Location: Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit
2023 Annual Report
Objectives
Objective 1: Evaluate various fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides for phytotoxicity and/or efficacy on floral and nursery crop plants in support of label expansion through the IR-4 regional project.
Approach
Selected floral and nursery crop species will be grown in the greenhouse, ground beds, or field plantings and treated according to specific protocols (timing, concentrations) with selected fungicides, insecticides, or herbicides. In some cases, chemicals will be tested for efficacy, but mostly they will be tested on plants for phytotoxicity. Data will be submitted for inclusion in the IR-4 Minor Use Testing Program.
Progress Report
ARS scientists in Corvallis, Oregon, are evaluating fungicides and other pesticides for phytotoxicity effects on floral and nursery crop plants in support of label expansion through the Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) project. Substantial clean-up and renovations of IR-4 facilities at Corvallis, Oregon, were completed, including upgraded caneyard, greenhouse, and storage facilities with automated irrigation. Training has been completed to teach the IR-4 technician how to randomize trials, conduct phytotoxicity experiments, properly maintain plant health, collect and analyze data, and to prepare summary reports. There are 67 crop safety trials in progress to test 16 different fungicides, biologicals, or insecticides on a wide range of ornamental annuals, perennials, and shrubs (Begonia, Brassica, Calibrachoa, Callistemon, Callistephus, Celosia, Chrysanthemum, Coreopsis, Dahlia, Dracaena, Euphorbia, Gerbera, Hydrangea, Impatiens, Loropetalum, Ocimum, Osteospermum, Pelargonium, Petunia, Rudbeckia, Salvia, Solenostemon, Spiraea, Syringa, Viburnum, and Viola). Test results are reported to IR-4 project managers at Rutgers University and ARS, then forwarded to the product manufacturer to meet their request to expand pesticide labels to include the tested ornamental plants. This information helps register novel fungicides, biologicals, and insecticides for managing the diseases and pests of ornamental and other specialty crops.
Accomplishments
