Project Number: 3607-21620-007-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Apr 24, 2008
End Date: Jan 31, 2009

Objective:
Determine biological and microclimate factors that affect application of pest control agents. Determine effects and interactions of spray-adjuvants and plant leaf surface structure on spray droplet retention and resulting efficacy. Determine the effects of meteorological, sprayer and crop conditions on coverage and drift from air-assisted spraying. Develop system for detecting/tracking insect populations and for injecting soilborne insect control formulations.

Approach:
Use electron beam analysis to assess disease factors that limit integrated crop management systems as related to application of control agents in greenhouse/nurseries. Residues of pesticides of leaf or inert sampling surfaces will be evaluated relative to factors that affect deposit and uptake. Study foliar microstructure/spray impaction processes; assess effects of spray-solution properties, especially surfactants, and leaf surface morphology factors that govern spray retention. Assay foliar coverage, ground deposits, and airborne drift from several types of air-assisted sprayer in orchards and nurseries. Investigate acoustical detection of soilbornes insect larvae in nursery soils to determine whether sensing of larvae presence is feasible; use radar tracking to help determine behavioral patterns of adult nursery insects.