Grant Information
| Knowledge Area | Subject of Investigation | Field of Science | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems | 2300 - Weeds | 1140 - Weed science | 30% |
| 216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems | 1719 - Cotton, other | 1130 - Entomology and acarology | 15% |
| 216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems | 2110 - Ornamental trees and shrubs | 1130 - Entomology and acarology | 15% |
| 216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems | 1114 - Peach | 1130 - Entomology and acarology | 10% |
| 216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems | 1830 - Peanut | 1140 - Weed science | 10% |
| 216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems | 3010 - Honey bees | 1130 - Entomology and acarology | 10% |
| 216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems | 5320 - Houses (human residences), furniture, household equipment, non-textile furnishings | 1130 - Entomology and acarology | 10% |
The Alabama (AL) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program is an EIP project. This mature interdisciplinary producer training and education program is in close collaboration with the AL Cooperative Extension System (ACES). The goal is to facilitate implementation of IPM practices in AL. This proposal requests funding for 3 primary priorities: IPM Implementation in Agronomic Crops (31.3%); IPM Implementation in Specialty Crops (27.5%); IPM for Pollinator Health (8%), and two secondary priorities: IPM Support for Pest Diagnostic Facilities (6.6%); and IPM Training and Implementation in Housing (6.6%). This proposal aligns with CPPM goals to address IPM challenges and high priority issues for major pest groups and measures their effectiveness across these priority areas. The IPM Coordinator (David Held, PD) will lead and coordinate the program with input from the Extension Director (Mike Phillips), Co-PDs, and other stakeholders. Specific activities include pest monitoring/scouting, IPM training and demonstrations, information dissemination, producer presentations and webinars, applied research, training of REA and next generation scientists, and IPM impact evaluation. Key outputs include Extension publications, newsletters, online tools, support for timely pest diagnostics, and new IPM tools. Expected outcomes of this project include increased knowledge and adoption of economically viable IPM approaches/tool by stakeholders, mitigation of pesticide resistance, reduced pesticide use, and reduced potential for human health risks. The program is relevant to the goals of the National IPM Roadmap, has in-state and regional collaborations, and addresses many regional IPM priorities. Furthermore, our objectives and proposed activities address all five CPPM program focus areas.
The Alabama (AL) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program at Auburn University is a mature interdisciplinary producer training and education program in collaboration with the AL Cooperative Extension System (ACES). The goal is to facilitate implementation and adoption of economically and environmentally sound IPM practices in traditional agriculture, specialty crops, beekeeping, and urban settings in AL. This Extension Implementation Program (EIP) proposal addresses 5 program area priorities (3 primary and 2 secondary priorities) described in the RFA.
The primary priorities are:
The secondary priorities are:
The key objectives of this EIP proposal are to:
Based on stakeholder inputs, four objectives were established:
The scope is to improve IPM adoption and pest control effectiveness in all six major agronomic crops (cotton, corn, soybean, peanut, wheat, and forage) in AL and serve stakeholders in the southern US.
We will address the following Objectives for Fruit Crop IPM:
IPM in Vegetable Crops has the following goals:
The objectives for Nursery Crop IPM is to implement an IPM program for Chilli thrips in outdoor ornamental production to reduce losses and use of insecticides.
IPM for Pollinator Health.
IPM in Housing has the following objectives:
IPM Support for Pest Diagnostic Facilities. The Extension-led Objective is to provide timely and accurate pest diagnoses and recommendations to stakeholders and the general public in Alabama.
Across all objectives, Alabama IPM programs use on-farm and on-station demonstrations and new products such as IPM guides and publications to introduce technologies and new information to our various stakeholder groups. We use in person and virtual events and producer and stakeholder surveys. We partner with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System which operates through a network of REAs and Multi-county Extension Agents that have been the driving force for IPM in AL. Although uniquely different from the individual county-based Extension models, REA and statewide team meetings continuously identify and resolve regional needs.
Target Audience
Our target audiences for this project are primarily producer or stakeholder groups in Alabama and some regional groups. These include AL Dept of Transportation (vegetation management), AL Cattlemen's Association, AL Forestry Commission, ALFA, crop consultants, AL beekeepers association and county or regional beekeeping groups, and AL public housing authorities. Programs at county meetings, demonstrations,or site visits also target producers of row crops, hay and forage, livestock, ornamental crops, fruit and vegetable crops, and honey in Alabama, as well as high school and elementary school groups.Programs in this project also supportAlabama REA, crop consultants, crop protection industry representatives, and private landowners. Regionally, Extension specialists have contributed their expertise to regional programsin MS, TN, FL,CA, AZ, as well as to webinars which also reach clientele outside of Alabama.
Changes / Problems
In the final year of the project, there were two significant personnel impacts onour program. First, the lead for IPM in vegetable crops received an appointment change from the Extension Director. Dr. Majumdar was promoted into a full time admin position in support of grants and contracts for Extension. In July 2024, we onboarded another fruit and vegetable entomology specialist but this was late in the project for this person to make significant impacts. The new specialist is a co-PI on our new\curent EIP. The second personnel change was the loss of a key member of our communications team that left Extension for another position. This staff member was responsible for our IPM communicator newsletter which means we did not produce as many editions of this newsletter as we wanted in 2024. There was a search for a replacement person in this position early in 2024 but that search failed.
Training & Professional Development
The specialist in weed management in hay, forage, and grain crops has regular weekly phone conversations with Extension agents and students that assist them with problem assessments and practical solutions. In addition, they formally conducted 11 in-service trainings that reached 244 individuals internal to our organization. A Master's degree student was also trained in weed science. Three graduate students trained in field crops disease management. All students had multiple opportunities to attend professional meetings and present their research to scientific and grower audiences. Dr. Li created a spray drone end user conference which has become the most popular and informative event regarding drone spraying and spreading in North America. Participants came from over 40 states in the US and 25 countries in the world. Dr. Li also conducted 3 webinars in 2024 to provide his research findings to spray drone operators and farms on Zoom. Over 800 people registered and attended these webinars. Each year, Cotton and Soybean Scout Schools are hosted in four locations across the state. Since 2021, we have done 17 scout schools and trained 639 "scouts." These trainings provide continuing education credits for Ag professionals, help consultants teach summer scouts proper ways to scout and identify pests and provide opportunities to refresh themselves on the latest ways to scout crops. In fruit crops IPM,3 Regional Extension Agents received training on fruit crops at the annual production meeting, field days, seminars, and one-on-one in-field training. Also,training provided through the Commercial Horticulture Professional Development and Retreat,Fruit School Webinar Series, and at theAlabama Agricultural Experiment Station State Director's Association meeting. In ornamental IPM, one graduate is being trained in applied research, Extension survey and impact assessments in preparation for a career in Extension. REA with responsibilities in ornamental crops received training at the annual Gulf States Hort Expo Education Sessions, field days, and webinars. The IPM for Pollinator Health Priority Area afforded training to more than 50 Alabama Extension County Extension Coordinators or Regional Extension Agents to increase their knowledge and skills concerning beekeeping. This was provided by either stand-alone presentations or full-day workshops. The IPM for Pollinator Health Priority Area trained 4 graduate students to deliver effective Extension activities, especially concerning program evaluation. These students also attended professional society meetings where they could network with colleagues from across the country. One graduate student entered a leadership training program. For Housing IPM, workshops trained provided training for 4 REA.Under this program, 2 graduate students were trained. Plant Diagnostic Lab (PDL) personnel provided training for UGA Diagnostician on PPDCP certification. PDL personnel also mentored one student in the diagnostic lab for two semesters and served on two MS committees and one PhD student committee.
Dissemination Streams
The Agronomic crops team is the largest on this project with 6 faculty, graduate students, REA, and support staff involved with Extension programming. The team presentedin 84 events and reached 5300 stakeholders in Alabama and 6 other states during the final project year. In addition, the ag drone conference was unique among co-PIevents, training persons from 40 states and 25 countries. This group disseminated results as follows: Supplied information annually to the Crop Protection Network (CPN) through the Ag Pest Monitor website on distribution of southern corn rust https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/maps/southern-corn-rust and soybean rust https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/maps/soybean-rust in Alabama.This information was made available to growers, Extension agent and agribusinesses through the CPN website https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/ Provided blog posts to ACES.edu and through online newsletters (Cotton Shorts) and podcasts (AL Crops podcast). Research-based information for objectives I and II were delivered to stakeholders (i.e. producers, REAs, crop consultants and scouts, and Ag Industry professionals) via production meetings and AAES sponsored events, workshops, webinars, in-service trainings, ACES website, ACES newsletters, ACES IPM guides for cotton and peanut, and social media to increase stakeholder knowledge and adoption of IPM recommendations. Faculty on this team are also active on social media.For example. Dr. Li has over 35K followers on Facebook spray drone groups and his educational posts has reached to over 160K people worldwide.Similarly, Dr. Sikora (Alabama Ed) is among the most active plant pathologists on X. ALabam Ed on X has 8300 followers and numebr of followers growannually. Faculty specialists also have direct contacts with clientele via phone calls, emails and site visits.Specialists report about 25 to 30 calls per week, 30 to 50 emails per week, and 40 to 50 site visits per year. Specialty crops team has 4 faculty, a graduate students, 4 REA, and support staff involved with Extension programming.The team participated in 7events and reached 388stakeholders in Alabamaand 6 other states during the final project year. This group disseminated results as follows: For ornamental IPM, 8 presentations were delivered to producers at in-state or regional meetings, 3 field days, 3 webinars, and the team produced one product for producers. The product is an insecticide resistance mitigation guide for chilli thrips for ornamental producers.Our survey data suggest most growers are still using preventive sprays. This product will guide pesticide selection to achieve efficacy and promote rotation of active ingredients. The results of insect trapping in vegetable crops across locations in AL are posted to our IPM blog. This group also produces unique resources. Use of Extension Resources: Organic Veg. IPM Slide chart (updated in 2022)= 38%; Alabama IPM/Sustainable AG Enewsletter=39%; Farming Basics App = 38% (updated in 2022 with linkages to the Alabama IPM/Sustainable AG E-newsletter,webinar archives, and social media channels). Researchers, Extension personnel, crop specialists, and other industry stakeholders were informed about the peach tree borer moth and the damage it causes to peach trees. Fruit crops IPM extension programs were delivered to producers at southeast fruit crops meetings and 6 in-state meetings, and two in-state field days. The lead for fruit crops IPM also conducted a professional development training for REA on the Commercial Horticulture Team during their annual retreat. Diagnostic Facilities has two clinical specialists and support staffand students involved with diagnostics. This group disseminated results as follows: Provided IPM recommendations for 6,745 routine samples to facilitate timely decision making. Produced 4 extension peer-reviewed articles, 9 pest alerts, and provided 17 presentations on plant diseases. IPM in Housing About 600 copies of 14 extension IPM articles and 200 copies of 3 IPM books were disseminated at 25 workshops/demonstrations. Presentations at Alabama Housing Authority and Alabama Affordable Housing Association annual meetings. These programs reach the residents in public housing as well as the manager of housing authorities in AL. For Pollinator health,the team participated in 10 events and reached 830 stakeholders in Alabama and 6 other states during the final project year.Members of the IPM for Pollinator Health Priority Area communicated to communities of interest - namely state and regional beekeepers - primarily through in-person and virtual presentations. In response to results from objective 1, we developed and delivered several immersive workshops that provided hands-on experiences for beekeepers. Online Alabama Extension Beekeeping Basics Certificate Program.Launched September 2024 athttps://aces.catalog.auburn.edu/courses/beekeeping-basics Alabama Extension Beekeepers' Symposium(February 2023 and 2024) Alabama Beekeeping Workshopsin spring (March 2023 and 2024) and fall (August 2023 and 2024), with a focus on various IPM topics and techniques relevant to spring and fall beekeeping, respectively 33At Home Beekeeping Webinar Serieslectures alongside our regional team of partners (U. Florida, U. Georgia, Mississippi State U., Louisiana State U., Texas A&M U., U. Tennessee, NC State U., Kentucky State U., USDA) Alabama Demonstration Bee Yards Programto 3 regional beekeeping clubs, plus 1 Alabama Extension / Auburn University groups 106Alabama Extension Beekeeping Health and Management Programlectures to beekeeping clubs and associations around AL and beyond. Admin Our project accomploishments are documented and searchable within ACES.edu webpage. This page is adminstered through ACES with oversight by the project director. https://www.aces.edu/blog/tag/eip-resources/
Next Reporting Steps
Nothing Reported
Target Audience
Agriculture is the largest industry in the state of Alabama and agronomic crops are vital to state's economy. During this period, Agronomic Crops IPM reached primarily individual producers (Alabama cotton peanut corn soybean and wheat farmers), hay producers, crop consultants, pesticide applicators, chemical/seed dealers, and government personnel (state government and NRCS). It is difficult to report demographics for the Alabama Crops reports (weekly) and Alabama Cotton Shorts but they have >300 subscribers that represent the same stakeholders. We also reach a diverse audience of stakeholders through media (Twitter, podcasts, blogs). There is undoubtedly overlap in the audiences of these various programs but that overlap would mean we are engaging them multiple times monthly through various outlets. In Specialty Crops, the target audience includes individual growers/producers, Extension specialists and REAs, researchers, and AL Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. In fruit crop (peaches) the monitoring project in in collaboration with producers. Nursery producers primarily in south Alabama are being targeted for nursery crops IPM. Specificllally, four are partnering with us on the thrips management projects. In Pollinator Health, our target audience is beekeepers operating throughout the greater southeast United States, but especially in Alabama. Beekeepers in the southeast region share many characteristics that result in problems such as reduced productivity and high annual colony losses. Stakeholders in regional beekeeping clubs are also part of the Varroa IPM model and AL demonstration bee yards program. This group also disseminates information through the Farmers Federation Bee and Honey Division (producers) and the general public. Finally, our project also targets a group of beekeepers not afforded the opportunity to regularly interact with beekeeping specialists. These individuals in some cases are geographically isolated, and they may also not possess the resources to attend regional in-person events. The Support for Pest Diagnostics group reaches various groups of plant producers, inspectors through the AL Dept of Agric and Industries, and the general public through processing samples. The Auburn University-Plant Diagnostic Lab (AU-PDL) provides timely diagnosis and pest identification for commercial growers, consultants, Extension personnel, regulatory agencies, and homeowners in AL and other southeastern states. In Housing IPM, stakeholders are primarily underrepresented groups living in income assisted, public housing in Alabama as well as the manager of these facilities.
Changes / Problems
In Year 2, we had to replace the co-PI on the IPM in friut crops portion of the Specialty Crops program area. Dr. Anna Chicas-Mosier accepted a position outside of Auburn and left the project and university. We fortunately had Dr. Edgar Vinson, Extension Fruit Crops Specialist, available to join the project and carry out the remaining objective outlined. Dr. Vinson has experience in peaches and peach IPM. It is very likely that he will remain as our Fruit Crop IPM lead person into the next EIP funding cycle. This will also allow him the opportunity to develop the proposed objectives rather than picking up a program halfway completed.
Training & Professional Development
For Agronomic Crops: The 63rd Alabama Cotton Scout School was held in 4 locations across the state with 145 scouts were trained. 100% of participants either learned new scouting methods or are currently already using the methods learned from previous scouting schools. 2022 Wiregrass weed tour was conducted at Wiregrass research and extension center. 89 people registered the tour to learn latest updates with herbicides, weed control and drone spraying. 4 large spray drone demos were conducted in 2022 across Alabama with over 300 people seeing this new technology for the first time. For Speciality Crops: Commercial Hortr Monthly webinar series Ornamental Horticulture Field Day Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Asociation annual meeting Annual Alabama Peach Meeting, January 2023. Pollinator Health Alabama Extension Beekeeping Health and Management Program Alabama Demonstration Bee Yards Program Delivered 10 At Home Beekeeping Webinar Series lectures Alabama Beekeeping Workshop Alabama Extension Beekeeping Basics Certificate Program 4,719 people reached with Pollinator health programs in Year 2. IPM in Housing 25 workshops/demonstrations Presentations at ALabama Housing Authority and Alabama Affordable Housing Association annual meetings which reached > 1,500 people
Dissemination Streams
IPM In agronomic crops Agronomic project team delivered 140+ extension presentations in extension crop meetings, field days and online webinars, 60+ conference presentations, 70+ extension publications, IPM guides, timely updates and blogs.Alabama Crops Report Newsletter included 101 articles from 25 unique authors across 12 editions in 2022, each edition reached 899 stakeholders The Alabama Crops Report Podcast had average of 494 listens per episode, almost 7 times higher than episodes recorded in 2021 when this project was initiated. For Speciality Crops: Ornamental Horticulture Field Day- Fall 2022, 60 producers or REA Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Asociation meeting Alabama Peach meeting - Annual Alabama Peach Meeting, January 2023. IPM in Housing About 600 copies of 14 extension IPM articles and 200 copies of 3 IPM books were disseminated at workshops
Next Reporting Steps
For Agronomic Crops, 1. Improve current IPM recommendations based on new trials and new data to effectively manage current spectrum of common pests (New field trials will be conducted in 2023 throughout the state to evaluate current and new pests such as Palmer amaranth, annual grasses, leaf spot, target spot, soybean and corn rust, tar spot, plant bugs, thrips, TSWV, CLRDV, etc. New results will be used to update current IPM recommendations). 2. Monitor the progress of new pests and pesticide resistances throughout the state of Alabama (Sentinel plots will be established to monitor disease and insect pressures throughout the state. Weed resistance screening focusing on ryegrass is also undergoing on Auburn campus) 3. Test new methods to provide early pest detection with drone based remote sensors and pesticide application with spray drones (More field trials will be conducted to test application efficacy of spray drone on common weeds, insects and disease in cotton, peanut, corn and soybean. Main focuses will be on weed precision spot spraying, corn, peanut and cotton fungicide application, soybean looper control, and pest detection via RGB and multispectral sensors) For Specialty Crops: Use of berm planting and root collar exaction to improve longevity of peach orchards infected with Armillaria root rot. Plant growth, yield, and plant longevity data will continue to be collected. Evaluation of colored mulches to shorten the production cycle of finished peach trees grafted on the Armillaria root rot resistant 'MP-29' rootstock. Data will be collected for additional year. An additional study will be established, with the intent of determining whether mulch color has an effect on the variety of scion in relation to bud graft success. Assessment of training systems optimal for organic peach production. Establish a pliot demonstration for ornamental growers to assess susceptibility of Chilli thrips to insecticides. Esstablished the biological control demo for ornamental growers at the Ornamental Horticulture Research Station Continiue the Critical insect monitoring and pest alert service Integration of low-cost temporary pest exclusion with bioinsecticides for sustainable small farm sustainable IPM strategy Bio-intensive management of cowpea curculio in southern peas through pest exclusion for small producers Development and/or revision of IPM digital media and print publications IPM for Pollinator Health Objective 1 - Identify effective instructional approaches for Alabama beekeepers Activity - Beekeeping Instructional Approach Study. Publish results in peer-reviewed journal. Objective 2 - Demonstrate beekeeping BMPs, with a focus on Varroa destructor IPM and other timely evidence-based management activities for the U.S. Southeast Activity - Online Alabama Extension Beekeeping Basics Certificate Program Deploy beginner program via Auburn University's Canvas® online learning platform during Fall 2023. Activity - Alabama Extension Beekeeping Basics Certificate Program Conduct beginner program at the Alabama Extension Beekeepers' Symposium in February 2024. Activity - Alabama Beekeeping Workshops. Conduct two workshops - Fall-themed in August 2023 and Spring-themed in April 2024. Activity - At Home Beekeeping Webinar Host 11 online lectures alongside our regional partners. Activity -Alabama Demonstration Bee Yards Program. Administer 5 demonstration bee yards, each visited by stakeholders at least 6 times during the 2023 bee season. Activity -Alabama Extension Beekeeping Health and Management Program lectures Deliver at least 10 lectures on beekeeping management to regional beekeeping clubs. Support for Diagnostics: Due to the clinical nature of the Diagnostic support objectives, work is on-going. As in previous years, the number of routine and survey samples will be reported and any new introductions and species resulting in regulatory responses. IPM in Housing Continue to focus on demonstrations with public housing authorities and the state associations, and professional development and in-service trainig opportunities for REA on the Home Grounds ACES Team. IPM Coordination and Evaluation Continue to liase between EIP team and ACES teams on IPM issues Assemble data for Final report and Year 3 Progress Report Initiate the data gathering and needs assessment data to develop our next 3 years project. Meet with the ACES Animal Science Team leader and determine if there is interest in joining the future EIP. Improve the functionality of our EIP splash page on ACES.edu. Specifically to determine if we can group the outputs from specific objectives onto pages by Program Area. Work with co-PI to improve the quality of our reporting and to improve the acknowledgement NIFA support in products. <br><br>
<br>What was accomplished under these goals? In year 2 do far, IPM in Agronomic Crops accomplished the following: Five cotton varieties expressing commercially available Bt toxins monitored for efficacy against bollworms, 3-gene varieties performed well, while 2-gene varieties had greater than expected damage. Three planting dates evaluated for thrips infestations and incidence of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), the April planting date had the highest levels of thrips injury and TSWV. Metribuzin and Anthem Flex evaluated to generate data for new wheat label. Glyphosate and dicamba evaluated at 6 locations across Alabama and southeast to generate new recommendation for grass weed control in cotton and soybean. 18 cotton and 21 peanut IPM research trials evaluating the responses of cultivars to common diseases, fungicide, and insecticide applications at multiple locations in Alabama. Field study showed a tolerant TSW peanut variety such as Georgia-12Y can increase yield by ~729 lbs/A when compared to susceptible variety such as Florun331 or Georgia-09B resulting in an estimated profit increase of $219/A for Alabama peanut growers. With a single application of a fungicide, yield increase is estimated at 120 lbs of cotton lint/A on average and increase profit by $53/A under moderate disease pressure. Soybean sentinel plots at 8 research stations and kudzu sentinel sites at 12 locations covering 20 counties monitored for soybean rust. Soybean rust identified in 10 locations. Southern corn rust sentinel plots located at 7 research stations, with 4 locations positive. Five sentinel plots established to monitor the progress of Cotton leafroll dwarf disease. Five bollworm populations collected from experiment stations across Alabama for resistance monitoring. All populations were susceptible to the VIP Bt toxin. New ACES site developed for the applications of drone technologies. RGB and spray drone evaluated for precision spot spraying. Herbicide savings of 70-80% versus traditional whole field spraying. 20+ on farm spray drone evaluation trials indicated similar and better pesticide efficacy compared to ground sprayer and airplane in cotton, peanut and corn. IPM in Specialty Crops accomplished the following in Year 2 so far. For the commercial horticulture team (all specialty crops), adoption rates of specific practices: Overall IPM adoption = 46 to 50%; Insect scouting techniques = 32%; Trap cropping & sanitation = 23%; Pest exclusion tactics = 21%; Biological/botanical insecticides = 42%. Barriers to adoption: Lack of awareness; High input cost/Lack of capital; Low availability of insecticidal products Chilli thrips surveys in commercial nurseries provided opportunities to demonstate monitoring and when this species is active in the nursery. Resistance management and biological control programs developed and first presented to producers in print and presentations this year. Survey at the 2023 Alabama Peach meeting showed 30% of respondents would utilize mating disruption in the future. 12 peach growers (Chilton County AL) involved in mating disruption demonstration for the control of greater and lesser peach tree borer. Webinars (25) reached 1,119 direct participants and 3,846 indirect participants. Webinars covered a variety of specialty crop production and pest management topics year round and had a minimum and maximum potential impact of $135,767 and $243,734 on all participants. Insect monitoring traps at 20 locations in Alabama with results posted to our IPM blog. A significant reduction in stink bug infestation on covered tomatoes along with reduced caterpillar pressure. Early seaons pest exclusion is part of our recommendations to producers that intend to become organic-certified. Cowpea curculio is resistant to most conventional insecticides. Temporary pest exclusion systems using Agrofabric Pro fabrics can reduce damage to southern pea pods by 37%. Use of Extension Resources: Organic Veg. IPM Slide chart (updated in 2022)= 38%; Alabama IPM/Sustainable AG E-newsletter=39%; Farming Basics App = 38%(updated in 2022 with linkages to the Alabama IPM/Sustainable AG E-newsletter, webinar archives, and social media channels); Commercial Horticulture Monthly Webinar Series = 33% For Change in knowledge (based on pre/posttests): Improvement in knowledge of temporary or permanent pest exclusion system = 55%; Improvement in knowledge of biorational insecticides = 35%. IPM in Pollinator Health had the following impacts in Year 2 so far. Beekeeping Instructional Approach Study compared in-person versus online beekeeping educational approaches by engaging participants from regional beekeeping clubs. In-person education promoted better adoption of an important beekeeper management tool compared to online education. We redesigned the Online Alabama Extension Beekeeping Basics Certificate Program for Canvas. 89% of participants gained knowledge with a 34 point increase by participants. Delivered Alabama Beekeeping Workshop with a spring management focus in April 2023. 100% of participants plan to implement one or more practices they learned during the workshop. 72% of participants stated that knowledge gained will save them more than $50 in future honey bee health and management expenses. Delivered 10 At Home Beekeeping Webinar Series lectures with team of regional partners. 82% of participants plan to implement a newly learned practice. 35% of participants stated that knowledge gained will save them more than $50 in future honey bee health and management expenses. Delivered the 2022 Alabama Demonstration Bee Yards Program to 3 regional beekeeping clubs, plus 1 Alabama Extension / Auburn University groups. 100% of demonstration yard hosts gained knowledge about seasonal disease status of their colonies. 71% of colonies exceeded the treatment threshold for Varroa mites at least once. 93% of participants plan to implement one or more practices and 70% of them that gained knowledge equal or greater than $50 in future honey bee health and management expenses. IPM Support for Diagnostic Labs have the following objectives and impacts in Year 2 so far. Processed 8,717 survey samples (including cotton, citrus and grapes). Maintained/received NPPLAP certification for molecular testing of high-risk diseases (HLB, SOD, and PPV) for USDA. 5 first reports identified in Alabama through samples submitted to the AU-PDL including one resulting in regulatory action by ADAI and one by TDA. Produced one extension peer reviewed article, and two pest alerts. IPM Training and Implementation in Housing had the following objectives and impacts in Year 2 so far. 25 workshops trained about 500 target audients; 14 housing IPM articles were developed; 4 extension agents, 4 POCs, and 2 graduate students were IPM-trained. Education outcomes include 14 articles and 5 testimonials videos of residents speaking on how the increased knowledge and implementation of housing IPM have improved their living environment and made their life comfortable. About 600 copies of 14 extension IPM articles and 200 copies of 3 IPM books were disseminated at workshops and at HA and AAHA annual meetings, which reached > 1,500 audients; 25 demonstrations of the best IPM practices were performed and hundreds of IPM products were distributed. IPM adoption documented in 50 affordable public housings (>125 units). Program extended from local Housing Authority (HA) to members of the Alabama Affordable Housing Association (AAHA). About 95% of the audience feel confident they understand what housing IPM is, and believe the IPM methods are feasible and sustainable. About 91% of the audients who participated in IPM demonstrations have or will adopt IPM tactics (DIY exclusion, monitoring, baiting, trapping, bioproducts), a significant increase from the previous program. The need and expense to do bedbug control at collaborative Housing Authorities decreased continuously. Bedbug complaints from residents dropped almost to zero to date. <br><br><b>Publications</b><br>
Target Audience
Agriculture is the largest industry in the state of Alabama and agronomic crops are vital to state's economy. During this period, Agronomic Crops IPM reached primarily individual producers (Alabama cotton peanut corn soybean and wheat farmers), hay producers, crop consultants, pesticide applicators, chemical/seed dealers, and government personnel (state government and NRCS). It is difficult to report demographics for the Alabama Crops reports (weekly) and Alabama Cotton Shorts but they have >300 subscribers that represent the same stakeholders. We also reach a diverse audience of stakeholders through media (Twitter, podcasts, blogs). There is undoubtedly overlap in the audiences of these various programs but that overlap would mean we are engaging them multiple times monthly through various outlets. In Specialty Crops, the target audience includes individual growers/producers, Extension specialists and REAs, researchers, and AL Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. In fruit crop (peaches) the monitoring project in in collaboration with producers. Nursery producers primarily in south Alabama are being targeted for nursery crops IPM. Specificllally, four are partnering with us on the thrips management project in nursery crops. In Pollinator Health, our target audience is beekeepers operating throughout the greater southeast United States, but especially in Alabama. Beekeepers in the southeast region share many characteristics that result in problems such as reduced productivity and high annual colony losses. Stakeholders in regional beekeeping clubs are also part of the Varroa IPM model and AL demonstration bee yards program. This group also disseminates information through the Farmers Federation Bee and Honey Division (producers) and the general public. Finally, our project also targets a group of beekeepers not afforded the opportunity to regularly interact with beekeeping specialists. These individuals in some cases are geographically isolated, and they may also not possess the resources to attend regional in-person events. The Support for Pest Diagnostics group reaches various groups of plant producers, inspectors through the AL Dept of Agric and Industries, and the general public through processing samples. The Auburn University-Plant Diagnostic Lab (AU-PDL) provides timely diagnosis and pest identification for commercial growers, consultants, Extension personnel, regulatory agencies, and homeowners in AL and other southeastern states. In Housing IPM, stakeholders are primarily underrepresented groups living in income assisted, public housing in Alabama as well as the manager of these facilities.
Changes / Problems
Nothing Reported
Training & Professional Development
Total number of people reached by the project this reporting year: 7,426 IPM in Agronomic Crops: Project team provided many training and professional development opportunities to learn IPM in agronomic crops. These opportunities included presentations in winter and spring row crop meetings, Wiregrass cotton expo, Auxin training, AL peanut production meetings, SW AL row crop conference, AL row crop short course, AL-FL peanut trade show, Cotton Scouting school, Wiregrass and Gulf Coast weed tour, Central AL and Wiregrass REC field day, plus during farm visits and one on one conversation with row crop growers.The information generated from field research was presented at 89 ACES extension events. Extension information was presented in-person and on Zoom to 790 stakeholders. IPM in Specialty Crops: Fruit Crops: training was provided for three Alabama Cooperative Extension Agents. Nursery Crops: Presentations at producer meetings hosted by the ACES Commercial Hort Team. IPM Support for Pest Diagnostics: Tick Academy - September 12-18, 2021 (virtual). 36th Annual Tomato Disease Workshop - November 2, 2021 (virtual). SPDN Regional Meeting - November 3-4, 2021 (virtual). Science of Hemp Conference - November 19, 2021 (virtual). Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association Conference (Gulf Shores, AL) - November 18-19, 2021 (in-person). Beltwide Cotton Conferences - January 4-6, 2022 (San Antonio, TX). IPM in Housing: Presentations to AAHA (Alabama Affordable Housing Association) and AAHRA (Alabama Association of Housing & Redevelopment) to educate them on this program and to increase participation. IPM in Pollinator Health: Conducted six At Home Beekeeping Webinar Series lectures alongside our regional team of partners (U. Florida, U. Georgia, Mississippi State U., Louisiana State U., Texas A&M U., U. Tennessee, NC State U., Kentucky State U.) Recruited 4 regional beekeeping clubs, plus 2 Alabama Extension / Auburn University groups to participate in our Alabama Demonstration Bee Yards Program during Summer 2022 51 Alabama Extension Coordinators or Regional Agents were trained.
Dissemination Streams
Project totals 1. Total number of peer-reviewed publications. 20 2. Total number of non-peer-reviewed publications. 208 3. Total number of presentations. 149 IPM in Agronomic Crops: Disseminate IPM recommendations to stakeholders and conduct result-oriented field demonstrations on-farm and during field days. Video recordings for Alabama peanut farmers and cotton farmers have received thousands of views. Made contributions to the Alabama Crops Report and Alabama Cotton Shorts newsletters, made contributions to AgFax and other Ag trade journals, provided timely updates to stakeholders on Twitter and posted or contributed to articles on the ACES website. On the Farm in Alabama YouTube videos related to cotton and soybean IPM were made. The Alabama Crops Report Podcast produces regular epidosides highlighting interdisciplinary topics related to IPM. This podcast currently is rated 4.7/5. IPM in Specialty Crops: Producer meetings in collaboration with Specialists or REA. IPM Support for Pest Diagnostics: Provided timely diagnosis of plant disease, nematode, and insect pest problems and IPM recommendations by email for each routine sample. Have regular email or phone contact with ADAI regarding exotic or regulated pests in AL IPM in Housing: The pilot studies programs deliver materials directly to the community residents and managers through meetings, phone calls or in person visits. The same methods are used to deliver results to professioal pest control companies. IPM in Pollinator Health: Information was communicated to communities of interest primarily through presentations. Additionally, Alabama Extension's monthly Beekeeping Newsletter started to provide a venue whereby our team communicated information electronically to beekeepers. Delivered our Alabama Extension Beekeeping Health and Management Program lectures to beekeeping clubs and associations around AL and beyond. 2400 people were reached with 16 presentations during this reporting year.
Next Reporting Steps
IPM in Agronomic Crops:Project team will follow up with key pests in agronomic crops and continue evaluated new tools, products and technologies to detect and control these pests. For example, more spray drone testing will be conducted in next reporting period to deliver herbicides and fungicides to corn and peanut. Multispectral drone will be used to examine the detection of fungal disease, deer and insect damages on row crops. Traps and sentinel plots will be used to continue monitoring pest pressure and movement in AL. New traits such as Thryvon and Axxant flex will be continuously evaluated in row crops next year. Improve current IPM recommendations based on new trials and new data to effectively manage current spectrum of common pests Based on the outcome of Year 1 trials and sampling, PI and collaborators will be improving our current recommendations for weeds, diseases and insects in all major agronomic food, fiber, and forage crops in Alabama. Monitor the progress of new pests and pesticide resistances throughout the state of Alabama We continue field trials to document the occurrence of PPO and ALS-resistant Palmer amaranth and evaluate IPM strategies to control in peanut to reduced reliance on herbicides 3. Test new methods to provide early pest detection in agronomic crops with drone based remote sensors. Dessimination and training: Use major outlets for disseminating information (online resources and publications, crop reports, podcast). These are the same outlets used in Year 1. All collaborators in this area have field demonstrations and monitoring trials in various stages of implementation for Year 1 and the outcome of those trials will largely guide the selection of demonstration projects planned for Year 2. IPM in Specialty Crops: Fruit Crops 1) Compare peachtree borer damage in orchards under mating disruption versus grower standard control practice. This will be 100% completed in year 1. Manuscript preparation and submission is expected in year 2. 2) Develop extension resources describing the biology, ecology, and management of peachtree borers in stone fruits. Present data at the Central Alabama Peach Production annual meeting in 2023 Create on-station mating disruption extension programming 3) Conduct surveys of growers who implement mating disruption to determine the efficacy of the developed IPM strategy. Efforts in year 2 will focus on development of resources and adoption of mating disruptions among growers. IPM in Nursery Crops 1) Monitoring the seasonal activity of thrips on sticky traps at 4 nurseries within and surrounding the nursery will continue in Year 2. We can dessiminate the information from year 1 to educate growers on the phenology and origin of chilli thrips 2) Demonstrate the effectiveness of biological control. In year 2, we will conduct controlled studies and identify growers willing to do pilot biolgoical control work. 3) Develop an Extension program focused on insecticide modes of action and decision making. In Year 2, we initiate trainings and develop resources focused on Intergrated Resistance Management for Chilli thrips in production nurseries. IPM in Pollinator Health: Objective 1 - Identify effective instructional approaches for Alabama beekeepers (70% completed) Finalize statistical analyses for the Beekeeping Instructional Approach Study and communicate results via presentations and a peer-reviewed publication. Objective 2 - Demonstrate beekeeping BMPs, with a focus on Varroa destructor IPM and other timely evidence-based management activities for the U.S. Southeast (25% completed) Deploy Online Alabama Extension Beekeeping Certificate Programs via Auburn University's Canvas online learning platform. Host 11 At Home Beekeeping Webinar lectures alongside our regional partners. Administer 6 Alabama Demonstration Bee Yards Program during Summer 2022, each visited by stakeholders at least 4 times during the bee season. Deliver at least 10 Alabama Extension Beekeeping Health and Management Program lectures to regional Alabama beekeeping clubs. IPM Support for Pest Diagnostic Facilities Provide timely diagnosis of plant disease, nematode, and insect pest problems along with IPM recommendations. Monitor incoming samples for pests not known to occur in AL or the US and regulatory pests to circumvent problems and increase chances for mitigation of introduced pests. Maintain testing certifications and certificates. Support for Diagnostics: Due to the clinical nature of the Diagnostic support objectives, work is on-going. As in year 1, the number of routine and survey samples will be reported and any new introductions and species resulting in regulatory responses. Housing IPM: Programs may expand into new housing partners in Year 2. Provide training platforms and resources to teach the indentification of key home insect pests, pest biology, and IPM tactics Established demonsrtations for case specific exlusion, monitoring and control methods in partnership with the Housing Authority and the ACES home grounds team. This will provide professional development and training for REA. IPM Coordination and Evaluation: Continue to liase between EIP team and ACES teams about IPM issues Assemble data for Continuation and Annual Progress Reports Attend SERA 3 and other meetings for project coordinators Work with co-PI to improve our acknowledgement of NIFA support in products <br><br>
<br>What was accomplished under these goals? IPM in Agronomic Crops: In year 1 so far, we have accomplished: 109 different IPM projects conducted or are underway. Work toward Objectives 1 and 2 are ongoing and will continue each year of the project. 20% completed on Objective 3 New cotton and peanut varieties evaluated for tolerance to nematodes and TSWV. Thryvon technology from Bayer evaluated for thrips and stinkbugs control. Axxant Flex technology evaluated for improved broadleaf weeds and volunteer peanut control. IPM recommendations updated to reflect latest label and pest changes. Non-chemical control methods such as cover crop, new varieties, change of planting date were promoted to AL row crop growers. Newly purchased multispectral and hyperspectral sensors tested with Matrice 200 AND 600 drones in field. Newest spray drones were also tested to spray herbicides. They will provide a new way to spray pesticides when ground sprayer can not go into the field after extended rainfalls. Stakeholders highly rated the information project team promoted regarding pest control and crop management. Overall rating 9.05 out of 10 (n = 164). Total row crop acreage survey respondents manage was 271,172 acres. Average $ per acre saving was $12.06/A. Total economic impact on AL row crops was $3,271,547. 93.4% of the survey respondents indicated they have used recommendations promoted by extension specialists in Agronomic team. 97.9% of the survey respondent indicated they plan to use the recommendations promoted by extension specialists in EIP project team. Of 32 bermudagrass hay growers surveyed, 75% rated the information received on weedy grass control as excellent, citing a 21% increase in knowledge impacting approximately 50-150 acres per farmer. Of 40 forage producers desiring more information on alfalfa production, 76% of them planned to adopt weed control management practices. 100% of the consultants and growers at a row crop field day would use the information received in future management decisions. ACES Cotton and Soybean Entomology team impacts estimated at >$4.4M. On one relatively large farm (1,800 acres of corn), the use of a single fungicide application following suggestions of the EIP project team increased profit by $877.40/acre, or a total value of $1,579,320 for this individual farm operation. New cotton cultivars with root knot and reniform resistance are doubling cotton yields in nematode infested fields. The addition of nematicides improved cotton yield by 17 to 640 lb/A from 2021 Auburn field research studies. New Axxant Flex technology allowed cotton and peanut growers better control of volunteer peanuts. Up to 93% volunteer peanut control when using Alite 27 and dicamba together as PRE. IPM in Specialty Crops: In year 1 so far, we have accomplished: Mating disruption delayed and weakened pupal emergence peaks as compared to control orchards. Results from mating disruption studies presented to 70 Alabama peach growers, and training provided for three Alabama Cooperative Extension Agents. A 100% reduction in the male trap counts between control and IPM mating disruption peach orchards and a 72% reduction of observed pupal emergence casings. Monitoring and mating disruption demonstrations will be 100% completed at the end of year 1. Objective 2 is 0% completed. Identified four cooperating nurseries near Mobile AL to participate in thrips trapping demonstration. Those nurseries are participants in the on-site demonstration of sampling and detection of Chilli thrips. Sticky traps at those locations are used to determine season activity and will form the basis for pest alerts (~15% completed in Year 1). Subobjectives 2 and 3 are 0% completed thus far. A graduate student hired. IPM Support for Pest Diagnostics. Work is on-going and not possible to assess a % completed. So far we have accomplished: Objective 1) Timely diagnosis of 1789 routine samples (973 plant and 816 nematode) Processed 5,093 survey samples (including cotton, citrus and grapes). Maintained/received NPPLAP certification for molecular testing of three high-risk diseases (HLB, SOD, and PPV) for USDA. 6 first reports identified in Alabama through samples submitted to the AU-Plant Diagnostic Lab (AU-PDL) including two that resulted in regulatory action by ADAI. Objective 2) Provided recommendations for 1,789 routine samples to control and/or prevent future pest problems for each sample to facilitate timely decision making. Objective 3) one peer reviewed publication, one extension peer reviewed article, and two pest alerts. IPM in Housing. In year 1 so far, we have accomplished: Establish pilot case sites to demonstrate and teach IPM within underserved public housing communities. Training professional pest managers, Extension agents, and customers Worked with AAHA (Alabama Affordable Housing Association) and AAHRA (Alabama Association of Housing & Redevelopment) to increase participation in the program. These associations build a platform to expand this program to other public housing in Alabama in future years. Reports of pest infestation declined about 84%, pesticide-associated complains dropped 92%, and the cost for pest control decreased 60% - 80% compared with the cost at the beginning of program. This program enriched Extension agents and PCOs' knowledge on IPM practices and increased their serving capability. All objectives are on-going and difficult to reliably assess the % completed. IPM in Pollinator Health has accomplished: Objective 1 - Identify effective instructional approaches for Alabama beekeepers (70% completed) Demonstrated no difference in knowledge change between the two delivery approaches. For example, in-person participants' knowledge increased by 32 percentage points, whereas online participants knowledge increased by 35 percentage points for one part of the study. Demonstrated a difference in potential future behavior change between the two delivery approaches. For example, in-person participants indicated a 26% increase in intent to monitor Varroa destructor using the alcohol wash, whereas online participants indicated a 3% increase in intent to monitor using the alcohol wash. The alcohol wash is the most effective monitoring technique for V. destructor; however, many beekeepers are reluctant because it involves sacrificing approximately 250 honey bees. Objective 2 - Demonstrated beekeeping BMPs, with a focus on V. destructor IPM and other timely evidence-based management activities for the U.S. Southeast (30% completed) Developed an entry level beekeeping management storyboard, and drafted scripts for several modules for our Online Alabama Extension Beekeeping Certificate Programs. For our At Home Beekeeping Webinar Series, 93% of participants gained knowledge by attending an event and 42% of participants stated that knowledge gained by attending an event saved them more than $50 in future honey bee management expenses. Alabama Extension Beekeeping Health and Management Program lectures, 96% of participants plan to implement one or more practices, and 79% of participants stated that knowledge gained saved them more than $50 in future honey bee health and management expenses. IPM Coordination and Evaluation: New splash page designed for disseminating EIP outcomes (https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/farming/alabama-extension-implementation-program/ ). Located with ACES online resources, publicly accessible and searchable. Coordinated compliance with RCR training and implementation of our data management plan Communicated with the EIP team and ACES teams about issues related to IPM Assembled the data for Continuation and Annual Progress Reports Launched an Evaluation Tool Box within ACES; includes resources on collection and reporting evaluations. Evaluation-Engagement dashboard is launched. It tracks and aggregates data on number of participants, outputs, and other metrics specifically for evaluation. Available to the State IPM Coordinator, Lead Evaluator, and ACES leadership. <br><br><b>Publications</b><br>