Plant Health and Regualtory Issues

Table of Contents

1. Crop Profiles
2. Screening of Low Risk Products for Management of Powdery Mildew in Greenhouse Cucumber
3. Minor Use and Emergency Registrations
4. Collection of Baseline Information on Insect Fauna in Commercial Herb Fields
5. Insect Management in the Ontario Cruciferous Crops
6. Learning About the Leek Moth
7. Vegetable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Adoption Survey
8. International Plum Pox Meeting
9. IPM Training for Ontario Nursery Industry
10. Corn Seed Treatment to Control Seed and Seedling Insect Pests
11. Ontario Soybean Rust Sentinel Plot Project
12. The Ontario Soybean Rust Coalition
13. Economics of Spraying Foliar Insecticides for the Control of Soybean Aphids
14. Growers Now Using Propagation Trees Free of Plum Pox Virus
15. Effective Control Strategies for Bacterial Diseases
16. Efficacy of Label Rate for Japanese Beetle in Container Nursery Stock
17. Biological Control of Whitefly in Poinsettias

Crop Profiles

The objective of this project was to ensure that Crop Profiles developed by Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada (AAFC) for greenhouse cucumber, pepper and lettuce accurately represented the state of the greenhouse vegetable industry in Canada. These profiles were required for commodities participating in AAFC's Risk Reduction Program. The risk reduction program is an important component of identifying pest management priorities, facilitating access to reduced risk and low risk pest control products and protecting health and environment.

As a result, consensus and cooperation was achieved among the provinces in completing crop profiles for greenhouse cucumber, pepper, and lettuce in 2005.

Crop Technology Branch staff play a key role in providing technical assistance to Ontario greenhouse vegetable growers. Staff have also established good communication and an important working relationship with other key greenhouse vegetable producing provinces to the mutual benefit of all involved.

Crop Technology Branch staff, growers, representatives of greenhouse vegetable organizations, provincial representatives from Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec and Alberta, AAFC, and Pest Management Regulatory Agency were key players in this project.

Screening of Low Risk Products for Management of Powdery Mildew in Greenhouse Cucumber

The objective of this project is to identify low-risk products that can be effectively used for suppression of powdery mildew in greenhouse vegetable crops. Powdery mildew is particularly serious on greenhouse cucumber and has been identified as the top priority pest by the Protected Crops Sub-Committee of the Ontario Horticultural Research and Services Committee (OHCRSC) for several years. Average yield loss due to powdery mildew infection in greenhouse cucumber has been reported to be 15-25 per cent, and can be up to 30-50 per cent. Currently, only two products are registered for managing this disease and of these two, one is very phytotoxic, the other is somewhat phytotoxic, but effective. At the same time, there have been anecdotal reports of resistance due to reliance on one product. Consequently, there is need for additional products that are effective, low-risk, and compatible with natural enemies. Such products can be used in rotation with conventional products to delay development of fungicide resistance.

During 2005, four fungicide screening trials were implemented. Products included in these trials were Lactosan (a whey by-product of the dairy industry), chitosan (non-toxic plant supplement that is a by-product of shrimp, lobster and crab fisheries), Sporodex (a microbial fungicide, Pseudozyma flocculosa), Milstop (potassium bicarbonate), and Nova (standard registered product). Results of these trials indicated that Lactosan and Milstop were most effective, and Sporodex was somewhat effective in suppressing powdery mildew in greenhouse cucumber. In addition to Sporodex being less effective, it requires specific environmental conditions for maximum effectiveness, and this makes scheduling of applications difficult and impractical for growers.

This project addresses the top disease priority of greenhouse cucumber growers. In addition, any data generated can be used in the registration of suitable products, thereby addressing Regulatory Issues. Overall, use of low risk products should contribute positively not only to the work environment within greenhouses, but to the general environment as a whole.

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Minor Use and Emergency Registrations

Minor use crop-pest priorities are developed annually for all crops grown in Ontario and submitted to the national minor use priority list. At the national level, we secured numerous projects addressing Ontario priorities. Furthermore, additional provincial minor use priorities are addressed by pulling together the necessary data, research trials and registrant support and steering these through the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) process.

In 2005, approximately 60 minor use submissions were granted full registration status by PMRA. Over 60 per cent of these submissions were prepared, reviewed and submitted by Ontario and address many key minor use priorities of our producers. Four of these Ontario-sponsored minor use submissions provided a registration for a new product on an entire crop group i.e. legumes, cucurbits and tree nuts.

OMAFRA plays a key and pivotal role in prioritizing minor use needs and seeking sustainable ways to address the technology gap over the long-term. Additionally OMAFRA plays a major role in seeking risk reduction strategies and acting as liaison with our U.S. and European minor use partners.

OMAFRA also plays a key role when emergency pest outbreaks occur as these situations must be addressed rapidly to protect Ontario's vital agricultural interests. OMAFRA has responded quickly in validating the emergency use situation and seeking sustainable ways to address the problem over the long-term.

In 2005, 21 emergency use submissions were brought forward, prepared, reviewed and submitted by OMAFRA in collaboration with grower organizations. Nineteen of these emergency use submissions were approved by PMRA, saving over $365 million in potential crop losses in Ontario. Two of the emergency use submissions were withdrawn due to full registration being granted.

Collection of Baseline Information on Insect Fauna in Commercial Herb Fields

As herb production increases in Ontario, the documentation of insect fauna in commercial herb fields provides baseline information on the status and seasonal dynamics of pest and beneficial insects. This baseline information will form the basis for an integrated pest management program for Ontario growers. Early identifications of potential pests will allow more timely responses to pest pressure.

Insect samples collected from two commercial herb fields in Norfolk County were identified. Over the course of the 2005 field season more than 200 insect samples were identified to family and/or species. All data were recorded in a spreadsheet and a photo collection was initiated.

Disease samples were collected throughout the growing season and confirmation identifications were provided by the Pest Diagnostic Lab.

These results were presented at the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention (OFVC) at Brock University in February 2006 and at the February meeting of the National Farmers Union (NFU) in Courtland. The presentation at both events was titled "Embarking on an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program for Herbs in Ontario". Fifty people were in attendance for these presentations.

A major success from this scouting project was providing the growers with a better awareness and understanding of these pests. Potential IPM strategies can be developed when proper identification of pests is made. For example, in 2005 yellow spots developed on the fresh market sage, which renders the product unmarketable. Leafhopper damage was suspected; however with proper identification, the disease Downy mildew was discovered to be the problem. Changes to cultural practices can be made to help reduce the incidence of Downy mildew. Also, the registration of pesticides for the control of this disease can be pursued in the future.

Key players in this project were: farm co-operators, Pest Diagnostic Clinic (University of Guelph) and Crop Technology Branch staff.

Identifying a cause of a problem can lead to a solution. From a growers' standpoint this could translate into increased sales and revenue. By working on this project, a good network of people is forming. We are all working towards improving Ontario agriculture and helping to sustain its production. Working together opens doors.

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Insect Management in the Ontario Cruciferous Crops

Swede midge larvae on red cabbage

A three-year (2005-2008) collaborative project was initiated with OMAFRA, University of Guelph and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, to develop scouting techniques and management practices for the control of cabbage seedpod weevil (CSW) and Swede midge (SM). These recently introduced insect pests threaten horticulture and field crops in Ontario. The CSW is an economic pest of canola while the SM is a pest of both cole crops and canola in Ontario. By evaluating planting dates, variety tolerance, trapping methods, presence of natural enemies, and efficacy of seed treatments and foliar insecticides and their use pattern, we will be able to develop best management practices that can be implemented by growers to ensure a long-term sustainable production of these crops in Ontario. Funding was provided by the Agricultural Adaptation Council, Ontario Canola Growers Association, Canola Council of Canada, Cargill, Bayer, Dupont, BASF, and Syngenta.

In canola, estimated yield losses of 15-20 per cent by CSW alone due to direct impact of seed feeding, with further potential losses due to indirect damage including pod disease introduction and impact on seed quality, makes controlling this pest critical. Preliminary results from 2005 indicate that spray timing is critical for CSW control, in particular for winter canola where up to two applications may be necessary to lessen yield loss and ensure seed quality. Results also indicate a relationship between weevil infestations and brown seed incidence which was a devastating issue for canola growers in 2005, when seed quality was rated as poor due to brown seed making much of the 2005 crop unmarketable. Timely updates regarding this research were provided through farm media, including Ontario Farmer and OMAFRA's CropPest newsletter. Results were presented to 80 growers in attendance at the Ontario Canola Growers annual meeting, and a summary of Year 1 results were provided for the Ontario Canola Growers Newsletter which is distributed to over 850 growers.

In cole crops, during the 2005 season, weekly reports of SM activity provided important decision-making information to growers across southwestern Ontario. In addition, based on research conducted in Ontario in 2006, an emergency use registration for control of SM was granted for use on cole crop transplants in Ontario, allowing cole crop growers across the province access to an effective tool in the management of SM.

The long-term goal of these projects is to create an effective management scheme for these economic pests, to help ensure sustainable cole crop and canola production in Canada.

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Learning About the Leek Moth

Leek moth is a quarantine pest in the U.S. which affects exports of Canadian produce. OMAFRA staff are developing monitoring protocols and management solutions for this pest. Crop Technology Branch staff continue to educate onion and garlic growers to increase their vigilance and pest-management practices for this pest.

In light of the fact that there are no reports of this pest in the United States, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is working on a leek moth certification protocol (LMCP) for a number of Allium spp. grown in Canada and exported to the United States. OMAFRA staff provide input to the CFIA on LMCP.

During the 2005 growing season, OMAFRA and AAFC staff conducted efficacy trials in organic garlic fields in eastern Ontario. These trials will be continued in 2006 and all data will be combined and used to support a product registration.

In 2003, the CFIA deregulated the leek moth in Canada and ceased all surveys. Since that time, no survey work has been completed in Ontario. The goal of this project is to survey for leek moth across Ontario to gain a better understanding of the distribution and potential spread of this pest.

Throughout the past year, three leek moth presentations were delivered to more than 110 growers, scouts, and researchers. These presentations have educated growers on this pest and better equipped them to be able to identify it in their crop which is significant due to trade regulations.

Vegetable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Adoption Survey

The purpose of this project was to determine which IPM practices are commonly used among growers of major vegetable crops, in order to focus the resources of the Great Lakes Vegetable Working Group (GLVWG) and direct outreach and research efforts.

This was a joint project with eight states in the Great Lakes growing region. Through OMAFRA participation, Ontario had the highest response rate of any of the participating jurisdictions. Results are still being tabulated, but will be shared with all GLVWG members (research & extension staff) and vegetable growers' organizations. The results will assist in prioritizing projects and resources and in developing future joint projects.

The mission of the working group is to foster communication and collaboration between vegetable specialists in the Great Lakes region, including Ontario, and to address priorities in vegetable production through research and extension programs. Through this group, joint projects are being developed that cross state and national borders, working together to accomplish more with existing resources. The survey is the first joint project and the results will ensure IPM project efforts are effectively aligned with growers needs.

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International Plum Pox Meeting

More than 70 researchers, extension workers and regulators from Canada, U.S., Chile, Argentina, England, Hungary and Spain attended this international event in Niagara Falls, Ontario (October 25-27, 2005). Plum Pox Virus (PPV) research, management and eradication strategies were presented by international speakers from Spain, Chile, Argentina, Hungry and England.

Information obtained from those scientists, extension personnel and regulators was used to revise the PPV eradication strategy in Canada. OMAFRA played the lead role in developing and organizing the Canadian/American PPV Update.

The organization committee was comprised of staff from OMAFRA Crop Technology Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

IPM Training for Ontario Nursery Industry

Each year OMAFRA's Nursery Crops Specialist gives a pre-season review of Integrated Pest Management for Ontario Nursery growers. The purpose is to educate growers regarding biology, identification and various types of management for major pests and abiotic problems in nursery stock just prior to the growing season. Case studies and sample unknowns helped stimulate participation and problem solving skills.

The Nursery Crops Specialist created presentation materials, handouts and arranged fresh plant specimens and visual equipment, to facilitate a hands-on approach to IPM in an informal setting. The nursery industry arranged meeting locations, refreshments, audio equipment and absorbed all costs associated with the meeting. Nursery growers also supplied most of the fresh pest specimens for the seminar. The Nursery-Landscape Agriphone is an important part of communicating IPM information to Ontario's nursery and landscape industry.

In 2005, over 100 participants attended the seminars at three locations in the province. Nursery growers appreciated the effort of OMAFRA staff and came together to learn and discuss production issues and proposed solutions that utilized all aspects of IPM. One of the goals was to stimulate problem solving between supervisors and field staff. The result was a step in the direction of better communication of production issues and a more informed approach towards pest management by all staff. Many growers came away feeling more empowered about the usefulness of monitoring and more confident about their pest identification skills. Many compliments and words of appreciation were expressed by attending nursery growers.

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Corn Seed Treatment to Control Seed and Seedling Insect Pests

The study was undertaken to assess the feasibility of using Poncho 250 pre-treated seeds for the control of seed and seedling insect pest in first year corn. Year 2 of a two-year project.

Results were presented at the Eastern Ontario Crop Conference ~250, CropLine, Farm press article - April 2006, five S&C Annual Meetings, Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Assocaiton Annual Meeting, Crop Pest, Crop Advances.

Producers are better able to assess the feasibility of using Poncho 250. Trial data (over 50 trials) indicating a 3 bu/acre yield advantage to using seed treatment at a cost of approximately $7/acre for the seed treatment. Partially as a result of this project, the seed industry has lowered the reported advantage of using the seed treatment from 7 bu/acre down to 4 to 5 bu/acre. Additionally growers are making a more targeted use of the product, thus reducing use, environmental loading and risk of resistance buildup.

The project has reduced usage of pretreated corn seed, helped keep the price of the product down and provided knowledge on where to use the seed treatment. Impact includes reduced production cost, reduced pesticide loading to the environment, lesser risk of resistance buildup.

Ontario Soybean Rust Sentinel Plot Project

The risk to Ontario and Canadian soybean producers from soybean rust has increased substantially with the confirmation and subsequent spread of soybean rust in the southern U.S. As an extension of the comprehensive monitoring program and early warning system put in place for the 2005 growing season by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), United Soybean Board (USB) and the North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP), a series of soybean sentinel plots (44) were established in southern Ontario across the soybean production belt from Windsor to Ottawa. The long-term goal is to have the sentinel plot system expand to include other diseases and insects such as soybean aphid (which will be added in 2006).

The purpose of the sentinel plots is to establish a detection and monitoring system which provides producers, extension, consultants and the soybean industry with an effective and successful decision support tool.

The threat of soybean rust has led to unparalleled international cooperation. OMAFRA's involvement in this North American early warning system provides Ontario and Canadian soybean producers with equal access to soybean rust management information as their U.S. counterparts. In addition, participation provides OMAFRA access to research and technology materials that otherwise would be cost prohibitive or lacked the resources in people, expertise and infrastructure/equipment.

The sentinel plot system and tracking of soybean rust provided us with an opportunity (proactive) to evaluate OMAFRA, Ontario Soybean Growers and CFIA protocols and response mechanisms before rust arrives.

Management of Asian soybean rust will maintain profitability and result in the judicial use of fungicides only when needed therefore minimizing environmental and operator (human) impacts.

Funding for this project was provided in part by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Adaptation Council's CanAdvance Program, the Ontario Soybean Growers and the Ontario Soybean Rust Coalition. The USDA, United Soybean Board (USB) and the North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP) and the land grant universities in the States.

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The Ontario Soybean Rust Coalition

Scouting for soybean rust

The Ontario Soybean Rust Coalition was formed in response to the inevitable introduction of this new invasive plant disease of soybeans into Ontario and Canada. Partners are not only committed to collect, compile, disseminate information and resources to tackle this debilitating crop disease but to provide a "unified" voice concerning soybean rust to not only Ontario producers but producers in other provinces as well.

The Coalition has undertaken various activities to prepare producers, extension, consultants and the Ontario soybean industry with the necessary resources and decision support tools to effectively and successfully manage this new invasive plant disease. Examples include:

Development and dissemination of various educational materials related to soybean rust (technology transfer) such as:

• Soybean Rust ID Card - 22,000+ Ontario soybean producers in December 2004. Ontario was the first jurisdiction in North America to disseminate the 500,000 ID cards to their producers (less then a month after the U.S. confirmation in November of 2004). The ID cards are a collaborative effort between the USDA, OMAFRA and 22 land grant universities.
  
• in conjunction with "Le Bulletin des Agriculteurs" produced a French translation of the ID card which was distributed in Quebec, Ontario and the United States
  
• soybean rust Information Workshops throughout the province, grower presentations, rust management seminars/field days, Outdoor Farm Show and others.
  
• development of a Soybean Rust website was added to the Ontario Soybean Growers website at www.soybean.on.ca
  
• a special soybean rust issue of "Top Crop Manager" was delivered to more than 22,000 Ontario soybean producers in early July, 2005
  
• distribution of Using Foliar Fungicides to Manage Soybean Rust manual to more than 22,000 soybean producers in Ontario in February, 2006 in addition to a special "Soybean Rust Guide" by Country Guide magazine

Coalition members include OMAFRA, producers (OSG), researchers (AAFC, University of Guelph), equipment (John Deere), seed (Monsanto, Pioneer, Syngenta) and chemical (BASF, Bayer, Dow, Dupont, and Syngenta) representatives.

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Economics of Spraying Foliar Insecticides for the Control of Soybean Aphids

The purpose of this project is to validate current thresholds and determine the economics of spraying currently registered foliar insecticides for the control of soybean aphids in on-farm grower strip trials. Our long-term goal is to create best management practices for the control of soybean aphids to enable Ontario soybean growers to remain competitive in the marketplace.

Results suggest that the threshold and management recommendations are sound and can be applied across the industry for the management of soybean aphids in Ontario. Ontario has been one of the only locations in North America to have the opportunity to have aphid pressures later in the season to determine the yield response of spraying insecticides at thresholds in the later stages of the crop. Ontario has played a critical role in the development and validation of these thresholds for all of North America. Having 54 strip trials conducted across the province is a great achievement and contributes greatly to the research community and soybean industry, ensuring there are strong valid data backing up our pest management recommendations.

OMAFRA's rapid response and research/extension achievements have resulted in the development of a decision-making tool for Ontario soybean growers against an invasive species that has only been in Ontario since 2001. Such an accomplishment helps ensure growers are using insecticides effectively while still taking environmental health into consideration and overall allows them to remain competitive in the marketplace.

Growers Now Using Propagation Trees Free of Plum Pox Virus

The purpose of the Domestic Prunus Certification program was to develop with industry an interim plan to provide the nursery trade with Plum Pox Virus (PPV) tested propagation material by isolating and harvesting budwood from orchards in southwestern Ontario under the "best available" nursery stock program (2000 to 2010).

As a result, 250,000 buds were supplied to the eight tender fruit nursery propagators in 2005 ensuring disease-free trees. Growers are now using PPV-tested propagation trees in the fight to eradicate PPV.

By identifying disease-free PPV-tested, certified trees, OMAFRA is helping to reduce the risk of introducing PPV through infected propagation material in newly established Prunus fruit crop orchards.

Effective Control Strategies for Bacterial Diseases

Angular leaf spot is a serious disease caused by the bacteria Xanthomonas fragariae that can cause significant losses in Ontario strawberry production during some years. There are no effective products available in Canada that can be included in an Integrated Pest Management strategy for controlling bacterial diseases in horticulture crops. Recent preliminary studies in the U.S. have shown that Tanos tank mixed with copper can significantly suppress bacterial disease in other crops; however, no data on the effectiveness of this tank mix to suppress Angular Leaf spot in strawberries is available. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential efficacy of Tanos and Clean Crop Copper 53W alone and in combination on angular leaf spot in strawberries.

Results from this study will be used to support registration of this product for the control of the bacterial disease Angular leaf spot in strawberry. The tank mix of Tanos and Copper may prove to be effective in a Integrated Pest Management strategies being developed for bacterial diseases in other horticulture crops grown in Ontario.

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Efficacy of Label Rate for Japanese Beetle in Container Nursery Stock

The purpose of this project was to demonstrate the effectiveness of the supplemental label rate for Intercept (imidacloprid) on Japanese beetle in container nursery stock. Efficacy data was required before OMAFRA staff felt confident about recommending this product at this low rate.

The trial demonstrated clearly that all labeled rates of Intercept were effective at reducing the survival of Japanese beetle larvae in treated container substrate. The results of the trial gave OMAFRA staff the confidence to recommend the use of this product at the labeled rate. In addition, OMAFRA staff gained valuable insight into designing and constructing a containment apparatus for insect trials. Special design considerations were made for repetitive introductions of the adult beetles and prevention of their tireless attempts at escape. OMAFRA staff developed valuable techniques in sexing and releasing adult beetles in effective ratios for reproduction.

Biological Control of Whitefly in Poinsettias

The purpose of this project was to investigate the potential of new biological control agents to control whitefly in poinsettia, and to establish recommendations for commercial poinsettia growers who are interested in using biocontrol.

Of the three commercial growers who were involved in trials in 2005, one achieved complete control of whitefly for the duration of the crop. The other two had to carry out clean-up procedures using pesticides at the end of the crop, but there were indications that the problems were caused by pesticide residues on the poinsettia cuttings when they came in from the propagator. Pesticide use in greenhouses was greatly reduced.

There are viable alternatives to the use of pesticides in poinsettia crops, however work needs to be done to optimize the use of natural enemies.

OMAFRA greenhouse specialists were able to demonstrate the effectiveness of new biological control agents for whitefly in poinsettia in the 2005 poinsettia cultivar trial.

- Photo courtesy of Deborah Hilborn,
Department of Plant Agriculture - Vineland Campus, OAC, University of Guelph

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