NRSP4: Facilitating Registration of Pest Management Technology for Specialty Crops and Specialty Uses

(National Research Support Project Summary)

Status: Active

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SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[04/30/2021] [05/04/2022] [11/02/2023] [08/05/2024]

Date of Annual Report: 04/30/2021

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 03/09/2021 - 03/11/2021
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2020 - 12/31/2020

Participants

Jerry Baron; IR-4 Executive Director
Tom Bewick; USDA/NIFA
Michael Bledsoe; CLC/Chair
Doug Buhler; Administrative Advisor-NCR
Jennifer Clarke, CLC
John Davis; Administrative Adviser – SOR
Alan DeYoung; CLC
William Frantz; CLC
Ann George; CLC
Liwei Gu; Regional Director-SOR
Matt Hengel; Regional Director-Western Region
Bob Jones; CLC
Moses Kairo; Administrative Adviser – NER
Steve Lommel; Administrative Adviser- HQ
Armando Monterroso; CLC
Keith Pitts, CLC
Rachel Roberts; CLC
Steve Salisbury; CLC
Todd Scholz; CLC/Vice Chair
Alan Schreiber, CLC
Bob Simerly; CLC
Alvin Simmons; USDA-ARS
Dave Trinka; CLC
Amy Upton; CLC
Herman Wagnespack; CLC
Lee VanWychen; CLC
John Wise; Regional Director-NCR/Chair PMC
Simon Zebelo; Regional Director – NER
Jerry Baron; IR-4 Executive Director
Tom Bewick; USDA/NIFA
Michael Bledsoe; CLC/Chair
Doug Buhler; Administrative Advisor-NCR
Jennifer Clarke, CLC
John Davis; Administrative Adviser – SOR
Alan DeYoung; CLC
William Frantz; CLC
Ann George; CLC
Liwei Gu; Regional Director-SOR
Matt Hengel; Regional Director-Western Region
Bob Jones; CLC
Moses Kairo; Administrative Adviser – NER
Steve Lommel; Administrative Adviser- HQ
Armando Monterroso; CLC
Keith Pitts, CLC
Rachel Roberts; CLC
Steve Salisbury; CLC
Todd Scholz; CLC/Vice Chair
Alan Schreiber, CLC
Bob Simerly; CLC
Alvin Simmons; USDA-ARS
Dave Trinka; CLC
Amy Upton; CLC
Herman Wagnespack; CLC
Lee VanWychen; CLC
John Wise; Regional Director-NCR/Chair PMC
Simon Zebelo; Regional Director – NER
Jerry Baron; IR-4 Executive Director
Tom Bewick; USDA/NIFA
Michael Bledsoe; CLC/Chair
Doug Buhler; Administrative Advisor-NCR
Jennifer Clarke, CLC
John Davis; Administrative Adviser – SOR
Alan DeYoung; CLC
William Frantz; CLC
Ann George; CLC
Liwei Gu; Regional Director-SOR
Matt Hengel; Regional Director-Western Region
Bob Jones; CLC
Moses Kairo; Administrative Adviser – NER
Steve Lommel; Administrative Adviser- HQ
Armando Monterroso; CLC
Keith Pitts, CLC
Rachel Roberts; CLC
Steve Salisbury; CLC
Todd Scholz; CLC/Vice Chair
Alan Schreiber, CLC
Bob Simerly; CLC
Alvin Simmons; USDA-ARS
Dave Trinka; CLC
Amy Upton; CLC
Herman Wagnespack; CLC
Lee VanWychen; CLC
John Wise; Regional Director-NCR/Chair PMC
Simon Zebelo; Regional Director – NER

Guests
Roger Batts
David Beaudreau
Michael Braverman
Debbie Carpenter
Carrie Castille
Krystal Chojnacki
David Crow
Amer Fayad
Kate Fink
Nancy Fitz
Laurie Flanagan
Katherine Ghantous
Thomas Harty
Thomas Haty
Robert Hedberg
Jenn Heiss
Cristina Marchesan Marconi
Johanna Mazlo
Ed Messina
Cristi Palmer
Venkat Pedibhotla
Dan Rosenblatt
Dan Rossi
Van Starner
Jay Vroom

Brief Summary of Minutes

Motions/Consent Items:

A motion for approval of the renewal of CLC members Arney, Cranney, Frantz, Gandhi, Roberts, Scholz, and Schreiber. Approved.

A motion for approval to accept Lee Van Wychen to the CLC committee.

A motion for approval of the 2020 Fall PMC and Special Funding Meetings of December 23, 2020 and January 12, 2021 minutes.

A motion to accept the agenda.

A motion to proceed with the Benzovindiflupyr/Cranberry study in 2021 in spite of the inherit risk. Approved.

A motion to accept Daniel Kunkel as a recipient of the IR-4 Hall of Fame Award.

Consensus was provided regarding moving forward with the communications items as presented (regional/state logos, powerpoint template, visual standards, etc.). Consent Provided.

Action Items:

Send nominations for CLC open slot previously held by US Apple to Michael Bledsoe.

Jerry Barron to look into developing a template for regions to submit to be more concise for the next full 5 year submission (2025).

Jerry Baron will bring forth the subaward modifications to the awards management people and have a discussion (i.e. move study from one region to another prior to awarding subs).

Regional Directors communicate with regions to get the FDB’s in to wrap up the outstanding studies.

Venkat Pedibhotla to reach out to groups after the FUW with expectations (characterized test substances for field and reference substances for the analytical lab)

Regional Directors to encourage folks in their regions to complete and submit reports in a timely manner.

Add an agenda items to the Summer Agenda for the PMC to revisit the Backlog Policy

Accomplishments

2020 Successes at a Glance Food Use Program: <ul> <li>107 new tolerances established by 22 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) actions based on IR-4 submissions, resulting in 573 new product uses.</li> <li>Establishment of Crop Group 25: Herb Group, and Crop Group 26: Spice Group. Established Subgroup 25A for fresh herbs and Subgroup 25B for dried herbs. The two new groups total more than 600 commodities.</li> <li>2020 research included: <ul> <li>60 new residue studies</li> <li>42 product performance projects</li> <li>Staff at many IR-4 analytical laboratories continued reducing the backlog of unanalyzed residue samples.</li> <li>Twenty-six petitions were submitted to the EPA. • IR-4 continued to receive requests for assistance in defining data requirements to support product registrations on hemp, and in 2020 initiated its first hemp residue study.</li> <li>IR-4 continued work with the Canadian Pest Management Center on joint research projects. Canada contributed a number of field trials to the joint program that supports registrations in both countries, saving IR-4 an estimated $500,000 annually and preventing trade irritants before they happen.</li> <li>IR-4 successfully held our annual priority-setting workshop in September and national research planning meeting in October, allowing us to establish Food Use and IS program research priorities for 2021.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Integrated Solutions (IS) focused research on 14 project areas, with the goal of developing systems of one or more chemical or bio-based tools to solve critical pest management issues.</li> <li>Environmental Horticulture (EH) Program: Compiled 24 research data summaries. Initiated 650 field trials. Four labels were registered in California, impacting 690 crops. Biopesticide and Organic Support Program: Achieved two registrations with an exemption from tolerance: for the bioherbicide Pseudomonas fluorescens ACK55, and for sucrose octanoate, a biochemical insecticide/miticide. <ul> <li>Non-core activities included the continuation of the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) Protecting Pollinators Project’s efforts to examine bee visitation to common annuals and herbaceous perennials. The team continued studies on the amount of systemic insecticides found in pollen and nectar of treated plants. They wrote more than five scientific and eight trade articles, and gave more than 40 presentations to multiple audiences.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Biopesticide and Organic Support Program In addition to “exempt from tolerance” successes, a submission was made for oxalic acid dihydrate for an exemption from tolerance and a label amendment for control of Varroa mites. IR-4 also successfully obtained EPA biochemical classification for pongamia oil, an insect behavior disruptor targeting Spotted wing Drosophila, and a pesticide determination for sterile male mosquitoes. International Activities</li> <li>International -  <ul> <li>In partnership with the Minor Use Foundation, IR-4 successfully held a virtual Global Minor Use Priority Setting Workshop in September, organizing requests for over 4,000 crop-pest combinations from 56 countries using a new merit analysis system and determining the top global needs in greenhouse, temperate, and tropical crops.</li> <li> IR-4 remains involved in global capacity building through development of expertise to conduct field and laboratory pesticide residue studies under Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), primarily with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in Latin America and the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) in Asia</li> </ul> </li> </ul>

Publications

Bika, R., Alexander, L., Palmer, C., and Baysal-Gurel, F. 2020. Efficacy of fungicides and biorational product of Botrytis cinerea on cut flowerheads of Hydrangea macrophylla. ASHS Poster Bika, R., Palmer, C., Alexander, L., and Baysal-Gurel, F. 2020. Comparative performance of reducedrisk fungicides and biorational products in management of post-harvest Botrytis cinerea on hydrangea cut flowers. HortTechnology. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04656-20 13 Fulya Baysal-Gurel, Ravi Bika, Christina Jennings, Cristi Palmer, and Terri Simmons. 2020. Comparative Performance of Chemical and Biological-based Products in Management of Algal Leaf Spot on Magnolia. HortTechnology. <a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04692-20">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04692-20 </a> Homa, K., W.P. Barney, W.P. Davis, D. Guerrero, M.J. Berger. 2020. Cold Plasma Treatment Strategies for the Control of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. basilici in Sweet Basil. HortScience, 56(1):42-51. Kunkel, D. and M. Alvarez. 2020. AAFC PMC / USDA IR-4 Project Harmonization. Presentation to the NAFTA Technical Working Group. Oct. 2020 Kunkel, D., R. B. Batts, J. Baron, and M. J. Braverman. 2020. IR-4 Project Update and Program Changes. Proc. Weed Sci. Soc. America, Abstract #100 Palmer C. L., Smitley, D., Chong, J-H, Bethke, J, Corkidi L, Thayaril, N, Leonard E. 2020. Systemic insecticide residues in greenhouse annuals and implications for pest management. Virtual ESA Annual Meeting. Dec 2020 Palmer, C. L., E. Vea. 2020. Update on 2019 Weed Science Research in the IR-4 Environmental Horticulture Program and 2020/2021 Priorities. Northeastern Plant, Pest, and Soils Conference. January 2020 Vea, E., C.L. Palmer. 2020. Crop Vignette: Coleus. <a href="https://www.ir4project.org/ehc/crop-vignette-coleus/">https://www.ir4project.org/ehc/crop-vignette-coleus/</a> Vea, E., C.L. Palmer. 2020. Crop Vignette: Gerbera. <a href="https://www.ir4project.org/ehc/crop-vignettegerbera/">https://www.ir4project.org/ehc/crop-vignettegerbera/ </a> Vea, E., C.L. Palmer. 2020. Crop Vignette: Salvia. <a href="https://www.ir4project.org/ehc/crop-vignette-salvia/">https://www.ir4project.org/ehc/crop-vignette-salvia/</a> Vea, E., C.L. Palmer. 2020. Crop Vignette: Hydrangea. <a href="https://www.ir4project.org/ehc/crop-vignettehydrangea/">https://www.ir4project.org/ehc/crop-vignettehydrangea/</a> Vea, E., C.L. Palmer. 2020. Crop Vignette: Hosta. <a href="https://www.ir4project.org/ehc/crop-vignette-hosta/">https://www.ir4project.org/ehc/crop-vignette-hosta/ </a> Vea, E., C.L. Palmer. 2020. Crop Vignette: Ferns. <a href="https://www.ir4project.org/ehc/crop-vignette-ferns/">https://www.ir4project.org/ehc/crop-vignette-ferns/ </a> Welker, R.M., and R. B. Batts. 2020. Evaluation of Herbicide Programs in Dormant Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) in North Carolina. Proc. Weed Sci. Soc. America, Abstract #97

Impact Statements

IR-4’s actions also prevent food waste throughout the supply chain at the farm to the consumer

Date of Annual Report: 05/04/2022

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 03/08/2022 - 03/10/2022
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2021 - 12/31/2021

Participants

Michael Aerts; CLC
Jerry Baron; IR-4 Executive Director
Michael Bledsoe CLC Outgoing Chair
Doug Buhler; Administrative Advisor-NC
Jennifer Clarke; CLC
Alan DeYoung
Maggie Elliot; CLC
William Frantz; CLC
Ann George; CLC
Liwei Gu; Regional Director-SOR
Matt Hengel; Regional Director-WR
Marcel Holyoak; Administrative Adviser – WR
Bob Jones; CLC
Moses Kairo; Administrative Adviser – NER
Steve Lommel; Administrative Adviser- HQ
Michael Martin; CLC
Armando Moterroso; CLC
Joe Munyaneza; Adminstrative Adviser - ARS
Keith Pitts; CLC Incoming Vice Chair
Amy Roberts; CLC
Rachel Roberts; CLC
Steve Salisbury; CLC
Johnathan Saranger; CLC
Todd Scholz; CLC Incoming Chair
Alan Schreiber; CLC
Robert Simerly; CLC
Alvin Simmons; USDA-ARS
Barry Tanner; CLC
Dave Trinka; CLC
Amy Upton; CLC
Herman Waguespack; CLC
John Wise; Regional Director-NCR/Chair PMC
Simon Zebelo; Regional Director – NER
David Beaudreau; DCLRS
Tom Bewick; USDA-NIFA
Michael Braverman; IR-4 HQ
Parag Chitnis; USDA-NIFA
Debbie Carpenter; IR-4 HQ
Michelle Samuel-Foo; USDA-NIFA
Jennifer Heiss; IR-4 HQ
Cristina Marchesan Marconi; IR-4 HQ
Johanna Mazlo; IR-4 HQ
Ed Messina; EPA
Steven Miller; MSU
Kimberly Nesci; OPMP
Cristi Palmer; IR-4 HQ
Venkat Pedibhotla; IR-4 HQ
Dan Rossi; IR-4 HQ

Brief Summary of Minutes

Motions/Consent Items:

Consensus: To approve the proposed 2022 Food Program Priority setting key dates and agenda as proposed.

A motion for approval of the Fall 2021 PMC Minutes was made by Matt Hengel, seconded by Liwei Gu. Unanimously approved.

A motion for approval of the Class C list (below) appointing new members and reappoint members was made by: Todd Scholz, seconded by Jerry Baron. Unanimously approved.

Armando Monterroso

Johnathan Sarager

Ann George

Maggie Elliot

Kam Quarles

Michael Martin

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 10:59 am by Todd Scholz, seconded by Matt Hengel. Unanimously approved.

Action Items:

Action Item (Marconi): It was requested that the training committee provide the PMC with financial impact of each location information about a potential agricultural tour (in PR) via email.

Action Item (Palmer): Direction was given for the Environmental Horticulture Program to explore the potential of join a collaborative research project on Beech Leaf Disease, and bring back feasibility information to the PMC for approval.

Action item (PMC led by Rossi): Conduct a 5 year review of Executive Director, Jerry Baron, in 2022.

Action item (Baron): Establish a path forward response committee.

Action item (Baron): Create an electronics cross-cutting task force to develop proposals for new technologies.

Action item (Baron): Host an all hands meeting following PMC meetings.

Action item (Baron): Initiate a strategic plan update and review mission and vision statements and keywords.

Accomplishments

<h1>Accomplishments</h1>   <ul> <li>EPA publication of 14 actions that established 115 new tolerances for 13 active ingredients. These tolerances support 640 potential new uses on food crops</li> <li>One new registration was approved by EPA and one amended registration was approved by a state to expand the registrations and impact 1511 Environmental Horticulture crops</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Regulatory Actions <ul> <li>Food Program - IR-4 submitted to EPA 20 tolerance petitions that covered 103 unique requests for assistance and crop group tolerance updates (PR #s)</li> <li>Environmental Horticulture Program - 20 submissions of data reports to companies to support new or update existing registrations</li> </ul> </li> <li>Research <ul> <li>Food Program <ul> <li>48 new Magnitude of the Residue Studies, and a total of 341 residue trials</li> <li>79 efficacy/crop safety trials that contributed to 37 Product Performance projects</li> <li>41 field trials that contributed to 21 Integrated Solutions projects</li> </ul> </li> <li>Environmental Horticulture Program <ul> <li>598 field and greenhouse trials (233 efficacy, 365 crop safety) that contributed to 54 projects</li> </ul> </li> <li>Other <ul> <li>Completed the move of IR-4 Headquarters from New Jersey to its new home at NC State University in Raleigh <ul> <li>Hired 14 people, team members at IR-4 Headquarters; started training for many who were not previously connected to IR-4 or are new to their position</li> <li>Established new offices on campus</li> <li>Moved nearly 60 years of paper files from their previous home</li> <li>Moved IR-4 databases and other IT components to new home on NC State servers</li> <li>Completed the shutdown of the Rutgers offices on time and under budget</li> </ul> </li> <li>Converted IR-4 funding process to a single grant to run the national operations of IR-4; previously the funds were split from HQ and the Regions</li> <li>Reworking of IR-4’s communications/outreach including updated/enhanced website, and more active presence on various social media platforms</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul>

Publications

Batts, R.B., J. J. Baron, D. Kunkel, and M. P. Braverman. 2021. Update on IR-4 Weed Science Projects - Food Crops. Proc Northeastern Plant, Pest, and Soils Conference, Abstract #135.   Batts, R.B., J. J. Baron, D. L. Kunkel, and M. P Braverman. 2021. IR-4: Weed Control Project Updates - Food Crops. Proc. Southern Weed Science Society, Abstract #149.   Batts, R.B., J. J. Baron, D. L. Kunkel, and M. P Braverman. 2021. IR-4: Weed Control Project Updates - Food Crops. Weed Science Society of America, Abstract #24.   Homa, K., Barney, W.P., Davis, W.P., Guerrero, D., Berger, M.J., Lopez, J.L., Wyenandt, C.A. and Simon, J.E., 2021. Cold Plasma Treatment Strategies for the Control of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. basilici in Sweet Basil. HortScience, 56(1):42-51.   Khang Huynh, Lea Corkidi, Elizabeth Leonard, Cristi Palmer, James Bethke, Nishanth Tharayil. 2021. Dissipation and transformation of the diamide insecticide cyantraniliprole in ornamental snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus). Chemosphere, Volume 281, 130753, ISSN 0045-6535, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130753.   Palmer, C.L., E. Vea. 2021. Update on 2020 Weed Science Research in the IR-4 Environmental Horticulture Program. Northeastern Plant, Pest, and Soils Conference. January 2021.   Palmer, C.L., E. Vea. 2021 Crop Vignette: Cacti. Crop Vignette: Cacti – IR-4 Project (ir4project.org)   Vea, E. J. Cavaliere. 2021 Crop Vignette: Flowering Cherry. Crop Vignette: Flowering Cherry – IR-4 Project (ir4project.org)   Vea, E. J. Cavaliere. 2021 Crop Vignette: Holly. Crop Vignette: Holly – IR-4 Project (ir4project.org)   Vea, E. J. Cavaliere. 2021 Crop Vignette: Impatiens. Crop Vignette: Impatiens – IR-4 Project (ir4project.org)   Vea, E. J. Cavaliere. 2021 Crop Vignette: Crapemyrtle. Crop Vignette: Crapemyrtle – IR-4 Project (ir4project.org)   Vea, E. J. Cavaliere. 2021 Crop Vignette: Daylillies. Crop Vignette: Daylilies – IR-4 Project (ir4project.org)

Impact Statements

Provide economic return on investment

Date of Annual Report: 11/02/2023

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 03/07/2023 - 03/09/2023
Period the Report Covers: 01/02/2022 - 12/31/2022

Participants

Michael Aerts; CLC
Jerry Baron; IR-4 Executive Director
Zach Bagley; CLC
Chris Bardenhagen; CLC
Michael Bledsoe; CLC
Doug Buhler; Administrative Advisor-NCR
Jennifer Clarke; CLC
Maggie Elliot; CLC
William Frantz; CLC
Liwei Gu; Regional Director-SOR
Matt Hengel; PMC Chair; Regional Director-WR
Marcel Holyoak; Administrative Adviser – WR
Bob Jones; CLC
Moses Kairo; Administrative Adviser – NER
Steve Lommel; Administrative Adviser- HQ
Michael Martin; CLC
Armando Moterroso; CLC
Joe Munyaneza; Administrative Adviser - ARS
Keith Pitts; CLC Vice Chair
Rachel Roberts; CLC
Steve Salisbury; CLC
Michelle Samuel-Foo; USDA-NIFA
Johnathan Saranger; CLC
Todd Scholz; CLC Chair
Robert Simerly; Outgoing CLC
Alvin Simmons; USDA-ARS
Barry Tanner; CLC
Dave Trinka; CLC
Amy Upton; CLC
Lee VanWychen; CLC
Herman Waguespack; CLC
John Wise; Regional Director-NCR
Simon Zebelo; Regional Director - NER

Brief Summary of Minutes

Motions/Consensus Items:

1. CLC Vote: A motion was made to approve the “Track D” Commodity Liaison Committee membership list by Michael Bledsoe; seconded by Amy Upton. Unanimously approved.

2. A motion to approve the minutes of the Fall 2022 and Special Meeting of January 19, 2023 meetings was made by John Wise, seconded by Todd Scholz. Unanimously approved.

3. A motion was made to approve the “Track D” Commodity Liaison Committee membership list by Todd Scholz; seconded by Jerry Baron. Unanimously approved.

4. Consensus was held to hold the Summer PMC meeting virtually; and to look at the agenda to see if the meeting date could be reduced to two days, rather than three.

5. Consensus was given to develop a national Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) template, pilot it on the Electronic Field Data Notebook, and evaluate it.

6. A motion to adjourn the regular session at 5:15 pm and to move to Executive Session, was made by Alvin Simmons; seconded by Simon Zebelo. Unanimously approved.

7. A motion to accept the nomination of Dr. Bernard Zandstra as an IR-4 Hall of Fame Award Recipient was made by Alvin Simmons, seconded by Jerry Baron. Unanimously approved.

8. Consensus was given on the potential for IR-4 Headquarters to modify the budget on the research side of the food use workshop to account for costly projects, and bring back to the PMC for review.

9. A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 11:00 am by Alvin Simons seconded by Todd Scholz. Unanimously approved

Motions/Consensus Votes Made Via Email In-Between Regular Meetings:

1. The PMC voted via email for approval of the IR-4 Project Biopesticide Program to provide regulatory assistance for the use of a dsRNA for control of the Red Palm Weevil. Approved by written consent (1 abstention: Jerry Baron).

2. The PMC voted via email for approval of Debbie Carpenter to receive a Special Exceptional Leadership Award to be presented at the 2023 National Education Conference. Approved by unanimous written consent.

3. The PMC voted via email for approval of the IR-4 Project Biopesticide Program to provide regulatory assistance for an attenuated strain of Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus (CGMMV) that acts as a vacc

Accomplishments

FOOD USE PROGRAM Successes • 694 new tolerances for 13 active ingredients established by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) resulting in 750 potential new product uses on food crops Regulatory Actions • 13 tolerance petitions submitted to the EPA covering 101 unique requests for assistance and crop group tolerance updates Research • 347 residue trials contributing to 47 Magnitude of the Residue studies • 93 efficacy/crop safety trials contributing to 41 Product Performance projects • 60 field trials contributing to 28 Integrated Solutions projects INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES • Provided technical leadership in international priority setting workshops, project planning and implementation • Conducted capacity building on biopesticide regulations and GLP • Assisted with a new international database • Promoted harmonization of residue data development and MRLs in Europe and beyond • Gave technical guidance to an import MRL program promoting the export of US specialty crop commodities to Southeast Asia ENVIRONMENTAL HORTICULTURE PROGRAM Successes • IR-4 submitted data to expand one EPA registration, supporting 41 additional environmental horticulture crop uses Regulatory Actions • 20 submissions of data reports to companies to support new or update existing registrations Research • 626 field and greenhouse trials (321 efficacy, 305 crop safety) that contributed to 50 projects

Publications

Axtell, A. and Pedibhotla V. 2022. Pesticide use nearby rivers & other water bodies: tips for reducing pesticide loss & novel technologies. EPA webinar series: Reducing pesticide in water in indian country thru integrated pest management Axtell, A. and Batts, R. 2022. Fall 2022 sweet potato update (handout) - the IR-4 project. NCSU sweet potato field day Ballantyne, A. 2022. Crop Vignette: Hibiscus. Crop Vignette: Hibiscus – IR-4 Project (ir4project.org) Ballantyne, A. 2022. Crop Vignette: Phlox. Crop Vignette: Phlox – IR-4 Project (ir4project.org) Ballantyne, A. and Palmer, C.L. 2022. Crop Vignette: Clematis. Crop Vignette: Clematis – IR-4 Project (ir4project.org) Batts, R.B., J. J. Baron, and V. K. Pedibhotla. 2022. IR-4: Weed Science Update - Food Crops. Weed Science Society of America annual meeting. Abstract #151 Batts, R.B., J. J. Baron, and V. K. Pedibhotla. 2022. IR-4: Weed Science Update - Food Crops. Western Society of Weed Science annual meeting. Abstract #111 Batts, R.B., J. J. Baron, and V. K. Pedibhotla. 2022. IR-4: Weed Science Update - Food Crops. North Central Weed Science Society annual meeting. Abstract #150 Braverman, M., W. Barney, P. Moore and J. Baron. 2022. Regulatory requirements for biopesticides and emerging technologies. Association of Applied Biologists Meeting, “Bringing Biocontrol and IPM to Market,” Abstract, Page 29 Frank S., Gilrein D., Havers M., and Palmer C. L. 2022. Box Tree Moth: Fact Sheet, Management & Visual Guide. BTM_FactSheet_VisualGuide.pdf (ncsu.edu) Palmer, C. L. 2022. Crop Vignette: Poinsettia. Crop Vignette: Poinsettia – IR-4 Project (ir4project.org) Salazar, C. S., LeBlanc N., Daughtrey M. L., Hausbeck M., Palmer C., Shishkoff N., Warfield C., and Crouch J. A. 2022. The impatiens downy mildew epidemic in the U.S. is caused by new, introgressed lineages of Plasmopara destructor with prominent genotypic diversity and high evolutionary potential. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-08-22-1872-R

Impact Statements

Economic Value-(Forage, Fodder and Straw of Cereal Grains). ● Michigan State University’s Center of Economic Analysis reported the economic impact of IR-4 Project’s activities supports over 111 thousand domestic jobs with a total annual payroll of $5.34 billion in 2021 dollars. When accounting for all sources of national income, the IR-4 Project is estimated to contribute $8.97 billion to annual gross domestic product, including direct and secondary effects, which measures how dollars are re-spent throughout the economy. Several channels of economic contribution go into these measures, including direct expenditures of the IR-4 Project, anticipated crop losses mitigated under each of the two IR-4 Programs, through Biopesticide Regulatory Support and through gaining EPA exemptions for pesticide use when few or no other options for pest management exists. Recognizing that benefits realized today come from over 50 years of IR-4 Project efforts, we show that we can attribute about seven jobs today for every $1,000 in annual public investment in the IR-4 Project. See https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/economic-impact-of-the-ir-4-project-and-programs-2022 for details. ● The Environmental Horticulture Program continues to support an industry valued at nearly $19.2 billion in annual sales (Horticulture Census, 2019, NASS). This industry is quite complex because growers cover many diverse markets including flowers, bulbs, houseplants, perennials, trees, shrubs and more. These plants are grown and maintained in greenhouses, nurseries, commercial/residential landscapes, interiorscapes, Christmas tree farms and sod farms.

Date of Annual Report: 08/05/2024

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 03/05/2024 - 03/07/2024
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2023 - 12/31/2023

Participants

Members:
Michael Aerts; CLC
Jerry Baron; IR-4 Executive Director
Zach Bagley; CLC
Michael Bledsoe; CLC
John Walk Boatright; CLC
Doug Buhler; Administrative Advisor-NCR
Maggie Elliot; CLC
William Frantz; CLC
Rubella Goswami, USDA-NIFA
Liwei Gu; Regional Director-SOR
Matt Hengel; PMC Chair; Regional Director-WR
Marcel Holyoak; Administrative Adviser – WR
Moses Kairo; Administrative Adviser – NER
Robert Kaldunski; CLC
Steve Lommel; Administrative Adviser- HQ
Armando Moterroso; CLC
Joe Munyaneza; Administrative Adviser - ARS
Pete Nelson; CLC
Rachel Pick (for Michael Martin); CLC
Steve Salisbury; CLC
Michelle Samuel-Foo; USDA-NIFA
Johnathan Saranger; CLC
Todd Scholz; CLC Chair
Alvin Simmons; USDA-ARS
Barry Tanner; CLC
Amy Upton; CLC
Simon Zebelo; Regional Director - NER

Brief Summary of Minutes

Motions/Consensus Items:

1. A motion to approve the PMC minutes for the Fall 2023, Special Meeting of January 9, 2024, and Special Meeting of January 24, 2024 meetings was made by Liewi Gu, seconded by Todd Scholz; unanimously approved.

2. CLC VOTE: A motion was made to approve the “Track A” Commodity Liaison Committee membership list by Amy Upton; seconded by Zach Bagley; unanimously approved.

3. CLC VOTE: A motion was made to approve Todd Scholz as the Chair and Keith Pitts as the Vice Chair by Mike Bledsoe, seconded by Amy Upton; unanimously approved.

4. A motion to adjourn the regular session at 4:44 pm and to move to Executive Session was made by Alvin Simmons; seconded by Todd Scholz; unanimously approved.

5. A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 11:22 am by Alvin Simons seconded by Jerry Baron; unanimously approved. Motions/Consensus Votes Made Via Email In-Between Regular Meetings: None.

Action Items: • Action Item (Baron/Braverman): The Biopesticide Regulatory Support Program will establish an enhanced vetting process for projects and an enhanced database tracking system to present and demonstrate both to the PMC at the Summer Meeting.

Accomplishments

FOOD USE PROGRAM Successes - 211 new tolerances for 18 active ingredients were established by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) resulting in 1613 potential new product uses on food crops. Regulatory Actions - 12 tolerance petitions were submitted to EPA and 2 Final Reports to the registrant for Label Expansion or Conditional Registration. These covered 92 unique requests for assistance and crop group tolerance updates. Research <ul> <li>384 residue trials contributing to 52 Magnitude of the Residue studies</li> <li>143 efficacy/crop safety trials contributing to 65 Product Performance projects</li> <li>72 field trials contributing to 35 Integrated Solutions projects</li> </ul> ENVIRONMENTAL HORTICULTURE PROGRAM Successes - BotryStop was registered in California, contributing to 500 new crop uses. Regulatory Actions • 22 research summaries were written to support new or update existing registrations. Research - 657 field and greenhouse trials (275 efficacy, 379 crop safety) that contributed to 57 project   INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES <ul> <li>Technical leadership and project collaboration with the Minor Use Foundation</li> <li>Capacity building on biopesticide regulations and Good Laboratory Practices</li> <li>Assisted with a new international database</li> <li>Advised development of an import MRL program promoting export of U.S. commodities to Southeast Asia • Hosted four USDA FAS Borlaug Fellows for training </li> </ul>

Publications

Axtell, A, J. Patel, R. Batts, H. Ross, and J. Baron. 2023. The IR-4 Project: Success and benefits to specialty crop growers. National Alliance of Crop Consultant Conference, TX (poster) Axtell, A. 2023. IR-4’s Accomplishments for Crop Group 6-22. 2023 California Dry bean Board Meeting (virtual presentation). Batts, R.B., J. J. Baron, and V. K. Pedibhotla. 2023. IR-4: Weed Science Update - Food Crops. 2023 Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference, Savannah, GA.  Abstract #24 (poster) Batts, R.B., J. J. Baron, and V. K. Pedibhotla. 2023. IR-4: Weed Science Update - Food Crops. Proceedings of the 76th annual meeting of the Southern Weed Science Society, Baton Rouge, LA. Abstract #203 (presentation) Batts, R.B., J. J. Baron, and V. K. Pedibhotla. 2023. IR-4: Weed Science Update - Food Crops. Proceedings of the Weed Science Society of America and Northeastern Weed Science Society joint meeting, Arlington, VA. Abstract #365 (presentation) Batts, R.B. 2023. Registration Support for Pest Management Tools in Specialty Crops, The IR-4 Project: Purpose, Process, and Productivity. Center of Excellence for Regulatory Science in Agriculture, Raleigh, NC (Lecture - virtual) Batts, R.B. 2023. Registration Support for Pest Management Tools in Specialty Crops, The IR-4 Project: Purpose, Process, and Productivity. Southeast Vegetable Extension Workers annual meeting, Mills River, NC (Presentation) Batts, R., J. Spies, A. Axtell and J. Patel. 2023. IR-4 Project 2023 sweet potato update. NCSU sweet potato field day, Clinton, NC (handout) Beckerman, J. C. Palmer, E. Tedford, and H. Ypema. 2023. Fifty Years of Fungicide Development, Deployment, and Future Use. Phytopathology 113:694-706. Patel, J., J. Baron and V. Pedibhotla. 2023. The IR-4 Project: Success and benefits to specialty crop growers. Annual Phytopathological Society meeting, Denver, CO (poster) Ross, H. and P. Moore. July 2023. Behind the Scenes for the Bees: How IR-4 Supports Beekeepers and Honey Bees through Research and Regulation. Bee Culture, pages 66-67 Szczepaniec, A., A. Lathrop-Melting, T. Janecek, P. Nachappa, W. Cranshaw, G.Alnajjar, and A. Axtell. Suppression of hemp russet mite, Aculops cannabicola (Acari: Eriophyidae), in industrial hemp in greenhouse and field, Environmental Entomology, 2023; nvad052, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvad052">https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvad052 </a> Uebbing, M.R., and Hausbeck, M.K. 2023. Efficacy of organic products for control of powdery mildew on moderately resistant acorn squash, 2022. Plant Disease Management Reports 17:V159, Link:  V158.pdf (plantmanagementnetwork.org, using data generated from IR-4 project No. IS00344 from 2022 Uebbing, M.R., Hayden, Z.D., and Hausbeck, M.K. 2023. Conventional and Biopesticide Fungicides for Cucurbit Downy Mildew Control on Cucumber in Michigan. Plant Health Progress, (ja).DOI: :https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-03-23-0024-RS, using data generated from IR-4 project N0. IS00344 from 2021 and 2022

Impact Statements

Facilitating New Crop protection technolog
Enhance the ecomomy