2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The purpose of this agreement is to contribute to a scientific information framework for managing insect resistance to transgenic plants by determining whether remote sensing could be a tool for assessing insect damage in corn and by evaluating and improving methods to model insect resistance to transgenic crops. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) This proposal is designed to investigate the feasibility of using remote-sensing technologies to detect and discriminate between cornfields infested with European corn borer with those that are not. It is believed that corn hybrids with insect damage have a different spectral signal than corn hybrids that are not damaged. This may or may not be true due to the fact that cornfields are exposed to numerous environmental factors that can influence their spectral reflectance. Variables such as hybrid, moisture level, pest infestation, fertility, ph, etc. can all influence the general health of corn plants. For this reason, remote-sensed data needs to be first investigated as a potential means for detecting pest-induced stresses in crops and, secondly, if detection is possible, validated against field observations to quantify these stresses. If pest-induced stresses can be discriminated from other environmental stresses, and if hybrid plant stresses for Bt and non-Bt corn can be separated, then remote sensing technology could be an important tool to help growers with managing European corn borer resistance to Bt corn. The modeling effort will bring together scientists working in the area of insect resistance monitoring to improve existing methods. The final product of this work will be protocols that will be used for resistance monitoring, which will benefit the science of resistance management in general and Bt resistance in particular. 3.Progress Report This report serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and Pennsylvania State University to conduct research related to an Interagency Agreement (60-3625-4-0574) with the Environmental Protection Agency (National Risk Management Research Lab, Cincinnati, OH) and USDA-ARS. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS #3625-22000-016-00D, Ecologically-Based Management of Insect Pests of Corn. The purpose of this agreement is to contribute to a scientific information framework for managing insect resistance to transgenic crops. This information can provide enhanced support to the public in its deliberations about the use of transgenic plants. This will include an evaluation and integration of insect resistance models, and "proof of concept" studies to determine whether remote sensing could be a tool to assess insect damage in corn. Protocols for the remote sensing experiments were modified based on analysis of earlier data. Specific tools were developed that could be used to identify corn borer infested areas of hybrid corn fields. The goal of the experiment was to test the model's ability to identify infested areas when they were unknown to the remote sensing team. These data and their geographic location with the field were provided to Institute Technology Development and EPA after they had used the model to locate the high and low infestation areas in the field. In the modeling project the collaborator has provided guidance to help evaluate insect resistance management (IRM) models. These models provide guidance for delaying insect resistance to transgenic corn hybrids. The collaborator has provided feedback as requested over the period of the grant. Project Monitoring This project is monitored with frequent conference calls and numerous emails with project participants. Conference call dates: July 11, 2006 July 20, 2006 August 25, 2006 August 31, 2006 April 4, 2007 April 20, 2007 May 1, 2007 May 9, 2007 June 14, 2007 July 3, 2007 Also, the participants met at meetings listed below: October 23, 2006 (with NCR-148 meeting, State College, PA) December 13, 2006 (with ESA National meeting, Indianapolis, IN) January 31, 2007 (with NC205 regional meeting, Dallas, TX).