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? Disease, insect and weed control agents must be registered through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) for both food or tree, flower and turf crops. Interregional Project No. 4 (IR-4) is a national project of the USDA that seeks to assist in registering control agents on minor-use crops. Information on control products such as fungicides, insecticides and herbicides use patterns needed for data base mandated in the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA-96). Rigorous documentation procedures with quality assurance called good laboratory practices (GLP) are required by US-EPA. This project is under National Program 304 and 305. 2.List by year the currently approved milestones (indicators of research progress) This 0500 Project does not have a formal project plan and lacks definite milestones. It is a service project for industry that requires sound science. The ARS, IR-4 program seeks to achieve the highest levels of scientific quality in its program and is accountable to the IR-4 Headquarters Staff and various advisory groups. 4a.List the single most significant research accomplishment during FY 2006. Single Most Significant Accomplishment during FY 2006 Year: Residue data was collected on 16 GLP projects. Support staff assisted in the 2005 field studies in cooperation with Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OSU/OARDC) scientists and local growers. Use patterns for label expansion of 50 systems for floral and nursery crops were completed at OSU/OARDC facilities and forwarded to ARS, IR-4 coordinator. Such data is necessary for product registration determination by USEPA on exposure according to FQPA-96. 4b.List other significant research accomplishment(s), if any. Other Significant Accomplishment: The Wooster, OH, ARS, IR-4 program continued using increased recent USDA, ARS, IR-4 program resources, expanding to insecticide efficacy trials. The IR-4 program is one of the most important for fruit, vegetable, greenhouse and nursery growers as evidenced by grower comments during numerous on-site visits during Spring and Summer of 2005. Producers and processors are aware of the ARS, IR-4 contributions in retaining vital conventional pesticides until efficacious alternatives are available. 4c.List significant activities that support special target populations. Significant Accomplishments/Activities that Support of Special Target Populations: IR-4, by the definition of minor crops, assists the small business of the family farm and promotes minor use product development by small chemical formulation firms. The American public wouldn't have the safest food supply in the world nor the highest quality of environmental or ornamental plants without the IR-4 cooperative system between state and federal government, small agribusiness and minor chemical companies. 5.Describe the major accomplishments to date and their predicted or actual impact. The ARS, IR-4 project at Wooster, OH has contributed GLP data on 199 systems in 12 years. Prior to 1977, only 1 pesticide was registered on minor crops. However, the National IR-4 project has resulted in over 15,200 national registrations over the last 28 years. The program is a unique blend of federal and state researchers working in cooperation with growers and product registrants. 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? Research interactions continue with growers directly on conventional food-use and ornamental projects with more environmentally friendly systems involving biopesticides and safer products if efficacious and appropriate to fulfilling FQPA-96. Stakeholders participated in the Food Use Workshop in Indianapolis, IN to provide input into establishing priorities for 2007 programs. ATRU plant pathologists and entomologists participated in 5 National IR-4 Ornamental Plant Workshops with ATRU plant pathologists chairing the last 10 Ornamental Workshops. 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). Field studies were conducted at production nurseries resulting in rapid technology transfer to end users. Presentations and information from the ATRU has been distributed during at last 15 national trade shows, short courses and OARDC field days by ATRU, IR-4 scientists. Krause, C.R. ARS Research UUpdate on federal green industry researchs in Ohio. 2004. OFA Bulletin 3:1-3 Ohio Florists Association July 8, 2005.