An official website of the United States government.
1) Examine interactions among three pest groups (wheat stem sawfly, Fusarium, and grassy weeds) and their synergistic impacts on wheat 2) Evaluate the role of agronomic practices in the development of integrated management approaches for wheat stem sawfly, Fusarium, and grassy weeds 2.1. Quantify synergistic interactions between management practices on wheat stem sawfly, Fusarium, and grassy weeds abundance. 2.2. Determine the risks and agronomic consequences of pest management decisions relative to yield stability, grain quality, harvest-ability, and economic yield. 3)Develop a predictive computer model to assess the relative importance of stand density, herbicide management approach, and wheat variety on wheat stem sawfly, Fusarium, and grassy weeds abundance and crop yields. 4)Develop and deliver education and extension material on the integrated management of wheat stem sawfly, and Fusarium crown rot, and grassy weeds.
Non-Technical Summary: Stakeholders across the Northern Great Plains identified wheat stem sawfly, Fusarium crown rot, and grassy weeds as major burdens threatening the economic and environmental sustainability of the small grain production system. A main reason for the importance of these pests is the lack of effective chemical management options for wheat stem sawfly and Fusarium crown rot as well as an increased abundance of herbicide-resistant weed biotypes. Also, these pests form a multitrophic complex whose synergistic impact on yields and grain quality varies with management. Because of these interactions, there are evident limitations in current single-pest control recommendations. The work we propose will integrate several on-going research projects on wheat stem sawfly, Fusarium crown rot, and grassy weed management currently under development at the Montana State University, University of Wyoming, North Dakota State University, and Idaho State University. Our goal is to combine these studies with plot level manipulative studies, replicated field experiments, and simulation models to determine how three easy to manage cropping-system variables (stand density, herbicide management approach, and crop variety) may be manipulated to minimize the combined impact of different groups of pests and enhance crop yield. Results will be utilized to generate an education and extension program to illustrate the joint management of wheat stem sawfly, Fusarium crown rot, and grassy weeds. <P> Approach: We propose an integrated research and education program to determine the joint impact of several easy-to-adopt management practices on the joint management of wheat stem sawfly, Fusarium crown rot, and weeds. In plot-level experiments we will evaluate interactions among these pests and the existence of synergistic impacts on wheat growth and yield. In field-level studies conducted across Wyoming, North Dakota, Montana, and Idaho we will determine the impact that wheat variety, stand density, and herbicide management have on wheat production and pest abundance. Results will be used to parameterize a computer-based model that incorporates management practices, environmental conditions, and pest dynamics to predict yields and grain quality. Finally, we will develop and deliver an education and outreach program that provides science-based information on the joint management of wheat stem sawfly, Fusarium crown rot, and grassy weeds.