Life Sciences Commons^™

Providing Pest Management Education For Home Gardeners In Utah, Nick Volesky, Marion Murray

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

In January 2024, Utah State University (USU) Extension's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program launched a three-part class series targeting Utah's home gardeners. The goal was to enhance their abilities in identifying and managing insect and plant diseases. With over 200 participants, the series notably increased the knowledge of attendees. This initiative aligns with the USU Extension IPM program's mission to promote sustainable pest management practices across Utah, evidencing its commitment to environmental stewardship and community education.

Evaluation Of The Aquacrop Model For Simulating Cotton Yield Under A Semi-Arid Environment And Different Field Management Practices, Ghorban Ghorbani Nasrabad, Meysam Abedinpour, Abotaleb Hazarjaribi

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Cotton plays an important role in increasing productivity in the agricultural sector and related industries in the province of Golestan, Iran. However, the cultivation areas decreased considerably in the last couple of decades due to the high costs of production, water scarcity, and climate change. To encourage sustainable increase in production, crop simulation models are parameterized for each region using observed field data. In this study, the AquaCrop model was calibrated and validated for cotton under different field management scenarios using data from a 3-yr field experiment, which was conducted at the research farm of the National Cotton Research Institute, …

Taxonomy Of Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) - 1: Identification And Local Distribution Of The Predominant Species On Witches’ Broom-Diseased Plants In The Philippines, Ireneo L. Lit Jr., Cristian Lucañas, Joanne Langres, Lolita Dolores, Ruby Ana Laude, Merdelyn Caasi-Lit

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Samples of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) plants infected with witches’ broom disease were gathered from 13 provinces in the Philippines. Mealybugs were observed to occur in nine out of the 13 cumulative samples. The most predominant among several mealybug species observed was identified as Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi Gimpel and Miller. P. jackbeardsleyi is not yet known to transmit phytoplasma, especially the one causing cassava witches’ broom (CWB). However, its occurrence in almost 70% of the CWB-infected samples provides circumstantial evidence that it may be related to the spread of the pathogen. This formal report of identification is in support of the …

Feeding Behavior Of Sweet Potato Weevil, Cylas Formicarius (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Brentidae) On Three Sweet Potato, Ipomoea Batatas L. Cultivars Grown In Tarlac, Philippines, Jerah Mystica Novenario, Flor Ceballo-Alcantara

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Sweet potato is grown in tropical countries for its edible tubers, which have become an essential food source. It is usually propagated through vine-cutting, which can be obtained from harvested plants or nurseries intended for cutting production only. The recurrent use of vines may cause increased weevil infestation. The crop is known to be infested with insect pests. More importantly, the sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius, targets the tubers, thus, causing the economic losses. Sweet potato farmers in Tarlac claim that only one sweet potato cultivar is being attacked by C. formicarius, however, it was found in this experiment that …

Toward Improved Global Food Security: Uncovering How Tomatoes Fight Root-Knot Nematodes, Chingyan H. Huang

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Role Of Soil Management In Control Of Soil-Borne Diseases, Gretchen F. Sassenrath, Christopher R. Little, Xiaomao Lin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Soil-borne diseases are a significant cause of crop yield reduction. Alternative soilmanagement methods can enhance the soil’s natural disease-controlling organisms. This study explores the effect of alternative production methods on a primary soybean disease, charcoal rot, caused by the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina. Treatments that could potentially enhance or reduce the disease pressure were implemented, and soil tests were conducted for nutrients, soil properties, and disease presence. Manure increased the nutrient levels in the soil, as expected, but did not influence disease control. Solarization increased the temperature within the plots and increased the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) of M. …

Reducing Food Scarcity: The Benefits Of Urban Farming, S.A. Claudell, Emilio Mejia

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Urban farming can enhance the lives of communities and help reduce food scarcity. This paper presents a conceptual prototype of an efficient urban farming community that can be scaled for a single apartment building or an entire community across all global geoeconomics regions, including densely populated cities and rural, developing towns and communities. When deployed in coordination with smart crop choices, local farm support, and efficient transportation then the result isn’t just sustainability, but also increasing fresh produce accessibility, optimizing nutritional value, eliminating the use of ‘forever chemicals’, reducing transportation costs, and fostering global environmental benefits.

Imagine Doris, who is …

Disease-Reducing Effect Of Calcium Salts Against Postharvest Diseases Of Mango (Mangifera Indica L. Cv. Carabao) Fruits, Melissa P. Montecalvo, Mary Joy C. Mendoza, Teresita U. Dalisay

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Mango fruits (Mangifera indica L. cv. Carabao) are susceptible to fungal infection, resulting in postharvest diseases. Chemical pesticides are used for disease management but may have a health impact and are costly. Therefore, alternatives to chemical control are necessary to minimize health risks and losses due to postharvest diseases. This research presented the disease-reducing effect of calcium salts, calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), against mango stem end rot (SER) (sometimes caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae) and anthracnose (caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides sensu lato). In in vitro assays, mycelial growth of both pathogens …

In Vitro Antifungal Potential Of Vanillic Acid Against Sclerotium Rolfsii, Muhammad Yousaf, Amna Shoaib, Qudsia Fatima, Shanila Bukhari, Numan Ali, Uswa Fatima

Journal of Bioresource Management

The worldwide demand for making agriculture greener, safer, and more efficient can be met aptly by the application of biopesticides. Vanillic acid is a naturally occurring versatile phenolic molecule with promising antifungal activity, however, there have been no studies of the possible use of vanillic acid for its antifungal activity against a serious soil-borne fungal plant pathogen namely Sclerotium rolfsii. This study was performed to assess the antifungal potential of vanillic acid by analyzing growth, morphological, and biochemical changes in S. rolfsii under laboratory conditions. The results revealed that vanillic acid (0.003-0.10 %) significantly reduced fungal growth, distorted fungal …

Exogenous Application Of Growth Regulators Improves The Growth And Quality Of Dahlia Variabilis L., Shahbaz Khan, Naeem Abbas, Zuhair Hasnain, Sami Ullah, Imran Hussain, Afroz Rais, Muhammad Atif Ghafoor, Danish Ibrar, Sohail Irshad, Maham Saddique, Muhammad Amjad Bashir, Samra Naseem, Muhammad Musawir Khan, Jawaher Alkahtani

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Dahlia (Dahlia variabilis L.), a bulb crop sold as cut flower, garden ornamental/potted plant, becomes a popular cut flower in the world. This experiment was designed to study the effects of foliar applied gibberellic acid, zinc, ascorbic acid, and thiamine on the growth and flower attributes of dahlia. The study was conducted under greenhouse conditions at the Floriculture Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. There were thirteen treatment with three levels each; gibberellic acid, zinc sulphate, ascorbic acid, and thiamine. First, foliar application was done at vegetative stage (after 45 d of transplantation) and second, at the flowering …

Fungicide Efficacy On Fusarium Head Blight Of Hard Red Winter Wheat In Parsons, Ks, Sylvia R.G. Moraes, Bruno C. Pedreira, Gretchen F. Sassenrath, Erick De Wolf, Rodrigo B. Onofre, Kelsey Andersen Onofre

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In 2022, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the efficacy of fungicide programs on Fusarium head blight (FHB) and deoxynivalenol (DON) levels. Fungicide treatments were evaluated in plots of the hard red winter wheat cultivar ‘KanMark’ inoculated withFusarium graminearumin Parsons, KS. Treatments consisted of a single application of Prosaro, Caramba, Miravis Ace, Prosaro Pro, or Sphaerex at early anthesis (Feekes 10.5.1), or dual application of Miravis Ace at early anthesis followed by (fb) Prosaro Pro, Sphaerex, or Folicur at 4 days after early anthesis. All fungicide programs numerically reduced FHB visual symptoms and resulted in …

Control Of Soil-Borne Disease Of Soybean, Gretchen F. Sassenrath, Christopher R. Little, Xiaomao Lin, Sylvia R.G. Moraes

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Soil-borne diseases are a significant cause of reduction in crop yield. Alternative management of soils can enhance the natural disease-controlling organisms in the soil. This study explores the impact of alternative production methods on a primary soybean disease, charcoal rot, caused by the fungusMacrophomina phaseolina. Treatments that could potentially enhance or control the disease were implemented, and soil tests were conducted for nutrient and disease presence. Manure increased the nutrient levels in the soil, as expected, but did not impact the disease control. Solarization increased the temperature within the plots, and increased the number of colony forming units …

Does Winter Wheat Yield Response To Fungicide Application Depend On Nitrogen Management?, J. A. Romero Soler, L. O. Pradella, N. Giordano, G. Cruppe, R. P. Lollato

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Nitrogen and fungicide are among the more important management tools to increase wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) grain yield in Kansas. However, there is limited information on whether hard red winter wheat grain yield is impacted by the interaction of nitrogen rates and foliar fungicide application. Thus, our objective was to evaluate the effects of different N rates with or without a fungicide application at Feekes 10.5 on grain yield of two winter wheat genotypes with contrasting disease resistances to leaf and stripe rust. Eleven field experiments were established across Kansas using a factorial structure of two fungicide management options …

Demonstration Farm Provides Educational Opportunity For Ipm, Nick Volesky, Mair Murray

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

The mission of USU Extension’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program is to increase the use of sustainable pest management practices within urban and rural landscapes to provide economic, human, and environmental health in Utah. In the spring of 2022, the IPM program established a vegetable farm to test and demonstrate IPM practices. The farm served as an experiential learning classroom for almost 50 farmers and home gardeners.

Helping Utah Landowners Reduce Pesticide Use Through A Statewide Ipm Program, Nick Volesky, Mair Murray

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

The Utah Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program provides outreach and education to Utahns to reduce pesticide use and ultimately protect human and environmental health. In 2022, the IPM program responded to stakeholders’ needs by partnering with county Extension offices to deliver eight (8) in-person workshops across the state. The workshops connected Extension specialists and county faculty with managers of home landscapes and farms. The objective of the workshops was to provide participants with IPM skills to identify, monitor, and manage pest problems in preparation for the upcoming growing season.

Michigan Conifer Growers’ Perspectives On Disease Management, Emily S. Huff, Monique L. Sakalidis

The Journal of Extension

A survey of commercial nursery and Christmas tree growers was implemented online and by mail in 2018 to understand disease issues and information preferences. Overall, the majority of the respondents reported that they prefer online sources of information and many are using Extension bulletins and sources. Cultural, chemical, and weed control methods were considered extremely effective by participants and very few used biological control methods to control disease. Participants identified spruce decline, boxwood blight, and hemlock woolly adelgid as emerging disease threats, so future information to growers should focus on identification and management of these threats.

Interdisciplinary Team Addresses Cotton Leafroll Dwarf Virus In Alabama, Kassie N. Conner, Edward Sikora, Jenny Koebernick, Marcio Zaccaron

The Journal of Extension

A multi-state and interdisciplinary team was formed to address the Extension and research needs of CLRDV, an emerging cotton disease with high potential impact for U.S. cotton production. In 2017, CLRDV was identified in AL and Auburn University immediately formed an interdisciplinary working group composed of plant breeders, plant pathologists, entomologists, and agronomists. Since then, scientists from ten other states have joined the CLRDV group. Thus, allowing research to be coordinated efficiently and best deploy limited resources to attend the stakeholder’s needs. The CLRDV group produces and shares new and relevant information with the scientific community and cotton producers alike.

Root Phenotyping Of Peptide-Treated Glycine Max, Salem Jackson, Fiona Goggin

Inquiry: The University of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal

Plant elicitor peptides (Peps) – endogenous chains of amino acids involved in natural plant defense – have been shown to decrease damage from herbivores and pathogens by inducing an immune response, increasing the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCS), transcripts, and metabolites. Exogenous treatment of soybean seeds with plant elicitor peptide GmPep3 has been shown to induce these broad-spectrum defenses and offers a new method for increasing crop yield. However, the effects of GmPep3 on indicators of soybean health – root characteristics, growth stages, etc. – have not been fully realized. Using the root-phenotyping platform RhizoVision Explorer, several root traits …

Comparison Of Sensitivity To Fusarium Head Blight In Soft Red And Hard Red Winter Wheat Varieties, G. Sassenrath, K. Andersen Onofre, J. Lingenfelser, X. Lin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Fusarium head blight (scab) is a problem for wheat production in high rainfall areas. This is a report of research examining the response of wheat varieties on disease susceptibility and wheat yield and quality. Hard red wheat varieties had more disease than the soft red wheat varieties in 2021. Wheat yield was correlated with disease severity.

Detection Of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma Luffae’ In Sponge Gourd, Bitter Gourd, And Bamboo From Laguna In Luzon, Philippines [Research Note], Filomena C. Sta. Cruz, Nuredin Habili, Qi Wu, Rezel Sagarino, John W. Randles

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

In the Philippines, phytoplasma disease symptoms of little leaf and witches’ broom have been observed in sponge gourd (Luffa sp.), bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) and bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris). However, the cause of the disease remained unidentified. Molecular analysis was conducted to detect the presence and identify the phytoplasma associated with the diseased plants. Nested PCR has detected the presence of phytoplasmas in sponge gourd, bitter gourd and bamboo showing symptoms of little leaf and witches’ broom. Nucleotide BLAST and phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene have identified ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma luffae’ belonging to group 16SrVIII …

Genetic Variability In Fusarium Oxysporum F. Sp. Vasinfectum Causing Damping-Off Of Cotton (Gossypium Barbadense L.) Seedlings [Research Note], Reda Helmy Sammour, Salah Abdel Moemen, Eman Elagamy

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The genetic variability of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum isolates from Gossypium barbadense L. seedlings were assessed using pathogenicity, mycelial compatibility, and RAPD analyses. The results showed that the disease incidence percentages and compatibility percentages considerably varied, extending from 33.2 to 86.6 % and 6 to 60 %, respectively in North Egypt and from 33.3 to 66.6 % and 0.0 to 20% in South Egypt. It also showed that the isolates ISO-8 and ISO-19 had the lowest disease incidence (33.2%) as compared with isolate ISO-5 (86.6%). Results of the mycelial compatibility had a reversible relationship with disease incidence percentage. Cluster …

Influence Of Decay Fungi On Selected Anatomical Properties Of Aningeria Robusta A. Chev. Wood, Olayiwola Olaleye Ajala, Funke Grace Adebawo, Emmanuel Adekanye Adelusi, Olaoluwa Adeniyi Adegoke

Journal of Bioresource Management

Due to population explosion, the forest of Nigeria like most tropical forest is over exploited for choice traditional species. Therefore, need to investigate species that can substitute the species arise. Five trees of Aningeria robusta were harvested from Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria. Bolts of 50cm length were obtained at the base, middle and the top; radial strips also obtained for innerwood, middlewood and outerwood. Ten test specimens of dimension 12mm x 15mm x 25mm were obtained per zone. N-hexane heartwood extracts of a 30 year old Gliricidia sepium diluted with kerosene using volume by volume method into 0%, 25%, …

Talking Plants: Examining The Role Of Podcasts In Communicating Plant Pathology Knowledge, Melissa Lim, Rebecca Swenson

Journal of Applied Communications

Extension programs must constantly evaluate communication plans and platforms to determine if they are worth the investment of time, money, and resources. Podcasts are growing in popularity as a communication platform for education and entertainment. With the VARK model of learning styles and core plant pathology concepts as a guide, researchers evaluated the prevalence and type of plant pathology information in podcasts to better understand how podcasts could benefit Extension plant pathology programs. Using keywords related to plant pathology, researchers searched popular mobile podcast listening applications and evaluated relevant podcast episodes using content analysis methods. Results indicated few podcast shows …

Maximum Entropy (Maxent) Modeling Of The Potential Distribution Of Aspidiotus Rigidus Reyne (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) In The Philippines, Ireneo B. Pangga, Sheryl A. Yap, Arnold R. Salvacion

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The coconut scale insect (CSI) Aspidiotus rigidus Reyne (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) poses a significant threat to coconut production in the Philippines as shown by recent outbreaks. Ecological niche modeling using Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) was used to determine the effects of environmental factors on the infestation of A. rigidus, and map its potential distribution in the Philippines to assess the risk of future outbreaks. The influence of bioclimatic variables on A. rigidus infestation was determined using MaxEnt modeling using the location data of A. rigidus occurrence confirmed using molecular markers. Rainfall and temperature variables were important for A. rigidus distribution with …

Winter Wheat Variety Response To Flag Leaf Foliar Fungicide Application In 2019–2020, G. Cruppe, B. R. Jaenisch, R. P. Lollato

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Foliar fungicide can be an important tool in improving wheat yields, but its effectiveness is season- and variety-dependent. To evaluate the yield, test weight, and protein responses of different commercial winter wheat varieties to one foliar fungicide application around heading, we conducted a trial combining four winter wheat varieties and two fungicide management treatments in Manhattan during 2019–2020. The control treatment consisted of no fungicide application, and the alternative treatment consisted of 5 oz/a Absolute Maxx + NIS applied at heading. Varieties evaluated were Bob Dole, Larry, WB4269, and Zenda. The study was conducted under no-tillage practices following a previous …

Winter Wheat Response To Different Fungicide Management (Products And Timing Of Application) During The 2019-2020 Growing Season, G. Cruppe, B. R. Jaenisch, R. P. Lollato

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Foliar fungicides can improve wheat grain yield in Kansas, but there is limited information on the efficacy of different products as well as the timing of application. We conducted a field study in five Kansas locations to evaluate the yield, test weight, and protein responses of WB-Grainfield to different commercial fungicides applied at different times during the growing season. The trial was conducted in a randomized complete block design to evaluate (1) a non-treated control; Topguard applied at 5 ounces per acre at (2) jointing, (3) heading, and (4) jointing plus heading; (5) Delaro applied at 6 oz/a at jointing; …

Winter Wheat Variety Response To Timing And Number Of Fungicide Applications During The 2019–2020 Growing Season In Kansas, G. Cruppe, B. R. Jaenisch, B. Valent, R. P. Lollato

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this project was to evaluate the yield response of different winter wheat varieties to different fungicide management treatments during the 2019–2020 growing season in Kansas. Fourteen varieties were evaluated under four fungicide treatments (no fungicide, application either at jointing, heading, or at both stages) in five locations across Kansas in a split-plot design. Disease incidence was assessed approximately 20-d after each fungicide application. Septoria blotch and tan spot were the most prevalent early-season diseases at the studied fields, while stripe rust, leaf rust, and tan spot prevailed late in the season. Late-season diseases had a greater effect …

Impact Of Fungicide On Wheat, G. F. Sassenrath, H. Zhao, X. Lin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This is a report of research to test the impact of fungicide and management on wheat yield and quality. Fusarium head blight (FHB), or scab, is a persistent problem in wheat production, especially in high rainfall areas such as eastern Kansas. Two cultivars of winter wheat varying in FHB sensitivity (Everest, moderately resistant, and KanMark, susceptible) were tested for control of FHB using fungicide treatments made to the seed prior to planting or to the wheat plant at heading, in tilled or no-tilled management. The wet spring of 2020 resulted in high FHB pressure, but dry conditions at harvest re­duced …

Controlling Soil-Borne Disease In Soybean With A Mustard Cover Crop, G. F. Sassenrath, C. Little, K. Roozeboom, X. Lin, D. Jardine

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Charcoal rot is a soil-borne disease that is prevalent in southeast Kansas. The disease infects multiple crops, including soybean, and causes yield reductions. A high-gluco­sinolate mustard with biofumigant properties reduced the population levels in soil and in soybean plants of the fungus (Macrophomina phaseolina) that causes charcoal rot. In this study, management practices that incorporate use of mustard as a cover crop in soybean production systems were tested. Results indicate that tillage increases the char­coal rot fungus. The mustard cover crop was tested in field studies for its impact on soil health, fungal disease and propagules, and soybean …

Influence Of Soybean Planting Date On Sudden Death Syndrome And Soybean Yield, E. A. Adee, C. R. Little, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sudden death syndrome (SDS) is a disease caused by the soilborne fungusFusarium virguliforme. This fungus prefers wet conditions and thus is usually most severe in irri­gated fields. Sudden death syndrome tends to be most severe on well-managed soybeans with a high yield potential. It also tends to be more prevalent on fields that are infested with soybean cyst nematode (SCN) or planted early when soils are wet and cool. Historical yield losses from this disease are generally in the range of 1–25%.

Soybean planting dates have been moving increasingly earlier in much of the soybean growing region, including …