2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Enhance productivity, profitability, and environmental quality of Alaska's farming industry and natural resource areas by reducing threats posed by invasive insect pests, weeds and pathogens through research and technology transfer resulting in the introduction of new and innovative Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. Develop IPM applications suitable to northern latitudes that support viable crop and nursery production systems and the sustainability of natural resource areas. There is a need for increased research to evaluate potatoes grown in northern climates, particularly in developing virus-free potato germplasm. Virus-free potatoes will allow potato producers in Alaska and other northern states to increase export trade with Pacific Rim countries. An environmentally sound and safe method to reduce loss due to viral disease infection is needed. To remain competitive in Alaska varieties must be virus resistant. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Develop IPM systems incorporating biologically based control, host resistance, cultural control, resistance management and application technology for the control and suppression of major insect, pathogen, and weed pests affecting field, vegetable and horticultural crops, as well as rangeland ecosystems in the Delta Junction region and other areas of Alaska. Formerly 5341-22000-001-00D (11/05). Conduct replicated laboratory and field trials that are designed to introduce and evaluate potato germplasm for resistance to viral diseases and adaptability to Alaska. Knowledge acquired from these evaluations will set the foundation for a molecular marker assisted breeding program which will generate new virus resistant and/or free potato germplasm. Study the role of weeds in development of viral diseases in potato fields. 5341-21220-001-00D combined into this project. (3/06) 3.Progress Report None 4.Accomplishments BIRD VETCH KILLED BY HERBICIDES IN ALASKA: Bird vetch (Vicia cracca) is a perennial invasive exotic weed that is expanding along roadsides and into open forests in Alaska. Researchers at the Subartic Agricultural Research Unit in Fairbanks, Alaska conducted studies and found that the herbicides 2,4-D, triclopyr, and clopyralid are effective for controlling seedling bird vetch. Selection of the appropriate herbicides and determining the rates and times of use are critical for obtaining the best results at the lowest costs as the areas infested in Alaska have risen into the tens of thousands of acres. Information would lead to a better management and control of invasive weeds in Alaska. NP 304, Component VIII: Chemical Control of Weeds Problem Statement C: Herbicide efficacy and application technology EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT RATES IN ALASKAN GRASSHOPPERS: The rate of development of grasshopper eggs in the soil is dependent on temperature and differ among species as well as among populations within a species. Research was carried out by ARS scientists in the Subartic Agricultural Research Unit, Fairbanks, Alaska. Developmental rates, from oviposition to diapause and from post-diapause to hatching, were measured at temperatures from 12¿C to 30°C in two populations of Melanoplus sanguinipes and in two other species. This information is necessary to evaluate the effect of vegetative ground cover on soil temperatures and grasshopper hatching dates, and to assess the effects of a warming climate on grasshopper population dynamics. NP 304, Component VI: Integrated Pest Management Systems and Areawide Suppression Problem Statement C: Development of IPM systems CUTWORMS IN ALASKA: Historically, cutworms are known as damaging pests of vegetables in Alaska; however the taxonomic identity of the species and their distributions is not known. In Fairbanks, Alaska, a three year study identified the species present in agricultural settings, their population dynamics, distribution, and attraction to chemical lures. Ninety-four macro-Lepidoptera were identified from the three important agricultural areas of AK (Fairbanks, Delta Junction, Palmer); potential crop pests trapped include six cutworm species (Apamea devastator, Xestia c-nigrum, X. smithi, Euxoa ochrogaster, Discestra trifolii). The data on trapping methods, population density, and distribution will assist farmers, scouts, and integrated pest managers working on cutworms in the state. NP 304, Component III: Plant, pest, and natural enemy interactions and ecology Problem Statement B: Population Studies/Ecology NEW VEGETABLE PATHOGEN IN ALASKA: A new pathogen, Sclerotinia subarctica nom. prov. affected several vegetable crops in Alaska. The pathogen was first found in Norway on wild plants and later on potato but its ability to cause disease was not reported. ARS researchers in Fairbanks, Alaska developed genetic markers from the DNA of S. subarctica to examine the population structure and reproductive strategy of the new pathogen and to investigate possible hybridization with Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The availability of these markers will be of use to researchers conducting population studies and developing management strategies for S. subarctica. NP 303, Component I: Disease Diagnosis: Detection, Identification and Characterization of Plant Pathogens Problem Statement 1B: Detection, Identification, Characterization, and Classification of Pathogens 5.Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations None 6.Technology Transfer Number of non-peer reviewed presentations and proceedings 11 Review Publications Landolt, P.J., Pantoja, A., Hagerty, A.M., Crabo, L., Green, D.L. 2007. Moths trapped in Alaska with feeding attractant lures and the seasonal flight patterns of potential agricultural pests. The Canadian Entomologist 139:278-291. Winton, L.M., Leiner, R.H., Krohn, A.L. 2006. Genetic Diversity of Sclerotinia species from Alaskan Vegetable Crops. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology 28(3):426-434. Leiner, R.H., Winton, L.M. 2006. Differential production of sclerotia by isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum from Alaska. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology 28(3):435-440.