2005 Graduate Student Projects Proposal reviewers use the call for proposals to guide them in their evaluations of all the proposals submitted to the program. The more closely a project follows the guidelines, the better chance it has of being funded. While no project is perfect ; every project has its own strengths and every project can be made a little bit better. But there were certain things that the reviewers noted that stood out in this year's crop of funded projects. Summaries of the proposals with their project numbers and titles can be found below. Reviewers are realistic about what can be accomplished in a project and look for projects that have attainable objectives. GS05-045 was pointed out as having realistic goals in both research and outreach. GS05-046 was commended for clearly indicating a foundation of preliminary data and also including in the activities a production plot for outreach and education that would serve both students and visitors. GS05-043, on the other hand, was pointed out as helping to explain some of the ecological processes behind some sustainable agriculture practices. Addressing a subject that is critical to producers always gets the attention of reviewers as did GS05-047, which is looking at natural methods of reducing nematode infection in lambs a major barrier to small ruminant producers. Directly addressing a priority area such as transitioning to organics with sound scientific research was the solid approach of GS05-044 and GS05-048 and GS05-049. Occasionally a proposal is commended for focusing squarely on SARE's mission of agricutlural sustainability combined with well-defined objectives and appropriate objectives. Such was the review comments for GS05-050. So, the reviewers don't simply look for projects dealing with particular crops or animals. They look for projects that best meet the goals for sustainable agriculture that are in the call for proposals. | ||||||||||||||||
GS05-043 BT Cotton, Tillage and Cover Crops Identity: Relative Effects on Above and Below Ground Invertebrate Diversity It is well known that both tillage and cover cropping can have a significant influence over arthropod communities within agroecosystems. However, research on the effects of Bt cotton on arthropod communities is much less conclusive.My research, conducted at Horseshoe Bend Agroecosystem in Athens , GA. , focuses on the effects of Bt cotton on non-target invertebrate diversity above and below ground relative to the effects of tillage and cover crop choice. Below-ground diversity measurements will be collected on nematodes, and microarthropods, while above ground diversity measurements focus on non-target arthropods (pollinators, predators, parasitoids, etc.). Bt cotton is currently being grown at the site under both conventional till (CT) and no till (NT) management regimes. The tillage methods themselves have been practiced at Horseshoe Bend since 1978. Also employed at the site are winter cover crops of rye and clover. There are thirty-two subplots within the cotton field which host combinations of tilling regiment, winter cover crop, and cotton type (Bt or non-Bt). This offers an extremely useful combination of agricultural settings within which to study the effects, if any, of Bt cotton on above and belowground biodiversity. Making large-scale changes to agricultural production techniques takes time and often includes complete overhauls of equipment for things such as planting and harvesting. Given this, it is important that while we are examining new production techniques such as genetically modified crops, we analyze their effects relative to other techniques, which may have much greater influences on sustainability and biodiversity. Mark Hunter (professor) Kyle Wickings (graduate student)
Nitrogen availability is an important factor in limiting yields especially in low-input and organic systems. In these systems, soil organic amendments -as opposed to chemical fertilizers- are intended to play a major role in providing nutrients to crops. Whenever the use of inorganic nitrogen is being replaced by organic materials, the availability of N in soil depends increasingly on biological processes of nutrient release. This, in turn, requires increased reliance on the biochemical quality of the organic additions and on the functioning of the soil organisms. This project seeks to study how the quality of organic amendments and the structure of the soil community interact to determine N availability for plants. The efficacy of a number of commonly used and experimental in-situ generated organic amendments in increasing nitrogen availability, and their effects on the structure of the soil community will be assessed. Experimental and modeling approaches will be used to study interactive effects. The outcomes of this project will be useful in informing the selection of organic amendments in vegetable systems to improve synchrony of N release and demand. From the analyses of empirical and experimental data, we will be able to develop general management recommendations to enhance soil biota's role in nitrogen release. In addition, this project will improve our ecological understanding of the impact of organic amending on the role that the soil community plays in nutrient cycling in agroecosystems. Carl Jordan (professor) Yolima Carrillo (graduate student)
GS05-045 Development of an IPM Strategy for Control of Flower-Thrips in Blueberries in Southeastern United States Early-season blueberries are an important economical assessment for Florida and southern Georgia , due to the production of high quality blueberries early in the year (April and May). One of the major threats to blueberry production in southeastern United States is flower-thrips. The differences in climatic conditions and the diversity of blueberry species produced in the various regions of Florida demand specific and local research and extension activities in all regions to effectively address this problem. Some research has been done to develop monitoring techniques. However, research on alternative strategies which incorporate reduced-risk insecticides, biocontrol agents and cultural control techniques need to be explored to reduce the use of traditional insecticides. Our plan is to involve blueberry growers in our activities, thus monitoring and controlling thrips in a more environmentally friendly manner. Our ultimate goal is to reduce health risks associated with the use of toxic pesticides on blueberry growers in the region while maintaining effective control of thrips. Our objectives are to use reduced-risk insecticides and natural enemies in blueberry ecosystems for thrips control. Blueberry producers collaborating on the project will be able to use the experience acquired to disseminate information to other producers in the region. We will use extension publications, grower meetings, extension agents and crop consultants to reach producers that could not participate in our on-farm demonstration trials, but who would like to have access to information on alternatives to conventional insecticides for managing this key pest in blueberries. Oscar E. Liburd (professor) Héctor Alejandro Arévalo (graduate student)  GS05-046 Inducing Disease Resistance and Increased Production in Organic Heirloom Tomato Production Through Grafting Fruit-bearing vegetable crops have been cultivated with grafted plants worldwide. However, this technique is relatively unknown in the United States. The use of tube grafting in Korea and Japan has made this technology practical for managing soil-borne diseases in many crops including melons, cucurbits, eggplant, and tomatoes. Soil-borne diseases in the southeastern United States are a major limitation to crop productivity, especially for organic farmers where fumigants are not available. In our initial work, we will focus on bacterial wilt of tomato, a problematic disease for many farms in the southeast. Resistant lines have been identified, but their fruit quality is often poor.Furthermore, there is no resistance to this disease in heirloom varieties of tomatoes, which are a major crop for small, sustainable farmers in North Carolina. This project will evaluate the use of grafted tomato plants in order to make an effort to reduce bacterial wilt incidence in the field. Furthermore, field trials will determine if grafted tomatoes will increase productivity in the presence and absence of disease. In addition, we will conduct more basic research on the physiological defense signaling mechanisms to determine how resistance is affected in the field. Finally, an active outreach program will be developed in order to convey the findings and importance of this study to NC farmers. The use of grafted tomato transplants may be a viable tool for organic growers, who encounter soil-borne disease problems, and may be useful to conventional growers as a sustainable alternative to chemical treatments. Frank Louws (professor) Cary Rivard (graduate student) Infection with gastrointestinal nematode parasites, particularly Haemonchus contortus, a voracious blood-feeder, is the most important constraint to profitable small ruminant production in the southern United States and worldwide. Lambs and kids are more susceptible to infection than older animals, but haemonchosis can rapidly lead to lost production and even death at any age. Anthelmintic drugs (dewormers) have been over-used in attempts to control this problem, which has resulted in high levels of anthelmintic resistance in nematodes throughout the South. The problem is so severe that it is threatening viability of small-scale and limited-resource small ruminant farm operations in this region despite continued high demand for sheep and goat products. A more sustainable approach to parasite control involves integrating targeted, limited use of anthelmintics with non-chemical, novel control methods that reduce nematode numbers in the host animal and lower pasture contamination with eggs and larvae. In the proposed project, one novel control method, condensed tannin containing forage (sericea lespedeza) in a pellet formulation, will be evaluated for activity against existing and newly acquired infection. In addition, this method will be evaluated as part of an integrated program with the FAMACHA system and smart use of anthelmintics as a viable alternative to extend the useful life of available anthelmintics. Results will be disseminated to scientific and producer groups via producer workshops, the Southern Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control web page (SCSRPC.org), and various scientific and extension publications. James E. Miller (professor) Leigh Ann Chafton (graduate student) As a result of a SARE project (LS04-167), "The Southern Region Organic Fruit Production Initiative: Identifying Barriers, Needed Research, Markets, and Opportunities", Arkansas fruit grower focus-groups and related clientele identified crop fertility management and the interactions with ground cover management as significant barriers to production requiring research. Seasonal variations in nutrient concentrations of soil and leaves are indicators of nutrient availability, limitations, and tree performance. However, those data were developed in conventional orchards using herbicided weed-free strips and soluble synthetic fertilizers and may not be the same as in organic orchards with increased soil biological activity and slow release nutrient sources. There are significant questions about nutrient availability and uptake in the permaculture of organic fruit production systems. The limited study of organic orchard nutrition has been done in the arid Pacific Northwest or the colder Northeast region with little or no research in the lower-Midwest or Southern Regions. To address this issue, the Eco-Agriculture research group at the University of Arkansas initiated the SARE project ( LS05-176), " Best management practices for organic orchard nutrition". The project proposed herein is a detailed study to contribute to that project and leverages resources for plot establishment and management. The objective of this project is to evaluate seasonal nutrient patterns in soils and leaves in organic apple production systems. The interpretation of nutrient trends during the season will be the first step in developing a reference for nutrition and fertility recommendations in organic apple farming systems in the southern region of the U.S.A. stic systems for organic fruit production. Curt R. Rom (professor) Hyun-Sug Choi (professor)
GS05-049 Organic mulches and high residue no-till for collard production in Alabama Traditional organic vegetable production relies on tillage for weed suppression, which exposes soil to erosion, contributes to non-point source pollution of water supplies and decreases soil organic matter and other soil quality parameters. Mulching is sometimes used to suppress weeds, which increases production costs. Organic producers are likely to adopt no-till if sufficient weed suppression can be achieved, because of the environmental, soil health and cost savings benefits afforded by no-till. Improvements in high residue no-till technology offer the prospect of vegetable production with no or limited herbicide use and should provide for weed suppression early in the season. High biomass perennial legumes grown as hedgerows in the field can provide mulch for weed suppression later in the season. In combination, the two systems could solve weed control problems while also providing nutrients to the crop. A combination of high residue cover crops with in situ organic mulches should provide vegetable growers with multiple benefits, including weed control, improved soil quality and reduced input costs. The objective of our experiment is to assess, in a high residue no-till collard production system, organic mulches grown in situ in the field using legume and non-legume cover crops. Albizia julibrissin and Sericea lespedeza mulches will be compared to hay mulch and a no-mulch control, with Crotolaria juncea and Fagopyrum esculentum as cover crops. Data will be collected on weed suppression, decomposition and nutrient release rates, crop yields and changes in soil chemical and physical properties over three years. Dennis Shannon (professor) C. Wesley Wood ( professor ) Michael J. Mulvaney (graduate student )
GS05-050 Effect of European Corn Borer on Corn Whole-Plant Yield and Forage Quality European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), is a major pest of field corn in many areas of the U.S. The commercial availability of transgenic Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) hybrids that resist injury from ECB feeding has offered corn farmers an alternative to conventional insecticide applications. The additional cost, however, of planting Bt corn hybrids currently ranges from $17-25 more per hectare than that for conventional (i.e., non-Bt) hybrids. While the economic impact of ECB injury on yield loss in corn grown for grain is well understood, little information exists on the impact of this pest on corn grown for silage. Thus, one of the most important questions corn silage farmers face when deciding to plant a Bt hybrid is whether the benefit of planting the Bt hybrid justifies the added seed cost. This question is relevant to the heart of ECB pest management, profitability of corn silage production, and ultimately, to long-term farm sustainability. While it is recognized the scope of the proposed research will not answer all these questions, it will address the relationship of ECB injury on corn whole-plant yield quantity and forage quality. This core aspect of ECB pest management on corn whole-plant yield is currently lacking. The economic injury levels generated in this study will determine the pest potential of ECB on corn grown for silage and concomitant economic role for Bt hybrids in Virginia. Findings generated from this study should be immediately applicable to corn silage farmers throughout much of the Mid-Atlantic region. Roger R. Youngman (professor) Siddharth Tiwari (graduate student)
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