Location: Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research
Project Number: 2092-21220-003-030-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Oct 1, 2024
End Date: Sep 29, 2027
Objective:
Objective 1.
Determine beet leafhopper-transmitted pathogen prevalence in beet leafhoppers collected near vegetable and seed crops in the Columbia Basin, with a focus on new tomato field operations.
Objective 2.
Assess beet leafhopper population dynamics and pathogen prevalence in beet leafhoppers and crop hosts in a small plot study.
Objective 3.
Examine abiotic factors in relation to beet leafhopper abundance and pathogen prevalence data across the Columbia Basin to generate population and pathogen forecast models.
Approach:
This project will monitor beet leafhopper pathogen prevalence in vegetable and seed crops, expanding upon the large potato field monitoring network to specifically include the new and expanding tomato processing industry in the Columbia Basin of Washington. Two sticky traps will be placed near each commercial or research potato, tomato, or other vegetable/seed field throughout the growing season to collect beet leafhopper specimens. Sticky traps will be retrieved and replaced weekly from mid-April to the end of September, with slight variation between crop on planting/harvest dates (University). Beet leafhoppers will be identified (University) and a maximum of ten beet leafhopper specimens per sticky trap per week will be subjected to nucleic acid extraction and pathogen detection using our high-throughput assays (ARS researchers). Beet leafhopper population numbers and pathogen prevalence will be updated on a weekly basis to the Washington State University Decision Aid System (maintained and operated by University) to provide growers with near real-time data for incorporation into their integrated pest management programs.
With the newfound interest in the Columbia Basin by tomato processors, it is important to understand how this additional crop might impact pathogen transmission to other vegetable and seed crops and understand beet leafhopper-associated pathogen incidence in this crop. A small plot trial will be repeated at the USDA-ARS, but tomato will be added into the design (ARS researchers). Beet leafhopper specimens will be collected by sweep netting bi-weekly from the middle 50 feet of each 100-foot crop replicate and isolated by sorting and visual identification (ARS researchers). Prior to plant senescence, plant tissue will be collected from 50 plants grown within the middle 50 feet of each crop replicate (ARS researchers). Insect and plant tissue will be subjected to nucleic acid extraction and pathogen detection. In-season beet leafhopper population dynamics and pathogen prevalence will be assessed, and comparisons will be made to the 2020 and 2023 trial data to assess what impact tomato might have on beet leafhopper pathogen transmission and subsequent disease development in the crops.
Forecasting models can be an excellent tool for growers to use when developing their integrated pest management programs. To create a model for beet leafhopper and associated pathogen abundance in the Columbia Basin, we will explore beet leafhopper population densities and pathogen prevalence in relation to abiotic factors. To assess the role of abiotic factors on beet leafhopper pathogen prevalence in the Columbia Basin, abiotic variables (preceding fall/winter and yearly summer temperatures, precipitation, elevation at each collection site, etc.)from 2021, 2022, and 2023, will be paired with beet leafhopper population and pathogen prevalence data (University). As population and pathogen data is obtained from additional years, this information will be included to refine any forecasting model that is developed from this information. These models will be disseminated through research and extension publications.
