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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Southeast Watershed Research » Research » Research Project #429458

Research Project: Nematode, Disease, Weed, and Mite Control on Minor Food Crops and Ornamentals

Location: Southeast Watershed Research

2016 Annual Report


Objectives
To evaluate the effectiveness and phytotoxicity of nematicides, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and acaricides on minor food crops and ornamentals in the southern U.S., and to generate samples for analysis of pesticide residues to be used in registering pesticides on minor food crops and ornamentals.


Approach
Field and/or greenhouse tests will be conducted under good laboratory/field procedures to determine the effects of pesticides on pests of minor food crops and ornamentals. Nematode, disease, weed, insect, and mite population densities will be monitored in treated and untreated plots and pest damage, crop response and yields will be recorded. Mature fruit and/or plant parts will be harvested, shipped to designated laboratories, and analyzed for pesticide residues. Plant species, pesticides and treatment rates are determined by IR-4 Minor Use Pesticide protocols. Data will be summarized, analyzed, and reports will be submitted to IR-4 Headquarters to support registration and reregistration of pesticides on minor food crops and ornamentals.


Progress Report
The Interregional Research Project No. 4 (IR-4), Crop Protection and Management Research Unit, Tifton, Georgia, conducted eight residue food use field trials during FY16 including four fungicide trials, three acaricide trials, and one herbicide trial. The fungicide trials (pesticide/crop) included the following: FTH 545/blueberry, thiabendazole/sweet potato (two trials), and trifloxystrobin/snap bean. The acaricide trials included the following: acequinocyl/blueberry and fenpyroximate/peanut (two trials). The herbicide trial was acetochlor/snap bean. Seventeen ornamental trials also were conducted during the year to provide phytotoxicity data for potted plants in field conditions including nine fungicide trials, six insecticide trials, and two herbicide trials. The fungicide trials included the following: azoxystrobin + benzovindiflupyr/boxwood and juniper; cyflufenamid/azalea; metconazole/begonia, english ivy, and holly; mono and di potassium salts of phosphorus acid /azalea (two trials); and triticonazole/viburnum. The insecticide trials include the following: afidopyropen/azalea, english ivy, hydrangea, and zinnia; cyflumetofen/english ivy; and tolfenpyrad/hydrangea. The herbicide trials included the following: FeHEDTA/boxwood and pine. These trials provide residue, efficacy and phytotoxicity data for numerous pesticide and crop combinations and will be used to support registration or re-registration of reduced risk pesticides on minor use food crops. All magnitude of residue trials were conducted in compliance with the Good Laboratory Practice Standards issued by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (40 CFR Part 160). Our research contributes to both the pest control technologies and chemical control of weeds components of the Crop Protection and Quarantine National Program Action Plan. Data books will be sent to IR-4 Headquarters within two months of completion.


Accomplishments


None.