Project Number: 5302-13220-003-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: May 17, 2003
End Date: Apr 30, 2008

Objective:
Determine the primary causal organisms for yield decline and replant disorder in ornamental, tree, and vine croppng sytems. Develop new application technologies and management strategies for the pests and pathogens currently controlled by methyl bromide. Develop alternative application strategies, field test all promising management strategies, and demonstrate efficacy and practicality under commercial conditions.

Approach:
Approaches will range from traditional isolation and identification methods such as plating on selective media to use of molecular identification techniques, from use of chemicals and resistant varieties to control pathogens to use of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and phage for pathogen control, from conventional shank-injection delivery systems for pest management strategies to drip irrigation delivery systems, and from stand-alone management strategies to integrated systems. A continuum of experimental environments will be used ranging from highly controlled laboratory settings to greenhouse studies, microplot studies, small plot trials, and finally to field-scale trials under commercial conditions. Customer participation is a key component of these trials. Ultimately successful management stsrategies and application technologies will be transferred to the private sector. Formerly 5302-13220-002-00D (5/03).

Project Team

Schneider, Sally Trout, Thomas - Tom Gerik, James

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003

Related National Programs

Water Quality & Management (201)   Methyl Bromide Alternatives (308)

Related Projects

Development and Assessment of Alternative Pre-Plant Fumigation Strategies for Nut Crops    Evaluation of Alternatives to Methyl Bromide for Perennial Field Crops Nurseries