Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

James Green provided an update from CSREES, indicating forecasts for levels of various USDA grants programs including SARE, NRI, and Water Quality. The possibility of obtaining funding for a proposed National Elm Trial through a Special Research Grant from the National Arboretum was discussed. Dan Herms discussed highlights of the state report for Ohio. Seven counties on northern Ohio reported infestations of emerald ash borer, and 40,000 ash trees were removed in Ohio in 2004. In Columbus, the presence of 12 infested trees gave rise to eradication of 11,000 ash. A large resistance screening trial for ash cultivars and species began in Ohio in 2003, with many additional cultivars and species being added in 2004. After the second season of screening (2004), Montana ash hdisplayed highest resistance, followed by Autmn Purple white ash. Autumn Blaze white ash was highly susceptible, and . Northern Treasure (a hybird cultivar) had the same susceptibility as green ash cultivars (i.e., susceptible). Dan did not think stress was a factor in ash performance in this trial, since trees seemed to be attacked about equally. Dan also reported on results of a trial evaluating birch species for resistance to bronze birch borer. Results indicated that native birch have some resistance, whereas exotic species do not. Unexpectedly, fertilized birches were attacked more heavily than non-fertilized controls, and there was a trend toward greater attacks on irrigated than non-irrigated birches. The conclusion was that, if you want a birch to die from this borer, fertilize it, especially for European birch (exotic) rather than paper birch (native species). Dan also reported on results of a field trial evaluating the growth regulator paclobutrazol on paper birch and pines. The chemical greatly reduced tree growth, but had no effect on insect or disease resistance in challenge bioassays. However, it does seem to suppress apple scab on crabapples. Dan announced that Michigan State has a PowerPoint presentation on emerald ash borer, intended for Master Gardener education. The file is on the MSU Extension website. Bill Jacobi presented the Colorado State University report. He reported results of attempts to isolate the Dutch elm disease pathogen, Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, from Scolytid beetles; there were no positives for the fungus after plating about 200 beetles. Isolations were made on a medium including malt extract and elm sawdust; this medium allowed characteristic coremia of the DED fungus to develop in 4 days. Bill discussed attempts to attract funding for the proposed National Elm Trial. Possible funding sources he mentioned included the Schmidt Family Fund, the Morton Arboretum, the National Arboretum, and the Morth Central IPM Center. It was tentatively agreed that several members of NCR-193 would participate in the trial, if funds for obtaining trees could be obtained. (NOTE: the National Elm Trial got underway at 19 sites throughout the U.S. in spring 2005. Fourteen DED-resistant elm species and hybrids are under trial, with several additional species to be added in 2006. Trees costs were borne by J. Frank Schmidt Inc., Boring, Oregon. THIS TRIAL IS A CLEAR EXAMPLE OF NATIONAL-SCALE RESEARCH FOSTERED BY THE NCR-193 COMMITTEE.) Bill also presented findings of his study on impact of water potential on health of old growth cottonwoods, and MGCL2 (used for dust control on raods)impacts on roadside vegetation. Chris Williamson from University of Wisconsin reported that he has developed a tutorial for emerald ash borer (EAB) that is available from UW Extension on compact disk; the CD also includes a poster on EAB. Chris also reported on field trials evaluating Golden Pest Spray Oil (GPSO, whihc is primarily soybean oil, for gypsy moth control by smothering of egg masses. GPSO, applied 1:1 with water, killed 96% of gypsy moth egg masses ,regardless of application timing. Eric Rebek, Michigan State University, provided an in-depth update on the EAB situation in Michigan. In the Mi quarantine areas for EAB, no insecticide sprays are being recommended because the ash tree will be removed anyway. If outside the detection area, insecticide sprays are still not recommended for ash, because EAB is probably not there. In the "general infestation" areas of SE Michigan, however, insecticide sprays can help. Among the recommended insecticides are imidacloprid, bidrin, Onyx, and Tempo. In Windsor, Canada, across from Detroit, the Canadian government has removed ashes in a 10-mile swatch adjoining the U.S. border to block EAB spread. In Michigan, ash removal is being pursued aggressively in the quarantine area, but movement of EAB in firewood appears to be the biggest source of pest spread beyond the area. Current MI law indicates that it is illegal to move ANY firewood of ANY tree species from the quarantined area. Current MI plans call for creating of a 6-mile-wide "ash reduction zone," with intensive ash removals inside the quatantine zone and extensive monitoring just outside the zone borders. Every township in the Lower Peninsula of Mi has 72 ash trees per county designated as sentinel trees, examined regularly for EAB and EAB damage. Observations appear indicate that blue ash has more EAB resistance than green or white ash. Cindy Ash, USDA-Forest Service State and Private Forestry, reported on sudden oak death (SOD) monitoring in New England in 2004. She indicated that Ralph Zingaro, a private consultant in horticulture who has been involved in SOD surveys in NH, NY, and PA, has been a source of highly questionable "positives" for SOD that were not corroboated by intensive follow-up sampling efforts. Ann Gould, Rutgers University, reported that 420 trees in Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey, tested positive for Asian longhorned beetle. Eradication efforts are underway. Ann has established that as many as 35% of red and pin oaks in some New Jersey towns are infected with the bacterial leaf scorch (BLS) pathogen, Xylella fastidiosa. An ongoing research project aims at indentifying insect vectors of BLS in New Jersey, tracking progress of the disease in several NJ communities, estimating the economic costs of the disease to these communities, and devising cost-effective remedial practices. PCR is being used to detect the BLS pathogen in captured insects that are potential vectors. Gary Chastagner reported on several research projects from Washington State. One of these projects evaluated effectiveness of 20 fungicides for controlling Phytophthora ramorum on Douglas fir seedlings. Post-bud break applications of several contact fungicides (e.g., Dithane, Gavel, Maneb, Polyram) gave 100% control. Pre-bud break drenching with Subdue MAXX also gave 100% control. Additional research projects reported on by Gary included: control of Swiss needlecast disease in forest plantations by aerial applications of elemental sulfur; fungicide efficacy against Rhabdocline needlecast on Douglas fir Christmas trees; population biology of the fungal pathogen Heterobasidion annosum; effectiveness of stump removal in reducing Annosus root rot in Christmas tree plantations; identification of Christmas trees with superior needle retention (part of a national and international evaluation effort); fungicide efficacy for control of leaf spot on bulbous iris; and evaluation of fungicides for control of tulip fire (Botrytis tulipae) and blue mold on tulips. John Hartman from University of Kentucky reported on results of an extensive 2004 survey for presence of Phytophthora ramorum in Kentucky; results indicated that the pathogen was apparently absent from Kentucky nurseries. John also reported prelimianry results of an evaluation of Cambistat treatments for BLS, pine tip blight, and dogwood powdery mildew. Evidence so far indicates that Cambistat improves tree health and reduces the effects of plant diseases. Effects may not appear until the year after treatment, but impact may last for up to 3 years. Mark Gleason, from Iowa State University, reported on progress toward identifying the pathogen causing a recently appearing disease of Japanese tree lilac (Syringa reticulata). Inoculation trials in a greenhouse fulfilled Koch's postulates, and genetic and morphological evidence indicated that the pathogen was a Cercospora sp. fungus. Cliff Sadof of Purdue reported on experiences in Indiana with outbreaks of EAB in the NE corner of the state. A poster educating the public about EAB is available on the web at: www.entm.purdue.edu/EAB. Ray Cloyd of University of Illinois reported on his recent research on use of rove beetles for biocontrol of fungus gnats in pot culture in greenhouses. He also found that diatomaceous earth significantly reduces populations of fungus gnats. A brief busness meeting concluded the meeting. The 2005 NCR-193 meeting will take place in September at Longwood Gardens, PA. Paul Heller of Penn State will chair the 2005 meeting and will also host it in PA. The group also elected Ray Cloyd as vice-chair.

Objective 1: Encourage pathologists and entomologists to interact and develop multi-disciplinary management tactics for pest control. This objective was accomplished as members delivered technical presentations at the meeting. Reports by both plant pathologists and entomologists were included from most states. Considerable interdisciplinary discussion followed each of the presentations. Discussing IPM strategies for insects and pathogens within an interdisciplinary framework generated creative suggestions and approaches, and exposed knowledge gaps. These insights were particularly valuable for situations in which insects and pathogens interact in affecting plant health; for example, bacterial leaf scorch and Dutch elm disease. Coordination within NCR-193 led to creation in 2004 of the National Elm Trial, which was planted at 19 locations nationwide in spring 2005, and will be evaluated over the next 10-15 years. Objective 2: Develop environmentally sound IPM methods, including cultural, biological, and selective chemical approaches for protecting nursery stock and landscape plants from damage by insects and diseases. The majority of the research reported at this meeting by NCR-193 members focused on this topic. Host plant resistance, biological control tactics, and inspection and integrated-control programs for recently introduced pathogens (e.g., sudden oak death, emerald ash borer, and Asian longhorned beetle) were discussed. Objective 3: Coordinate and promote new and ongoing research and technology transfer projects dealing with insects and diseases affecting landscape plants of regional interest. Interstate projects discussed at this meeting included results of national sampling for presence and distribution of the sudden oak death pathogen, and cooperation among states to slow the spread of emerald ash borer in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. Other ongoing multi-state projects discussed at the meeting included: 1) Testing plant defense theory while advancing computer-controlled nutrient delivery - Ohio, Massachusetts, Sweden 2) Effectiveness of fungicides against SOD and Swiss needlecast - Washington and Oregon 3) Ground beetle assemblages in mulched and non-mulched garden plots - Indiana and Illinois. Objective 4: Develop multi-state IPM programs to help individual states deal with diseases and insect pests on the tremendous range of plant species and cultivars available. 1) The ash cultivar evaluations in OH and MI for EAB resistance are highly relevant to this objective 2) The National Elm Trial, which was planned by NCR-193, involves most states that have NCR-193 members and will assess fitness of Dutch elm disease-resistant elms over a wide variety of climates, soil types, and pest assemblages.

Bishop, R.J., and Jacobi, W.R. 2003. Insects associated with black stain root disease centers in pinyon pine stands. Southwestern Entomologist 78:55-61. Blodgett, J.T., Bonello, P., and Herms, D.A. 2003. Fertilization decreases resistance of red pine to the Sphaeropsis canker pathogen. Phytopathology 93:S9. Chastagner, G.A., Nielsen, U.B., and Riley, K.L. 2004. Comparison of the postharvest quality of noble fir boughs from the United States and Danish provenances grown in Denmark. HortScience 39:580-583. Chastagner, G.A., Hansen, E.M., Riley, K.L., and Sutton, W. 2004. Susceptibility of conifer shoots to infection by Phytophthora ramorum. Phytopathology 94:S16. Copes, W.E., Chastagner, G.A., and Hummel, R.L. 2004. Activity of chlorine dioxide in a solution of ions and pH against Thielaviopsis basicola and Fusarium oxysporum. Plant Disease 88:188-194. Dart, N.L., Chastagner, G.A., and Peever, T.A. 2004. Population biology of Heterobasidion annosum infecting Christmas trees in the Pacific Northwest. Phytopathology 94:S24. Edmunds, B.A., Flynn, P.F., and Gleason, M.L. 2003. Hosta takeover: A plant disease management case study. Plant Health Instructor: (http://www.apsnet.org/education/InstructorCommunication/TeachingArticles/hosta/default.htm) Edmunds, B. A., and Gleason, M. L. 2003. Perennation of Sclerotium rolfsii var. delphinii in Iowa. Online. Plant Health Progress: doi:10.1094/PHP-2003-1201-01-RS. Edmunds, B.A., and Gleason, M.L. 2003. First report of petiole rot of Pulmonaria longifolia caused by Sclerotium rolfsii var. delphinii. Plant Disease 87:15. Edmunds, B.A., Gleason, M.L., and Wegulo, S.N. 2003. Resistance of hosta cultivars to Sclerotium rolfsii var. delphinii crown rot. HortTechnology 13:302-305. Glynn, C., and Herms, D.A. 2004. Local adaptation in pine needle scale (Chionaspis pinifoliae): natal and novel host quality as tests for specialization within and among red and Scots pine. Environmental Entomology 33:748-755. LaForest, J.H., Bonello, P., and Herms, D.A. 2003. Effect of soil type and management on ectomycorrhizal colonization of Betula papyrifera. Phytopathology 93:S48. Omdal, D.W., Shaw, C.G.,III, and Jacobi, W.R. 2004. Symptom expression in conifers infected with Armillaria ostoyae and Heterobasidion annosum. Can. J. For. Res. 34:1210.1219. Kallas, M.A., Reich, R.M., Jacobi, W.R., and Lundquist, J.E. 2003. Modleing the probability of observing Armillaria root disease in the Black Hills. Forest Pathology 33:241-252. Koski, R., and Jacobi, W.R. 2004. Tree pathogen survival in chipped wood mulch. J. Arboriculture 30:165-171. Parry, D., Herms, D.A., and Mattson, W.J. 2003. Responses of an insect folivore and its parasitoids to defoliation-induced changes in aspen during a multi-year, experimental outbreak. Ecology 84:1768-1783. Sadof, C.S. 2004. How to use Landscape IPM in your business. pp. 25-26 in V. Krischik and J. Davidson (eds.), IPM of Midwest Landscapes. Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station SB-07645. Sadof, C.S. 2004. Tipd for using biological control in the landscape. p. 27 in V. Krischik and J. Davidson (eds.), IPM of Midwest Landscapes. Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station SB-07645. Sadof, C.S., O'Neil, R.J., Heraux, F.M., and Wiedenmann, R.N. 2004. Reducing insecticide use in home gardens: Effects of training and volunteer research on adoption of biological control. HortTechnology 14:149-154. Wiedenmann, R.N., Sadof, C.S., and O'Neil, R.J. 2004. Ground beetle (Coleoptera:Carabidae) assemblages in mulched and non-mulched garden plots. J. Kansas Ent. Soc. 77:99-109.