Inga Meadows

Bacterial spot of pepper is a serious disease of peppers in the USA. This project seeks to conduct research and extension efforts related to 1) Population genetics of endemic and emerging bacterial pathogens (Xanthomonas, Pseudomonas and Clavibacter) of peppers and detection assay development; 2) Breeding for resistance. 3) Evaluating novel biologicals, biorationals and nanomaterials to manage critical bacterial diseases of peppers; and 4) conduct outreach to stakeholders to disseminate information for informed management decision making and increased economic benefits. NCSU personnel will be engaged primarily with objectives 1,2 and 4.

This project will investigate the application of lime to raise soil pH to be inhibitory to bacterial wilt of tomato and improve production of tomato on otherwise un-farmable land.

Emerging plant disease and pest outbreaks reduce crop production with serious economic implications for North Carolina growers. We have developed cost effective molecular dignostic assays that can reduce time to indentification of Phytophthora diseases on potato ans tomato. They can also help target fingicde application when combined with decision support tools. In this project we will deploy a set of smart phone based diagnostic sensors in field tests in western NC on to and in astern NC on potato. Faster more reliable methods of pathogen detection could greatly reduce control costs by reducing time to detection and thus, time to action.

Emerging plant disease and pest outbreaks reduce food security, national security, human health, and the environment, with serious economic implications for North Carolina growers. These outbreaks may accelerate in coming decades due to shifts in the geographic distributions of pests, pathogens and vectors in response to climate change and commerce. Data-driven agbioscience tools can help growers solve pest and disease problems in the field more quickly but there is an urgent need to harness game-changing technologies. Computing devices are now embedded in our personal lives with sensors, wireless technology, and connectivity in the ????????????????Internet of Things??????????????? (IoT) but these technologies have yet to be scaled to agriculture. Our interdisciplinary team will build transformative sensor technology to identify plant pathogens, link local pathogen data and weather data, bioinformatics tools (pathogen genotypes), and use data driven analytics to map outbreaks, estimate pest and pathogen risk and economic damage, in order to coordinate response to emerging diseases, and contain threats. Sensor-supported early and accurate detection of pathogens before an outbreak becomes wide-spread in growing crops will significantly reduce pesticide use and increase crop yields.

This is an Extension Implementation Project (EIP). Our Program Priority Areas are IPM Implementation in: Agronomic Crops (28%), Communities (40%), Specialty Crops (24%), and Pollinator Health (8%). The person who will be responsible for grant coordination and budget management, and participation in the SERA3 meetings is Dr. Danesha Seth Carley, Director for the NSF Center for IPM and the Administrative contact is Dr. Rich Bonanno, Director of NC State Extension, and Associate Dean College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Through NC Cooperative Extension programs and diverse transdisciplinary team collaboration, we work to sustain and enhance environmental stewardship, reduce economic risks for growers and consumers, and protect human health by applying integrated pest management (IPM) in all suitable situations. Our goal is to increase coordination and improve efficiency of translating IPM research to the scientific community and stakeholders; as well as the residents of NC through extension and outreach programs. By working to synergize efforts and leverage resources, we are better able to promote development and adoption of IPM through collaborative programs and broad-based stakeholder participation. With a strong team of experts and close association with our Evaluation Specialist, we are able to document the value of IPM strategies and programs, and provide comprehensive success stories of IPM integration across NC. Through the outputs and outcomes from this program, NC Extension agents and stakeholders will become more knowledgeable about IPM and develop the skills necessary to implement IPM strategies in Agronomic Crops, Specialty Crops, Pollinator Health, and IPM in the Communities.

North Carolina (NC) ranks among the top seven states in the US for tomato production and has a farm-gate value of more than $45 million (USDA NASS 2017.) However, there are many leaf spot diseases that greatly impact the production of tomatoes in NC. Tomato gray leaf spot (GLS), caused by three fungal species, causes necrotic lesions on leaves, which leads to defoliation, yield loss and fruit scald (Jones, et al. 2014.) Most conventional hybrid tomato varieties have resistance to GLS; but heirloom varieties as well as grape and cherry tomato varieties--which are highly sought-after in local markets--are very susceptible to this disease. Small acreage farms (<5 acres) make up 94% (192 of 204 farms) of the tomato production in NC (USDA NASS 2017. Therefore, this disease is likely to impact a large number of growers. The aims of this project are: (1) To evaluate tomato hybrids for resistance to GLS on tomato; and (2) To evaluate fungicide programs for control of GLS on tomato.

In North Carolina (NC), the greenhouse floriculture industry is economically important to the state: it represents a farm-gate value of $180 million and is one of the top 6 crops in the state. However, the industry battles soilborne diseases, which impact production and profits to an estimated $17 million in losses. Phytophthora crown and root rots represent the largest portion of soilborne diseases in NC and have been identified as one of the top 3 problems in the industry. Therefore, this study aims to understand and mitigate losses due to soilborne diseases with the following objectives: 1) survey for species of Phytophthora responsible for epidemics on floriculture crops in NC, 2) evaluate strains collected for sensitivity to commonly used fungicides, 3) identify sources of inoculum in greenhouse operations and 4) implement an extension program to address gaps in the management of Phytophthora diseases. Results and recommendations addressing management gaps will be communicated with greenhouse growers through grower conferences, agent trainings, and other web-based portals. It is anticipated that the majority of greenhouse operations will improve their practices and reduce losses or input costs based on this study.

Investigator will direct establishment and conduct of trial described in protocol. Investigator will direct collection and reporting of data as outlined in protocol and handle any disposition of trial materials necessary.

North Carolina (NC) ranks among the top ten states in the US for tomato production and has a farm-gate value of over $45 million (USDA NASS 2017). However, there are many leaf spot diseases which greatly impact the production of tomatoes in NC. Tomato gray leaf spot (GLS), caused by three fungal species in the genus Stemphylium: S. botryosum, S. lycopersici, and S. solani, causes necrotic lesions on leaves which leads to defoliation, yield loss, and fruit scald (Jones et al. 2014). Most conventional hybrid tomato varieties have resistance to GLS; however, heirloom varieties as well as grape and cherry tomato cultivars are very susceptible to this disease. These tomato types are highly sought after in local markets (P. Shoemaker, personal communication) and, therefore, many small farmers have an interest in growing these varieties. Small acreage farms (<5 acres) make up 94% (192/204) tomato production in NC, therefore, this disease is likely to impact many of these growers.To keep small farms in NC viable, it is important to continue to update our management of diseases of tomato as horticultural practices change with shifting consumer preferences. This project aims to address these gaps by: (1) understanding the prevalence and severity of gray leaf spot (GLS) (Stemphylium species) on tomato in heirloom tomato production in NC, (2) evaluating effective spray schedules for control of gray leaf spot on tomato through field trials, and (3) identifying heirloom type experimental cultivars currently under development for resistance to GLS.

Evaluate copper products in the spray program(s) for improved management of tomato diseases in North Carolina