Project Overview
Commodities
- Vegetables: celery
Practices
- Education and Training: demonstration, extension
- Pest Management: biological control, chemical control, economic threshold, weather monitoring
Proposal abstract:
During on-farm visits and one-on-one meetings with growers, crop consultants, and Extension agents in southern Florida, early blight, caused by the fungal pathogen Cercospora apii, emerged as the most important foliar disease affecting celery production (Xavier 2022, personal communication). Florida plays a crucial role as a major producer of vegetables for the fresh market, including celery, supplying the nationwide demand during the winter season. However, the detrimental effects of this disease, characterized by stunted plant growth and damaged leaves, pose a significant threat to the marketability of the final product. To mitigate these yield losses, celery growers rely on weekly fungicide applications as a preventive measure, primarily due to the absence of alternative curative or preventive measures. Therefore, there exists a critical need to identify and establish sustainable management strategies for C. apii. Failure to address the need for sustainable management of early blight on celery production will result in significant yield losses, reduced marketability, increased chemical fungicide use, environmental and health risks, economic strain on growers, and potential dissatisfaction among consumers, posing threats to both the celery industry and the environment. Our long-term goal is to develop sustainable and future-proof solutions for controlling early blight in both conventional and organic celery production systems. Our overarching goal is to create both an early detection system and biocontrol products against early blight on celery. Our central hypothesis is that it is feasible to develop and implement more efficient, environmentally sustainable, and socially beneficial management strategies for early blight in celery production, resulting in economic advantages for growers. We are well-positioned to lead this project based on our 56-year partnership with celery stakeholders in Florida, our access to cutting-edge technologies, and our interdisciplinary team of experts. Moreover, our dedication to community engagement ensures we understand local concerns and needs, building trust vital for project success. We plan to attain the overall objective by pursuing the following two specific aims: 1) Develop a UAV-assisted disease monitoring system to visualize and track disease onset and progression in celery. Our working hypothesis is that current machine/deep-learning algorithms have the capability to accurately identify celery plants infected with C. apii. Combining these algorithms with previously established C. apii forecasting models will yield an effective decision-making system for growers. 2) Identify, select, and evaluate effective biological control agents against C. apii for the management of early blight in celery. Our working hypothesis is that the Everglades Agricultural Area harbors a reservoir of powerful microorganisms with the capacity to effectively control C. apii. Economic analysis will guide the timing and optimization of the deployment of controlling measures, ensuring a cost-effective approach for growers. Upon the successful completion of this project, it is our expectation that we will have established novel, economically advantageous, and safe strategies for early detection of early blight, advancing sustainable agriculture. This project offers achievable and practical solutions for celery growers that, if adopted, can enhance disease management practices, leading to improved production outcomes and the overall ecosystem health.
Project objectives from proposal:
Our central hypothesis revolves around the notion that more effective and sustainable management of Cercospora early blight in celery is not only attainable but also economically advantageous. Below, we delineate four specific objectives, along with their corresponding working hypotheses, research design, and anticipated outcomes.
Objective 1: Develop a UAV-assisted disease monitoring system to visualize and track disease onset and progression in celery. (Drs. Xavier, Ferreira, and Wang’s supervision).
Working hypothesis: Celery plants undergoing pre-symptomatic stages of early blight have a distinctive spectral profile. Current machine/deep-learning algorithms have the capability to accurately identify celery plants infected with C. apii. Combining these algorithms with previously established C. apii forecasting models will yield an effective decision-making system for growers.
Research design: Our experiment will focus on the early detection of Cercospora early blight of celery, specifically at pre-symptomatic stages. To achieve this, we will employ an innovative disease monitoring system using AI-powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with multispectral cameras
Expected outcome: Substantial reductions in fungicide usage in both organic and conventional cultivation systems, coupled with enhanced control over Cercospora early blight.
Objective 2: Identify, select, and evaluate effective biological control agents against C. apii for the management of early blight in celery. (Dr. Ferreira and Xavier’s supervision).
Working hypothesis: The EAA harbors a reservoir of powerful microorganisms with the capacity to effectively control C. apii.
Research design: We will employ a comprehensive research approach that spans laboratory, greenhouse, and on-farm field trials. This multifaceted strategy will enable us to identify, assess, and validate potential biological control agents effective against C. apii.
Expected outcome: A biopesticide product effective at commercial celery production, and consequently reduction of contamination by reducing chemical fungicide use.
Objective 3: Develop an economic analysis for organic and conventional growers to manage Cercospora early blight based on standard and new management practices. (Dr. Guan’s supervision)
Working hypothesis: The proposed solutions proposed are cost-effective, yielding a positive economic impact for growers who adopt these technologies.
Research design: Economic analysis will be performed for the five field trials to be conducted at this proposed project, comparing standard management practices used by growers and the new ones developed in this proposal. The goal is to provide growers with a cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the profitability of the proposed management practices.
Expected outcome: Empowerment of our approach, facilitating its adoption among growers, and attracting new growers who recognize the economic benefits of implementing these practices.
Objective 4: Disseminate research findings and educate growers about the benefits of biocontrol and UAV technology via events and written publications. (MS Meszaros and Dr. Xavier’s supervision).
Working hypothesis: Individuals and institutions already engaged in the celery business will be interested in improving their disease management practices, particularly when they discern the potential economic gains.
Expected outcome: Increased awareness of improved C. apii management practices as well as adoption of the proposed solutions among celery growers, enabling them, workers, and society at large to seize of potential benefits provided by each solution.