Predator-prey interactions in a high residue, reduced tillage agroecosystem

Predator-prey interactions in a high residue, reduced tillage agroecosystem

Summary

Many studies have noted the significance of reduced tillage and increased crop residue to the generalist predator community in agroecosystems. However, many of these studies have assumed their benefit to levels of predation and biological control without actually measuring them (Letourneau and Bothwell 2008). As such, we will monitor both the early-season pests and predator communities in an organic reduced tillage system, in which cash crops are no-till planted at three different dates into a heavy mulch layer created by managing a winter cover crop with a roller-crimper. Additionally, we will conduct predation assays to help estimate potential levels of predation. By evaluating both pest and beneficial arthropod communities, and conducting predation assays, we can better understand how reducing tillage in a cash crop – cover crop rotation may benefit organic growers in managing pests, and provide information to support grower decision-making about whether adoption of these practices for their tangible benefits to on-farm sustainability will be advantageous to them.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Objective 1: Characterize the beneficial and early-season pest arthropod community in a high cover crop residue environment associated with a reduced-tillage organic feed grain rotation.

Objective 2: Determine the effect of three cover crop management and cash crop planting dates on the arthropods in a reduced-tillage organic feed grain rotation.

Objective 3: Determine the relationship between the arthropod community and early season crop damage and plant population in a reduced-tillage organic feed grain rotation.

Objective 4: Determine the potential impact of generalist insect predators on populations of early-season pests associated with a reduced-tillage organic feed grain rotation.

Objective 5: Provide opportunities for the exchange of information with organic growers about this production system and its effects on beneficial and pest arthropods.

I am still in the early planning stages for the above objectives, most of which are directly related to in-field production. This project will leverage an existing research site to complete the objectives, and as such, I have been attending regular project meetings in anticipation of the 2013 field season.

Accomplishments/Milestones

July 27, 2012: Received notice of grant award.
August, 2012: Worked with Candice Huber and the Penn State Grants and Contracts Office to finalize grant details. This is ongoing, and award information through the University has not yet been finalized. As such, grant funds have not yet been accessible. Once these details are finalized, I will be able to begin purchasing supplies and equipment in anticipation of the 2013 field season.
Ongoing: Attending planning meetings and further finalizing 2013 field schedule.
December 19-20, 2012: Annual meeting for the leveraged field project. I will attend to absorb information about the project’s previous year’s activities and provide information about my activities for the coming field season.

Generally speaking, the project is still in the preliminary planning stages as I await the field season and the availability of my grant funds. I did not anticipate the length of time that it would take at Penn State for the funds to become available, and this has been a good learning opportunity in the associated bureaucracy. I expect Spring to be very busy as I obtain supplies and train my summer assistant prior to 2013’s projected control of cover crops and planting dates (May – June).

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Since I have not yet started the actual field-phase of my research, it is difficult to say if any of my activities to date have had any specific impacts or outcomes. With each meeting I attend related to this project and others, and the same applies to extension events, I am increasing my efficacy in being able to relate sustainable agricultural research to tangible on-farm benefits. I suspect with the coming year and in the generation of my own data in meeting the above objectives, I will be even more enthusiastic in the dispersal of this knowledge. I look forward to what the 2013 field season will bring, both in the research and in the extension sense.

Collaborators: