Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:Our target audience is comprised of Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic organic grain growers, and prospective organic grain growers. We also engage with Extension educators, governmental agencies, NGOs, and the organic grain industry at large. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In summer 2024, one M.Sc. student (S. Tillotsen) successfully completed her graduate program and published a thesis, which is currently being advanced towards manuscript publication. A second graduate student, L. Wellman, has transitioned from an M.Sc. student to a Ph.D. student and is currently drafting manuscripts based on research conducted within this project. In 2024, we employed three undegraduate students that worked within this project. Finally, we hosted two undergraduate classes at the experimental site to provide training on organic agriculture. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?In 2024, we hosted or participated in X outreach events that highlighted the results from this project. Outreach targeted organic grain producers as well as agricultural professionals in organic support industries. Finally, we hosted an Argentinian delegation of agronomists and farmers at the site to share research goals and outcomes. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Prior to August 2025, we plan to publish 4-6 manuscripts that summarize this work. We will also incorporate our findings into the updated Penn State Organic Crop Production Guide.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
In 2023, we completed our third crop production year of the three-year rotation experiment. In 2024, we planted the entire experimental site to sorghum sudangrass to complete a phytometer experiment, which allows for detection of soil and pest management legacies across experimental systems and crop entry points. In 2024, we continue to advance data summary and analysis of the three-year cropping systems experiment towards publication.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Barbercheck, M., Ahmad, I. 2024. Conservation of Soilborne Entomopathogenic Fungi in Agroecosystems. Invited symposium presentation, Advancement and Future of Microbials as Part of Integrated Pest Management. Entomology 2024, Phoenix, AZ. 10 13 Nov. 2024.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Ahmad, Imtiaz, Jim�nez-Gasco, Mar�a del Mar, Barbercheck, Mary E. 2023. Going underground: Endophytic entomopathogenic fungus - insect phytopathogen - plant interactions. Invited talk in symposium: Life is Interesting: Multi-species Interactions Spanning Diverse Kingdoms. Entomology 2023, Nov. 5 8, National Harbor, MD.
- Type:
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Ahmad, I., M. d. M. Jimenez-Gasco, and M. E. Barbercheck. 2024. "Water Stress and Black Cutworm Feeding Modulate Plant Response in Maize Colonized by Metarhizium robertsii" Pathogens 13 (7): 544. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13070544
- Type:
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Regan, K.H., Voortman, C.A., Barbercheck, M.E. 2024. Seedcorn maggot response to planting date, cover crops, and tillage in organic cropping systems, Journal of Economic Entomology 117: 555563, https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae026
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Barbercheck, M. 2024. Conservation of Entomopathogenic Nematodes in Agroecosystems, Ch. 29 in: Shapiro-Ilan, D. and Lewis, E.E.(Eds.) Entomopathogenic Nematodes as Biological Control Agents. CABI, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, England
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Barbercheck, M., A. Hodgson, A. Isaacson. 2024. Seed cleaning at Provident Farms. Field Crop News. 20 February 2024. https://extension.psu.edu/seed-cleaning-at-provident-farms?j=779688&sfmc_sub=35519620&l=159_HTML&u=20859616&mid=7234940&jb=2001&utm_medium=email&utm_source=MarketingCloud&utm_campaign=FAFC_2024_FEB_22_GN_EM_FIELDCROPNEWS&utm_content=FAFC_2024_FEB_22_GN_EM_FIELDCROPNEWS&subscriberkey=0030W00003P0ySiQAJ
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Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:Our target audience is comprised of Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic organic grain growers, and prospective organic grain growers. We also engage with Extension educators, governmental agencies, NGOs, and the organic grain industry at large. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This year, one Ph.D student (weed science) and one Masters student (entomology) participated in ROSE data collection and conducted their own research on the site. We supported three undergraduate research interns between the weed science and entomology branches of this project. One staff member who provided integral support to ROSE has secured an extension education job in eastern Pennsylvania. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We made five publications on ROSE data this year, including a 23-page booklet on organic no-till soybean production. Its associated webpage went live in late August, and we got 18 unique pageviews that month, plus 42 in September and 204 in October. We made seven academic conference presentations on ROSE data.We conducted 13 workshops or class lectures featuring ROSE data. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period, we anticipate we'll: 1. Analyze the three years of data over the 23-24 winter. 2. Develop publications and presentations associated with the final conclusions of some aspects of the ROSE project, including at organic grower network meetings. 3. Conduct the fourth year of field research. We'll gather final data on weed seedbanks and soil health, and plant all plots to corn to measure the overall legacy effect of all treatments.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Research Objective (O1).Our experimental design allows us to compare alternative 3-yr crop sequences that range in tillage intensity and frequency as well as alternative management practices within cover crop/cash crop sequences. Our multidisciplinary approach allows us to compare system performance (S1-S4) using multiple indicators of sustainable intensification (pest suppression, nutrient balance, soil health, grain production, net returns). We expect that cropping systems designed to significantly lower tillage intensity and frequency (S2-S3) will increase environmental performance (e.g., improved soil health and lower N loss) compared to standard tillage practices (S1) but will result in more variable levels of weed suppression, grain yields, and short-term net profits. In 2023, we completed our third crop production year of the three-year rotation experiment. We analyzed data collected in 2021 and 2022 and presented preliminary trends in a variety of contexts. Our shallow-till system is now demonstrating soil compaction near the surface, lower yields, and lower soil aggregate stability and respiration compared to other treatments. Our corn yields were 79 to 93 percent of the county average (conventional) in our first two years across all treatments, and our soybean yields were 67 to 90 percent. Our wheat yields were 58 percent of statewide conventional yields in our first two years of the study. Research Objective (O2).We continue to analyze the results of the PASA Sustainable Agriculture Soil Health Benchmark Study, which we previously recruited farmers to participate in. Our approach empowers farmers to monitor their own soil, share experiences with peers during co-learning events, and make changes to farming practices in response to their monitoring efforts. Extension Outreach Objective (O3). We've been distributing our information via co-learning events, like winter grower network meetings, where organic crop producers meet to exchange ideas. In 2023, ROSE team members conducted 6 learning events where we discussed preliminary results of ROSE in a co-learning format. We also produced an organic no-till soybean production guide and distributed it to interested parties.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Ahmad, I., M.d.M. Gasco-Jimenez, D. S. Luthe, M. Barbercheck. 2022. Endophytic Metarhizium robertsii suppresses the phytopathogen, Cochliobolus heterostrophus and modulates maize defenses. PLoS ONE 17(9): e0272944.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Regan, K., Voortman, C., Barbercheck, M. Seedcorn Maggot Response to Planting Date, Cover Crops, and Tillage in Organic Cropping Systems. In press: Ms. # ECONENT-2023-0198.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Peterson, H., Ahmad, I., Barbercheck, M. 2023. Maize response to endophytic Metarhizium robertsii is altered by water stress. PLoS One: In Press. MS# PONE-D-23-14413
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Ahmad, Imtiaz, Jim�nez-Gasco, Mar�a del Mar, Barbercheck, Mary E. 2023. Going underground: Endophytic entomopathogenic fungus - insect phytopathogen - plant interactions. Invited talk in symposium: Life is Interesting: Multi-species Interactions Spanning Diverse Kingdoms. Entomology 2023, Nov. 5 8, National Harbor, MD.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Ahmad, I.; Jim�nez-Gasco, M.d.M.; Barbercheck, M. E. Endophytic Metarhizium robertsii suppresses the phytopathogen, Cochliobolus heterostrophus and modulates maize defenses. 2023 International Congress on Invertebrate Pathology and Microbial Control & 55th Annual Meeting of the Society for Invertebrate Pathology, July 30 - August 3, 2023, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Barbercheck, M., Ahmad, I., Jim�nez-Gasco, M. d..M. Going
underground: Digging up the dirt on Metarhizium-plant-pest interactions in an
organic cropping system. USDA NIFA: OREI & ORG Project Directors Meeting, April 19th and 20th, 2023, Washington, DC
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Wallace J, Barbercheck M, Bay Nawa S, Bilenky M, Borelli K, Cornelisse S, Egan F, Hamilton, Hartman D, Hodgson A, Hoover R, Isbell S, Mazzone T, Murillo-Williams A, Tillotson S, Voortman C, Wellman L, White C. Intensifying organic grain production: balancing production and conservation goals. USDA NIFA: OREI & ORG Project Directors Meeting, April 19th and 20th, 2023, Washington, DC
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Wellman, L. 2023. Weed Potential of Roll-Crimped Cereal Rye Differs Across Cultural Practices. Weed Science Society of America/Northeast Weed Science Society conference, Jan 30, 2023, Arlington, VA
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Wellman, L. 2023. Weed Potential of Roll-Crimped Cereal Rye Differs Across Cultural Practices. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, Oct. 30, 2023, St. Louis, MO
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Hamilton, A., Wallace, J., Barbercheck, M., Curran, W. 2023. Organic No-till Soybean Guide. https://extension.psu.edu/organic-no-till-soybean-production-in-pennsylvania-is-it-for-you
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Bilenky, M., Wallace, J. Barbercheck, M. 2023. Tillage and cover crop management practices on Pennsylvania organic grain farms. PSU Extension Fact Sheet. EE0824 https://extension.psu.edu/tillage-and-cover-crop-management-practices-on-pennsylvania-organic-grain-farms
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Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:Our long-term research goal is to support the adoption of coupled reduced-tillage and cover cropping practices that facilitate the intensification of domestic organic grain production without compromising environmental quality and economic viability of organic farms. Our long-term extension-outreach goal is to facilitate the increase in knowledge of sustainable intensification practices by fostering peer-to-peer learning via existing organic grower networks and other outreach activities. We propose a cropping system experiment that will quantify tradeoffs among provisioning, regulating, and supporting services within experimental systems that use alternative cover cropping and reduced-tillage practices. Experimental systems will differ in tillage intensity, tillage frequency and perenniality with a 3-yr grain rotation. We will also conduct a pattern-based study of 30 organic grain farms to determine the relationship between soil health, tillage intensity, tillage frequency, perenniality, and other cash and cover crop management practices. Three farmer cases studies will support on-station and on-farm research objectives.Outreach programs and materials will be informed, developed, and delivered to a broad audience by the project team, farmer cooperators, and advisory board comprised of organic grain farmers, Extension educators, and representatives of governmental agencies, NGOs, and the organic grain industry through a variety of means, including interactions with three organic crop grower networks. Effectiveness of all extension products and activities will be evaluated. This project is appropriate for funding by OREI because it addresses the development and improvement of organic production; potential economic benefits of organic production; advanced on-farm research; and optimal conservation and environmental outcomes from organically produced products. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In 2022, two M.Sc. graduate students (Weed Science, Entomology) have participated and developed research thesis projects. One post-doctoral research associate (Bilenky) has led coordiation of research and extension objectives and has accepted a tenure-track faculty position (Jan 2023) that will focus on sustainable vegetable crop production at Purdue University. We have also supported two undergraduate research interns, one of which has secured college-level funding to develop a research project within our cropping systems experiment. Four undergraduate interns participated in execution of Pasa's Soil Health Benchmark study. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Preliminary results have been shared with organic grower networks in three differet winter workshops. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reported period, we anticipate (1) sharing research results at Pasa annual conference (Februrary 2023); (2) publishing final case-study products (fact sheet, videos) on Penn State's extension platforms; (3) continue to engage stakeholders at organic grower network meetings (n = 3); and (4) host a field day during Ag Progress Days (August 2023).
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Research Objective(O1). Our experimental design will allow us to compare alternative 3-yr crop sequences that range in tillage intensity and frequency as well as alternative management practices within cover crop/cash crop sequences. Our multidisciplinary approach will allow us compare system performance (S1-S4) using multiple indicators of sustainable intensification (pest suppression, nutrient balance, soil health, grain production, net returns). We expect that cropping systems designed to significantly lower tillage intensity and frequency (S2-S3) will increase environmental performance (e.g., improved soil health and lower N loss) compared to standard tillage practices (S1) but will result in more variable levels of weed suppression, grain yields, and short-term net profits. In 2022, we completed our second crop production year of the 3-yr crop rotation experiment. A broad multi-criteria assessment has been employed, and participating lab groups (Agronomy/Weed Science, Entomology/Soil Health, Plant Pathology, Economics) are processing, analyzing and synthesizing data sets. Based on the first two years, our data suggests that undersown clover followed by full inversion tillage significantly increases corn yields relative to other reduced-tillage practices. However, no-till soybean production has resulted in comparable yields to tillage-based soybean production practices. Alternative tillage practices has produced variable results for winter wheat production. Detailed analysis of weed community trajectories, early season insect pest and predator dynamics, crop seedling disease estimates, short-term indicators of soil health, and net returns to production have yet to be fully synthesized. Research Objective(O2).Our pattern-based observational study is designed to quantify relationships between tillage intensity and frequency, crop rotation sequences, fertility management, and soil health indicators. This approach will allow us to identify combinations of organic management practices that result in similar or dissimilar soil health outcomes. We recruited 18 organic grain farms in fall of 2021 and 30 farms in fall of 2022 to participate in PASA Sustainable Agriculture's Soil Health Benchmark Study.Participating farmers have placeda high-value on co-learning activities associated with the PASA-SHBS and organic grower networks. Our approach empowers farmers to monitor their own soil, share experiences with peers during co-learning events, and make changes to farming practices in response to their monitoring efforts.Analysis of relationships between soil health scores and farming practices is on-going. Extension Outreach Objective (O3).We expect members of two established aregional organic crop producers' network, including our farmer-cooperators, will adapt information shared at co-learning events (winter grower network meetingsandtwilight meetings) to incorporate reduced tillage and cover cropping practices in their farm operation. In 2022, project team members faciliatated and participated in two winter organic grower network meetings and a twilight meeting, where aspects of project goals were discussed in a co-learning format. In addition, three case studies highlighting organic grain farms and their perspectives on soil-health building practices were completed. Currently, six videos have been completed and will be hosted on extension web pages in the spring of 2023.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Barbercheck, M.E., Borrelli, K. A., Wallace, J. 2022. Organic Crop Production. Part 1, Section 11. Penn State Agronomy Guide. AGRS-026
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
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:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Regan, K., Voortman, C., Barbercheck, M. 2022. Seedcorn maggot response to planting date, cover crops, and tillage in organic cropping systems, 20022 ESA, ESC, and ESBC Joint Annual Meeting. Vancouver, B.C. Canada, Nov. 13-16, 2022
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Wallace JM, Barbercheck ME, Curran W, Keene CL, Mirsky SB, Ryan M, VanGessel MJ (2021) Cover crop-based, rotational no-till (CCORNT) management tactics influence crop performance in organic transition within the Mid-Atlantic US. Agronomy Journal. 113:5335-5347. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20822
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Champagne RJ, Wallace JM, Curran WS, Barbercheck ME (2021) Rotational no-till and tillage-based organic corn produce management tradeoffs in the Northeast. Agronomy Journal, 113(6), 5348-5361. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20823
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Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project team recruited (1) one M.Sc. student (Fall 2021), one post-doctoral research associate (May 2021), andtwo undergraduate interns (summer 2021) to participate in research-extension activities associated with the cropping systems experiment (RO1).Four undergraduate interns have been recruited to participate in on-farm soil sampling associated with RO2. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?First year results are in the process of summary and will reported in 2022. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period, we anticipate disseminating survey results and case study videos through multiple outreach mediums. Preliminary data from on-station (RO1) and on-farm (RO2) will be summarized and shared at extension-outreach events.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Research Objective (O1): Cropping systems experiment was initiated in 2020 and the first production year (2021) has been completed. Protocols have been developed and executed to document agronomic (yield, quality, soil fertility, weed dynamics, insect pest damage, plant disease, biological control potential) andenvironmental (soil erosion potential, soil health indicators) metrics among alternative cropping systems. Research Objective (O2): In January 2021, a mailed survey of registered organic grain producers (n = 450) in Pennsylvania was completed to to collect information on crop production practices and demographics, and to recruit farms to participate in the soil health benchmark study. Survey response was high (n = 110). A report on tillage production and cover cropping practices among organic grain growers is in preparation and 25 farms have been recruited to participate in on-farm research. Soil sampling at these farms was initiated by collaboratorPasa Sustainable Agriculture in October 2021. Research Objective (O3): In the 2021 growing season, three farmer case studies were developed and executed. Farmer interviews were transcribed, video footage was edited andstoryboards were developed. Final editing of case study videos is ongoing, with anticipated completion in February 2022. Organic grower network meetings have been scheduled at two locations for February 2022.
Publications
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