CROP PROTECTION        VARIETY TESTING        NUTRIENTS

CROP PROTECTION

ü  Disease Risk, Yield Loss and Fungicides in Maryland Field Corn Production - University of Maryland - $11,250

Independent testing of fungicide effects in field corn can help producers decide if there is a role for these products in their production system.  The objectives for this project are to 1) determine if strobilurin and strobilurin blend fungicide applications in field corn will provide foliar disease control, improve green leaf area, increase yield, reduce stalk rot and lodging in different disease risk cropping systems; and, 2) determine if fungicide applications will affect net photosynthesis, water use efficiency and light use efficiency for different levels of diseased tissue.  The goal is to then combine this information into a rating system that can be used to evaluate risks with benefits that may be obtained from a fungicide application.

ü NEW Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and Leaffotted Bug in Corn Fields and Impact on Grain Yield and Quality – University of Maryland - $18,000

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) Halyomorphie halys, is a serious pest of several cropping systems. It is known to feed on corn but no investigation has been conducted to quantify the amount of injury it causes. Another true bug species, the leaf footed but (LFB) Leptoglossu app., is also known to feed on corn ears but their potential damage has not been quantified. In addition to understanding the damage inflicted by BMSB, it is important to understand its distribution within corn fields. A two-year field study will be conducted in Maryland corn fields to determine both damages inflicted by the MBSB and LFB to corn ears and their spatial distribution in corn fields, and to develop more efficient scouting and treatment programs for both crop systems.

ü NEW Management and Control of Slugs in Problem Fields of Notill & Minimum Tillage Corn – Mulford Agronomics - - $5,000

The goal of this project is to evaluate various management methods of slug control during the early growth stages of notill corn so that the young corn plant can emerge from the soil and develop beyond damage from slugs.  Testing will be conducted in central Maryland. 

ü NEW Examining Impact of Cover Crops and other Plants on Behavior and Hatching Behavior of Root-knot Nematodes– University of Maryland - $7,000

Plnat-parasitic nematodes affect all crops of economic importance and present significant and serious problems for growers, agencies and organizations involved in developing acceptable control measures. The southern root-knot nematodes (SRKN) is especially damaging to corn, causing significant reductions in yields, quality and profits. A major problem with the control of this pest is the lack of effective and economical options for the grower beyond cultural practices such as crop rotation, and an increasingly limited and restricted arsenal of effective nematicides. The objectives of this study include 1) determine the hatching response of the southern root-knot nematode to various species of winter cover crops, 2) determine the influence of cover crop on the reproduction of root-knot nematode, 3) examine the influence of cover crop on the survival of root-knot nematode, and 4) provide corn stakeholders pertinent information on the role of winter cover crops in southern root-knot nematode management.

ü NEW Developing a Biologically Based Management Strategy for Slugs in Mid-Atlantic Grain Fields – Pennsylvania State University - $13,700

The goal of this two-year project is to begin to develop tactics for managing slugs in Mid-Atlantic no-till corn, soybean, and small grant acreage. Basic research will be conducted to better understand slug biology, their interactions with various cover crop and natural enemy species, and potential mechanical control options. The goal is to develop a biologically based approach for managing slug populations that develop in high-residue systems.

ü Effect of Fungicide and Insecticide Applications on Yield, Aphid and Beneficial Organisms in a Wheat Agroecosystem – University of Maryland Department of Entomology - $7,500

It is important to understand the impact of pesticides on beneficial organisms and final crop yields. The objectives of this study are to 1) determine whether applications of systemic fungicides or a broad spectrum insecticide impact insect pests of wheat and their associated natural enemies, 2) determine if the addition of TiltR, HeadlineR, or WarriorR insecticide provide a yield benefit to wheat, and 3) determine the economical feasibility of using Tilt, Headline, or Warrior based on application cost and final yields. During the experiment all pest and beneficial organisms will be monitored but greater emphasis will be placed on treatment effect of aphid populations. In addition, plant diseases impacting wheat such as Septeoria leafspot will be graded from each treatment plot if they should occur.

ü NEW Evaluation of New BY Stacked and Conventional Hybrids for Protection Against Ear Insects and Stalk Borers – University of Maryland - $5,020

The Maryland corn hybrid performance tests are conducted each year to provide unbiased estimates of yield and other agronomic characters of hybrid seed corn sold in Maryland. The goal of this project is to include additional conventional hybrids and stacked Bt hybrids of different events. Assessment of stalk and ear damage inflicted to these hybrids, along with the stand agronomic measurements, will provide the information for extension outreach activities to inform growers and crop advisors about the insect resistance benefits of different Bt stacked events. Also to be evaluated is the yield performance and relative susceptibility to European corn borer injury of non-Bt hybrids adapted for Maryland growing conditions

ü Wheat Disease Management Current Problem with Soil-Borne Viruses and Fungicide Effects on Vomitoxin – University of Maryland Plant Science - $9,800

This project will continue study within field virus nurseries to screen varieties for resistance to wheat spindle streak mosaic virus and soil-borne wheat mosaic virus; and to expand the USWBSI uniform scab fungicide trail to include standard fungicide treatments targeted for diseases other than scab to determine if their use affects vomitoxin levels.

ü Doe Harvest Incentive Program – Maryland Farm Bureau - $60,000

Now in its third year, the Doe Harvest Incentive Program is expanding the eligible regions by adding Anne Arundel County to the Southern Maryland region of Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s and Prince George’s Counties, and Queen Anne’s and Kent Counties to the Mid-Shore region of Caroline, Dorchester and Talbot Counties.  These areas are experiencing high levels of agricultural damage as a result of overpopulations of whitetail and sika deer. The 2011 program will consist of five 3-week contest cycles in each participating region. A winner is chosen during each 3-week cycle.  There is no limit to the amount of entries, provided they were legally harvested doe. Grand prize winners will be awarded to the hunter that has donated the most deer throughout the five contest cycles in each region. Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry program partners in this project.

VARIETY TESTING

ü NEW Establishing Small Grains with Vertical Tillage – University of Maryland - $5,000

This study will begin in the fall of 2011 and will compare planting wheat and barley via a no-till drill with broadcasting seed and using a Turbo-Till.  Two seeding rates will be incorporated into the study at three locations to obtain environmental and geographical differences representative of the state.

ü  Improvement and Development of Barley for Use in Fuel, Feed, and Food  - Crop & Soil Environmental Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute - $10,000

This research is designed to assess and improve the yield potential of hulled and hulless barley lines for use in fuel, food and feed industries.  Desirable traits will be transferred into Thoroughbred to obtain lines having high yield potential, superior disease resistance, and excellent end use quality. This transformation should make barley more competitive with wheat and corn, and will enhance profitability of barley for producers. 

ü Genetic Improvement and Testing of Small Grains for Maryland - Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland - $26,000

The main goal of the Maryland Small Grains Breeding Program is to develop high yielding, disease resistant, high quality wheat and barley varieties by using superior parental lines and introducing a new germplasm from a variety of sources. The second objective is to conduct local testing of all the commercially available and experimental varieties of winter wheat, and winter barley at several locations across Maryland to provide growers with the most unbiased and current performance comparisons. Segregating populations derived from these crosses will be evaluated in replicated yield trials under Maryland’s conditions.  A DNA-assisted selection program is being used to develop new scab and rust-tolerant varieties. The barley state test includes new hulless entries. Chesapeake, a variety resulting from this research, has high yield, high test weight, and resistance to powdery mildew, and is widely available to growers.

ü State Corn Hybrid Test: Inclusion of Benchmark Hybrids - Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland - $5,000

The annual State Corn Hybrid Variety Test will include up to six popularly grown corn hybrids not otherwise entered so farmers will be provided with unbiased information to make meaningful comparisons among hybrids before purchasing seed.

ü Falling Number Research - Natural Resource Sciences & Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland - $4,000

Currently grown soft red winter wheat cultivars will be screened for susceptibility to pre-harvest sprouting measured by the Falling Number test.  Soft red winter wheat varieties in the state performance test will be grown across several locations. Three replications of the falling number test will be done for each variety from each location. Locations that had sprouting with those that did not will be compared, and a late harvest location will be established to promote sprouting.

NUTRIENTS

ü NEW Using an Adaptive Management Approach for Improving Nitrogen-Use Efficiency in the Chesapeake Bay Region – University of Maryland - $25,000

Researchers and producers have long sought a reliable and efficient method for determining the nitrogen (N) status of corn during the early growing season because weather conditions early can often have a big influence on amounts of N available for growing an optimal corn crop. Accurate assessments of N status would allow effective and environmentally sound fertilizer practices. Optical sensors can be used to measure the vigor of a crop and show variability across a field. These sensors can be especially advantageous on manured fields because the sensors can provide feedback on amounts of N mineralized from the manure.  Studies show that the same grain yields or slightly better can be achieved with 21% less N in corn and 10% less N in wheat using active optical sensors.  However, there is little data at the production scale, especially where manure has been applied, showing the benefit of these sensors.  This proposed project seeks to employ an adaptive management approach integrating active optical sensors into an N management strategy that includes manure to lead to widespread adoption of adaptive management, active optical sensors, and an overall increase in N-use efficiency on the Delmarva Peninsula.  Ten farmers will participate in this project using a Greenseeker optical sensor unit on a minimum of 250 acres of corn to conduct a comparison project to analyze the overall effectiveness of the Greenseeker and the total amount of N fertilizer reduced when using the Greenseeker as compared to their standard practice. 

ü NEW Nitrogen Sources and Management Systems in No-till and Minimum Till Wheat – Mulford Agronomics - $4,000

This study will include 3 detailed studies. Study 1 will focus on nitrogen sources available to growers. Notill and minimum tillage wheat will follow notill and conventional corn and soybeans. Emphasis will be on comparing 17 treatments of nitrogen sources and blends of nitrogen sources for N efficiency.  In Study 2 the previously funded MGPUB notill and minimum till wheat study will be revised to look at areas of management to improve production efficiency and wheat quality. Some of the same treatments that produced excellent yields and quality in 2009 will be compared to new management systems in 2011. Notill and minimum tillage wheat will be grown after notill corn and notill single crop soybeans. Each tillage system will evaluate seven crop management treatments. Low rate fertilizer technology will be compared to standard fertilizer programs. Fertilizer treatments with and without a Fall starter will be included. Study 3. Using six wheat varieties, three production systems will be compared: a) single application of 80 lbs./a of N with no further treatments; b) a higher level of nitrogen with a traditional fungicide program; and c) a management program that consistently produced yields and quality above average in the Coker Seed Breeding program.

ü Corn Hybrids and Nitrogen Rate Response – University of Maryland - $7,500

This project will evaluate available corn hybrids for their nitrogen use efficiency to provide farmers with optimum nitrogen rates for raising crops as environmentally friendly and economical as possible. Corn hybrids representing conventional to Smart Stax genetic technologies will be tested with various fertilizer nitrogen rates under dry land conditions at multiple sites across Maryland.

 ü Evaluation of Soil Pest Control Services and Nutrient Retention in No-till Corn Production – University of Maryland Entomology - $9,905

 Data collected on entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN), which can control outbreaks of soil insect pests, will allow the design of an experimental framework to manage soils to promote retention and the long-term persistence of EPN and their biological control services.  EPN populations will be surveyed and compared under tilled and no-till field conditions.  Soil physical and abiotic properties will be measured and nutrient fluxes will be analyzed to form results.

ü Seeding Rates for Cereal Cover Crops – University of Maryland Plant Science - $7,500

The Maryland Cover Crop Program needs recommendations for standard seeding rates and stand establishment.  A field study will evaluate a range of seeding rates for rye, wheat and barley to analyze seedling emergence, biomass production, and nitrogen uptake.  Recommendations will then be established for seeding rate and stand establishment. 

ü Wheat Spring Nitrogen: Application Dates – University of Maryland Plant Science - $7,500 

This study will investigate the performance of wheat that receives its first spring application of nitrogen across a range of dates during late winter to provide research that can be used by farmers to optimize crop production and by MDA as they assess the need for changes to the Cover Crop Program March 1^st statewide date.

ü Nitrogen Stabilizer Products: Wheat Performance following their Use with Corn – University of Maryland - $7,500

This project investigates nitrogen management practices that, if successful, may allow for reduced amounts of nitrogen for both corn and wheat production.  The response of wheat with and without fall nitrogen that follows corn, which received pre-plant or side dress nitrogen that included nitrogen stabilizer products, will be investigated and reported.

ü Nitrogen and Phosphorous Fertilization on Long-Term No-Tillage Corn, Soybean, Wheat Rotation – VA Polytech Institute - $4,000

Continuous no-tillage is a best management practice for soil and nutrient conservation but comes with challenges, such as nutrient stratification since the soil layers are no longer mixed with cultivation. Similarly, poultry litter amended with alum is a best management strategy to mitigate phosphorus (P) issues in runoff, but crop P availability is unknown over long periods of time. This project will continue a long-term study that was initiated in 2003 by planting a corn – wheat – soybean - fallow no-till rotation on a Bojac sandy loam on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. From these data, a long-term average of crop nutrient removal can be derived for the Mid-Atlantic region, soil carbon sequestration, and nutrient stratification for poultry litter and fertilizer applications.

ü Cereal-Legume Cover Crop Mixture to Increase Nutrient Cycling Organisms and Crop Productivity – University of Maryland Entomology - $11,855

Cover crops may provide long-term advantages to crop lands such as improving soil health through enhancement of beneficial soil organisms (ie. Soil mites, free-living nematodes, and other decomposers). Unlike plant-parasitic nematodes that feed on plant roots, free-living nematodes are beneficial in that they contribute to nutrient cycling. Soil health providers increase the capacity of soil to perform essential functions such as nutrient cycling which subsequently leads to greater crop productivity. The objectives of this study include 1) determine species composition of parassitoids and predators and rate of egg parasilkization and predation for the BMSB, 2) determine the influence of cover crop on the parasitization and predation of brown marmorated stink bug egg masses, 3) determine the effects of cover crops on soil organism involved in nutrient cycling, 4) determine the contribution of cover crop to crop nitrogen content, 5) determine the effect of cover crop on soil insect pests, and 6) determine the effect of cover crop on corn productivity and grain yield.

ü NEW Cropping Systems Effects on Soil Phosphorus – University of Maryland–- $5,000

This long term study evaluates the effects that two different cropping systems (grain-based and forage-based) have on soil phosphorus concentration.  This project was started in the mid-90s with the establishment at three Maryland sites of five soil phosphorus levels that range from medium to excessive in soil concentration.  Measurements on the effect that the systems have on soil P began in 2000, and crop P uptake and removal measurements have been collected annually since then.  In addition, change in soil P concentration has been collected bi-annually.  The large data set created over the past 11 years will be analyzed, summarized and assessed.

ü Evaluate New Production Practices in Dry Land Corn Production Utilization  – Mulford Agronomics - $5,000

Corn yields have increased in recent years with improved hybrids.  This study will investigate the limits of response of modern corn hybrids to various inputs, and assess agronomic approaches to manage corn production as populations and yields increase. Study 1 will look at corn planted notill and reduced tillage at five nitrogen rates. Study 2 will be a continuation of the comparison of dry and liquid nitrogen sources and additives. Study 3 will evaluate several starter fertilizers at different methods of application. Study 4 will be a continuation of the poultry manure project evaluating four tillage methods after broiler manure application and before corn planting.

ü Maryland Oyster Restoration Program - Chesapeake Bay Program –- $10,000

This project adds oyster beds to the Chesapeake Bay for study of filtration effects on water quality.  The oyster population of Chesapeake Bay has been estimated to be as low as one percent of its historic size, depriving the Bay system a keystone species in the Bay’s ecosystem. Oysters filter the Bay’s waters and in the process, remove huge quantities of planktonic algae, microscopic plants that are overabundant in the Bay due to excessive nitrogen.  In 2010, 240 concrete reef ball reef modules were made, set and placed on sanctuary reef sites in Maryland tidal waters. The goal is to produce and plant ten million seed oysters on sanctuary reef sites in Maryland tidal waters.