Impacts of the Small Fruit IPM Working Group

Transcription

1 UMASS-Sonia Schloemann Impacts of the Small Fruit IPM Working Group The Massachusetts Extension Fruit Program has benefited from participation in the Small Fruit IPM Working Group in the following ways: General Impacts Improved awareness of common and uncommon insect and disease problems facing small fruit growers in New England and the Northeast resulting from state reports and the tours Improved ability to provide accurate recommendations to growers for the management of a range of pest problems following discussion and validation with colleagues at this meeting Specific Impacts 450 growers received updated information via newsletter articles in Massachusetts Berry Notes or IPM Berry Blast on pests (e.g., Winter Moth, Spotted Wing Drosophila, White Pine Blister Rust) discussed at this meeting. 15 growers trained in practices learned at Working Group tour and meeting (e.g., No-Till Strawberry Planting System, Use of SmartNet System in Blueberries) through direct consultation 4 growers who hosted this working group over the group tour have since been identified as speakers for Educational Programs delivering farm based information at Winter SWD trapping and monitoring protocols revised and validated through discussions at this meeting. UMASS-Hilary Sandler A direct result of the WG meeting was the submission of a grant to the Northeast IPM Center Partnership Grant Program to address issues around resistance management for small fruit growers in the Northeast. I was able to secure collaborations and commitments from my colleagues since this is an issue that affects growers across state lines and across commodities. The grant fared well but was not funded in the 2013 cycle. Opportunities to plan future grant submissions that support IPM issues for small fruit growers in the Northeast. As State IPM Coordinator, enables me to get a good synopsis of grower IPM issues that affect my state and neighboring states. I am able to accurately relay information regarding state and regional pest issues to local, state and federal constituents. Resistance management updates were included in the 2013 Cranberry Chart Book (our management guide). Distributed to 350 people on mailing list.

2 Growers received IPM information on dodder management (Dec 12, March 13, and June 13), poverty grass management (Dec 12) and Winter moth (Dec 12, March 13, and Apr 13) in the Cranberry Station Newsletter (327 growers on list). Unfortunately due to UMass Amherst s migration to Google Apps, all web metric data for our web site were lost and cannot be shared for this report. CORNELL-Marvin Pritts attending this meeting has made us aware of emerging pests in small fruits facilitates diagnosis of unfamiliar pest problems in our state through photo sharing and e- mail exchanges has resulted in articles in our state's newsletter regarding SWD and other pests has resulted in an enhanced Berry Diagnostic Tool on our website expanded an ongoing weekly seasonal berry call-in for berry extension faculty, staff and consultants to include not just NY members but colleagues from across the NE region and Ontario, Canada fosters collaborative research and extension efforts that have led to joint project proposals and subsequent funding provides a vehicle for expedited exchange of relevant, cutting edge research and extension information in the NE Region has led to development of shared resources and reduced duplication of effort in berry research and extension programs networking opportunities provided by this meeting have grown and deepened an esprit de corps among attendees CORNELL-Laura McDermott Participation in the Small Fruit working group has: Allowed me to easily access information from colleagues in other states. I have regularly called Peter Oudemans for blueberry information; Sonia for grape information etc. Additionally I am now tied into other states and am receiving their newsletters which help enormously. The relationships built through the Working group has made the Berry Call (held weekly in the spring) a huge success. It is a primary mode of troubleshooting information during the season.

3 I have been working with Hillary Sandler on a Resistance Management grant proposal that hopefully will be funded. The discussion focused on the root disease complex in strawberries has propelled work with native nematodes for use to control strawberry root pests. UCONN-Mary Conklin 185 growers and 97 NRCS Staff, master gardeners and other non-growers, received ed newsletters discussing monitoring and management options for Spotted Wing Drosophila. 185 growers and 97 NRCS Staff, master gardeners and other non-growers, received ed newsletters discussing IPM cultural and pest management practices for the control and management of key small fruit insect and disease pests 13 growers attended a hands-on blueberry pruning workshop and learned the importance of pruning and maintaining open bushes for Spotted Wing Drosophila control. RHODE ISLAND-Heather Faubert Attending this meeting has taught me what other states are doing to monitor and control spotted wing drosophila and has helped us design SWD traps and experiments. Attending this meeting has taught me a simpler/ more teachable technique for pruning blueberries. This technique will be shared at a RI Fruit Grower meeting on December 4, Attending this meeting in the past has demonstrated better pruning techniques for raspberries and greenhouse tomatoes which have been shared with many growers during grower visits. Attending this meeting alerted me to factsheets from other states that I have shared with RI growers. Specifically I have handed out numerous factsheets on bird control, a new factsheet by Alan Eaton at UNH and also an old factsheet on building raptor houses for bird control. Attending this workshop introduced me to the Berry Call-in, a weekly conference call connecting northeast small fruit extension personnel. The Berry Call-in has become an essential part of my week for learning about small fruit problems and sharing my experiences in Rhode Island. Participating in this meeting has introduced me to new varieties of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and tomatoes. These varieties are recommended to RI growers via newsletters and farm visits. Participating in this meeting has taught me about small fruit insects and diseases that I have not encountered, but am now watching for. Alert me to research being conducted on small fruit in the Northeast such as parasitic nematodes for strawberry root weevil. This may be a excellent control technique for RI growers. Attending this meeting alerts me to the current status of white pine blister rust and the breakdown of immune varieties of Ribes. RUTGERS Peter Oudemans

4 Developed improved diagnostic skills for plant production problems such as hormonal imbalance, nutritional problems and insect issues. This meeting specifically helped me to diagnose a new insect-related problem on cranberries this year. Attending this meeting has provided an important perspective on blueberry production problems on small medium sized diversified farms Organic farming practices are often poorly documented. Through this meeting we have initiated a database of OMRI approved pesticides and efficacy in specific systems Distributed factsheets to growers on Bird Control provided by Alan Eaton. MOFGA-Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association-Eric Sideman Support for organic farmers in Maine has benefited from my participation in the Small Fruit IPM Working Group in the following ways: I created a new fact sheet for organic farmers called Organic Strawberry Production, which includes many of the practices and tips that I learned with the Small Fruit IPM Working Group (see: Sheets/FS 02 Strawberries web.pdf ) I am more aware of the most recent research on emerging pests of small fruit I am better prepared to diagnose grower issues during my visits with our certified organic farmers The meetings of the Small Fruit IPM Working Group provides opportunities for networking and exchange of relevant observations and ongoing extension work On the tours I have learned of the most innovative and respected small fruit producers in other New England states and can facilitate contact between them and MOFGA organic growers. IR 4-Edith Lurvey The Small Fruit IPM Working group has been invaluable to me and the Northeast Region IR-4 Program. The meetings always provide an opportunity to observe the needs of small fruit farmers in the northeast first hand and a chance to discuss potential solutions with research and extension personnel that are expert in the area. The proposal to conduct a PMSP in strawberries, and eventually other small fruit, with help IR-4 focus on the most important needs of the region s growers. VERMONT-Vern Grubinger The following is a list of information supported by Small Fruit Working Group activities that I have delivered to commercial growers in Vermont to 700 people via newsletter, and to 150 people at the annual meeting of the Vermont vegetable and berry growers association. Improved understanding and management of spotted wing drosophila Better soil fertility and crop nutrition practices Increased awareness of new and emerging pests in areas near Vermont like winter moth New knowledge of information resources such as fruit specialists, analytical services

5 VERMONT-Ann Hazelrigg Being a part of the working group and going on the pest tours/field day has helped improve small fruit problem diagnosis in the Plant Diagnostic Clinic for Vermont small fruit growers. Getting to know the specialists in the other states has helped improve communication and increase information on small fruit pests and pest management that I am able to pass on to Vermont growers when they submit samples. MAINE-Jim Dill It has been extremely useful to see what pest problems are of concern in other neighboring states, especially spotted wing drosophila. SWD has become one, if not the most important pest we have of small fruit. In Maine, I also anticipate more nuisance bear complaints as a result of SWD wiping out wild small fruit. This collaboration is invaluable. Even of more importance to Maine is seeing the management strategies that are being utilized by other states. Sharing of new and ongoing research projects has been most beneficial, again especially as it relates to SWD. To discuss pest issues with IR-4 has also had an impact on Maine. MAINE-David Handley Information obtained at this meeting was shared with over 100 Maine growers through our IPM newsletters, webpage and blog Information obtained at this meeting was instrumental in setting up a spotted wing drosophila monitoring program in Maine The coordinated effort of this group helped to bring about a much improved revision of the New England Small Fruit Management Guide This meeting has greatly improved interstate cooperation and coordination of pest management research and Extension efforts The meetings have created a much needed "open door" between states to share ideas and seek help from their counterparts in the region. NEW HAMPSHIRE-Becky Sideman The past year, I spoke with at least 10 producers about developing a strategy to managed spotted wing drosophila. In these discussions, I drew heavily upon the successful SWD management strategies I saw on the 2012 small fruit tour in upstate NY. At a twilight meeting with 25 growers in attendance, I shared experiences relating to day neutral strawberry production gained from the 2012 small fruit tour.

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