2006 Annual Report 1.What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? Agricultural production in the New England Region has seriously declined in recent years. Within the past decade alone, farmland in New England has decreased by 393,000 acres. Sustainable cropping systems and management practices are needed to improve agricultural viability and rural economic vitality in this region. Research is being conducted to. 1)identify the constraints to cropping system sustainability,. 2)develop practices and management strategies to overcome or reduce those constraints, and. 3)transfer the technology gained to growers for improving cropping system sustainability. These research and technology transfer activities will improve agricultural viability and rural economic vitality in the Northeast. The research directly contributes to the Mission and Action Plan of National Program 207 by using an interdisciplinary team to develop, evaluate, and transfer sustainable management practices and agricultural systems to customers of the research program. 2.List by year the currently approved milestones (indicators of research progress) FY 2004: Milestones for Objective 1- Identify constraints to cropping system sustainability. Establish field plots of 4 system categories. Develop enterprise budgets for Status Quo systems. Determine crop yields across all 4 systems. Collect soil samples. Establish irrigation capability. Evaluate temporal stability of soil water pattern across on-farm landscapes. Evaluate soil water variability and yield relationships. Conduct in-depth team workshop. Milestones for Objective 2 - Develop practices and management strategies to overcome or reduce constraints to sustainability. Continue management of 2-yr & 3-yr rotations established in 1997 and 1998. Continue reduced tillage and cover crop studies. Sample and analyze potatoes for N uptake dynamics throughout the growing season. Assess plant diseases across rotation, tillage, irrigation, and cover crop studies. Evaluate Brassica spp. for weed control. Milestones for Objective 3 - Transfer the technology gained to growers for improving cropping system sustainability. Hold customer focus group meetings. Conduct research detailed in Objectives 1 and 2. Hold participatory team workshop for data analysis and synthesis into new technology. FY 2005: Milestones for Objective 1- Identify constraints to cropping system sustainability. Assess profitability and risk of Status Quo systems. Determine crop yields across all 4 systems. Determine N,P,K use efficiencies. Collect soil samples. Evaluate temporal stability of soil water pattern across on-farm landscapes. Evaluate soil water variability and yield relationships. Assess plant diseases across all 4 systems. Assess cropping system effects on weed dynamics. Evaluate cropping system effects on soil microbial populations and activity. Evaluate interactions among nutrient use efficiency, water availability, plant diseases, weed dynamics, yield, and profitability. Conduct in-depth team workshop. Milestones for Objective 2 - Develop practices and management strategies to overcome or reduce constraints to sustainability. Continue management of 2-yr & 3-yr rotations established in 1997 and 1998. Continue reduced tillage and cover crop studies. Compare conventional and zone tillage. Develop and test device for high resolution mapping of soil water on a field scale. Evaluate yield and water use efficiencies of selected management practices. Sample and analyze potatoes for N uptake dynamics throughout the growing season. Assess plant diseases across rotation, tillage, irrigation, and cover crop studies. Assess late blight development and genotypes present across water management treatments. Assess efficacy of biocontrol agents. Evaluate Brassica spp. for weed control. Milestones for Objective 3 - Transfer the technology gained to growers for improving cropping system sustainability. Hold customer focus group meetings. Conduct research detailed in Objectives 1 and 2. Hold participatory team workshop for data analysis and synthesis into new technology. FY 2006: Milestones for Objective 1- Identify constraints to cropping system sustainability. Economic assessment of all 4 systems. Determine crop yields across all 4 systems. Determine N,P,K use efficiencies. Collect soil samples. Lab incubations of potentially mineralizable N. Field measurements of N mineralization. Evaluate temporal stability of soil water pattern across on-farm landscapes. Evaluate soil water variability and yield relationships. Assess plant diseases across all 4 systems. Assess cropping system effects on weed dynamics. Evaluate cropping system effects on soil microbial populations and activity. Evaluate interactions among nutrient use efficiency, water availability, plant diseases, weed dynamics, yield, and profitability. Conduct in-depth team workshop Milestones for Objective 2 - Develop practices and management strategies to overcome or reduce constraints to sustainability. Continue management of 2-yr & 3-yr rotations established in 1997 and 1998. Compare conventional and zone tillage. Develop and test device for high resolution mapping of soil water on a field scale. Evaluate yield and water use efficiencies of selected management practices. Sample and analyze potatoes for N uptake dynamics throughout the growing season. Compare N use efficiencies obtained through the functional approach compared to the conventional approach. Assess plant diseases across rotation, tillage, irrigation, and cover crop studies. Assess late blight development and genotypes present across water management treatments. Assess efficacy of biocontrol agents. Evaluate Brassica spp. for weed control. Identify potential markets and expected prices for potential rotation crops. Milestones for Objective 3 - Transfer the technology gained to growers for improving cropping system sustainability. Hold customer focus group meetings. Conduct research detailed in Objectives 1 and 2. Hold participatory team workshop for data analysis and synthesis into new technology. Formalize knowledge gained into decision support system. Verify, validate, and update decision support system. FY 2007: Milestones for Objective 1- Identify constraints to cropping system sustainability. Economic assessment of all 4 systems. Determine crop yields across all 4 systems. Determine N,P,K use efficiencies. Collect soil samples. Assess plant diseases across all 4 systems. Assess cropping system effects on weed dynamics. Evaluate cropping system effects on soil microbial populations and activity. Evaluate interactions among nutrient use efficiency, water availability, plant diseases, weed dynamics, yield, and profitability. Conduct in-depth team workshop. Milestones for Objective 2 - Develop practices and management strategies to overcome or reduce constraints to sustainability. Continue management of 2-yr & 3-yr rotations established in 1997 and 1998. Compare conventional and zone tillage. Evaluate yield and water use efficiencies of selected management practices. Sample and analyze potatoes for N uptake dynamics throughout the growing season. Compare N use efficiencies obtained through the functional approach compared to the conventional approach. Assess plant diseases across rotation, tillage, irrigation, and cover crop studies. Assess late blight development and genotypes present across water management treatments. Assess efficacy of biocontrol agents. Evaluate Brassica spp. for weed control. Identify potential markets and expected prices for potential rotation crops. Quantify economic impact of rotation effects. Determine production and income risks of experimental tillage and water management strategies. Milestones for Objective 3 - Transfer the technology gained to growers for improving cropping system sustainability. Hold customer focus group meetings. Conduct research detailed in Objectives 1 and 2. Hold participatory team workshop for data analysis and synthesis into new technology. Formalize knowledge gained into decision support system. Verify, validate, and update decision support system. Distribute and demonstrate decision support system to growers. FY 2008: Milestones for Objective 1- Identify constraints to cropping system sustainability. Economic assessment of all 4 systems. Determine crop yields across all 4 systems. Determine N,P,K use efficiencies. Collect soil samples. Lab incubations of potentially mineralizable N. Field measurements of N mineralization. Assess plant diseases across all 4 systems. Assess cropping system effects on weed dynamics. Evaluate cropping system effects on soil microbial populations and activity. Evaluate interactions among nutrient use efficiency, water availability, plant diseases, weed dynamics, yield, and profitability. Conduct in-depth team workshop. Milestones for Objective 2 - Develop practices and management strategies to overcome or reduce constraints to sustainability. Continue management of 2-yr & 3-yr rotations established in 1997 and 1998. Assess plant diseases across rotation, tillage, irrigation, and cover crop studies. Assess efficacy of biocontrol agents. Quantify economic impact of rotation effects. Determine production and income risks of experimental tillage and water management strategies. Milestones for Objective 3 - Transfer the technology gained to growers for improving cropping system sustainability. Hold customer focus group meetings. Conduct research detailed in Objectives 1 and 2. Hold participatory team workshop for data analysis and synthesis into new technology. Formalize knowledge gained into decision support system. Verify, validate, and update decision support system. Distribute and demonstrate decision support system to growers. Survey growers on utility of decision support system and suggested improvements. 4a.List the single most significant research accomplishment during FY 2006. Combination of Approaches Reduce Potato Diseases and Increase Yield: Soil-born diseases of potato are persistent problems, causing substantial losses in yield and quality. Green-sprouting seed potatoes to enhance early emergence was used in combination with biological control products to evaluate their impacts on soil-born diseases and yield. Both approaches individually reduced soil-born disease levels; however, when used together, even greater control was obtained. Combined use of biological control products and green-sprouted seed reduced stem and stolon canker by 43-51%, reduced black scurf by 45-55%, reduced common scab by 37-63%, and increased tuber yield by 18-19%. These results show that green-sprouting and biocontrol treatments can be effectively used in combination to provide significant disease control and yield benefits. This accomplishment contributes to the NP207 Action Plan by maximizing use of natural ecological and biological resources. 4b.List other significant research accomplishment(s), if any. Conservation Systems Evaluated for Potato Production: The current potato production system is vulnerable to erosion and runoff, especially before potato emergence and after potato harvest. Research was conducted using rainfall simulators to evaluate a) interseeding small grains prior to potato harvest, b) mulch, c) delayed tillage, and d) polyacrylamide (PAM) for their effects on sediment load and phosphorus (P) movement. Reducing sediment loss by 50% required mulch application rates of only 500-700 pounds per acre, with the positive effect lasting through four successive rainfall events. Higher application rates reduced sedimentation by up to 90%. The application of PAM also consistently reduced sediment loss, with 10-12 pounds of PAM per acre needed to reduce sediment loss by 50%. This research information helps to optimize conservation practices appropriate for the potato production system that will reduce soil loss and maintain or increase yields. This accomplishment contributes to the NP207 Action Plan by maximizing use of natural ecological and biological resources. Alternate Host of Potato Late Blight Fungus Evaluated: Potato Late Blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is a serious worldwide threat to the potato and tomato industries. In FY 2005, we reported the first identification in Maine of P. infestans on a common weed, hairy nightshade. In FY 2006, we evaluated the significance of hairy nightshade as an alternate host of this devastating disease. Late Blight developed on hairy nightshade across a wide range of temperature, relative humidity, and at relatively slow rates, indicating a longer duration of inoculum production and a high risk of transmission to potato. This research shows growers that controlling hairy nightshade weed populations is an important component of their potato Late Blight management program, potentially reducing risk of Late Blight infection. This accomplishment contributes to the NP207 Action Plan by providing “initial assessment of the current situation to understand the system.” Cover Crops and Rotations Reduce Potato Diseases: Potatoes suffer from numerous plant diseases, requiring billions of dollars to be spent annually in the U.S. to control them. Crop rotations of barley/clover, canola, green bean, rapeseed, soybean, sweet corn, and potato, all followed by potato, were evaluated with and without a fall cover crop of winter rye. The combination of a rapeseed rotation with winter rye cover crop was the most effective at reducing disease severity (41% reduction for black scurf and 33% reduction for common scab). This research provides potato growers with a viable tool for reducing their soil-born disease levels without additional pesticides. This accomplishment contributes to the NP207 Action Plan by maximizing use of natural ecological and biological resources. New Tool Developed for Rapidly Mapping Soil Water Content: A rapid method for mapping soil water content would be valuable for agricultural and scientific applications, such as precision irrigation. A sled type measurement device with a time domain reflectometer and global positioning system was evaluated for measuring soil water content following tillage. Field trials showed the system could detect soil water variability induced by non-uniform irrigation. This system will allow mapping soil water content across large areas, thereby providing a potentially useful tool for improving water use efficiency and optimizing yield in irrigated agriculture by differentiating water application rates across fields. This accomplishment contributes to the NP207 Action Plan by providing initial assessment of the current situation to understand the system and by employing the appropriate scale for the research objectives. New Crop Rotations for Potato Reduce Economic Risk: Potato growers in Maine have identified finding rotation crops that are profitable and that reduce disease as their top priority research need. Eight different cropping systems were evaluated in the field for their impacts on yield, tuber quality, soil-born diseases, nutrient cycling, and other factors. These measurements were incorporated into an economic simulation model to determine the effects of crop rotation on profitability, income risk, and probability of economic loss. Results show that several crop rotations can increase profitability and reduce economic risk when compared to continuous potato or to the standard barley-potato rotation. This information will assist growers in designing more economically viable crop rotations. This accomplishment contributes to the NP207 Action Plan by using an interdisciplinary team, by evaluating the interactions among system components, and by providing economic assessments. 4c.List significant activities that support special target populations. Research accomplishments from this project will benefit small farms, because approximately 23,000 farms in the New England Region (94%) are classified as small farms (1997 Census of Agriculture). 4d.Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a reimbursable cooperative agreement between ARS and the University of Maine associated with Project 1915-62660-001-00D, Sustainable Cropping Systems for the Northeast. The research quantifies blueberry water use requirement as it changes with distance from the Atlantic coast and stage of crop development. We have demonstrated that direct vapor deposition in the absence of rainfall can account for as much as 30 percent of the water taken up by the crop. This effect was particularly prevalent near the coast where overall evapotranspiration is lower, and fog and dew are greater. In FY 2006, data were collected from two new research sites for evaluating how soil texture impacts these phenomena. This information is being used by the blueberry industry to schedule irrigation and to identify highest priority areas for water source development. This report serves to document research conducted under a trust fund agreement between ARS and the Maine Potato Board associated with Project 1915-62660-001-00D, Sustainable Cropping Systems for the Northeast. The current potato production system is vulnerable to erosion and runoff, especially before potato emergence and after potato harvest. Rainfall simulators are being used in both the greenhouse and field to evaluate a) interseeding small grains prior to potato harvest, b) mulch, c) delayed tillage, and d) polyacrylamide (PAM) for their effects on sediment load and phosphorus (P) movement. During 2006, we determined that only 500-700 pounds of straw mulch per acre was required to reduce sediment loss by 50%, and this effect lasted through four successive rainfall events. Higher mulch application rates reduced sedimentation by up to 90%. The application of PAM also consistently reduced sediment loss, with 10-12 pounds of PAM per acre needed to reduce sediment loss by 50%. This research information helps to identify new conservation practices readily available for the potato production system for reducing soil and P loss. This report serves to document research conducted under a trust fund agreement between ARS and the Maine Potato Board associated with Project 1915-62660-001-00D, Sustainable Cropping Systems for the Northeast. The project evaluates the use of Brassica spp. as green manure and rotation crops for controlling powdery scab and other soil-born diseases of potato. Powdery scab is an increasing problem in the Northeast. There currently are no effective control measures for this disease problem. Previous results have shown that several different Brassica spp. can reduce inoculum of soil-born pathogens and subsequent potato diseases, including powdery scab, black scurf, and common scab. The current project focuses on determining the most effective rotation crops and management practices for successful implementation and maximum disease control under commercial farming conditions. In 2006, a variety of rotation crops and management approaches are being evaluated for their impacts on potato diseases on two commercial farms and two research sites. These results will help determine the most practical, effective, and farm-friendly means of implementation of Brassica crops for control of powdery scab and other soil-born disease problems. 5.Describe the major accomplishments to date and their predicted or actual impact. Finding profitable crop rotations is a top research priority for the potato industry. Responding to this research direction, our interdisciplinary team evaluated 14 cropping systems for their impacts on potato yield and quality, nutrient availability, plant diseases, soil microorganisms, potential profitability, and other factors. This information was developed into the “Potato Systems Planner”, a decision support tool on compact disk to assist growers in selecting profitable, environmentally sound cropping systems and management practices. For example, the Planner shows that growing sweet corn in rotation with potato can increase profitability by approximately $400/acre. Computer simulation results presented in the Planner show that the probability of an economic loss for the sweet corn-potato system is only 3%, while the potato-potato system is 37%. The Planner also shows that growing canola before potato reduces soil-born diseases in potato by 20-50%. This translates into higher potato yield and quality, along with substantial economic, environmental, and health/safety benefits associated with less pesticide needed to control these diseases. The Planner shows that growers can reduce Nitrogen fertilizer to potato by as much as 100 lbs N/acre when following either green bean or soybean. This is not only a direct economic benefit to the grower, saving approximately $90/acre in input costs, but it also has a broader societal benefit because Nitrogen fertilizer production requires fossil fuel. These and many other research findings are presented in the Potato Systems Planner so that growers can make the most informed cropping system selections and employ the most appropriate management practices that are economically and environmentally sustainable. Between March 2005 and August 2006, over 1000 copies of the Potato Systems Planner were distributed to growers, consultants, extension specialists, and scientists who are now using the Planner in 24 states, 7 Canadian provinces, and 24 countries. The Planner was selected as one of only 11 “science track” presentations for the World Potato Congress in August 2006 and the scientific team who developed the Planner received a “Regional Excellence in Technology Transfer” Award from the Federal Laboratory Consortium, Mid-Atlantic Region, in September 2006. This accomplishment contributes to the NP207 Action Plan by completing an initial assessment to understand the system, active participation by stakeholders, use of interdisciplinary teams, study of interactions and the entire system, use of long-term studies, optimal use of biological resources, and performing economic risk assessments. 6.What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end-user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? A decision support system entitled the “Potato Systems Planner” was transferred to producers. It was demonstrated and distributed at producer meetings, agricultural trade shows, Field Days, and can be ordered from the Location’s web page. The decision support system helps producers in deciding what crop to rotate with potatoes based on that crop’s impact on soil-born diseases, N recycling, soil microbial activity, yield, and profit potential. Between March 2005 and August 2006, over 1000 copies of the Potato Systems Planner were distributed to growers, consultants, extension specialists, and scientists who are now using the Planner in 24 states, 7 Canadian provinces, and 24 countries. Information on conservation practices and demonstration of the rainfall simulator in evaluation of these practices was given at the Southern Aroostook County Soil and Water Conservation Field Day. August 10, 2006; Houlton ME. Information on improving water use efficiency in irrigated blueberry production was provided at the Blueberry Field Day. July 11, 2006; Jonesboro, ME. 7.List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). Presentation at USDA-SARE Intensive Organic Training, Measuring and Managing Soil Carbon. (September 15, 2005; Dresden ME). Presentation at Maine Nutrient Management Certification Training, Mineralization of On-Farm Materials. (December 8, 2005; Albion ME). Presentations at New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference, Balancing Soil Health and Nutrient Accumulation from Long-term Organic Amendments and Potato Rotations and Soil Management: Looking at the Long-Term. (December 11-12, 2005; Manchester NH). Presentation at Ontario Certified Crop Advisor Conference, Efficient Nutrient Use in Manure-Amended Cropping Systems. (January 11-12, 2006; Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada). Field tour presentations to USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Administrative Council and Professional Development Committee, Measuring Meaningful Soil Carbon Pools and Evaluating Nutrient Management and Variety Options for Organic Dairy Systems. (July 19, 2006; Newport ME). Guest television appearances on WAGM-TV, Presque Isle, Maine. Research at the New England Plant, Soil, and Water Laboratory. Review Publications Halloran, J.M., Griffin, T.S. 2005. Impact of mean yield distribution selection on income risk in cropping systems. American Society of Agronomy Abstracts. ON CD Halloran, J.M., Starr, G.C. 2005. An economic assessment of alternative irrigation systems in humid regions. American Society of Agronomy Abstracts. CD-ROM Honeycutt, C.W., Larkin, R.P., Halloran, J.M., Griffin, T.S. 2006. The potato systems planner: a case of industry driven research. Northeast Potato Technology Forum Abstracts. CD-ROM Honeycutt, C.W., Larkin, R.P., Halloran, J.M., Griffin, T.S. 2006. The potato systems planner. Maine Potato Conference Abstracts. CD-ROM Larkin, R.P., Griffin, T.S., Honeycutt, C.W. 2006. Effects of a fall cover crop and different 2-year rotations on soilborne diseases and soil microbial communities. Northeast Potato Technology Forum Abstracts. CD-ROM Larkin, R.P., Griffin, T.S., Honeycutt, C.W. 2006. Crop rotation and cover crop effects on soilborne diseases of potato. Phytopathology. CD-ROM Larkin, R.P., Griffin, T.S., Honeycutt, C.W. 2006. Effects of crop rotations and a fall cover crop on rhizoctonia canker, black scurf, and common scab of potato, 2004. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Diseases. Vol. 21: V009 Larkin, R.P., Lynch, R.P., Griffin, T.S., Honeycutt, C.W. 2006. Brassica rotations for managing soilborne potato diseases in the northeast. University of Idaho Miscellaneous Publication. CD-ROM Larkin, R.P. 2006. Biological amendments and crop rotations for managing soil microbial communities and soilborne diseases of potato. World Congress of Soil Science. CD-ROM Olanya, O.M., Plant, A.B., Larkin, R.P., Lambert, D.H. 2006. Distributuion of hairy nightshade in maine potato agro-ecosystems and potential risks of infection by phytophthora infestans. Northeast Potato Technology Forum Abstracts. CD-ROM Olanya, O.M., Plant, A.B., Larkin, R.P., Lambert, D.H. 2006. Late blight development on hairy nightshade and potential disease risks. Maine Potato Conference Abstracts. Page 20. Starr, G.C., Sorensen, R.B., Rowland, D., Sullivan, D.G. 2005. Evaluation of a time domain reflectometry sled for mapping soil water content. American Society of Agronomy Meetings. CD-ROM Griffin, T.S., Porter, G., Erich, S., Mallory, E. 2006. Soil nutrient accumulation in amended potato systems. Northeast Potato Technology Forum Abstracts. CD