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CONTENTY
Introduction
IPM Alabama Program Activities
IPM Alabama Program Website
Alabama Weekly Pest Update
Publications and Releases
Crop Activities
Cotton.#*
Forages and Small Grains
Forestry..................... ...
Peanuts
Tree Fruit and Nuts
Vegetables
Associated Programs..
Alabama Pesticide Applicator Training Program
Alabama Pesticide Impact Assessment Program
IPM Alabama Mini-Grants Program..
Grant Funds Obtained by IPM Personnel in 1998..
Printed June 1999 iM
Information contained herein is available to all persons regardless of race, color, sex, or national origin.
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InTEGRenIAT PmT MAnIIInIEMENT 1998 1Nnu REPORT
Alabama Program! We are excited about the integrated pest man-
agement (IPM) programs and projects that took place in our state
during the past year. Our primary goals have beento increase pub-
lic awareness of the benefits of IPM and to provide the public with
easy access to information on IPM to assist with decision-making. Geoff Zehnder, IPM
Coordinat r
Achieving these goals will enable our clientele to increase their
levels of implementation and long-term adoption of environmen-
tally sound pest management practices. During 1998, program par-
ticipants made significant progress towardsthese goals, and we also
exploited recent advances in information technology to make it
easier for people in the state to access information on IPM.
While most program areas expanded during 1998, sever-
al areas lost key personnel either to retirement or to other jobs.
Dr. Faith Oi, our Extension urban entomologist, moved to the
USDA-ARS in Gainesville, 
Florida, where she will continue 
her Mark Rumph, IPM
work with termites and fire ants. Though her expertise with the Program Assistant
urban programs here in Alabama will be greatly missed, we congratulate her on her new job
and hope to continue our interactions with Faith. Dr. Patricia Cobb, our Extension turf and
landscape entomologist, recently retired after more than twenty years of work in her field.
Her extensive local and national involvement with golf course and turf management leaves
a great legacy to be admired. She will continue to work as a guest lecturer at universities
across the country and will stay on as a consultant with the USGA, culminating in over-
seeing course preparation for the Ryder Cup matches in 1999 in Baldarama, Spain.
Despite these changes in personnel, our outlook for 1999 is positive. We hope that
the urban and turf IPM positions can be replaced so that we can continue to provide exper-
tise in these areas. We are also positive that the Alabama Cooperative Extension System
will continue to support the IPM Alabama Program to enable us to continue and expand
successful programs, such as the IPM mini-grants program and website development, and to
move into new areas as needed. We hope that you find the 1998 Annual Report interest-
ing and informative. Please feel free to call or e-mail if you would like additional informa-
tion about the IPM Alabama Program.
Sincerely,
Mark A. Rumph Geoff Zehnder
IPM Program Assistant IPM Coordinator
INTE6R0TEO PET MifgEMENT
1PM IILIIDIIMII WER$ITE - http://www.acesag.auburn.eduldepartmentlipm
The IPM Alabama Program continued 
to expand their internet presence in 
1998, with a goal of providing timely,
unbiased pest management information 
to the public. Citizens from around the 
world accessed the website more than 10,000
times during the year. Most of the inquiries 
came from Alabama, but we received 
questions from as far away as Africa 
and
South America.
The website currently contains more than 
500 pest management documents covering 
hundreds of subjects. In 1999,
the IPM Alabama Program will add a great 
deal of urban IPM information, a common 
request from internet viewers.
1PM IM 1 LI iM UM PUT IUP0TE 
'I'TEM
In 1998, the IPM Alabama Program initiated 
an Electronic Pest Update
System. The Pest Update System was developed 
as one of the Alabama Cooperative
Extension System Team Plans, and involves 
a diversity of participants from all over
the state, including extension specialists, county 
agents, state agency personnel, and
avricultural consultants. The Pest Update 
System is truly a team effort, in that each
wcek during the growing season, the participants 
send in email reports on pest and
crop conditions in their area. The weekly 
reports are compiled in the IPM Alabama
Program office and released online in newsletter 
format to provide a statewide picture
of pest and crop conditions throughout the 
state. The 50 participants received the
weekly Pest Update Newsletter by email 
or on the IPM Alabama website, and could
v sv then forward the information 
to their clients by email or by making print 
copies of the
Newsletter, We hope to expand the Pest Update 
System by recruiting a greater num-
ber of participants for the 1999 season.
If you arc interested in participating or 
receiving the information this year, please 
e-mail Mark RLimph at
mrumph acesag.aubLurn.edu with your 
request.
PURLICI9TION HIII
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RELEI$E$"
Periodically, the IPM Alabama Program develops 
and distributes publications
about timely topics that might arise within 
the IPM field. In 1998, a "Garden Wheel"
providing information to homeowners about 
proper gardening practices was produced
in conjunction with a non-profit environmental 
education group, Legacy, Inc.
Throughout the year specialists also provided 
information for press releases concern-
ing many pest management issues such as 
the 13-year cicada emergence last spring.
The program also publishes a quarterly newsletter, 
the IPM Alabama News.
The purpose of the newsletter is to provide 
timely updates about current 1PM projects.
The newsletter is distributed to university 
administrators, state decision makers, and
other state IPM programs.
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'A IPM Tactics for On-
Farm Stored Grain
1998 9uni aEPORT
COTTONI IMII~ PROGIIM
Team Members - Ron H. Smith, Barry Freeman, and Ron
Weeks. Also included are 55 County Cooperative
Extension Agents and 18 Private Consultants.
Insecticide resistance, eradication of an important
pest (the bollweevil) and the introduction of genetically
altered varieties have all significantly altered the econom-
ic pest situation in Alabama. In response to these changes,
scouting techniques, threshold levels and insecticide
chemistries have evolved to meet the new developments
in cotton IPM in Alabama. The focus of the cotton IPM
program has been to provide growers 
with the best infor-
mation to base their pest management decisions in this
evolving scenario.
In 1998, program members conducted cotton scout-
ing short courses, grower educational meetings, Experiment
station field days, and field/test demonstrations. Team mem-
hers also participated in regional bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)
resistance monitoring programs, developed a new cotton
scout manual with modified techniques geared for Bt cot-
ton, and created a new tool, the "Guide to Improved
Control of Pyrethroid Resistant Tobacco Budworm on
Conventional Varieties." Information was collected
throughout the season on insect populations and made
available via e-mail and the internet, as well as on a toll free
"hotline" to alert growers of emerging conditions and IPM
actions for managing those developments.
During the 1998 season, the average grower only
made 1.5 insecticide applications, less than 25% of the his-
torical average. Reasons behind the decline in chemical
insecticide use include: over 60% of acreage planted to Bt
varieties, over 80% of acreage monitored weekly for insects,
an increased utilization of beneficial insects in cotton IPM,
and an increased utilization of reduced tillage in cotton
production.
SUCCESS STORY - Following the elimination of the
bollweevil through eradication, Pickens Coutnty cotton pro-
ducer, HuLgh Summerville, has produced cotton for three con-
secutive seasons without making a single foliar insecticide
application on his 500 acre farm. Mr. Summerville utilizes
field monitoring, increased utilization of beneficial insects
and realistic thresholds to take advantage of advances in cot-
ton IPM. Mr. Summerville was honored in January of 1995 as
one of four growers nationally who have blended cutting-edge
techniques with a concern for the environment.
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IIJTEGIMEO PES?7 M ENJlGPENT
FORhGEYr III) AND HLL GORfIVY IPM PiO6RiM
Team Members - Kathy Flanders, Donald Ball, Paul
Mask, Mike Patterson, John Everest, Jerry Crews, and
William Gazaway
The Forages and Small Grains IPM Team coordi-
nated several projects in 1998 including: biological con-
trol of cereal leaf beetle and musk thistle, establishment of
on-farm precision agriculture and long-term fire ant man-
agement demonstrations, surveys for aphid vectors of bar-
ley yellow dwarf virus, development of IPM tools for
detecting insects in soil, and a train-the-trainer education
workshop on stored grain IPM.
Soil insects continue to be a problem pest in pas-
tures, and the team made progress this year in their work
to develop new tools for detection. Sounds recorded with
a microphone placed in the soil are being analyzed to see
if there is a correlation between particular sounds and
insect infestation. This will help farmers to identify areas
of infestation 
without laborious 
soil sampling.
Cereal leaf beetle continues to be a sporadic pest
of wheat, and research in 1998 focused on determining
the relationship between yield loss and cereal leaf beetle
infestation. This study will result in recommendations
that will help growers t determinc when treatment for
cereal leaf beetle is necessary. Another project is being
done to evaluate the effectiveness of parasitic wasps for
biological control of cereal leaf beetle. In 1998 team
members released the stingless wasps in fields with a high
risk of cereal leaf beetle infestation. Sampling this spring
will determine if the wasp biocontrol agents can effec-
tively suppress cereal leaf beetle populations.
The aphid-transmitted barley yellow dwarf virus
(BYDV) also continues to remain a serious threat to
Alabama's small grain producers. A survey to identify
the species of aphid that vector BYDV was conducted
using an aphid suction trap. The Forage and Small Grain
IPM Team also interacted with other researchers from
Auburn University, the Florida Division of Plant
Industry, the University of Georgia, the University of
Kentucky, Virginia Tech, and Cornell University to
obtain grant funds to develop a research data base on
BYDV epidemiology.
A new biotype of Hessian fly was discovered in
Alabama wheat in 1996-1997, and team members assist-
ed USDA researchers in a survey to identify resistant
biotypes.
1998 fIiNUL REPORT
Biotype "L," now detected in the northern half of the
state, and the western third of the state, feeds on varieties
of wheat that are resistant to other Hessian fly biotypes.
The team increased educational efforts to inform growers
of alternative management strategies for the resistant
Hessian fly biotype.
Over the past five years, 
Alabama and Georgia
wheat researchers have met jointly at least twice each
year to plan and evaluate wheat research programs. As a
result, cooperative programs are common and efforts are
not duplicated but instead are complementary. The team
also worked this year to form the Southeastern Wheat
Alliance, composed of millers, bakers, seed and supply
dealers, farmers, and researchers. Wheat IPM is one com-
ponent of this larger project.
During 1998, Alabama cooperated with Georgia
to conduct a Stored Grain IPM Workshop. Workshop
attendees, a mix of county agents and growers, participat-
ed in hands-on-sessions on Stored Grain IPM techniques.
This project was supported by a grant from the
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
Train-the-Trainer program.
As a part of the Alabama Fire Ant Management
Project, experimental biological control agents were
released in three Alabama pastures in 1998. The two bio-
control agents examined were a predaceous phorid fly and
a disease-causing microsporidium. Researchers established
demonstration projects with these agents on a cattle
ranch to evaluate their effectiveness and cost..
During 1998 the Team presented information on
IPM through a number of venues. County, multi-county,
and statewide meetings were used to communicate infor-
mation on precision agriculture, weed control in grain,
cultural practices for economic grain and soybean produc-
tion, sustainable fertility practices, and economic analysis.
Approximately 600 people attended these meetings. On-
farm demonstration projects were also conducted at vari-
ous sites across the state. Team members collaborated
with many agencies, including NASA, on their projects
and efforts to educate growers and the public
SUCCESS STORY- Cereal leaf beetles can be a seri-
ous pest of wheat. In many cases, however, farmers apply
insecticides for control when the infestation levels are
below treatment thresholds (the level at which the cost of
insecticide application is justified to prevent economic
loss). This happens because cereal leaf beetle feeding is
highly visible on the plants, even though the level of
damage may not result in loss of yield.
A series of on-farm demonstrations were planned
at the time when cereal leaf beetle damage occurred to
show farmers different levels of feeding damage to wheat.
At the time of the demonstrations, most of the farmers
had not yet applied insecticide, but they had made a deci-
sion to treat based the presence of feeding damage. As a
result of the demonstrations, the farmers became
acquainted with different levels of cereal leaf beetle feed-
ing damage, and to determine the levels that justify spray
treatment (treatment thresholds). In Morgan County,
where the demonstrations were conducted, growers par-
ticipating in the program saved $10,000 in insecticide
costs, in addition to reducing the negative impact of the
insecticide sprays on the environment.
INTEeRlTE) PEiT MJIIMENT
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FORME' 1PM PROGUIM
Team Members - Wayne Brewer and Scott Enebak
This was a challenging year in forest pest manage-
ment due to another year of extreme heat and drought.
Insect and disease problems in trees and other forest vege-
tation were more severe because of the drought stress
brought on by hot and dry conditions in 1998. Early in the
year, broods of the 13-year* cicada emerged throughout
Alabama resulting in a deluge of telephone calls and
inquiiries to county agents and pest management special-
ists. Even though the cicada is only a minor pest, the spec-
tacle that they cause due to their large numbers and the
noise they produce prompted many citi-ens to perceive
them as a major problem.
As the summer wore on, problems associated with
insect damage on weakened and stressed trees became
apparent in both rural and urban areas. The outbreak of
the southern pine beetle reached epidemic proportions in
many counties across the state, and various other bark bee-
ties further damaged or killed weakened trees. Nantucket
pine tip moths attacked young pine plantations and
Christmas tree farms throughout the state with as many as
five generations produced throughout the year. Insect
damage provided cntry sites foir pathogens; thereforl-e dis-
eases became a major factor in all types of trees this year.
Many trees were lost, particularly in urban areas xwhere
groundcover and water was scarce.
Research continued in the forest IPM program to
address insect pests and disease. A main focus area this year
continued to be management of the Nantucket pine tip
moth. Researchers are working to develop management
strategies for this pest that affects newly planted pines in
commercial plantations, Christmas trees and landscape
trees around the state. Work is also continuing on the devel-
opment of alternatives to the fumigant methyl bromide for
control of soil-borne diseases in forest tree nurseries. Results
from 1998 research by School of Forestry team members
have shown that plant growth-promoting rhiobacteria may
be a practical alternative to soil fumigation because these
naturally occurring soil bacteria can induce plant resistance
to disease and also stimulate seedling growth (see IPM mini-
grant report on this project).
* Thirteen year cicada
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1999 IJNNUIL REPORT
PEANVUT IT 1 PROGI
Team Members: Ron Weeks, Dallas Hartzog, Austin
Hagan, and John Everest.
Activities during 1998 in peanut IPM continued
to focus on tools to help peanut farmers survive the cur-
rent economic downturn in the peanut industry. Alabama
peanut growers planted 196,000 acres of peanuts during
the year, and current estimates for the state yield average
are for 2,000 pounds per acre. Extraordinary, severe
weather was also a limiting production factor in the 1998-
growing season. A mid-summer drought and two fall hur-
ricanes contributed significantly to the lower-than-
expected yields.
Adding to the untavorable growing conditions,
insect pest populations were significantly higher in 1998
than in normal years. Peanut growers made an average 
of
three foliar insecticide sprays caterpillar pests. The fall
armyworm was one of the major 
pests in this group.
Damage from lesser cornstalk borer, a soil-dwelling cater-
pillar, was also severe due to the hot, dry weather in May
and June. Growers spent an average of forty-five dollars
per acre more in pest control in 1998 because of these
unusually high pest populations.
Specialists on the Peanut 1PM Team conducted
two scout training sessions in 1998 with 105 clientele
trained in peanut IPM techniques and pest identification.
On-tarn IPM tours were also conducted in Geneva,
Covington and Coffee counties to assist growers and scouts
with mid-summer pest identification and management. At
the Field Crops Day held at the Wiregrass Experiment
Station in Headland, over 350 growers, pest managers and
industry representatives toured peanut IPM plots that
highlighted the use of resistant peanut cultivars, tillage
practices and predictive pest models for managing major
peanut insect and disease pests.
A total of 11 Wiregrass-area peanut grower meet-
ings were organized to provide approximately 480 peanut
growers with the most recent results of peanut IPM research.
Specifically, the research areas 
addressed included intoirma-
tion on tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) management
using multiple tactics of cultivar selection, planting 
date
manipulation, seeding rate, and insecticide application.
Data was also presented from studies showing reduced
TSWV levels in no-till peanuts compared to 
conventional-
ly planted peanuts and how no-till production could be
incorporated into an overall TSWV management 
program.
INTEasflTED PE5T MJIIIIEMENT
SUCCESS STORY - In 1986, Tomato Spotted Wilt
Virus (TSWV) was first identified on peanuts in Alabama.
Since then, TSWV infection levels have increased 
such
that in 1997, peanut fields commonly incurred infection
rates of around 25 to 30 percent. Because no single manage-
ment tool can provide control, research and extension
efforts in Alabama have focused on a multi-disciplinary
management system to minimize losses from TSWV. 
In
1998, Peanut IPM Team specialists conducted grower 
meet-
ings in the 12 major peanut growing counties. A monthly
newspaper column in the Alabama Peanut Producer
Association (APPA), "Peanut News" was used to provide
the latest recommendations for management 
of TSWV dur-
ing 1998. In addition, a monthly agricultural television pro-
gram on WTVY Channel 4 in Dothan, "The 
Noon Gene
Ragan Show," was also used to alert growers to the TSWV
management system. The components of the TSWV 
man-
agement system included planting resistant 
peanut cultivars,
establishing a uniform vigorous plant population 
of at least
four plants per row foot, planting 
in a time window of May
1 through May 10 when soils are 
warm enough to ensure
good plant stands, and use of phorate insecticide 
for thrips
control (thrips are vectors 
of TSWV).
A majority of Alabama peanut growers implement-
ed these strategies, and as a result 
they experienced a signif-
icant reduction in TSWV incidence in 1998 compared 
with
previous years; less than 5 percent infection rates compared
with 20 to 25 percent last year. Based 
on yield estimates
derived from small plot research studies, this 
level of TSWV
reduction could result in yield increases 
of 300 to 500
pounds of peanuts per acre, or an estimated 90 to 150 dol-
lars per acre increase.
TREE FRUIT ANO NUT IPM1
Team Leaders: John McVay, Ed
Powell, Robert Boozer, Bill Goff,
Foshee
Sikora, Arlie
and Wheeler
In 1998, the Tree Fruit and Nut (TFN)
IPM Program focused efforts in pecan, apple and
peach pest management. Members of the program
worked closely with the Alabama Pecan Growers
Association and the Alabama Fruit and 
Vegetable
Growers Association to promote IPM use 
through
various educational programs, including on-farm
deImionstrations, field days, and newsletters. 
The
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1998 IAIiivwL REPORT
TFN IPM Program is centered on the concept of cost effi-
ciency and pest control optimization. In-depth IPM
training is provided for farmers, scouts, consultants, and
industry personnel. IPM manuals, report forms and other
publications are made available to all participants. In
addition, on-farm field demonstrations are conducted to
enhance the IPM informational support base. Program
efforts involve a team approach that includes entomolo-
gists, horticulturists, weed scientists, plant pathologists,
pesticide education specialists and county agents. Up-to-
date information concerning pest populations and trends
is provided throughout the season.
TFN IPM program personnel were involved in
the development of a "1998 Integrated Orchard
Management Guide for Commercial Apples in the
Southeast," an award-winning publication that has
become the "Bible" for apple IPM in the southern region.
Another very popular resource, The Alabama Pecan Pest
Management Hotline, an 800 number service established
in 1997, was expanded to include information on peach
and applepests and their management. Program special-
ists also worked closely with the agricultural industry to
develop improved IPM techniques and strategies for tree
fruit and nut crops. Total industry funding for specific
projects was in excess of $100,000.
SUCCESS STORY - Pecans are produced on 50,000
acres in Alabama with an additional 5-10,000 acres of
non-bearing orchards maintained. Production costs range
from $300 to $500 per acre depending on cultivars and
practices. The cost of pest management can total 50% of
all production costs. The dynamics of the system demand
that management decisions be made on a daily basis from
budbreak until harvest. Losses of effective insecticides
through product re-registration or pest resistance have
negatively affected management efforts. Therefore, the
continued development of effective IPM strategies is crit-
ical to provide adequate levels of crop protection without
increasing costs. In 1998, pest problems were considered
moderate and conditions were conducive to disease
development throughout the season. As in previous
years, TFN IPM recommendations promoted proper and
timely application of fungicides and herbicides. Scouting
revealed that insect pressure was moderate during the
late season, which allowed for greater flexibility in man-
agement. IPM recommendations included preservation
of beneficial arthropods where possible for natural con-
trol of aphids and mites. Surveys indicate that 90% of
TFN acreage is monitored for pest infestations and 80%
are treated according to IPM guidelines. Growers using
IPM methods made an average of seven fungicide and
four insecticide applications during the 1998 season. This
is a reduction of six insecticide and five fungicide appli-
cations when compared with growers not using IPM prac-
tices. Orchard floor management costs for IPM growers
remained stable. The cost savings to growers adopting
IPM averaged $132.00 per acre for a total savings of
$5.28 million to the TFN industry. Crop size and quality
produced by IPM growers were not negatively affected by
the reduced pesticide applications.
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INTEGQiITEI) PEVl MIINAmEANET
J. Kemble
Vegetable production in Alabama is highly diverse
with over 20 different crops grown throughout 
the state.
The Auburn University Vegetable Task Force, organized 
by
Dr. Kemble in 1994, serves as a Vegetable IPM 
working
group tor the state. The vegetable IPM program 
has many
focus areas including: development and demonstration of
low chemical input production systems, development 
and
evaluation of biological control agents, and deployment 
of
pest nmonitoring and management programs. 
IPM projects
were conducted in many vegetable crops, with tomatoes and
Irish potatoes as main focus areas in 1998. Tomato best
management practices for diseases, insect pests, weeds, 
and
fertilizer were demonstrated and validated for a second year
on south Alabama tomato farms with 
grower cooperators.
The cornerstone of the tomato IPM program is using knowl-
edge of existing pest and crop conditions, 
through field
scouting and weather monitoring stations, to determine 
if
and when pesticides are needed. The IPM 
program saved
cooperating growers approximately 30-40% in 
pesticide
inputs without any reduction in fruit quality or yield. An
Alabama Tomato IPM handbook is being developed 
that
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will contain intoirmation on all of the recommended 
IPM
practices and tips for tomato disease, insect and weed iden-
tification.
The BLITECAST weather-based spray advisory
program for late blight control in Irish potatoes was made
available in 1998 to most of the potato production 
areas in
the state. Like the TOMNICAST program, 
BLITECAST
advises growers when fungicide applications 
are needed
based on the potential for development 
of disease. BLITE-
CAST advisories are available through cooperating 
county
agent offices and industry outlets in Cullman, DeKalb,
Jackson, Mobile, and Baldwin counties.
SUCCESS STORY - Alabama produces over 
350,000 kg
of fresh market tomatoes annually 
with an estimated value
of $18 million. In 1998, a complete recommendation 
pack-
age for disease and insect pests and for nutrient management
was tested and validated on commercial tomato farms with
cooperative growers for a second consecutive year. 
The pro-
ject was supported by a grant tfrom the 
USDA Southern
Region IPM Program. The five grower cooperators 
selected
for 1998 were Richard Collins, 
James Bedsoe, James Bolen,
Max Bolin, and Eric White. Each grower 
set aside a one-
acre tomato field for the purpose of comparing 
production
recommendations from the Alabama Tomato IPM 
Program
I
1991 JINNUIL REPORT
with standard, calendar-based pest control program and pro-
duction practices. On each farm, the field was divided in
half with one half devoted to the IPM program and one half
to the grower's standard practices. The IPM program con-
sisted of a biweekly insect/disease scouting program com-
bined with TOM-CAST, (a weather-based fungicide spray
program). Fertility recommendations were made periodical-
ly based on results of soil and tissue analysis that determined
the nutritional requirements of the crop.
The most significant disease problems to develop in
1998 were tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and southern
blight. Thrips, insect vectors of TSWV, and fruit worms
were the most damaging insect pests. All of the participat-
ing growers indicated that they saved money on production
costs by reducing pesticide applications when following the
TOM-CAST program; which resulted in as much as a 40%
reduction in fungicide inputs. Growers following the rec-
ommendations of the IPM field scout for insect pest man-
agement made six fewer insecticide applications on average
compared to their standard program, which resulted in an
average of more than a 30% reduction in insecticide use
during the season. The growers reported no differences in
tomato yields between the IPM and standard-practice field
sections.
Another component of the project evaluated the
efficacy of flame cultivation, mechanical cultivation,
mulching, and combinations of these practices in okra, pep-
per, sweet corn, and tomato production systems in Alabama
and North Carolina. Most treatments worked well with
okra, pepper, and sweet corn, but preliminary results indi-
cated that flame cultivation in a tomato production system
might not be feasible due to the growth habits of the crop.
filO l IRfTEO PRO6II $"
ALABAMA PESTICIDE APPLICATOR TRAINING
PROGRAM
The Alabama Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT)
Program serves to coordinate training for two main groups
of pesticide applicators, private applicators and professional
applicators. A main focus of the Program is to educate
County Extension personnel to provide instruction for
restricted-use private pesticide applicators in the safe and
proper use of those chemicals. Training for these programs
entails EPA instruction in ground water protection, filling
and cleaning of equipment, calibration, and disposal of
empty pesticide containers. IPM is also offered in these
training sessions as an alternative for reducing overall pesti-
cide use. At this time, there are more than 10,000 private
applicators in Alabama and more than 2,500 professional
applicators.
ALABAMA PESTICIDE IMPACT ASSESSMENT
PROGRAM
In 1976, the USDA established the National
Agricultural Pesticide Impact Assessment Program, more
commonly referred to as NAPIAP. At that time there was a
need to establish a framework for collecting and analyzing
data regarding pesticide use in the United States. Each year,
the Alabama Program conducts surveys of pesticide usage in
various crops.
During 1998 the Program surveyed the cotton
industry with the aid of the Alabama Agricultural Statistics
Service. The information from these surveys will aid agri-
cultural and pest management professionals in developing
cost effective and environmentally sound management pro-
grams.
11
INTE6RITED PET MINfII6EMlENT
1998 IPM IILIIRIIMII MINI-GRIIINTY PRO6RIIM
During 1998, the IPM Alabama Program sup-
ported four mini-grant projects; five fewer projects
than in 1997. The reduction in the level of support
occurred because a greater percentage of IPM funds
were used for personnel salaries than in the past. We
hope that this trend can be reversed so that the mini-
grants program can continued to be supported from
IPM Program funds. The purpose of the mini-grants
program is to provide funding for small projects in the
early stages of development or in areas that do not
receive funding attention by larger grant programs. A
committee composed of county agents,
extension/research specialists, and Alabama growers
review the grant applications and score the proposals.
Highest-scoring proposals are approved given the
funds available. Each project is funded for one year,
and support may be extended if progress can be
demonstrated.
Effect of Transplant Hardening on the Expression of
Tomato Spotted Wilt
Virus in Fresh-Market Tomato
Eric Simonne, Department of Horticulture, Auburn
University, and John Murphy, Department of Plant Pathology,
Auburn University.
The tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) has been
causing an increasing amount of damage to the tomato
industry in south Alabama. Growers reported that 1-3% of
tomato fields were infected with TSWV in 1995 and 1996,
and this figure increased to approximately 10% in 1997.
Most of the transplants used in tomato fields in
south Alabama are produced by commercial greenhouses
in South Georgia. After a 5 to 6 week growing period,
transplants are pulled from Speedling trays and packaged
in boxes before shipment to south Alabama. Due to time
constraints transplants are often insufficiently hardened
at the production site, and then need to be immediately
established in the field upon arrival at the farm to ensure
chances of survival. Consequently, no additional trans-
plant hardening can be done on the farm and tomato
growers observe that transplants are rather tender at
establishment.
The susceptibility of a plant to infection by a virus
decreases with increasing plant age. Therefore, a young
plant is not only more susceptible to infection, but if infect-
ed at a young age will develop more severe symptoms of the
disease. This is more problematic on a larger scale than the
loss of production from isolated plants. Infected plants will
go on to serve as a source of inoculum for other plants.
Research has shown that tomato plants grown
under greenhouse conditions become significantly less sus-
ceptible to infection by cucumber mosaic virus and sever-
al potyviruses once the plant approaches the 9-10 leaf
stage of development. Therefore, this study aimed at deter-
mining whether the length of hardening period of tomato
seedlings has an affect on TSWV disease severity under
natural conditions.
"Sunpride," "Sunbeam" and "Florida 47" tomato
transplants were grown commercially for six weeks in 250-
cell Speedling trays following production practices used by
commercial greenhouses. On April 17, trays were trans-
ported from Tifton, GA to the Wiregrass Substation in
Headland, Alabama. On the same day, one third of the
transplants were established in the field without any hard-
ening. The remaining plants were hardened for five and
ten days and established in the field on April 22 and 27
respectively. White plastic and drip irrigation was used.
The plants were staked and tied appropriately, and cultur-
al practices followed current recommendations for fresh-
market tomato production.
Researchers visited plots weekly and plants show-
ing virus-like symptoms were flagged. Ten plants were
selected from each plot, and evaluation of TSWV infec-
tion by ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent 
Assay)
was carried out on June 23. In each case, the first and last
plant was sampled, as well as any flagged plants.
Virus-like symptoms were not observed in the field
until May 20. During the study period, approximately 7%
of plants tested positive for TSWV. No significant differ-
ences in virus levels were observed between cultivars and
hardening treatments; this was probably due to low infec-
tion rate. Additional studies are planed to evaluate the
effect of tomato transplant hardening on virus severity.
12
1998 IlAunLREPORT
VIRUSES IN COMMERCIAL CANTALOUPE, PUMPKIN
AND WATERMELON IN ALABAMA
John F. Murphy, Department of Plant Pathology, Auburn
University, and Joseph Kemble, Department of Horticulture,
Auburn University.
Plant viruses are a persistent threat to crop pro-
duction. While some viruses occur on a frequent basis from
one year to the next, others appear on a more sporadic
basis. Knowledge of which viruses occur in a crop and their
relative abundance from year to year provides a foundation
for the development of management strategies.
Researchers at Auburn University have initiated a series of
statewide surveys to identify viral diseases in commercial
vegetable crops. Those targeted for this study, the first year
of a two-year survey, include cantaloupe, pumpkin, and
watermelon with an emphasis on watermelon.
Through assistance from County Extension per-
sonnel, selected cantaloupe, pumpkin and watermelon
fields were surveyed in Geneva and Houston counties
(June, 1998), Autauga, Chilton and Elmore counties (July,
1998), and Blount county (August, 1998). Typically, 20
randomly selected plants from each field were tested with
ELISA for several viruses known to occur on a frequent
basis in cucurbits. Analyses were done for the following
viruses: cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), papaya ringspot
potyvirus (PRSV), watermelon mosaic potyvirus 2 (WMV
2), and zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV).
Fields in three areas of the state, (south, central
and north Alabama), were surveyed. A visual assessment
for virus-like symptoms revealed that a large percentage of
plants in some fields were infected with a virus, though no
distinguishing types of symptoms were apparent.
Generally, two types of symptoms were observed: a typical
viral-induced mosaic pattern on leaves (light and dark
green patches throughout a leaf), or a bright yellow mot-
tled symptom (bright yellow and green patches throughout
a leaf).
Analysis of foliar tissue samples revealed the
occurrence of each of the potyviruses (PRSV, WMV 2, and
ZYMV), whereas CMV was not detected in any of the can-
taloupe, pumpkin or watermelon samples. In south
Alabama, PRSV and ZYMV were detected with ZYMV
occurring on a more frequent basis. Plants in central
Alabama were infected with WMV 2 and ZYMV with
WMV 2 clearly being the predominant virus. In north
Alabama, PRSV and WMV 2 were identified with WMV
2 occurring more frequently than PRSV. Interestingly, a
tomato crop heavily infected with CMV was immediately
adjacent to the pumpkin crop in Blount county, yet no
CMV was detected in any of the pumpkin samples. These
studies will help to further our understanding of the epi-
demiology of virus diseases in these crops and may lead to
improved recommendations for management.
PLANT GROWTH-PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA
AS AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR SOIL FUMIGATION
IN THE PRODUCTION OF PINE SEEDLINGS
IN FOREST-TREE NURSERIES
Scott Enebak and Ken McNabb, Auburn University Southern
Forest Nursery Management Cooperative. Cooperators: Phil
Wilson, Nursery Manager, E. A. Hauss Nursery, Alabama
Forestry Commission, Atmore, Alabama, and 
Steve Fraedrick,
U. S. Forest Service, Forest Health Division, Athens, Georgia.
The use of methyl bromide as a soil-fumigant prior
to sowing is the most common disease control practice in
forest-tree nurseries throughout the United States.
However, because it has been classified as an ozone-deplet-
ing compound, this broad-spectrum disease, weed and insect
control treatment will be restricted in it's availability after
the year 2001. Research to find a treatment as effective as
methyl bromide is ongoing in agricultural as well as forestry
research communities throughout the U. S. A few of the
potential treatments to replace methyl bromide include the
use of alternative chemical fumigants and fungicides, as well
as non-traditional treatments such as steam, solarization,
crop rotations, microwaves, resistant plant varieties, and
biological control. Consequently, the identification of treat-
ment to replace methyl bromide in forest-tree nurseries was
the number one research priority in 1994 by the 49 mem-
bers of the Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery
Management Cooperative.
The use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria
(PGPR) as a seed treatment prior to sowing is a novel dis-
ease control treatment that may be effective in increasing
the growth rate and survival of seedlings. PGPR research on
agricultural crops has been ongoing for nearly 15 years and
has resulted in a number of commercially available PGPR
products for peanut and cotton. However, research into
13
fiFTEGRITo PUlT MIifJiGEMEPT
their ability to promote growth or control disease on forestry
species such as conifers has not been done. Preliminary evi-
dence has shown that the treatment of conifer seeds with
PGPR strains prior to sowing has a number of beneficial
applications in the production of conifer seedlings. Also,
because of the intensively managed nature of forest-tree
nurseries, the use of PGPR as an alternative to soil fumiga-
tion could easily be transferred to current production sched-
ules. The focus of this research project examined if strains of
PGPR can promote growth and produce high quality
seedlings for reforestation programs throughout the south-
eastern U. S.
Two conifer bare-root nurseries, both members of
the Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery
Management Cooperative, agreed to participate with the
PGPR research trials and provided equipment, nursery
space, pine seed, and maintenance of the plots. One nursery
was located in Atmore, Alabama, and the other near
Byronville, Georgia. In each nursery, one section was desig-
nated for the study, of which 1/3 was treated with methyl
bromide, 1/3 with the fumigant chloropicrin, while the
remaining third was left untreated and served as the non-
fumigated control. One day prior to sowing, loblolly pine
seed was treated with Bacillus subtillis which has been shown
to be effective on pine (promotes growth and enhances
emergence). The seed was sown on April 12 and 17 and
maintained under current operating practices that include
weed, insect and rust control, top and root pruning to main-
tain seedling outplanting characteristics, and applications of
fertilizer to maintain seedling vigor over the growing season.
Planting patterns included both treated and untreated seed
in each of the three sections. Rates of seedling emergence
within treatments were assessed at weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6,
while final seedling densities were recorded at week 28.
Seedling information gathered at the end of the growing
season, 15 seedlings within each of the permanent plots
were removed from the beds and seedling characteristics
such as grade, stem caliper, height, biomass, and root area
were determined.
The treatment of the seed with the bacterial agent
did not interfere with either the process of seed sowing or
the maintenance of the crop during the season. Thus, the
use of bacteria as a seed treatment did not affect the sow-
ing procedures used in bare root nurseries. The addition of
sowing increased the rate of emergence across both soil
treatments over the non-treated seed. This increase was
approximately two seedlings per day at the beginning of
the season to less than one seedling per day at 5 weeks
after sowing. This increased rate of emergence carried into
final seedlings densities with treated seed resulting in 1.3
seedlings per square foot more than non-treated seedlings
in both soil treatments.
The type of soil treatment had no effect on the
number of seedlings in this particular study with no differ-
ences in the number of seedlings produced between seed
and soil treatments. Thus, the addition of methyl bromide
and/or chloropicrin to the soil did not result in more
seedlings over non-treated soil. From a nursery perspective,
the additional cost of soil fumigation is one of the largest
inputs into the production costs, these studies indicate that
perhaps soil-fumigation is not needed on a routine basis.
The additional 1.5 seedlings per square foot in
plots that received the bacterial treatment provides a con-
siderable economic benefit. On average, each extra
seedling produced per square foot of nursery bed is worth
$1,000 per acre to the nursery. In these particular trials,
the extra 1.5 seedlings per square foot would bring in an
extra $1,500 per acre of area sown with a minimal cost for
seed treatment. As a comparison, soil fumigation with
methyl bromide or chloropicrin costs about $1,700 per
acre and the cost is expected to increase as methyl bromide
becomes scarce due to limits in its future production and
availability.
CONTINUED REFINEMENT OF INTEGRATED
MANAGEMENT TACTICS FOR THE TIP MOTH
RHYACIONIA FRUSTRANA USING PHEROMONE TRAPS
Wayne Brewer, Department of Entomology, Auburn
University; Gary Debarr, USDA Forest Service, Athens,
Georgia; Wayne Berisford, Department of Entomology,
University of Georgia; Mark Dalusky, Department of
Entomology, University of Georgia.
The Nantucket pine tip moth, Rhyacionia frustrana
(Comstock), is the most serious pests of Christmas tree
and commercial plantations and landscape trees. The lar-
vae of this moth feed inside the growing shoots of various
species of pines killing the tips and causing growth and
the B. subtillis PGPR treatment to the seed coat prior to
formos. Daaeb hsmt e result in ever
1999 IIN(UHL REPORT
stunting, stem deformation, and in extreme cases, death of
the host. Tip moth injury is most damaging on seedlings
and saplings under five years of age. Loss of tree form is
common where heavy attacks cause forks, crooks or multi-
ple trunks. In commercial plantings, such attacks can result
in significant increases in compression wood. loss of wood
quality and increased rotation time. Where trees are grown
for aesthetic purposes, as in Christmas tree plantations or in
the landscape environment, the deformed trees resulting
from tip moth attacks are particularly undesirable.
Foliar applications of pesticides are generally the
most effective approach to controlling tip moths but tim-
ing of application is very critical since the young larvae
quickly tunnel inside the pine shoot where they are pro-
tected from the toxicants. Spray timing models are depen-
dent on pheromone traps to detect the initiation of moth
flight, and thus subsequent biological events. However,
commercially available synthetic pheromones have not
proven satisfactory because of variation in efficacy and the
limited life. Since spray applications are made over large
areas accurate base-line information is very important. In
the absence of accurate predictive information, some com-
mercial operators are making multiple pesticide applica-
tions in an attempt to control the pests. In this study we
evaluated several factors that influence the effectiveness of
pheromone trap collections involving three separate stud-
ies. The first study was a continuation of a previous test of
pheromone dispensing mechanisms. In the second study
we examined the performance of a number of different
types of pheromone traps that are available commercially.
We expect that some of the trap designs were more effec-
tive than others. In the third test we considered trap color
as a factor influencing moth collections. In our previous
work we noticed that different colors of commercially
available traps varied in the numbers of moths caught. We
believe that the results of these tests can be used to devel-
op improvements in the efficacy of control of pine tip
moths and a reduction in number of pesticide applications.
GjnrT FuIvO% G E niNj Eo1fPM InI IiGIrI P EavrjJEL rIN 1998
COTTON
Smith, R. H. Industry Support Funds. $10,100.
Smith, R. H. Commodity Grants. The Cotton Foundation.
$2,500.
Smith, R. H. Competitive Grants. Cotton Incorporated.
$18,550.
FORAGES AND SMALL GRAINS
Flanders, K., Mask, P., and Buntin, D. Biological Control of
Cereal Leaf Beetle. Alabama Wheat and Feed Grain
Committee. $1,500.
Flanders, K., Mask, P., and Buntin, D. Development of
Action Thresholds for Cereal Leaf Beetle. Alabama
Wheat and Feed Grain Committee. $9,600.
Flanders, K., and Mask., P. Performance of Genetically
Engineered Corn in Alabama. Alabama Wheat and Feed
Grain Committee. $12,500.
Mask, P., Murphy, J., Flanders, K., and Halbert, S. Aphid
Populations and Timing of Arrival into Alabama Wheat
Fields in Relation to Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus. Alabama
WHEAT AND FEED GRAIN COMMITTEE. $3,000.
Mask, P., Monks, D., Delaney, D., Flanders, K., Gazaway, W.,
Goodman, R., and Hairston, J. Evaluation of Precision
Farming Technology on Two Alabama Farms. Alabama
Wheat and Feed Grain Committee. $18,700.
Mask, P., van Reissen, H., and Flanders, K. Evaluation of
Aphid Behavior Modifying Insecticides for Control of
Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus on Wheat. Alabama Wheat
and Feed Grain Committee. $5,000.
Mask, P., Flanders, K., and Gazaway, W. Producer Applied
Insecticide and Fungicide Seed Treatment. Alabama
Wheat and Feed Grain Producers Committee. $5,000.
Mask, P., and Flanders, K. On Farm Demonstration of Bt
Corn Hybrids. Alabama Wheat and Feed Grain
Committee. $4,000.
IIVTF6RIITED PUT A1i~fifIEFIEIT
Mask, P., Flanders, K., Gazaway, W., and Goodman, R.
Technical Support for Extension Grain Crops
Improvement Team. Alabama Wheat and Feed Grain
Committee. $26,250.
Cobb, P., Oi, E, and Flanders, K. Imported Fire Ant
Management. Alabama Department of Agriculture.
$65,000.
FORESTRY
Brewer, W. Continued Refinement of Pheromone
Trapping Devices for the Tip Moth, Rhyacionia frustrana,
Using Pheromone Traps. IPM Mini-Grants Program,
Auburn University. $3,250.
Brewer, W. The Influence of Trap Color and Form on
Collections of the Tip Moth, Rhyacionia frustrana.
Cooperative Grant from University of Georgia,
Department of Entomology. $2,500.
VEGETABLES
Bauske, E. M., Monks, C. D., Sikora, E. J., Zehnder, G. W.,
Patterson, M. G., Monks, D. W., Heiniger, R. W.,
Goodman, W. R., and Kemble, J. M. 1996- 1998.
Implementation of Tomato IPM Practices.
USDA/Southern Region IPM. $127,000.
Wilson, M., Jones, J. B., Louws, E, and Sikora, E. J. 1997 -
1998. Integrated Chemical and Biological Control of
Bacterial Spot and Speck on Fresh-Market Tomato.
USDA/Southern Region IPM. $121,282.
Zehnder, G. W., Murphy, J. F., Sikora, E. J., and Kloepper, J.
W. 1997 - 1999. A Biologically-Based IPM Program for
Control of Insect Transmitted Virus on Tomato.
USDA/Southern Region IPM. $101,359.

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