Location: Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit
2017 Annual Report
Objectives
Objective 1: Identify species, populations, and genotypes of key pathogens constraining production of small fruit and woody nursery plant species in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.
Subobjective 1.A: Evaluation of soilborne Phytophthora and Pythium communities and populations affecting rhododendron production.
Subobjective 1.B: Characterization of X. americanum-group nematodes and ability to vector viruses.
Objective 2: Identify and evaluate tools for management of economically-important diseases of small fruit and nursery crops.
Subobjective 2.A: Developing effective methods for soilborne pathogen management through removal of root Inoculum in continuous red raspberry production systems.
Subobjective 2.B: Identification and implementation of Vitis spp. rootstocks for the management of plant-parasitic nematodes of wine grapes.
Subobjective 2.C: Improved management of Phytophthora and Pythium of rhododendron through reduced irrigation regimes.
Approach
Determine the prevalence and characterize the population diversity of important soilborne pathogens affecting horticultural crops. Results from this research will identify specific pathogen populations that constrain production of horticultural crops. These populations can be targeted in the future to develop more effective, economical, and environmentally-acceptable disease management systems. Evaluate plant debris removal and irrigation practices for their ability to reduce disease in horticultural crops. Results of this research will identify specific cultural practices that reduce or suppress pathogen populations, thereby resulting in less disease. Evaluate germplasm of grape (Vitis species) rootstocks for resistance to dagger nematodes (Xiphinema americanum) and root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne hapla). Our research will identify grape genotypes that are resistant to these plant-parasitic nematodes, and can be deployed in horticultural systems in the future.
Progress Report
This report documents progress for the project 2072-22000-043-00D, which started in May 2017 and replaces project 2072-12220-004-00D "Improved Strategies for Management of Soilborne Diseases of Horticultural Crops."
Towards Objective 1, we have begun sampling nurseries and small fruit crops to obtain isolates of Phytophthora and Pythium and populations of Xiphnema americanum upon which to conduct proposed experiments. These isolates and populations are being archived and characterized.
For Objective 2, raspberry fields and grape vineyards are being sampled to identify locations to conduct experiments to evaluate root removal and rootstock, respectively. These experiments will be established in the fall of 2017. Information collected from Objective 1A will be used to identify pathogens to use in the experiment evaluating reduced irrigation regimes for improved management of Phytopthora and Pythium of rhododendron.
Accomplishments
