Assessing Direct and Indirect Interactions between Insect and Plant Pathogens and Their Impact on Insect Herbivores

Project Overview

GW10-004
Project Type: Graduate Student
Funds awarded in 2010: $24,996.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2011
Grant Recipient: University of Arizona
Region: Western
State: Arizona
Graduate Student:
Patricia Navarro
Email
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Patricia Stock
Email
Entomology-University of Arizona

Annual Reports

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Education and Training: demonstration, networking
  • Pest Management: biological control, chemical control
  • Sustainable Communities: public participation

    Proposal abstract:

    The goals of this project are to evaluate the potential for Arizona-native and commercial entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) as an alternative tool for use in desert and semi-desert integrated pest management (IPM) systems, and to educate growers and the Arizona agricultural community about EPN and to seek stakeholder input on their potential future role in IPM programs. To effectively implement EPN for the control of low-desert insect pests in the US, some basic research needs to be established. To accomplish these goals I will focus on several lettuce insect pests as a model system.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    Specific objectives of this proposal are:

    Research Objectives
    1) Evaluate EPN efficacy in combination with chemical insecticides in laboratory and greenhouse studies.
    2) Conduct field trials to evaluate field efficacy of EPN in combination with chemical insecticides.

    Education/Outreach Objectives
    3)Develop a statewide extension program aimed at raising grower and pest control advisor (PCA) awareness and knowledge of EPN.
    4)Conduct stakeholder input sessions to develop information on how to effectively integrate EPN into future IPM programs.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.