SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report
Sections
Status: Approved
Basic Information
- Project No. and Title: NCR46 : Development, Optimization and Delivery of Management Strategies for Corn Rootworms
- Period Covered: 01/01/2001 to 12/01/2001
- Date of Report: 02/15/2002
- Annual Meeting Dates: 01/30/2002 to 01/31/2002
Participants
Attendees (L. Bledsoe, M. Boetel, C. DiFonzo, R. Edwards, W. French, B. Fuller, M. Gray, C. Guse, B. Hibbard, R. Higgins, T. Hurley, D. Kopp, E. Levine, L. Meinke, P. Mitchell, K. Ostlie, C. Pierce, P. Porter, S. Pueppke, S. Ratcliffe, A. Schaafsma, J. Shaw, E. Shields, P. Sloderbeck, J. Spencer, J. Tollefson, J. Wedberg, and G. Wilde)
Discussion regarding value of continued combined meetings: much value regarding committee decisions and discussions on IRM, etc; an extra = day has become a necessary component of our meeting because of significant amount of time IRM discussions are taking; some expressed concern since NCR-46 is not a funded committee. NC-205 has been considering CIMMYT as a venue for the 2004 meeting. NCR-46 meeting first would be a good idea since we will have several important issues to discuss. A scientific advisory panel for issues relating to transgenic rootworm-protected corn may be formed.
Accomplishments
Research Reports
Corn rootworm distribution and abundance:
MN increased incidence of extended diapause; NCR populations were higher; may have been associated with good conditions for overwintering and larval establishment. WCR populations also higher. Populations have been building for past seven years.
SD increasing reports of extended diapause problems; several fields had white grub infestations.
MO moderate to high population levels evidenced by good feeding pressure in field trials.
IN population levels increasing over past three years; an additional tier of counties outward from original core area now affected by variant.
Europe (R. Edwards) as of 2001, 250,000 km2 now infested by WCR (increased by 60-70,000 km2 since 2000). Countries known to be infested: Bosnia, Italy, Serbia, Slovak Republic. Switzerland, Ukraine, etc.), but Austria, Romania, and Hungary may also be infested soon if not already. Working with A. Schaafsma (using RAPD) to compare populations to determine if more like variant or more like other US populations. Samples also sent to L. Chandler. Introduction into Europe appears to have occurred during early 1980s, and is believed to have come in on planes from Chicago airport. Management: not much European interest in transgenics; Austria and Croatia saying never to transgenics. Crop rotation is preferred.
IA distribution about same, but slight increase in population levels; reports of extended diapause also rising. Reports of variant occurring in Allamakee county (northeast corner of IA); emergence traps in field following soybean produced small number of WCR beetles.
NE in general, lower population levels, but a few hot spots in OP resistance areas; egg hatch slightly early, but not extreme.
IL WCR numbers high; unusual behavior also; reports of WCR beetles on 50th floor of John Hancock building and on lakefront in Chicago, residential flower gardens; may be artifact of generally higher population levels; currently, 32 IL counties now affected by variant; WCR oviposition demonstrated to also be occurring in oat stubble, alfalfa fields, etc. Urbana is heart of variant problem area, but Dekalb is about as bad. Soybean appears to be poor quality food source for beetles; its suspected that, after feeding on soybean foliage, beetles become agitated and are therefore more likely to leave soybean fields and return to corn as a preferred food source.
ND no major changes in distribution or abundance; rotation and conventional soil insecticide use remain effective as management tools.
NY no major changes;
TX an isolated first-year corn field with nothing but range for ca. 30 miles had an average of 6 beetles per plant.
Chris Pierce (graduate student from IL) - late-planted corn as attractive as soybean in variant problem area. Not same disparity in non-variant area.
Modeling:
P. Mitchell presented his composed error model for insect damage functions. Major point: damage functions are a major link between entomology and economics. Common problem: when UTC yields exceed those of treated plots (i.e., negative loss [gain]). Hypothesis: 2 factors affect differences: 1) treatment effects, and 2) random effects. Finding: linear model best predictor. Low-end rating numbers cause most problems for model.
Other topics:
R. Edwards presented data from analysis of soil insecticide impacts on yield and profit/loss in continuous corn fields in northern IN. Compounds assessed: Aztec, Counter CR, Force 3G, Fortress 5G, Lorsban 15G, and Regent 4SC. Regent was only product that produced net profit on investment, largely because the application equipment was paid for by its manufacturer.
Topics not covered: Biology/behavior/ecology, Insect/host interactions, Pesticide Resistance, Genetics, Economic Thresholds, New Products/Recommendations, Sampling, and Rearing.
Corn rootworm distribution and abundance:
MN increased incidence of extended diapause; NCR populations were higher; may have been associated with good conditions for overwintering and larval establishment. WCR populations also higher. Populations have been building for past seven years.
SD increasing reports of extended diapause problems; several fields had white grub infestations.
MO moderate to high population levels evidenced by good feeding pressure in field trials.
IN population levels increasing over past three years; an additional tier of counties outward from original core area now affected by variant.
Europe (R. Edwards) as of 2001, 250,000 km2 now infested by WCR (increased by 60-70,000 km2 since 2000). Countries known to be infested: Bosnia, Italy, Serbia, Slovak Republic. Switzerland, Ukraine, etc.), but Austria, Romania, and Hungary may also be infested soon if not already. Working with A. Schaafsma (using RAPD) to compare populations to determine if more like variant or more like other US populations. Samples also sent to L. Chandler. Introduction into Europe appears to have occurred during early 1980s, and is believed to have come in on planes from Chicago airport. Management: not much European interest in transgenics; Austria and Croatia saying never to transgenics. Crop rotation is preferred.
IA distribution about same, but slight increase in population levels; reports of extended diapause also rising. Reports of variant occurring in Allamakee county (northeast corner of IA); emergence traps in field following soybean produced small number of WCR beetles.
NE in general, lower population levels, but a few hot spots in OP resistance areas; egg hatch slightly early, but not extreme.
IL WCR numbers high; unusual behavior also; reports of WCR beetles on 50th floor of John Hancock building and on lakefront in Chicago, residential flower gardens; may be artifact of generally higher population levels; currently, 32 IL counties now affected by variant; WCR oviposition demonstrated to also be occurring in oat stubble, alfalfa fields, etc. Urbana is heart of variant problem area, but Dekalb is about as bad. Soybean appears to be poor quality food source for beetles; its suspected that, after feeding on soybean foliage, beetles become agitated and are therefore more likely to leave soybean fields and return to corn as a preferred food source.
ND no major changes in distribution or abundance; rotation and conventional soil insecticide use remain effective as management tools.
NY no major changes;
TX an isolated first-year corn field with nothing but range for ca. 30 miles had an average of 6 beetles per plant.
Chris Pierce (graduate student from IL) - late-planted corn as attractive as soybean in variant problem area. Not same disparity in non-variant area.
Modeling:
P. Mitchell presented his composed error model for insect damage functions. Major point: damage functions are a major link between entomology and economics. Common problem: when UTC yields exceed those of treated plots (i.e., negative loss [gain]). Hypothesis: 2 factors affect differences: 1) treatment effects, and 2) random effects. Finding: linear model best predictor. Low-end rating numbers cause most problems for model.
Other topics:
R. Edwards presented data from analysis of soil insecticide impacts on yield and profit/loss in continuous corn fields in northern IN. Compounds assessed: Aztec, Counter CR, Force 3G, Fortress 5G, Lorsban 15G, and Regent 4SC. Regent was only product that produced net profit on investment, largely because the application equipment was paid for by its manufacturer.
Topics not covered: Biology/behavior/ecology, Insect/host interactions, Pesticide Resistance, Genetics, Economic Thresholds, New Products/Recommendations, Sampling, and Rearing.