Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience: Basic agricultural science researchers Applied agricultural science researchers Graduate students Producers of agricultural commodities Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A training guide has been developed for farm workers and growers, it is available on the e-Organic project site. This quick guide includes photos of each approved biological weed control agent, life cycles, sampling and evaluation protocols. An outreach event was conducted in collaboration with a local middle school and the OSU Linus Pauling Institute Healthy Youth Program. Field bindweed was overtaking a corner of the student garden. We assisted the teacher in developing plans for quadrat sampling. Each student (n=30) released T.luctuosa and made subsequent observations. Middle school students learned how to measure and document bindweed growth over time. They monitored the area, completed quadrat studies, created google sheets with cover percentages, analyzed data and documented their findings with photographs. As middle school students, there was quite a gradient in how involved they were in the project and how accurate their data were. Nevertheless, the Healthy Youth Program coordinator judged it to have been a solid learning experience for them. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?When the graduate dissertation is defended and published, we anticipate the publication of at least 2 journal articles for academic peers, and an additional methods paper about a lab rearing technique for T. luctuosa. Members of the research team have posted extensive project-related articles to the project's eOrganic website resources tab. https://eorganic.info/node/26425 Some resources on the eOrganic tab will be adapted for publication by Oregon State University Extension Communications unit. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
(1) While we are not publishing the management plans developed and under implementation, we are sharing on the project website a visual description of the management plan creation and implementation process. (2) Field tests of attractants were conducted, and we have confirmed that certain semiochemical blends attract more moths than pheromones alone. The ratio of female moths in traps is still low, but work is ongoing as part of a graduate program study by our team. (3) We were able to confirm a bi-voltine activity pattern of T.luctuosa in the PNW region. These data support continued investigation of the integration of biocontrol with steam weed control, organic-approved herbicides, and other management tactics. (4) An extensive article about field bindweed management has been developed and is posted on the e-Organic website. It includes section headings for easy viewing by the reader: ecological management of bindweed, biological control, mechanical control, etc. and includes a full list of references.
Publications
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Look Alikes: FIELD BINDWEED VS. OTHER COMMON WEEDS Jessica Green, FRA, Dept HORT OSU https://www.eorganic.info
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
CREATE A BINDWEED MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR YOUR PROPERTY Linda Brewer, FRA Dept HORT OSU https://www.eorganic.info
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Field Bindweed: Why its so hard to manage Jessica Green, FRA, Dept HORT OSU https://www.eorganic.info
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Saturated Steam for Field Bindweed Management Moretti. https://www.eorganic.info
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Green, J. Biocontrol of Field Bindweed Research Summary. OSWS Annual Meeting. https://www.eorganic.info
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Green, J. 2021. Integrated Management of Field Bindweed: Ecological Management Planning. https://www.eorganic.info
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Organic Control of FBW in the PNW. J. Green, ML Moretti, L Brewer, A Formiga, M. Choi, RE Peachey https://eorganic.org/node/35047
|
Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience: Basic agricultural science researchers Applied agricultural science researchers Graduate students Producers of agricultural commodities The public at large Extension field faculty Undergraduate students Changes/Problems:The steam equipment suffered significant damage over a two-week on-farm study, with water tank, igniter, and eventually the entire boiler requiring replacement at a cost of $4,500+ in parts and labor alone. Replacement parts and lack of qualified technicians to repair equipment suspended research efforts for over six weeks. COVID shutdown in Oregon limited many outreach events, the stakeholder annual meeting, laboratory and field work. We are grateful that a no-cost extension has been granted so that we can accomplish the approved research objectives. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Participant growers were exposed to new approaches to bio control of weeds and emerging physical control technologies. Undergraduate students were able to pursue personal passions in insect husbandry and botany for a second year, and in doing so, became very capable in collecting field data and recognizing signs of T. luctuosa activity. A training guide with photos of the appearance of each life cycle, how to evaluate damage by T. luctuosa and the other approved control agent, Aceria malherbae, is being developed for farm workers and growers, based on this body of student work. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? University COVID shut down eliminated the annual stakeholder meeting and many planned outreach events. All extension events after March 2020 were canceled because of the pandemic. Presentations to academic peers at national conferences Talk at the 2019 Oregon Society of Weed Science in Hood River OR, October 30, 2019. Talk at the Pratum Coop winter meeting, January 27,2020. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We will continue to rear T. luctuosa and may explore cooperation with state agencies to expand efforts to distribute T. luctuosa en-masse throughout the region. No commercial or agency source for T. luctuosa pupae currently exists to our knowledge. All planned laboratory trials of testing new attractant formulations will proceed as planned, with the resumption of research activities in University facilities. Exploration of the effect of cultural and chemical treatments on T. luctuosa will be explored to determine whether a truly integrated approach to bindweed management is feasible with organic practices of steam, approved herbicides, and biocontrol. Finalize case studies and give a project overview seminar in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Oregon State University. Prepare manuscripts for publication and develop an extension publication
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1: Directly communicated with growers to advise on the importance of edge habitat for maintaining and encouraging T. luctuosa populations. A rearing protocol for T. luctuosa is now published on the e-Organic site to assist anyone wishing to rear and augmentively release of T. luctuosa as a biological weed control agent. Other methods of redistribution from wild-caught populations are being discussed (collecting adults, shipping pupae, etc). Objective 2: Limited progress was made on this objective during the reporting period. Laboratory assays were planned for March through May 2020, in preparation for deployment summer 2020. Access to campus facilities was restricted at that time, and pupae remained in cold storage. We were, however, able to analyze data from the 2019 field season, and found some interesting interactions among the initial semiochemical attractants tested and other tactics used to attract moths. There was higher bindweed coverage by moths in plots that included benzaldehyde as part of the semiochemical bait treatment, regardless of what other factors were present (pheromone, augmented release of larvae, etc.). Objective 3: A large dataset was gathered from monitoring 3 commercial farms and 1 research farm where moths have naturalized. Parameters measured included flowering, shoot length, percent cover, and visible signs of herbivory. Analysis of that data has proven useful for developing future release plans. For example, if larvae must be contained within mesh bags to focus herbivory, a 'terminal capacity' of 5 larvae per bag seems to be consistent across observations. Met with collaborators to present results and train employees. Equipment (steam and brush weeder) were lent to a collaborating grower for testing, following hands-on training. One large-scale field experiment was conducted in an organic commercial blueberry plantation. The objective was to document efficacy and operational pros and cos of steam when applied by the grower's staff. The steam was effective at killing weeds, but it requires a qualified operator to ensure equipment longevity. Additional experiments were conducted on university farms to evaluate the impact of boiler temperature and steam flow rate on weed control. We confirmed that 720 gallons per acre of 200 F saturated steam are required to achieve 90% control across multiple weed species. However, 250 F provided 95% control and biomass reduction. This work allowed us to identify optimum temperature and application volume for weed control. Objective 4: Experience at each of the cooperating farms has been summarized in preparation for developing case studies. We gleaned valuable information about each farm's willingness and ability to participate in the project. A general informative article about biological weed control is being developed and will be posted on e-Organic site.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Moretti, M. L. "Weed Control in organic blueberries," In Proceedings of the 2020 Weed Science Society of America (March 3, 2020). Mauiu, HI.
|
Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience: Basic agricultural science researchers Applied agricultural science researchers Graduate students Producers of agricultural commodities The public at large Changes/Problems:On-farm research was challenging at one of the large commercial farms. Poor communication between the fieldman and the weed control work crew led to the loss of all research plot data due to complete mechanical control. Therefore, release of larvae at this site was delayed until mid-August. One benefit to this 'mishap' is that we were able to monitor bindweed growth from bare soil; later release of larvae may prove to be a better approach. Powdery mildew started to appear on bindweed plots on 24-July and 14-August in the commercial field research plots. Direct effects of the plant pathogen on herbivory by larvae is unknown. However, it is a contributing factor of the general decline in host-plant quality. In fact, the appearance of powdery mildew is considered as producers to develop seasonal, integrated weed management plans for field bindweed. Areas of improvements or research were identified when demonstrating research to farm crew. Potential to apply steam in a narrower 10 inch swath vs the 20 inch swath currently tested. As the steam flow is constant, a smaller treatment area could permit faster treatment along the row in blueberry and thus reduce operation costs. Improve thermal heat transfer by adding certified organic adjuvants to water. In theory, increased viscosity should improve heat transfer with less energy. Change the orientation of the brush weeder from 45 degree angle in relation to the blueberry row to parallel to the shrub row. This could minimize risk of brush axle damage to the weed mat and increase effective brush treatment as the entire brush would spin parallel to the weed mat. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?An undergraduate research technician developed a comparative weed ID guide for farm workers and producers to discern field bindweed from others weeds common in organic systems including: prostrate knotweed, sharppoint fluvellin, and others. This need arose from conversations with fieldmen and others who were not secure in their own weed identification skills. One-page versions of the ID guide were published in both Spanish and English and made available as laminated cards. Provided opportunity for two undergraduate students to pursue personal passion in insect husbandry and botany. Research assistant enrolled in a doctorate program to further explore the chemoecology between the target weed and insects involved in this project. Augerson, E. N, Moretti, M. L. "Evaluation of Thermal, Mechanical, and Chemical Weed Control in Organic Northern Highbush Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) in Oregon.," Western Society of Weed Science, Denver, CO. (March 13, 2019). Augerson, E. N., Moretti, M. L. 2019. A comparison of currently available weed management tools for certified organic Northern highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) in Oregon's Willamette Valley," American Society of Horticulture Science Las Vegas, NV. (July 2019). Poster Presentation. Augerson, E. N., Moretti, M. L. "Weed control in blueberries: comparing thermal, mechanical, and chemical tools," Weed Science Society of America, New Orleans, LA. (February 14, 2019). Met with collaborators to present results and train their eight employees. Steam and brush weeders were lent to collaborating grower for testing. Hands on training of two graduate students, two student workers, on research assistant, in addition to growers. Weed Management strategies in organic perennial crops, North Willamette Horticulture Society, Salem, OR, January 16, 2019, (40 adult educational contacts) Research Updates in blueberries, Oregon Blueberry Commission Annual Meeting, Salem, OR, January 7, 2019, (40 adult educational contacts) Weed management options for certified organic blueberry operations - update of ongoing trials. Blueberry Field Day, Aurora, OR, July 17, 2019 (120 adult educational contacts) Demonstration weeding equipment to forty landscape managers during turfgrass field day at OSU Lewis Brown Farm. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A research summary of site-specific biocontrol efforts was distributed to each cooperating grower. An overall summary of biocontrol efficacy potential was posted on the e-Organic project page. Face-to-face meetings, field day demonstrations, or scientific meeting presentations. A website has been established. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continual rearing of the BCA will occur throughout the next period. We are currently evaluating artificial diets as a potential aid to mass rearing. A lab bench trial will be performed to assess direct effects on BCA pupal development and depth of heat transfer from steam in a synthetic soil column. Adult moths will be exposed to varying compounds and pheromone formulations in a modified wind tunnel assay. Behavioral response will be recorded, as well as GC-MS profiles of tested compounds. Publish a peer-reviewed article on rearing procedures for Tyta luctuosa, report interim findings at regional research meetings March-April 2020, repeat weed field study spring 2020 and weed mimic study fall 2020. Continue updating archived webinars, project summaries, case studies and publications so that farmers, extension agents, other researchers, agricultural professionals and other stakeholders and the general public can be informed of the results.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
GOAL 1: Conducted on-site trainings of weed and biocontrol agent (BCA) identification for producers and farm personnel. Many of the farm workers were unaware of differences between field bindweed and other, prostrate-growth weeds with arrowhead-shaped leaves. Showing producers what immature and adult biocontrol agents look like may help with assessment in the future. GOAL 2: Conducted wind tunnel assays to test behavioral response of adult moths to known compounds and pheromones. Deployed one sampling event of sticky traps in an area where the bindweed moth has naturalized, to test attractiveness of known compounds to adult moths. Attempted the same sampling protocol with a different trap method, since sticky traps kill all captured moths, and we are seeking a non-destructive way to estimate population densities over time. Light traps are ineffective for this species. An attempted modification of McPhail traps did not capture any T. luctuosa. Deployed baseline traps at 2 commercial sites, detected moths on traps placed in edge habitat and in organic hazelnut but none detected in blueberry. Goal 3: Successfully established a mass-rearing protocol for the BCA, and have had no major issues in F15+ generations. Rearing of the BCA is an essential component to eventual, large-scale implementation, and we are now, to the best of our knowledge, the only U.S. facility that is rearing the agent. Cold storage of reared pupae resulted in 90% survival. Summarized rearing efforts from the technician, in prep for a journal article. Released larvae at 3 commercial cooperator sites and evaluated survival after common production practices. Compared method of release (varying density, +/- enclosure within mesh bags) and subsequent effect on herbivory and bindweed growth reduction. Performed nested quadrat sampling at 4 sites to evaluate bindweed growth and effects of larval feeding. Parameters measured included flowering, shoot length, and visible signs of herbivory. Two large scale field experiments were conducted in commercial blueberry in transition to organic certification. The experiments compared steam, brush weeder, and the organic herbicides caprylic + capric acid and ammonium nonanoate to untreated control. Identified interaction between spring vs summer performance of treatments. One field trial using annual ryegrass and crimson clover as weed mimics to calculate steam dose required to kill weeds depending on plant size. 720 gallons of steam per acre provide 90% weed control. Results indicate steam and brush weeder are cost-effective weed controls. The organic herbicides tested did not provide consistent weed control and were 2-3 times more expensive than hand weeding. GOAL 4: Updates on weed management with high pressure steam and raising field bindweed moths have been posted on the eOrganic websites with research highlights and photos. Additional information will be made available once two years of data are collected; including formal case studies and summaries.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Green, J. Submitted. Field Monitoring for Establishment and Seasonality of Tyta luctuosa, a Biological Weed Control Agent of Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). Biocontrol.
|
Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience: Basic agricultural science researchers, Applied agricultural science researchers, Graduate students, Producers of agricultural commodities, The public at large, Other - please specify. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Collaborating growers have toured the trials to learn about steam treatment performance and ease of operation. One master level student graduate student joined the project and is involved in research implementation, evaluation, and extension activities. Growers and industry members witnessed a demonstration of the steam technology at the 2018 Blueberry Field Day. Fifty-two participants in anOregon Public School Grounds Employee IPM Training witnessed a technology demonstration on August 23, 2018, on a University farm. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results been disseminated to communities of interest through Extension field days, through individual farm visits, and through a meeting to discuss the project, lay foundations for case studies, and to enrich thinking and discussion about field bindweed management plans for each of the collaborating farms. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will repeat the trials initiated in 2018, and develop an implementation cost analysis. At the end of calendar 2018, we will evaluate the performance of several organic weed management tools, alone or in combination at different time of the year, to inform growers on choosing management practices. We will continue to rear out T. luctuosa to support winter greenhouse studies. We will disseminate preliminary findings via eXtension webinar, and will continue to populate the project website with photos, written content, and a log of media attention.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1 Gathered pesticide regimes data from growers, in preparation for fall and winter exposure tests of T. luctuosa to insecticides, and the response of field bindweed to herbicides labeled for field bindweed and approved for organic production systems. Site visits to 4 cooperating farms to inform about the biology and appearance of T. luctuosa, different life stages, estimated activity times, etc. Objective 2 Confirmed that benzaldehyde, although detected as part of the field bindweed semiochemical profile, does not attract T. luctuosa, and may in fact support a push/avoidance control strategy. Continuing to work with a wasp bait as a stimulant to T. luctuosa oviposition. Established contact with an Australian researcher who has an insect 'attractant' formulation. We will obtain and test this compound against T. luctuosa in a wind tunnel and on other behavioral assays. Four replications of trapping for adult moths to provide longitudinal ground truthing of activity periods of the adults and Growing Degree Day model in a naturalized, non-production agricultural setting. Objective 3 Developed standard rearing procedures of T. luctuosa, currently on the F4 generation. This has provided us with different life stages to experiment on/release, and is continues to be a major challenge of this work, especially since the regional Insectary rearing partner is uncertain whether they will continue rearing T. luctuosa due to staffing levels. Quantitative dataset of growth parameters of field bindweed throughout the season, with/without exposure to T. luctuosa larvae, and in commercial vs naturalized settings Evaluation parameters of field bindweed growth include: % flowering, % cover of the patch, runner/strand measurements, and defoliation ratings Steam equipment was modified to best fit blueberry row spacing, and field tests were performed to ensure efficacy. Several improvement have been made to equipment set up including manufacture of a new applicator hood. We have defined optimum boiler temperature (250 º F) and travel speed (0.25 mph) to achieve desired weed control. At 225 degrees F an increase in weed control was noticed, but below 200 degrees, no weed control was observed. Speeds up to 1.25 mph provided >95% weed mortality for field bindweed. We will repeat this work to evaluate optimum speed under other environmental conditions and weed spectra. A second split-plot study was initiated to compare steaming, brush weeder, and organic herbicides ammonium nonanoate and caprylic plus caprilic acid. A second application of the same treatments serves as the sub-plot. Initial results indicate that steam provided the greatest efficacy. Objective 4 Established project website with eOrganic: https://eorganic.info/bindweed
Publications
|
|