaf greenness, plant height and biomass compared with control plants. We recovered Metarhizium from 37% of root samples from AWP plants germinated from seeds exposed to Metarhizium spores, but none from leaf tissue samples. The Metarhizium treated AWP plants had greater leaf greenness, plant height and biomass compared with control plants. These experiments confirmed that there is varying degree of endophytic relationship of Metarhizium associated with corn and selected cover crops. There also appears to be variability in the locality of Metarhizium in different tissues among the different crops. To address objective 3, we are currently conducting detached-leaf feeding assays to determine the effects of endophytic Metarhizium in corn on growth of the Fall Armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, and the Black Cutworm, Agriotis ipsilon. We are also conducting choice assays to determine the effect of endophytic Metarhizium on host choice by FAW. There were 85 instances of leaf feeding in the choice assay, out of which 52 feeding events (61.2%) were on leaves from plants infected with Metarhizium. Metarhizium was expressed in leaf and root tissue in 57.1% experimental plants used in the choice assay. These assays are currently being repeated. A teleconference was held in November 2017 with participants from Penn State, Delaware State, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Ursinus College to initiate the development of curriculum focused on ecosystem services and disservices associated with cover crop diversity in organic cropping systems. This will help undergraduate students at participating institutions learn about practices central to the management of organic systems and gain a broader perspective of ecosystem services, such as biological control and plant protection, provided by organic systems. This achievement will accomplish our educational goal.

Publications

  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Baraibar, B., editor. 2017. The cover crop cocktails hour: The cover crop cocktails newsletter. The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, Nov. 18, 2017.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Randhawa, P.K. 2017. Effect of cover crops and soil characteristics on the occurrence of Metarhizium robertsii in an organic cropping system. M.S. Thesis, Department of Entomology, Penn State University.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Finney, D. M. Ebony G. Murrell, Charles M. White, Barbara Baraibar, Mary E. Barbercheck, Brosi A. Bradley, Sarah Cornelisse, Mitchell C. Hunter, Jason P. Kaye, David A. Mortensen, Christina A. Mullen, and Meagan E. Schipanski. 2017. Ecosystem services and disservices are bundled in simple and diverse cover cropping systems. 2017. Agricultural & Environmental Letters 2:170033. doi:10.2134/ael2017.09.0033
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Schipanski, M. E., Mary E. Barbercheck, Ebony G. Murrell, Jayson Harper, Denise M. Finney, Jason P. Kaye, David A. Mortensen, Richard G. Smith. 2017. Balancing multiple objectives in organic feed and forage cropping Systems. Agric. Ecosyst. Env. 239: 219-227.