Inside thisissue...34568

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SOAR Awardees

Dan Rossi Inducted intoNIFA Hall of Fame

Concerns about Cacao

Pest Management Solutions for Specialty Crops and Specialty Uses

Spotlight on OrnamentalHorticulture: Roses

NewsletterVol. 48 No.1 Winter 2017

The very mention of the letters“HLB” evokes grave concern amongcitrus growers everywhere. HLB alsoknown as Huanglongbing, or Citrusgreening is a disease that is posing avery serious problem for the Floridacitrus industry. It is a grave threat tothe state’s signature specialty crop.

There are three types ofHLB—Asian, African and Americanwith causal bacteria tentativelynamed Candidatus Liberibacterasiaticus, Ca. L. africanus and Ca. L.americanus. The type that isaffecting Florida citrus HLB iscaused by a highly fastidiousphloem-inhabiting bacteria(Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus)that is vectored by the Asian citruspsyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama)a small winged insect pest, that wasfirst discovered in backyard citrus inSouth Florida in 2005. Within just afew years, the disease had spread toevery major citrus producing countyin the state.

Once a tree is infected, veinyellowing on leaves and anasymmetrical chlorosis referred toas “blotchy mottle” becomesevident. The discoloration usuallyoccurs on a few branches initially,before spreading throughout thetree and roots. Trees will havereduced yields, and misshapen anddiscolored fruit will be evident.Infected fruit retains a green colorat the navel end when mature,hence the name “citrus greeningdisease”. The fruit that are infectedproduce juice that is very bitter, acause for severe concern thatgreatly affects the juice industry.

Infected trees are then highlysusceptible to other “secondary”pathogens such as Phytophthoraroot rot. The disease eventually killsaffected trees. IR-4 is currentlycompleting residue studies that canaid in the control of thesesecondary pathogens includingfluopicolide and mandipropamid.

HLB is currently the mostdevastating citrus diseaseworldwide. HLB was first detectedin Florida in 2005 and has sinceaffected all of Florida’s citrus-producing areas, leading to a 75percent decline in Florida’s $10billion citrus industry.

Pest and disease threats to citrus

are not new. In fact the industry hascontended with a variety ofchallenges over the years, but noneappear to have posed the threat thatcitrus greening now presents.A recent NPR story reportedFlorida’s Agriculture Secretary,Adam Putnam, saying that thefuture of the state’s citrus industryhangs in the balance. He is quotedsaying, “We are at a tipping point,and some would say we’ve blownpast the tipping point.”

Researchers at the University ofFlorida’s Institute of Food andAgricultural Sciences (IFAS) havebeen working diligently towardsbeing able to manage this critical

HLB Concerns &Research

continued on page 10

Plant Back Studies

Photo courtesy of www.ars.usda.gov

EPA ApprovesBiopesticide: BmJ

— by Michelle Samuel-Foo, IR-4Southern Region Field Coordinator

Executive Director Notes

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Dear Friends,

Welcome to 2017…fasten your seat belts! As I am writing this, we are at the end of the Obama Administrationand the transfer of power to the Trump Administration. There are many unknowns and uncertainties as towhere our government is going.

To begin, in late 2016 Congress passed a Continuing Resolution that funds the federal government until April28, 2017. Based on past practices, Congress will likely extend the Continuing Resolution until September 30,2017 and focus their efforts on the fiscal year 2018 appropriations. However, Congress has agreed to use theappropriation process as a vehicle to revoke the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). We are not certain whatimpact these changes to universal health care coverage will have on completion of the appropriation bills.

Another major question is how will the new Congress and Administration support agriculture/agriculturalresearch? It is easy to assume that some funding priorities will change. Under ideal circumstances, a programthat provides significant and documented benefits to farmers, food systems and consumers, as well as provessignificant return on investment, would be supported. Now, more than ever, it is important that all IR-4stakeholders share the message of the importance of the IR-4 Project and its work that contributes to profitablespecialty crop industries, food security and agriculture infrastructure.

The other key question is what will happen to Environmental Protection Agency? Most expect significantchanges at the Agency under the new leadership. IR-4 works in collaboration with and needs EPA’s Office ofPesticide Programs (OPP) to review IR-4 data submissions and approve appropriate new uses. Deep budgetcuts will affect OPP’s ability to register new pest management technology needed for conventional and organicagriculture. Specialty crops will be affected the greatest. Registrants pay submission review fees for their majorcrop submissions that buffer the loss of government funds. Congressional appropriated funds cover 100% ofOPP’s review cost of IR-4’s specialty crop submissions.

Despite these challenges, IR-4 has some good news! In 2016, IR-4 delivered many new and highly sought afterregistrations to stakeholders. IR-4 data supported 1000 new registrations on food crops and 1 new productregistration supporting 532 ornamental horticulture crops! This success ranked 2016 as one of the mostproductive years in IR-4 history.

Every three years, IR-4 holds a National Education Conference to provide valuable training to those performingthe day-to-day activities as part of IR-4 research. This year, we are meeting during late February in Orlando,Florida. At this conference, researchers in the field, lab and coordination offices will have an opportunity toshare experiences and learn from each other on different techniques, procedures and applications. I am excitedto meet the many new members of IR-4’s research family as well as catch up with others.

Finally, the end of the year was also the end of an era as Dr. Paul Schwartz retired from the federal governmentafter 56 years! Paul has been working for USDA-Agriculture Research Service for the past 40 years overseeingtheir research under the IR-4 umbrella. He has contributed so many different facets, as coordinator ofUSDA-ARS/IR-4 field site and analytical laboratories, as well as Chair of the IR-4 Project ManagementCommittee. Personally, I thank Paul for being a mentor and a friend. Please join me in thanking Dr. Schwartzfor his commitment to specialty crop agriculture and wish him the best in his well-earned retirement. Also,please join me in welcoming Dr. Alvin Simmons who will be filling in for Paul until USDA-ARS can hire apermanent replacement.

All for now, all the best,

Jerry

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IR-4 is proud to announce the2016 SOAR Award winners. TheSOAR award is given to those whoexcel in serving growers ofSpecialty and Minor Use Crops.The awardees will havedemonstrated clear Service towardenhancing the mission of IR-4through participation oncommittees, advisory panels, orsimilar activities; excellentOutreach to growers, educatingthem on IR-4; Altruism by donatingtime and effort towards IR-4’smission; and outstanding Researchwhich contributes to expandedproduct labels and increasedunderstanding of product use. Inother words, awardees SOAR insupporting IR-4 and our mission toprovide growers registrations ofnew and expanded pestmanagement tools. This year’sawardees are: Brian Flood, DavidMonks and Andrew Senesac.

One nominatordescribed BrianFlood as avaluablemember ofnumerousvegetable cropand IPMcommittees

and panels, over his decades ofservice. With particular referenceto the mission of IR-4, thisnominator concluded that “Brianhas worked hard to help growersimplement advanced agriculturalpractices to reduce the amount ofwater, fertilizer and pesticidesneeded to grow healthy andproductive crops.” Brian served onthe IR-4 Commodity LiaisonCommittee for many years and wasa significant supporter of the IR-4Project and its mission.

David Monks was described ashaving conducted extensiveresearch and is among the mostactive State Liaison Representativesin the entire IR-4 system. He hasconducted over 540 residue trialsencompassing nearly 90 differentcommodities. He is one of the mostoutspoken researchers with regardto identifying and supportingneeded pest control tools that willhelp growers and ultimatelyconsumers.

A nominator of Andrew Senesacstated, “he has been instrumental indeveloping data for registrationsand label expansions for nearlyevery herbicide for use in nurseriesor landscapes.” He was alsodescribed as THE expert on weedmanagement in herbaceousornamentals.

Congratulations to all the awardees!

Personalities in the News

The IR-4 Newsletter Vol 48 No.1Winter 2017

The IR-4 Newsletter is published quarterly fordistribution to cooperators in our partnerState/Federal/Industry research units, Stateand Federal officials, commodity groups, andprivate citizens. Material from the IR-4Newsletter may be reproduced with credit tothe publication. New Jersey AgriculturalExperiment Station PublicationNo.P-27200-17-01. This material is basedupon work that is supported by the NationalInstitute of Food and Agriculture, USDepartment of Agriculture, under awardnumber 2015-34383-23710 and the HatchMultistate project accession number1008823 through the New JerseyAgricultural Experiment Station HatchMultistate project NJ27202, with substantialcooperation and support from other StateAgricultural Experiment Stations,USDA-ARS, and USDA-FAS.In accordance with Federal Law and USDepartment of Agriculture policy, thisinstitution is prohibited from discriminatingon the basis of race, color, national origin,sex, age or disability.

Editor: Sherrilynn NovackIR-4 Public Relations and CommunicationManager, 732.932.9575 x 4632, novack@njaes.rutgers.edu

Newsletter Committee:North Central Regional Director, John Wise, 517.432.2668.

Western Regional Assistant Field Coordinator, Stephen Flanagan,541.688.3155.

Southern Regional Field Coordinator,Michelle Samuel-Foo, 352-294-3991Southern Region Program Research Prog/Svs, Crd/QA Robin Federline 352-294-3983.

Commodity Liaison Committee member, MikeBledsoe, 407-493-3933, Village Farms.

IR-4 HQ, 732.932.9575Fungicide Coordinator, Kathryn Homa x 4604Public Health Pesticides Manager, and Technical Copy Editor, Karl Malamud-Roam x 4628Ornamental Horticulture Manager, andTechnical Copy Editor Cristi Palmer x 4629Technical Coordinator/Entomology, Ken Samoil x 4614Assistant Director, Van Starner x 4621

2016 SOAR AwardRecipients

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Daniel Rossi, former executivedirector of the NortheasternRegional Association of StateAgricultural Experiment StationDirectors (NERA), and former IR-4Project Administrative Advisor, hasbeen inducted to the U.S.Department of Agriculture’sNational Institute of Food andAgriculture (NIFA) Hall of Fame,which was established in 2011 “torecognize individuals whoseexceptional contributions to NIFA’smission at the local, regional,national, or international level havemade a positive impact on the livesof citizens.”

Rossi retired this year after servingmore than nine years with NERA,the formal coalition of Directors offifteen state agricultural experimentstations in the northeast US, andmore than 37 years in theland-grant system. When Rossiassumed leadership at NERA inJanuary 2007, he was the associatedirector of special projects atNJAES. He earned his bachelor’sand master’s from Rutgers in thefield of agricultural economics in1971 and 1973, respectively, andcompleted a doctoral program inagricultural economics atPennsylvania State University.

Daniel Rossi, former NJAES AssociateDirector (Ag. Economics ‘71; ‘73),Inducted to NIFA Hall of Fame

Dan is currently serving as IR-4 NERegional Director.

Congratulations Dan!

Read more in the USDA NIFAAnnouncement http://bit.ly/DRossi

Personalities in the News

IR-4 HQ is proud to announce thefull time appointment of Yu-HanLan. Yu-Han has been working withKarl Malamud-Roam as a part-timeresearch assistant while completingher graduate degree at RutgersUniversity. With her studiescompleted, Yu-Han has been hiredto the full-time position of AssistantResearch Scientist workinghalf-time for the Public HealthPesticides Program and half-timefor the Ornamental HorticultureProgram.

Her duties with the Public HealthPesticide program will includeassisting with the collection,analysis, archiving, and presentationof data regarding pesticides usedfor vector control, with emphasison efficacy, use pattern, andregulatory status of active

ingredients and formulated products.This will also include assisting withpreparation and archiving documentsfor submittal to EPA and otherregulatory agencies.

Her main focus in the OrnamentalHorticulture program will besupporting pollinator research. Shewill be collaborating with pollinatorteam members to developspecifications and implement anonline searchable website thatidentifies plants that attractpollinators. She will also be assistingwith pollinator project managementto keep research and outreachobjectives on track, and writingannual reports.

Yu-Han’s research experienceincludes working as a graduatestudent in the Rutgers Department

of Entomology and the Center forVector Biology, studying nematodesas biological agents againstmosquitoes.

Her areas of expertise include:• Bioassay techniques,• Maintaining pest cultures,• Crop protection,• Parasitic nematodes,• Entomology,• Microbial pesticides,• Insect Vector Disease Control,

and• Biological control.

Welcome Yu-Han!

Welcome Yu-Han Lan

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Addressing Grower Needs

Plant-back Studies –Another Avenue for IR-4 to AddressSpecialty Crop Growers’ Needs

Western growers approached IR-4to remove the 12 monthplant-back restrictions for theherbicide CAPAROL® (containingthe active ingredient prometryn)which is registered forpre-emergent use on cilantro.Registrations to remove plant-backrestrictions are critical for southerntier and western growers who plantmultiple crops per season. Aplant-back restriction on anherbicide label limits how quickly arotational crop can be plantedfollowing the herbicide use on alabeled crop. The current Caparolregistration is generally useful tovegetable growers to control weedsin cilantro, but as a 60-90 daycrop, a grower wants to plant anynumber of other vegetable cropsshortly after cilantro harvest.Cilantro is mature in about 50 daysand is harvested once or multiple

times. Then the field is quicklyplowed and prepared for the nextcrop.

The following crop after cilantro atRatto Brothers in Modesto,California might be bok choy,spinach, rutabaga, parsley or anynumber of specialty vegetablecrops. Caparol is safe and effectivefor weed control on cilantro, butthe label restrictions state thatrotational crops may not be plantedback sooner than 5 months(cabbage and carrots), or 8 months(onions and red beets), or 12months for crops like spinach,peppers and brussel sprouts. If youare a grower of a diverse set ofvegetable crops, these restrictionslimit the usefulness of Caparol oncilantro. The herbicide is registeredand safe on the crop you want togrow, but the restrictions for the

following crop make the productunusable for your current crop.

This practical conundrum becamethe basis for four IR-4 residueprojects and one IR-4 efficacyproject in 2017. The efficacyproject being conducted by SteveFennimore with UC Davis will belooking at crop safety to spinach,Chinese cabbage, broccoli andpeppers following a Caparolapplication to cilantro. These arefour of the most importantrotational crops following Cilantrothat were selected in consultationwith Hank Giclas at the WesternGrowers Association. SteveFennimore will apply Caparol andthen plant the rotational crops at60, 90, & 120 days after theherbicide application. Therotational crops are then evaluatedfor any phytotoxicity (plant damage)that has occurred from thepreviously applied herbicide. Thisefficacy data will provide confidencethat the rotational crops can belabeled for the shorter plant-backinterval.

Along with demonstrating that therotational crops can be safely grownfollowing a Caparol application tocilantro, tolerance data (the level ofprometryn found in or on theserotational crops) will be establishedthrough crop residue studies. Forthe 2017 field season, IR-4 will

continued on page 8

Top, Cilantro Rotation, Top, Bok Choy, Left, wide bed Cilantro, Right Spinach

— by Stephen Flanagan, IR-4 Western Region AssistantResearch Field Coordinator

Feature

pg 6Vol 48 No 1

What’s your favorite partof any holidaycelebration? The

chocolate, of course! That creamy,rich, sweet, melt-in-your-mouthtaste is like no other. In fact, onValentine’s Day, the US spendsapproximately $1.7 billion onchocolate. While you may think thatcacao trees thrive only in “farawaylands,” there are actually plantingsin the US and US territoriesincluding Hawaii (more than 40farms; ~100 acres), Puerto Rico(~ 5 bean-to-bar chocolateoperations and trees throughoutthis land.) and American Samoa(~2,000 plants). In fact, trees wereintroduced onto these islandshundreds of years ago. Currently,the US cocoa industry is a nichedomestic market, for specialty

products butproduction continuesto expand each year.

Cacao (Theobromacacao L.) is a tropicalplant that thrives inareas close to theequator with averagetemperatures ofgreater than 65°F, 80inches of rain peryear, high humidityand shade. When

properly managed, trees can beproductive for 100 years. While itmay take you only a few seconds todevour a chocolate confection, theprocessing of cacao beans to cocoacommodities (cocoa butter, milkchocolate, sweet chocolate, cocoapowder) is a long process thatinvolves cleaning, fermentation,roasting, winnowing, grinding,pressing, mixing and refining,among other steps.

Unfortunately, several pests areendangering this legendary treat.The top threats to cacao farmsthroughout the world include theChinese rose beetle (Adoretussinicus), which feeds on the tissuebetween leaf veins, creating alace-like appearance on leaves;mirid pests (Sahlbergella singularisand Distantiella theobroma), whichfeed on cocoa pods and shoots,inducing tissue necrosis; cocoa podborer (Conopomorpha cramerella),which as larvae feed inside cocoapods, causing undersized seeds andpoor-quality cocoa beans; variousspecies of weeds; and diseasesincluding vascular streak dieback(Oncobasidium theobromae), whichkills trees in a short period of time,and black pod rot caused by variousspecies of Phytophthora including P. palmivora, P. megakarya, and P. capsici. These pests and otherscan result in global losses of up to40% of the cocoa supply.

Currently, the greatest pathogen ofconcern in the US is black pod rot.P. palmivora is causing the mostloss, accounting for 10% of annualtree deaths. Symptoms start assmall, hard, dark spots on the podand eventually lead to rotting andnecrosis. Internal tissues of infectedpods and cacao beans eventuallybecome colonized with thepathogen and shrivel to form amummified pod. This infected podcan produce more than 4 millionsporangia that can easily be spreadby rain, insects, rodents, andcontaminated pruning equipment.Unfortunately, pods can be attackedby this pathogen at any stage ofdevelopment. The soil borne phase

of the disease causes root infection.Inoculum remains in the soil forapproximately one year. Because ofthis disease, growers continue toexperience increasing difficultieswith managing cocoa production.Approximately 20-30% of theworld’s cocoa crop is lost to blackpod rot each year. In some areas,including American Samoa, a cocoacrop cannot be grown economicallydue to the destructive nature of thisdisease.

Some efforts have been made tocontrol this pathogen includingquarantine facilities in someregions, breeding for resistantvarieties and injection of the trunkwith inorganic salt and potassiumphosphonate. Cultural practicesinclude optimizing shade andaeration by increasing plantspacing, pruning to reduce surfacewetness, maintaining soil health,promoting sanitation by disposingof infected plant material andfrequent and complete harvesting. However, in many largecocoa-producing regions such asWest Africa, cultural practices havebecome useless in controlling thispathogen.

In December 2015, the National

Concerns ab— by Kathryn Homa, IR-

Photo courtesy of www.ars.usda.gov

Severelyinfected cacaopod coveredwith sporangiaof Phytophthorapalmivora.

A cacao pod contabean mass.

pg 7Vol 48 No 1

Feature

Confectioners Association, which isa trade organization representingthe US chocolate, cocoa, candyand gum industry, met with IR-4and the Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) in order to obtainassistance with securing tolerancesand registered uses for twofungicide compounds - mefenoxamand oxathiapiprolin - to aid withcontrol of black pod rot. IR-4Project Clearance Requests werereceived from Puerto Rico andHawaii for the use of oxathiapiprolinon cacao (PR 11883) and fromHawaii for the use of mefenoxam oncacao (PR 11884).

Mefenoxam, a systemic fungicide inFRAC Group 4, controls diseasescaused by oomycete pathogensincluding Black Pod Rot.Mefenoxam (also known asmetalaxyl-M) is the active isomer inmetalaxyl. It is the main activeingredient registered for use incacao in major cocoa producingregions including Côte d’Ivoire andis used in combination with copperto prevent estimated losses of40-90%. There is an existing CodexMRL of 0.2 mg/Kg (ppm) formetalaxyl on cacao beans. Usingthe residue data developed fromfield trials conducted in Côted’Ivoire by Syngenta, IR-4developed an EPA ChemSACproposal in July 2016 to establish amefenoxam tolerance of 0.20 ppmon cacao, bean, bean and establishthe use pattern on the RidomilGold SL label in the US. ThisChemSAC proposal was approvedby EPA.

In order to circumvent resistance ofthis pathogen to mefenoxam, theregistration of an additional activeingredient with fungicidal activityon Phytophthora spp. that wouldpromote rotation with applicationsof mefenoxam was needed.Therefore, IR-4 submitted aChemSAC proposal in April 2016to allow oxathiapiprolin residuedata from US citrus trials to beused to establish a pesticidetolerance and labeled use patternon the Orondis® and Orondis®OD labels for use on cacao in theUnited States to control black podrot. Oxathiapiprolin, which is theonly active ingredient in FRACgroup U15, provides control ofoomycete pathogens includingPhytophthora spp. Its unique modeof action also aids in resistancemanagement because it is notcross-resistant to any otherfungicides, and provides animportant Integrated PestManagement (IPM) fit for growers.This Reduced Risk product iseffective at very low activeingredient use rates. It hassystemic, translaminar, preventativefungicidal activity and residual

bout Cacao-4 Fungicide Coordinator

disease control. This ChemSACproposal was approved and an EPAsubmission of these uses was madeAugust 2016 with proposedtolerances of 0.1 ppm for cacaobean, bean and 0.15 ppm for theprocessed commodities cacaobean, roasted bean, cacao bean,cocoa powder and cacao bean,chocolate.

Before the uses on cacao arelabeled in the US, IR-4 will conductefficacy and crop safety research onboth fungicides.

The US registration of mefenoxamas Ridomil Gold® SL andoxathiapiprolin as Orondis® andOrondis® OD will aid inaddressing this serious threat to theemerging US cacao industry. TheNational Confectioners Associationplans to continue to work with theIR-4 Project to develop additionalregistrations for controlling anumber of pests that threaten UScocoa in order to support asustainable US cocoa supply, whileencouraging global harmonization.

Cacao pod with black pod rotcaused by Phytophthora palmivora.

Cacao pictures source:www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/PD-108.pdf

aining infected

Branches killed by cankers. Dead leavesoften remain attached after death of thebranch.

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Vol 48 No 1

friendship to disdain to passion.While much of the language offlowers has faded away, we still giveflowers on major events – includingsending red roses to one’s valentineon Feb 14.

Whether as flowers in bouquets orbushes in landscapes, roses fillmajor niches in our urban plantworld. According to the 2014USDA NASS Census ofHorticulture, the wholesale value ofall roses grown in the US was $262million. More than 75% of thesewere shrub roses for landscapingaround homes, businesses andpublic areas.

During production and in thelandscape, roses are prone tonumerous diseases, and pests.Some of the diseases includepowdery mildew, downy mildew,black spot, and gray mold(Botrytis). Thrips, scale, mealybugs,mites, eriophyid mites and Japanesebeetle larvae and adults feed onroses, causing damage and possiblydefoliation. Some pests vectordiseases. For example, eriophyidmites move rose rosette virus frominfected plants to healthy onesnearby. This disease started in theRocky Mountains in the beginningof the 20th century and hasprogressed across the US so that itis impacting naturalized multiflorarose (an invasive weed!) andlandscape roses in eastern statestoday.

continued from page 5Plant Back Studies

A dozen long-stemmed roses is themodern tradition for giving a gift onValentine’s Day to one’ssweetheart. This practice of givingflowers as presents may have arisenin the early 18th century when KingCharles II of Sweden visited Persiaand returned home with a new art:the language of flowers otherwiseknown as florigraphy. It becamehighly fashionable to send messagesto one another by sending flowers.As this practice gained inpopularity, Charlotte de la Tourfrom Paris codified the language inthe first flower dictionary “LeLangage des Fleurs” published in1818, which further increased thepractice and spawned additionalreference books on the topic. Thenobility and developing middle

class equated knowing and usingflorigraphy with other valued traitsof gentry such as good mannersand being well groomed. Sendingflowers wasn’t just for romance.The language of flowers had depthand breadth and conveyed manyemotions and meanings. Forexample, sending fennel meant thereceiver was worthy of all praise.Some flowers had multiplemeanings such as yellow roseswhich could signify both friendshipand betrayal. Red roses meantpassion and romantic love. WithValentine’s Day celebratingromantic love with exchanging giftsand notes of affection with one’ssweetheart, sending flowers becamean elegant and nuanced way toconvey ones feelings from

Spotlight on Orn. Hort.

A Rose by any Other Name– by Cristi Palmer, IR-4 Ornamental Horticulture Manager

Photo by Cristi Palmer

continued on next page

specifically run residue trials onspinach, cabbage, broccoli andpeppers. The IR-4 residue trials willbe submitted to EPA in order toestablish indirect or inadvertentresidue tolerances for prometrynwhen planted following a labeledcrop. The concept of an inadvertenttolerance covers this particularsituation where the following cropmay have residues from acompound that was not directlyapplied to that crop.

Carefully coordinated work betweengrowers, extension weed specialists,and IR-4 will provide the technicalsupport and data for a modificationof the Caparol label. Thesemodifications will address

shortening the plant-back intervalfor the rotational crops followingcilantro. To that effect the residuetrials are designed around 60-dayand 90-day plant-back intervals toidentify the shortest possibleinterval. Conducting IR-4 studiesfor a grower’s plant-back needsmay seem a little out of theordinary, but these studies fill animportant niche to improve aproduct’s use in the field. TheCaparol cilantro plant-back projectis another twist on IR-4’smultifaceted work to support theneeds of US specialty crop growersand food production.

Mandestrobin (Fungicide –Valent USACorporation/Sumitomo Chemical)This is for informational purposes only as IR-4 does not endorse a particular product or registrant.

Introduction: Unconditional registration for the new active ingredient mandestrobinwas granted by the EPA in October 2016 for various food crop uses. Registration ofmandestrobin provides growers with a new strobilurin fungicide for use in controllingvarious diseases, such as gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), powdery mildew and thosecaused by Sclerotinia spp. It has been shown to be highly effective against Botrytisand Sclerotinia, and provides preventative and residual disease control. Mandestrobinis classified by the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) as a Group 11fungicide (QoI inhibitor).

Other global registrations: Registrations have been granted to Valent/Sumitomo inCanada (for use in canola/other oilseeds, corn, grape, legume vegetables,strawberry/other low-growing berries and turfgrass); in Australia (for blossom blightand brown rot control in stone fruit); and in the EU (for Sclerotinia rot in winteroilseed [canola]).

US trade name/formulation/labeled crops: Intuity (a 4.0 lb ai/gal SC) - for uses onBerry, low-growing, subgroup 13-07G, except cranberry; and fruit, smallvine-climbing, except fuzzy kiwifruit, subgroup 13-07F (see label for specific crops,use patterns and other general directions for use)

Intuity labeled pest spectrum: gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), powdery mildew,Sclerotinia spp.

Active IR-4 Food Use project: lettuce, head/leaf (11027 – residue study in 2017)

IR-4 Ornamental Horticulture research – mandestrobin (S200 4SC) is being screenedfor efficacy against leaf spots and Botrytis species and for crop safety on 16ornamental horticulture plants

Turfgrass label (brand name is Pinpoint) - is very effective against dollar spot(Sclerotinia homeocarpa); also is labeled for control of brown patch (Rhizoctoniasolani), Fairy ring (various Basidiomycete fungi), rusts (Puccinia spp.), and take-allpatch (Gaeumannomyces graminis)

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New Product CornerRose research has been part ofIR-4’s research since the inceptionof the Ornamental HorticultureProgram in 1977. We havescreened 56 products for cropsafety, four for PGR affects, and 93for efficacy against diseases, pests,and weeds. This has led toregistration or label amendmentsfor more than 50 products. Arecent example of success is thedevelopment of data for gray moldcaused by Botrytis cinerea. InCalifornia, Dr. Cai-Zhong Jiangstudied the impact of severalfungicides on the development ofgray mold on ‘Karina’ miniaturerose. Relying on natural infections,Orkestra (BAS 703) demonstratedsuperior disease developmentprevention (Table 1). This efficacyreport became part of a larger dataset to support registration ofOrkestra to manage Botrytis onornamental horticulture crops.

IR-4 will continue to aid roseproducers to grow the best possibleflowers, so you will be able tocontinue to enjoy giving orreceiving beautiful long stem roseson Valentine’s Day, pots ofminiature roses for Mother’s Day,and landscape rose bushes in youryard.

Table 1. Impact of weekly or biweekly fungicide sprays on the development of botrytis on rose flowers (Jiang, 2013).

Product, Rate per 100 gal Active Ingredient

Application Pattern Day 0 Day 7 Day 14 Day 21

Control -- -- 0.0 (± 0) 0.0 (± 0) 4.1 (± 0.5) 7.5 (± 1.0 Disarm, 8 oz Fluoxastrobin Biweekly 0.0 (± 0) 0.0 (± 0) 4.6 (± 0.9) 8.1 (± 1.0) F9110, 32 oz F9110 Weekly 0.0 (± 0) 0.0 (± 0) 2.4 (± 1.5) 6.8 (± 1.4)

Medallion, 8 oz Fludioxonil Biweekly 0.0 (± 0) 0.0 (± 0) 5.3 (± 1.7) 8.7 (± 0.4)

Orkestra, 4 oz Fluxapyroxad and

pyraclobstrin Weekly

0.0 (± 0) 0.0 (± 0) **1.6 (± 1.0) *4.6 (± 1.7)

Orkestra, 8 oz Fluxapyroxad and

pyraclobstrin Weekly

0.0 (± 0) 0.0 (± 0) **0.9 (± 0.4) *3.7 (± 1.4) Palladium, 6 oz Cyprodinil Weekly 0.0 (± 0) 0.0 (± 0) 4.2 (± 2.3) **9.3 (± 0.9) Proud 3, 4 qts Thyme oil (5.6%) Weekly 0.0 (± 0) 0.0 (± 0) 3.9 (± 1.0) 8.4 (± 0.6)

Regalia, 4 oz Extract of Reynoutria

sachalinensis Weekly

0.0 (± 0) 0.0 (± 0) 5.9 (± 2.4) 7.9 (± 2.2 SP2770, 2.66 lb SP2770 Weekly 0.0 (± 0) 0.0 (± 0) 5.7 (± 2.0) 8.7 (± 1.6) V10135SC, 16

oz Fenpyrazamine Weekly

0.0 (± 0) 0.0 (± 0) 4.5 (± 1.8) 9.0 (± 1.6)

Overall summary of totaldisease rating, where 0 =no sign of disease and 10= 100% of flower bloomsafflicted with either blackpetals or powdery fungalgrowth. Bold and asterisksvalues show results withstatistical significance whencompared to untreatedcontrols. Dr. Jiang’s fullefficacy report can belocated at ir4.rutgers.edu/Ornamental/Ornamentals.cfm.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ir4.rutgers.edu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg 10Vol 48 No 1

Citrus Greening

issue. Initially, scientists clamored fora cure, but it quickly became evidentthat a ‘silver bullet’ to control HLBwas not on the horizon. The industryis focused on strategies to prolongthe livelihood of infected trees for aslong as possible until a long termsolution is found.

In November 2016, researchers fromUF IFAS announced that they haddeveloped genetically modified citrustrees that show enhanced resistanceto greening, and have the potentialto resist canker and black spot.

Other management strategies have

included extra fertilizers, pesticideand antibiotic applications, evenexposing infected trees to periodic“steam baths”, in the hopes that theheat will control the disease.

In 2009, IR-4 was involved inhelping growers gain access to threeinsecticides: spinetoram, difluben-zuron and zeta cypermethrin, asultra-low volume (ULV) applicationsfor psyllid control. Recognizing theseverity of the issue and the threatto Florida’s citrus industry, the trialswere fast-tracked and completed inrecord time (~ 8 months). IR-4’snormal timeline is 24-36 months.

The industry has been leaving no

stone unturned in its efforts tocombat this devastating disease.Growers have used ‘metalized UVreflective polyethylene mulch’ as aground cover for newly planted trees.The metalized film reflects light andheat to make conditions lessattractive for psyllids.

The race to combat HLB continues,and while the genetically modified(GM) citrus brings a sense of hope tothe industry, the technology is likelyto be unavailable for several years.Grower and consumer acceptance ofGM citrus, and work with antibioticsto combat the disease, is going toprove another challenge to theindustry.

continued from first page

Since 2009, USDA has invested more than $400 million to address citrus greening, including more than $57 million through the Citrus DiseaseResearch and Extension Program. Awards for grant applications submitted in FY 2016 supported research at Clemson University, Regents of theUniversity of California, (Riverside), Iowa State University and the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Athens, Georgia. Many otherUniversities and USDA-ARS stations across the country have and continue to contribute to the fight against citrus greening. The Citrus Researchand Development Foundation has also worked to advance disease and production research with HLB being their highest priority.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ir4.rutgers.edu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg 11Vol 48 No 1

Successes

The US EPA has recently approvedthe product LifeGard by CertisUSA. The active ingredient of thisbiopesticide, Bacillus mycoidesisolate J (BmJ), has been thesubject of efficacy work by the IR-4Project for several years. B.mycoides is commonly used forprevention of fungal pathogens,such as Pythium and Botrytiscinereai.

Efficacy work with BmJ began in1997, under the IR-4 Biopesticidegrants program. The projectfocused on the development of abiological control product based onB. mycoides for control ofCercospora leaf spot of sugar

beets. The positive outcomes lead tofurther testing by Barry Jacobsen ofMontana State University in 2003and 2004.

In 2006, research under MichaelMatheron at the University ofArizona expanded to includepowdery mildew on cantaloupe. Theefficacy demonstrated by Procurealternated with BmJ suggested that itcould serve as an excellent rotationpartner. During the same year,research by Tim Brenneman at theUniversity of Georgia demonstratedthat BmJ could provide a level ofcontrol similar to the commercialstandard for pecan scab.

Biopesticide “BmJ” Approved by US EPA

ToleranceSuccesses Fourth Quarter 2016

Federal Register: September 7, 2016Chlorantraniliprole Trade Name:Prevathon Crop: Teff, QuinoaPR#: 11854, 11914

Federal Register: September 23,2016 Flupyradifurone Trade Name:Sivanto Crop: Caneberry subgroup13-07A, Cilantro (fresh leaves),Kava, Quinoa, Tropical andsubtropical medium-to-large fruitwith smooth inedible peel subgroup24B PR#: 10770, 10860, 11710,11713, 11714

Federal Register: October 14, 2016Pyridaben Trade Name: Nexter,Sanmite Crop: Cucumber, Pome fruitgroup 11-10, Small vine-climbingfruit (except fuzzy kiwifruit) subgroup13-07F, Low-growing berry subgroup13-07G (except cranberry), Citrus

— by Krista Coleman, Research Assistant

In 2010, Dr. Jacobsen continued hiswork with the microbial by examiningthe use of BmJ WP alone and in anintegrated program with non-organophosphate insecticides androguing (removal of volunteer plants)for reduction of Potato Virus Yinfection. In 2011, BmJ with roguingwas decidedly the best treatment.

The approval of BmJ helps reinforcethe primary objective of the IR-4Biopesticide and Organic SupportProgram, to further the developmentand registration of biopesticides foruse in pest management systems forspecialty crops or for minor uses onmajor crops.

fruit group 10-10, Stone fruit group12-12, Tree nut group 14-12 PR#: 08036, 11659, 11660,11661, 11662, 11663, 11664

Federal Register: October 18, 2016Metaldehyde Trade Name: DeadlineCrop: Wheat*, Garden beet (rootsand leaves)*, Rutabaga*, Turnip(roots and greens)*, Hop PR#:10335, 10338, 11038*Tolerance for regional registration inthe Pacific Northwest only

Federal Register: October 19, 2016Penflufen Trade Name: Evergol PrimeCrop: Bulb vegetable group 3-07PR#: 10865

Federal Register: November 10,2016 Clomazone Trade Name:Command Crop: Asparagus,Succulent soybean PR#: 10279,11614

Federal Register: December 5, 2016Oxathiapiprolin Trade Name:Orondis Crop: Basil, Leafy greenssubgroup 4-16A, Brassica leafy

greens subgroup 4-16B, Head andstem Brassica vegetable group 5-16,Caneberry subgroup 13-07A, Stalkand stem vegetable subgroup 22APR#: 10623, 10772, 11125,11720, 11855, 11856

Federal Register: December 19,2016 Flumioxazin Trade Name:Chateau, Valor Crop: Low-growingberry subgroup 13-07G, Caneberrysubgroup 13-07A, Citrus fruit group10-10, Pome fruit group 11-10,Stone fruit group 12-12, Tree nutgroup 14-12, Bulb onion subgroup3-07A, Small vine-climbing fruit(except fuzzy kiwifruit) subgroup13-07F, Head and stem Brassicavegetable group 5-16, Fruitingvegetable group 8-10, Clover* PR#: 09700, 10224, 10229,10249, 10605, 10763, 10764,10799, 11366, 11367, 11368,11369, 11370, 11371, 11608*Tolerance for regional registration inthe Pacific Northwest only

IR-4 Headquarters, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey500 College Road EastSuite 201 WPrinceton, NJ 08540

NON-PROFITUS POSTAGE

PAIDNEW BRUNSWICK, NJ

PERMIT NO. 157Major funding for IR-4 is provided by Special Research Grants andHatch Act Funds from USDA-NIFA , in cooperation with the StateAgricultural Experiment Stations, and USDA-ARS. In accordancewith Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, thisinstitution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race,color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

United States Department of AgricultureNational Institute of Food and Agriculture

National Education ConferenceFebruary 28-March 1, 2017Orlando, FL

Canadian Priority Setting Meeting& Resistance ManagementMarch 21-23Quebec, Canada

Western Region SLR Meeting April 25-27, 2017Ft. Collins, CO

Food Use WorkshopDenver, COSept. 20-21, 2017

Global Minor Use Summit-3October 1-4, 2017Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Ornamental Horticulture WorkshopOctober 17-19, 2017San Diego, CA

Save the Dates

Save the DateOctober 1-4, 2017