Progress 07/15/22 to 03/14/23
Outputs
Target Audience:The primary target audience for this project is grape growers, who are directly affected by the economic impact of grapevine powdery mildew. The project focuses on providing valuable insights to improve disease management practices and enhance the accuracy of disease warnings. Grape growers can benefit from more precise disease monitoring and control strategies by determining the optimal placement of the airborne monitoring system within vineyards. The project aims to empower grape growers with the knowledge and tools to combat powdery mildew effectively, thus improving grape production and reducing economic losses. Additionally, agricultural researchers, pest control advisors, and environmental organizations form another target audience for this project. The advancements made to the airborne pathogen monitoring system have the potential to revolutionize pest control practices not only in grape crops but also in other crops. By reducing the need for preemptive pesticide applications, the project aligns with the interests of these stakeholders who are concerned about the environmental impact of pesticide use and the development of fungicide-resistant pathogens. The project's findings and technologies offer an innovative approach that can contribute to sustainable agriculture practices and mitigate the negative consequences associated with pesticide applications. The project also addresses the needs of individuals and organizations involved in the grape and wine industry. Winemakers and industry associations have a vested interest in reducing costs and improving the quality and sustainability of grape production. By incorporating the project's outcomes and recommendations, winemakers can optimize their grape-growing practices, leading to higher-quality grapes and ultimately enhancing the quality of the wine produced. Industry associations can also benefit from the project's findings to develop guidelines and best practices for sustainable grape production, supporting the overall growth and success of the grape and wine industry. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project provided valuable learning opportunities for the lab technician responsible for executing most assays to detect powdery mildew (PM) in the samples. The assay performance evaluation conducted in the project offered her hands-on experience in the protocols needed to evaluate the efficiency and reliability of DNA detection assays. Additionally, the project's exploration of treatments to increase the lifespan of the polymerase used in the assay presented an opportunity for the technician to learn about innovative techniques and methodologies for improving assay performance. This hands-on experience and exposure to cutting-edge research contribute to the technician's professional development and proficiency in executing DNA diagnostic assays. This project also offered valuable learning experiences to the field technician who actively participated in various aspects of the project. He had the opportunity to work closely with trained engineers in designing and maintaining air collection units. He also had the chance to work closely with growers, coordinating the operation of the collection units around vineyard activities. These collaborations allowed him to gain practical knowledge in engineering and agriculture, expanding his skill set in these areas. Finally, the project also provided valuable learning opportunities for Root Applied Sciences' plant pathology scientist, now a qualified Pest Control Advisor in California. These learning opportunities enhanced his knowledge of grape production practices and equipped him with advanced knowledge of tools and techniques for efficient disease management. By understanding the specific placement requirements for collection units in vineyards, the pathologist gained a deeper understanding of the relationship between disease dynamics and vineyard characteristics. This knowledge enabled him to create a seminar to teach pest control advisors and viticulturists how to make informed recommendations to optimize powdery mildew detection using air collection units while minimizing the overall amount of fungicides used for PM control (see the section, How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results of this project have been effectively delivered to their respective audiences through various channels, including grower meetings and approved Continuing Education Classes. For instance, optimal collection unit placement recommendations were shared with grapevine growers during events such as the North Coast Wine Industry Expo in Santa Rosa (WIN Expo). This meeting provided a good platform to communicate with growers on how to enhance powdery mildew (PM) spore detection while minimizing the number of units per acre. Additionally, an approved continuing education class by the Department of Pesticide and Regulation in California was created to teach growers strategies for Optimizing Fungicide Application Timing Against Powdery Mildew Using Spore Traps. This class helped Root educate agricultural professionals, including plant pathologists, pest control advisors, and others, on how to utilize spore traps to minimize pesticides used to control powdery mildew. Furthermore, we have actively shared our research results with key industry groups, including the Sonoma County Vineyard Technical Group and the Neighborhood Alliance for Vineyard Protection (NAVIP). These organizations play a vital role in promoting sustainable vineyard practices and disease management strategies in the region. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Two main outcomes were accomplished under the goals of this project: 1. Optimal Placement Recommendation: The project provides a specific recommendation to grapevine growers regarding the placement of collection units for effective powdery mildew (PM) spore detection. The recommendation suggests placing one collection unit every 10 acres or every 600 meters. This recommendation aims to minimize the number of units per acre while still maintaining a high probability of detecting PM spores before the onset of the disease. Importantly, the analysis conducted in this project is relevant not only to grapevines but also to the detection of any airborne particle with similar aerodynamics in a similar canopy environment. This finding contributes to the development of more efficient and targeted monitoring systems for grape growers and potentially extends to other crop systems with similar canopy structures. 2. Robust Assay Performance: The results indicate that the proprietary assay employed for the detection of grape powdery mildew is highly robust and efficient under field conditions for a duration of up to two weeks. This robustness is crucial for accurate airborne pathogen monitoring as it ensures reliable detection of PM, regardless of high concentrations of common inhibitors present in the samples (such as soil and fungicides). The study acknowledges the limitation of the assay's performance being restricted by the lifespan of the polymerase used under the tested conditions. However, the project is actively exploring treatments to increase the lifespan of the polymerase and improve the overall assay performance. The robustness of the assay not only facilitates the detection of PM but also opens possibilities for monitoring other important plant pathogens, broadening the applicability and potential impact of the assay in plant disease management.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Bello, J. C., West, J., Placella, S. (2023). Advancing grapevine powdery mildew monitoring using highly efficient spore traps and spatial analysis. Abstract submitted to the APS Plant Health Conference, August 2023.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Bello, J. C., and Placella, S. (2023). Vineyard Disease Management: Optimizing Fungicide Application Timing Against Powdery Mildew Using Spore Traps. Oral presentation at the APS Sonoma County Vineyard Technical Group Regional Meeting, March 2023.
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