2009-10 NCDA&CS-PID AnnualReport
Working
Cooperatively to
Meet Program Needs
Steve Troxler, Commissioner
Dr. Richard Reich, Assistant Commissioner
Gene Cross, Division Director 2
Steve Troxler
Commissioner of Agriculture
Chairman, Board of Agriculture
North Carolina Board of Agriculture
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Mission Statement
The mission of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is to improve the state of agriculture in North Carolina by providing services to farmers and agribusiness, and to serve the citizens of North Carolina by providing services and enforcing laws to protect consumers.
Goals
• Educate North Carolina’s citizens on agriculture’s many contributions to the state’s economy, history, and future to build awareness of available services and to expand market opportunities through agricultural fairs, news releases, promotional campaigns, public exhibitions, and publication of agricultural statistics.
• Protect citizens from consuming unsafe food products and from experiencing economic loss due to unlawful business practices through programs of inspections and enforcement of laws and regulations to build consumer confidence with agricultural and consumer products.
• Prevent the spread and effects of agricultural-related diseases and pests, implement eradication steps, and assist farmers in preparing for and responding to catastrophic events through education, site inspections, testing, and emergency planning to maintain a safe environment.
• Work to continuously improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of departmental programs and related services provided to North Carolina citizens through performance management and constant monitoring to efficiently manage public resources and maintain high customer satisfaction.
Maurice Berry William Johnston C. Osmond Kearney Kirk Mathis
General Farming General Farming Livestock and Dairy Poultry
Bert Pitt Doug Torn Jeffrey Turner Casey Armstrong
General Farming Marketing-Green Tobacco General Farming-
Industry Equine
Jean Boseman Larry Sampson
Peanuts Cotton 3
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Commissioner and Executive Staff
Commissioner Steve Troxler (919) 707-3000
Chief Deputy Commissioner N. David Smith (919) 707-3033
Assistant Commissioner Howard Isley (919) 707-3009
Assistant Commissioner Dr. Richard Reich (919) 707-3015
Assistant Commissioner David McLeod (919) 707-3010
Director and Administrative Staff
Division Director Gene B. Cross (919) 733-3933, extension 218
Plant Protection Section Dr. Stephen Schmidt (919) 733-6930, extension 231
Seed and Fertilizer Section G. Edward Martin, Jr. (919) 733-3930, extension 226
Administrative Officer II Georgia Brock (919) 733-3933, extension 219
N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services-Plant Industry Division
Plant Industry Division Web Site: http://www.ncagr.gov/plantindustry/
Facilities:
Plant Industry Division-Administrative Offices and N.C. Seed Laboratory
Physical Address: 216 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
Mailing Address: 1060 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1060
Support Operations
Physical Address: 1013 Blair Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603
Mailing Address: 1060 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1060
Biological Control Services
Physical Address: 950 East Chatham Street, Cary, NC 27511
Mailing Address: 1060 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1060
Witchweed Program Facilities: 4
Physical Address: 1008 South West Blvd., Clinton, NC 28328
Mailing Address: Same as above
Physical Address: 450 Smith Circle, Room 108, Elizabethtown, NC 28337
Mailing Address: Same as above
Physical Address: Agri-Expo Center, 301 Mountain Drive, Room 204, Fayetteville, NC 28306
Mailing Address: Same as above
Physical Address: O. P. Owens Agriculture Center, 405 Country Club Drive, Lumberton, NC 28358
Mailing Address: Same as above
Crossnore Plant Inspection Station:
Physical Address: 6111 Linville Falls Hwy., Crossnore, NC 28616
Mailing Address: Same as above 5
Working
Cooperatively
To
Meet
Program
Needs
Division Director’s Message
The mission of NCDA&CS-Plant Industry Division continues to be one in which we diligently strive to protect North Carolina’s agriculture and environment through the implementation of technically and operationally effective fertilizer, seed and plant pest regulatory programs. To fully meet the legislative mandates outlined by the N.C. General Assembly, our NCDA&CS-Plant Industry Division staff has responded by ensuring office and field activities are implemented as efficiently as possible. While it is true, these trying times force agencies to internalize and focus on processes, the Plant Industry Division recognizes that cooperation and coordination across jurisdictional boundaries are clearly needed to address the complex issues facing the industries regulated by this Division. At multiple levels, the Plant Industry Division has welcomed partnerships with local landowners, other state and federal agencies, and private organizations. Without these relationships, the progress we have achieved this year would have dramatically suffered.
The primary trends and threats facing the industries regulated by the NCDA&CS-Plant Industry Division remain varied and complex. Within the Seed and Fertilizer Section, staff remains engaged in working with industry to potentially develop a series of bulk compost rules. While several states have examined the potential for such rules, North Carolina remains a leader in this process. Staff remains engaged in the issue related to selling and labeling seed by count rather than weight or volume. Given those changes in the nature of current products and the change in customary channels of trade, it has been necessary to re-examine this issue in cooperation with the National Conference on Weights and Measures. Plant Industry Division staff have been fully involved in working with North Carolina’s Northeast Alliance for Agricultural Biotechnology in the Biotechnology Certification Program (B-Cert). The B-Cert Program is expected to train growers to follow established procedures and comply with regulatory requirements thus resulting in increased capacity for genetically engineered crop production, increased income levels, and certified growers with the ability to market to new agricultural biotechnology companies. Seed and Fertilizer Section field and office staff worked with producers in light of shortages of agricultural seed stemming from environmental conditions. Most recently, staff joined industry in providing information and assistance to producers given potential shortages in wheat seed for 2010 fall planting.
Within the Plant Protection Section, field and professional staff continued work with the Sudden Oak Death disease caused by Phytophthora ramorum. A survey of selected nurseries and garden centers was conducted with negative results. However, the disease was detected at a previously infected garden center and extensive and on-going work is underway at this site. The issues of trace-forwards and trace-backs associated with the Sudden Oak Death issue continued to impact staff resources. As such, the Plant Industry Division applied, through the USDA-Specialty Crop Block Grant program for funding to develop a tracking system to assist North Carolina’s registered nurseries and garden centers in listing plant acquisitions. The Division was successful in the process and received $40,000. Work on this project has been completed and will be piloted during late 2010. In response to an overview of our Nursery Certification Program, fees for nursery certifications were increased. The introductions of economically significant plant pests continue to be of great concern and as such, multiple surveys for high profile pests were implemented. With federal personnel changes, Plant Industry Division staff assumed additional responsibility for issuance of phytosanitary certificates in the Western area of North Carolina. The total number of federal phytosanitary certificates issued for the period increased to 1,964 and state certificates remained static at 267. Staff issued certificates for the movement of commodities to 64 countries, 19 states and Puerto Rico. Certificates were issued for lumber, tobacco, cotton, cotton seed, Christmas trees, peanuts, nursery and greenhouse plants, sweet potatoes and sweet potato cuttings.
The success of the NCDA&CS-PID continues to be in our ability to cooperatively work with others—bringing a measure of unity. Moving forward, I strongly encourage each of you to work together across the divisions to find common ground. Our work and the programs we carry out depend on it.
Gene B. Cross
Division Director
Administrative Services
Accomplishments: Plant Industry Division
Administrative and Support Services
During this fiscal year, your NCDA&CS-Plant Industry Division leadership team worked jointly to address multiple issues related to budget, human resources, organizational performance and service and regulatory program administration. For the 2009-10 fiscal year, the PID’s total budget was $5,107,881 with a staff of 91. The budget breakout, by section included for the Seed and Fertilizer Section (1175) $732,844 in state appropriations and $897,727 in receipts. The Plant Protection Section (1180) included $3,151,629 and $326,136 in receipts. Through multiple partners, the Division obtained cooperative agreement funding for plant pest related work in the amount of $2,231,535. An additional $2,923,380 was obtained in grant funding from the Natural Heritage Trust Fund for the purchase of acreage for existing or new preserves.
Support Services
For FY 2009-10, the Support Operations Unit provided assistance to Plant Industry Division, other divisions within the department and to other cooperating State and Federal agencies.
Primary accomplishments include:
•
General Support-Over 100 vehicles were maintained and supplied to program personnel within Plant Industry Division. During this period, a new temporary employee was hired and trained in the absence of our current Mechanic II position.
•
Entomological Program Support- Seasonal averages of thirty vehicles are supplied to the Entomological Program and support and maintenance are provided through our Raleigh shop. Support Services Staff assisted with the European Gypsy Moth Program, including support for treatments on approximately 14,000 acres, which were both aerial and ground applications. Support Operations provided supplies, equipment and maintenance/repairs for statewide entomological surveys including, but not limited to, the Imported Fire Ant Program, Cooperative Agricultural Pest Surveys, Sweetpotato Weevil, Gypsy Moth and Boll Weevil program.
•
Regulatory Weed Program Support-Staff provided maintenance and logistical support for the Witchweed Program in southeastern North Carolina. Seasonal averages of fifty vehicles are supplied to the Witchweed Program and are supported through our Raleigh and Whiteville shops. Support Operations assisted in a large effort to eradicate Purple Loosestrife from the Forsyth County area, as well as maintaining, calibrating and modifying spray equipment for program use. These treatments, which will continue into FY 2010–11, were conducted by Support Operations personnel in support of the Noxious Weed Program.
•
Plant Conservation Program Support-Staff assisted the Plant Conservation Program with prescribed burns as well as other cultural practices to benefit unique ecosystems within North Carolina. Support Operations was active in training of new project personnel as well as establishing new equipment and methods for project support. Equipment was modified and designed to meet program goals as well as repairs to existing equipment happened throughout the year.
•
Beneficial Insect Lab-Staff support was provided to the Apiary Inspection and Beneficial Insect Programs with general maintenance and fabrication needs, as well as laboratory repairs and modifications to meet ongoing and changing needs.
6
•
Repair and Renovation Projects- Support Operations personnel have taken active roles this year in repair and renovation activities and projects for facilities throughout the state. These include closing out work with the Plant Industry Greenhouse Facility, improvements to the Support Operations facility and phase two of the Old Health Building renovation process, as well as movement of laboratories and personnel during renovation projects.
•
Other Partners-Support Operations stores equipment and supplies for numerous agencies within NCDA&CS as well as Federal partners to meet ongoing program needs. Numerous tests and practice sessions were conducted to ensure readiness in case of a disease outbreak and/or natural disaster. Vehicle and equipment modifications for other divisions were conducted regularly during this period. Research and development of new methods and practices, as well as refinement of existing protocols, have been ongoing throughout the last year. More efficient communications continue to grow and develop through the use of VIPER 800 MHz technology, which is available as needed for regulatory and/or emergency efforts. Support Operations provided training as needed for the effective use of this technology. Support Operations provided support to other divisions by assessing transportation and logistics needs, systems and equipment as well as evaluating current practices.
•
Support Operations personnel conducted over eight safety training/seasonal employee orientation sessions and new employee training sessions, in addition to continuing our Pure Safety online training program, at our facility training room. Our training room was also the host for other cooperator level meetings as well as division level meetings. The Boll Weevil and Gypsy Moth STS Foundations also host meetings at this facility twice annually.
•
One of the Support Operations staff has been active as the chair of the Aerial Application Safety Council which is a multi agency committee of Federal and State agencies, along with private industry, promoting safe forest pest treatment projects in the United States.
Accomplishments: Plant Protection Section
The Plant Protection Section is responsible for implementing laws enacted by the North Carolina General Assembly to protect North Carolina agriculture and its citizens from the entry, establishment, release, and spread of injurious organisms into or within North Carolina.
7
8
The mission of the Plant Protection Section is to enhance the quality of life in North Carolina by protecting agriculture and the environment from injurious plant pests, by promoting beneficial organisms, and by protecting rare native plants of the state.
We serve the people of North Carolina by:
•
Protecting agricultural crops, horticultural crops and native flora, by preventing or controlling the invasion and spread of injurious insects, plant pathogens, weeds, and other pests of regulatory concern.
•
Protecting honey bees by combating the spread of bee pathogens.
•
Responding to constantly changing threats to crops, rare native plants, and honey bees by drafting effective and reasonable regulations and by achieving public compliance.
•
Supporting agriculture, horticulture and related industries by providing inspection and export services to facilitate the movement of regulated commodities.
•
Protecting rare native plants by restoring their habitats, and by propagating and restoring them to the wild.
•
Promoting beneficial organisms that serve as biological controls of pest species.
•
Providing outstanding service and satisfaction to all our clients.
North Carolina has an extremely wide range of climate, from near tropical along the southeast coast to winter conditions similar to southern Canada in our higher mountains in the west. Such diversity provides suitable environments for an extremely diverse flora and fauna. Extensive international air and sea transportation, both military and commercial, and an extensive Interstate Highway System increase the potential for the accidental introduction of pest organisms into North Carolina. Therefore, North Carolina’s Plant Protection Section programs must deal with a wide range of organisms and host-pest interactions.
Major program activities for the period July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 included the following:
Apiary Inspection Program
The North Carolina beekeeping industry remains viable and strong. NCDA&CS-Apiary Inspectors provide assistance to beekeepers through field inspections, educational meetings, and field days and attempt to be available to assist the beekeepers in any way necessary. Our goal is to continue to improve our overall inspections and in particular our documentation of them. Our ultimate goal is to reduce the rate of honey bee disease and pest problems. The numbers of colonies inspected during the 2009/2010 fiscal year was 5,187, and only 8 hives were documented to have American Foulbrood compared to last year’s 35.
In 2009, numerous problems and disorders challenged beekeepers and the industry. Although most of these problems still persist, a strong honey flow this year has allowed most beekeepers to be more optimistic about their endeavor. One puzzle that appeared to be unique last year was associated with queen acceptance and egg viability. This year this question remains unanswered. As stated, honey production is much better than last year. The many explanations given for the poor production of the 2009 honey crop all remain viable but none seem to be reasonable given the varying circumstances.
The Varroa mite persists as a major threat to the beekeeping industry in North Carolina and is likely a contributing factor to some of the circumstances already described. Several new 9
products have been registered for use in controlling this pest; however, the mites have developed resistance to some of these materials in short order and rendered these products ineffective. Although chemical treatment of mites may be necessary, some miticides have been demonstrated to have adverse effects on bees. Another perplexing factor is the growing use of unregistered materials that may also have adverse effects on honey bee health and may not be efficacious in controlling mites. This and, in some cases, the improper use of antibiotics to control diseases can further complicate useful treatment regimes.
Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) continues to be a major topic of discussion by the popular media regarding honey bees and their plight this year. The press coverage has highlighted the value of honey bees to a broader audience and raised awareness of their importance. Due to the restricted parameters described as symptoms of CCD, this disorder has not yet been documented in NC. This is not to say that it has not occurred here, but we have not seen evidence specifically attributable to this condition.
Another threat facing the beekeeping industry of North Carolina is the establishment of Africanized honey bees (AHB) (Apis mellifera scutellata) on the eastern seaboard (southern Florida). In North Carolina, we are engaged in an outreach program to emergency response personnel to familiarize them to the potential threat of AHB. We are also reaching out to the structural pest industry and its membership. We are collecting samples of bees in order to determine their geographic origin and their propensity for increased defensive behavior. The NCDA&CS and NCSU are collaborating in conducting this survey. At this time, none of the samples collected was determined to be of the AHB type. We are striving to have our inspectors and our lab prepared to deal with any AHB incursion or incident. We encourage beekeepers to please let us know of any colonies that seem to be displaying any unusual or inexplicable defensive behavior so that we can maintain a beekeeping industry in North Carolina that is not threatened by the reputation of this more defensive type of bee.
The Apiary Inspection Program continues to enjoy a good working relationship with our friends in the NC State University Apiculture Research and Extension Program. We have had the opportunity to assist them in some of their projects and would like to express our gratitude for their assistance in many of our projects. We also would like to thank Mr. Bill Sheppard who retired this year after his many dedicated years of service to our program and to the beekeeping industry. His presence is missed, but we are pleased to have been able to fill his position and welcome Nancy Ruppert to our Apiary Inspection Program. Biological Control Programs
Cerceris fumipennis Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
Fire Ants and Phorid Flies Bean plataspid
10
11
Summary of Quarantine Activities 2009-10
A total of 8 shipments of foreign material were received by the NCDA &CS' Insect Quarantine Facility during 2009/2010.
ID #
SPECIES
FAMILY
STAGE
#
ORIGIN
STATUS
Q08-3
Striacosta albicosta1
Noctuidae
Egg/larvae
6,663
IA
Insects maintained on artificial diet until pupal stage.
Q08/09-4
Cactoblastis cactorum1
Pyralidae
Egg/larvae
15,000
FL
Insects maintained on artificial diet until pupal stage.
Q09-1
Adelges tsugae2
Coccinellidae
Adults/
Eggs/larvae
200
OR, WA
Colony maintained in quarantine for research purposes.
1Dr. Allen Cohen, Insect Diet & Rearing Research, LLC, is utilizing the NCDA&CS’ Beneficial Insects Quarantine Lab to develop artificial diets and rearing systems for Cactoblastis cactorum (prickly pear cactus moth) and Striacosta albicosta (western bean cutworm).
2Kelly Felderhoff, graduate student at NCSU is comparing the western US population of hemlock wooly adelgid with the eastern population under the direction of Dr. Fred Hain.
Cerceris fumipennis in North Carolina
The native ground-dwelling wasp, Cerceris fumipennis, provisions its nest with buprestids, including the invasive forest pest Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis) when present. The wasp is much more efficient than humans at finding EAB, and is proving to be a reliable way to monitor for this pest. It is a solitary, ground-nesting wasp that lives in diffuse colonies in sparsely vegetated, open spaces with hard-packed, sandy soil. Colonies are almost always found in full sunshine near wooded areas in places of human disturbance (fire-pits, campsites, road and trail edges, informal parking lots, playgrounds, and baseball diamonds). In 2008, the Beneficial Insects Laboratory (BIL) of the NCDA&CS initiated a project to locate nests of C. fumipennis for use in surveying for EAB and other pest buprestids; this program was continued in 2009 and 2010. The program was funded by Forest Health Protection, USDA Forest Service during 2010.
A full report of the 2009 season was distributed in January 2010. Beginning in late May 2010, a statewide survey (coast to mountains) of baseball diamonds was conducted to locate nests of the wasp. Multiple sites were surveyed in 16 counties (Alamance, Alleghany, Ashe, Beaufort, Buncombe, Gaston, Jackson, Johnston, New Hanover, Pitt, Swain, Surry, Wake, Watauga, Wayne, Wilkes). In a number of sites that contained numerous C. fumipennis nests, the nests were monitored and prey beetles collected. More than 100 Buprestidae were obtained and are being identified. The biology of C. fumipennis was studied in Wake Co. (Fig. 1). The work is ongoing. Fig. 1 Marked Cerceris fumipennis, Wake Co., NC 2010.
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Predator Rearing 2009-2010
The hemlock woolly adelgid occurs over multiple states, and is now distributed throughout the native range of the eastern and Carolina hemlock species. Hemlock is widespread in National and State Forests and Parks, and the loss of the hemlock would bring about a major change to the ecology of those areas. In addition to a loss of a unique ecosystem, dead and dying trees are a safety hazard in recreation areas, as well as aesthetically unattractive.
The primary objective for this project was for NCDA&CS to operate a large-scale central rearing facility to provide biological control agents for the management of hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). Sasajiscymnus tsugae (St), native to Japan has been in mass production at the lab since December 2002. In May and July of 2008, newly collected S. tsugae from Japan were received in our quarantine facility to broaden the gene pool in the colony. Rearing this season concentrated on the new Japanese strain, and beetles of the older colony were sent to Clemson to supplement their stock.
Figure 1. Hemlock woolly adelgid ovisacs.
The predator beetles are well synchronized with the lifecycle of the adelgid. After a summer of aestivation, the adelgid begins to mature and prepare for oviposition. Once this maturation begins in the field, adelgid on hemlock boughs which are cut and stored in spring-like conditions begin laying eggs (Fig. 1). This stimulates reproduction in the St, and the mass rearing can proceed. Rearing continues until the adelgid completes two generations, usually by June, and aestivates as nymphs on new hemlock growth. 12
For mass production of the colony, mating groups of beetles were placed in 3.8 l jars supplied with a bouquet of hemlock twigs. Eggs (on the twigs) were removed weekly and put in rearing cages supplied with infested hemlock. Infested twigs and water were supplied and after 4 weeks, adult beetles collected and moved into storage cages. Oviposition jars for the 2009-2010 season were set up 2 November 2009, and egg production was halted 21 June 2010. Beetles produced in this way are turned over to USDA – FS personnel for release at selected field sites.
Figure 2. Sasajiscymnus tsugae
oviposition jars and rearing cages.
Egg production began higher than usual in the fall, and continued at high levels throughout the season (Fig. 3). However, sparse adelgid on available hemlock did not provide enough food for developing larvae. Adult production this season was low, and illustrates the importance of adequate adelgid for rearing and the need for a supplemental diet on which immature stages can develop. As the HWA infestation spreads throughout the native population of hemlocks in NC, the availability of HWA adequate in quality and quantity for beetle production is decreasing.
Figure 3. Production of Sasajiscymnus tsugae (old and new beetles) 2009-2010. Production started 2 November, 2009, last week of oviposition was 21 June, 2010. Sasajiscymnus tsugaeProduction 2009-2010 NCDA&CS0500010000150002000025000123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233WeekNumber ProducedAdultsEggs
Field Release and Monitoring Phorid Flies for Management of Imported Fire Ant
13
14
Since the discovery of the Imported Fire (IFA) in NC in 1953 it has spread to 71 of 100 counties. In an effort to slow the spread and decrease population size, phorid flies, Pseudacteon spp (Diptera: Phoridae), natural enemies of the IFA were released in NC beginning in 2000 through cooperative efforts between NCDA&CS and USDA-ARS. The phorid fly, also known as the decapitating fly, lays its eggs in foraging ants. After hatching, the larva move into the IFA’s head where it secretes an enzyme that causes its head to fall off. Two species of phorids, Pseudacteon tricuspis and P. curvatus have been released in the state. The species of phorid flies selected for release at each locality was based on the most prevalent IFA type present: monogyne colonies with a single queen or polygyne colonies with multiple queens. P. tricuspis typically attacks larger workers found in the monogyne colonies whereas P. curvatus shows a preference for smaller workers common to polygyne colonies.
Locations and species released are shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Releases of phorid flies in North Carolina, 2000-2009.
County
Year
Species
Site
Beaufort
2000
Pseudacteon tricuspis
Fallow land
Duplin
2002
Pseudacteon tricuspis
Rest area
Robeson
2003
Pseudacteon tricuspis
Fallow land
Wayne
2004
Pseudacteon tricuspis
Near pasture
Wake
2005
Pseudacteon curvatus
Naturalized
Pitt
2006
Pseudacteon tricuspis
Pasture
Scotland
2007
Pseudacteon tricuspis
Pseudacteon curvatus
Grassy field
Wayne
2008
Pseudacteon curvatus
Near Pasture
Gaston
2009
Pseudacteon curvatus
Pasture
Delimiting surveys to monitor establishment and spread of phorid fly species were conducted July 7 - October 28, 2009. Surveys were conducted in the fall when populations of both ants and flies had had time to increase. Phorid flies were found in twenty out of the twenty seven counties surveyed. Nineteen of the counties surveyed were positive for P. curvatus. Only one sustained P. tricuspis population was found, in Pitt County (See map).
In 2009, approximately 11,000 P. curvatus were released in Gaston County over a three week period August 31 through September 15. While collecting the ants to be sent to Gainesville, FL for parasitization by the phorid flies, we found P. curvatus already present at the site. USDA-APHIS personnel in Gulfport, MS indicated that the flies probably spread from a 2003 release site near Columbia, SC.
Based on surveys P. curvatus populations are spreading throughout infested counties and following the northern movement of the imported fire ant infestation. Plans are to continue delimiting surveys in 2010 and to release a new species of phorid fly, P. obtusus. Kudzu Natural Enemy Host Testing
Kudzu (Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr. var. lobata (Willd.) Maesen & Almeida) is a common weed in the southeastern United States. Native to Asia, this plant is widely used for food and fiber. Kudzu was introduced to the US in 1876, and planted first as an ornamental then as a forage crop and to prevent soil erosion along roadsides and railroad embankments. Kudzu is now widely acknowledged as a major weed of forests and rights of way in the Southeast, and many herbicides are labeled for kudzu control on such sites. Because infestations may be extensive, remote, on marginal lands, or in environmentally sensitive areas where herbicide applications are not feasible, classical biological control of kudzu is being explored.
Several insects have been identified in China feeding on leaves, stems and roots of kudzu. Some agents have been tested in the country of origin, but shipments to quarantine facilities in the US for host plant testing have been problematic. In order to better target vulnerable stages and parts of the kudzu plants, a test of simulated wounding is proposed. Matthew Frye, a graduate student at the University of Delaware working under the direction of Judith Hough-Goldstein, planned these studies as a supplement to his own work conducted in Delaware. A temporary technician was hired to perform daily tasks for the duration of the project. Data were collected from the plants that were already established, and include crown size, leaf and stem biomass, and number of nodes. Data will be compiled and analyzed by Matt Frye. This work was completed in the fall of 2009.
Kudzu plot at Butner, NC, 2008.
15
In the fall of 2009, an insect was found aggregating on buildings in several counties in Georgia. It was identified as the bean plataspid, Megacopta cribraria, an introduced insect native to Asia. In its native range, it is known to feed on kudzu and in some areas, other legumes. Work was begun in June of 2010 in the Quarantine Facility of NCDA&CS to determine its host range.
Megacopta cribraria immature and adults.
Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey (CAPS) Program
The Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) is a joint initiative between the USDA, APHIS, PPQ and the NCDA&CS to fund and implement domestic surveys of harmful or economically significant plant pests and weeds that have not been detected by front-line inspections at our ports of entry. These surveys are necessary to safeguard our nation's agricultural and natural resources by detecting early pest infestations or introductions which validates our trading partners concerns for pest status. Typical surveys target exotic pests, pests of export significance and pests that are not known to occur in the U.S., but can also include regionally established pests. A strong domestic pest detection infrastructure and headquarters/regional staff is vital to ensuring that scientifically valid, current, and reliable pest/disease survey data is available on a continuing basis. Additionally, staff support is also critical at the state level and federal funding provided for a State CAPS Survey Coordinator position housed within the NCDA&CS’ Plant Industry, Plant Protection Section.
The State CAPS Committee met twice at the NCDA&CS’ Biolab in Cary on March 24th and June 15th.
In December, the State Survey Coordinator (SSC) and the Entomological Programs Specialist attended a meeting in Ivanhoe, NC with southeastern blueberry growers to discuss trapping programs in 2010 and to get information on a new threat to blueberries from the Spotted Wing Drosophila fly, a recent introduction into the United States from Asia.
In January, the State Survey Coordinator attended the North Carolina Winegrower's Association meeting in Greensboro. The purpose was to acquaint the owners of NC vineyards with some of the exotic pests that, at some time in the future, would possibly impact viticulture in North Carolina. Two known pests have become established in California and pose a serious threat to North Carolina grapes should they be introduced into the state.
In April, the State Survey Coordinator and other SSC's from the Southeast were invited guests at the Southern Plant Board meeting in Montgomery, Alabama. This was an opportunity for the various southeastern states to get together and discuss their programs for the coming year.
An overview of survey activities for 2009 and 2010 follows.
16
17
2009
•
Twenty-four traps set in seventeen counties for Emerald Ash Borer.
•
Seventy-two traps in twenty-three counties set for exotic bark beetles and wood borers.
•
Seventy-six sites in thirteen counties surveyed for exotic fruit moths.
•
National Grape Commodity Survey conducted thirty vineyards in seventeen counties
•
National Light Brown Apple Moth survey conducted at 190 nurseries in forty-nine counties
•
Forty-two nurseries surveyed for Sudden Oak Death
•
Visual surveys for noxious weeds accomplished in thirteen counties
•
Survey and treatment for Tropical Spiderwort in three counties
•
No exotic pests detected in the surveys.
•
All data entered into the NAPIS database
Emerald Ash Borer
Research has developed a trap that is attractive to beetles in the family Buprest-idea including Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). The trap is a prism trap consisting of three 14" x 24" panes, with several holes for trap and lure attachment. The trap is constructed of a corrugated plastic in a stock purple color. The lure is an attractant compound called Manuka:Phoebe oil and is placed in pouch with a release rate of 50mg/day. The pouch has a 60-day life expectancy.
Emerald ash borers attack only ash trees and therefore traps are placed in ash trees when available, or as close as possible to a host ash. If possible, trees that are 8 inches or greater in diameter should be selected. Traps are to be located along edges of woods, in open areas, or in open stands such as parks and should be placed on the sunny side of the tree. Traps should be hung as high as possible but no lower than 5' above the ground.
Research indicates that initial emergence of EAB occurs after the accumulation of 450 growing degree days (base 50ºF). The same research indicates that peak emergence is reached in 900-1100 growing degree days. In North Carolina the trapping season would be the end of April until approximately July 1st.
Because ash is a minor plant in NC, traps were put out at one per site. For 2009, twenty-four sites in seventeen counties were selected for trapping. These included 23 nurseries, and 1 State Park. Counties where traps are placed are Beaufort, Buncombe, Burke, Cumberland, Currituck, Davidson, Durham, Gates, Guilford, Henderson, Jackson, Johnston, Onslow, Randolph, Rockingham, Sampson, and Transylvania.
No emerald ash borer specimens were found in any trap.
For 2010, Twenty-two sites were selected as trap sites. These included 18 nurseries, 2 State Parks, and 1 Research Farm. Counties where traps are placed are Beaufort, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Camden, Cumberland, Davidson, Duplin, Durham, Gates, Guilford, Henderson, Jackson, Johnston, Randolph, Rockingham, and Wayne. 18
Exotic Bark Beetles and Exotic Wood Wasps
Surveys for these pests are being conducted using Lindgren funnel traps. Traps were fitted with the "wet option" for collections. This option uses recreational grade antifreeze as a killing fluid. Traps are placed in locations where pines are found and were selected on their proximity to sites having public access, i. e. campgrounds, race tracks, parks, wood pulp processing plants, and in some cases, tree nurseries.
Wood wasps are pests of conifers and are native to Europe and Asia. Their predominant hosts are conifers. The European Wood Wasp, Sirex noctilio, is native of Europe, Asia, and northern Africa and has successfully established in South Africa, South America, Australia and New Zealand. In 2004, it was detected in New York State in the vicinity of Lake Ontario, and has since spread to twenty-nine counties in NY, 8 counties in Pennsylvania, 4 in Michigan and 1 each in Vermont and Ohio. This pest is attracted to stressed trees that are often used to make solid wood packing material (SWPM). Since the life cycle can take a year or more, the insect could be easily transported in pallets or other SWPM and not be detected at the port. Based on its native range in Europe and Asia, it could become established in any climate zone in North America where pine occurs. In South America and Australia where pine is cultivated in plantations, the wasp causes significant tree mortality and is considered a major pest. The wasp has a symbiotic relationship with a fungus that it injects into the trees to weaken them, and makes them more susceptible to larval feeding. Because of importance in causing serious damage to living trees, S. noctilio is included in the National Exotic Woodborer/Bark Beetle Survey initiative. Another of the siricid wood wasps to be aware of is the Yellow- horned horntail, Urocerus gigas gigas (Linnaeus). This wasp attacks mainly Norway spruce, Scots pine, larches, and occasionally Sitka spruce and Douglas fir. It is attracted to dead and highly stressed trees. Native Urocerus species are not considered pests because they do not attack healthy trees.
In addition, there are several bark beetles which pose a threat to NC pine forests. Traps have been set at the same locations as those for the Sirex species. Target beetles are ylurgus igniperda, Ips sexdentatus, Ips typographus, and Orthotomicus erosus. Alpha-pinene is used to attract H. ligniperda; and Ipslure is an attractant for the other three species.
Traps are serviced at approximately two intervals because after two weeks, the insects begin to disintegrate in the antifreeze and are more difficult to sort and identify.
In 2009, traps were placed at 36 sites in 20 counties (Cabarrus, Camden, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Harnett, Johnston, Northampton, Orange, Pitt, Richmond, Vance, Wake, Warren, Washington, and Wayne).
None of the targeted species was detected in North Carolina.
For 2010, traps have been placed at 36 sites in 23 counties (Beaufort, Cabarrus, Camden, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Durham, Franklin, Gates, Granville, Halifax, Harnett, Johnston, Nash, Northampton, Orange, Pitt, Richmond, Vance, Wake, Warren, Washington, and Wayne). 19
Oak Commodity Survey
Subsection: Exotic Fruit Lepidoptera
Pests surveyed were Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM), Summer Fruit Tortrix Moth (SFTM), and Egyptian Cottonworm (ECW). Surveys are being conducted using delta traps and pheromones. As much as possible, abandoned apple orchards were selected and three traps placed in each orchard with one pheromone septa for each pest. LBAM, SFTM, and ECW have apple as one of their hosts. Additionally, LBAM traps were placed in working blueberry farms in southeastern North Carolina.
1. Light Brown Apple Moth
This moth is a highly polyphagous pest of over 120 plant genera in over 50 families with a preference for hosts in the Compositae, Leguminosae, Polygonaceae, and Rosaceae. Some host plants are: apple, blueberry, camellia, grape, oak, persimmon, pine, potato, strawberry, and viburnum. This pest has been found in California and is now under quarantine in that state. Due to the highly polyphagous nature of this pest, many of the plants that serve as primary and secondary hosts of these pests occur in North Carolina, specially apple, peach, and blueberry. LBAM would be a serious economic threat in fruit-growing areas of North Carolina should it become established. Because North Carolina has a thriving export program, any yield losses would have a deleterious effect on the livelihood of the growers. Traps were placed at 76 sites in 13 counties (Avery, Bladen, Buncombe, Cumberland, Duplin, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Mitchell, Montgomery, Pender, Sampson, and Wilkes).
2. Summer Fruit Tortrix Moth
This moth pest has two generations per year and is a serious pest of
apples, pears, and peaches. The first generation larvae feed on the leaves
and flowers of host plants with adult emergence occurring in June. Second
generation larvae feed on the fruit. Adult emergence occurs in August. At
the present time this pest does not occur in the US. Due to the highly
polyphagous nature of this pest, many of the plants that serve as primary
and secondary hosts of these pests occur in North Carolina. The
establishment of this pest would pose a serious economic threat in
fruit-growing areas of the state. Because North Carolina has a thriving
export program, any yield losses would have a deleterious effect on the
livelihood of the growers. Traps were placed at 24 sites in 6 counties
(Avery, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Mitchell, and Wilkes).
3. Egyptian Cottonworm
ECW is native to the Mediterranean area, the Middle East, and much of
Africa. It has a large host range and includes apples. At the present time
this pest does not occur in the US. Due to the highly polyphagous nature
of this pest, many of the plants that serve as primary and secondary hosts
of these pests occur in North Carolina. The establishment of this pest
would pose a serious economic threat in fruit-growing areas of the state.
Because North Carolina has a thriving export program, any yield losses
would have a deleterious effect on the livelihood of the growers. Traps 20
were placed at 24 sites in 6 counties (Avery, Haywood, Henderson,
Jackson, Mitchell, and Wilkes).
2010
In 2010, blueberry exporters to Canada were again enlisted to participate
in trapping for light brown apple moth. Eighty-eight traps were set at
twenty-six blueberry farms in Bladen, Cumberland, Duplin, Pender, and
Sampson counties. The survey began in June and will continue through
September
Light Brown Apple Moth National Survey
2009
As part of the LBAM National Survey Program, North Carolina was given the task of trapping at 175 sites throughout the state. These traps were to be placed at commercial nursery sites and the trapping timeframe was from July 1st until November 3rd 2008.
Traps were set and monitored according to the work plan. The state was divided into three regions: Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and Mountains. Three people (Plant Pest Aides) were hired, one from each region, to install and monitor the traps during the trapping timeframe. Each trapper was given a comprehensive list of nurseries occurring in their area and were told to select 60-65 locations from the list. The end result of the trapping was as follows:
Coastal Plain - 59 nurseries in 20 counties (Beaufort, Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Greene, Hyde, Jones,
Lenoir, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson,
and Wayne) were trapped.
Piedmont (some northern Coastal Plain counties are included) - 71 nurseries
were trapped in 19 counties (Bertie, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Gates,
Granville, Halifax, Harnett, Hertford, Johnston, Martin, Nash,
Northampton, Orange, Person, Vance, Wake, Warren, and Wilson).
Mountains - 60 nurseries in 10 counties (Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson,
Jackson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Rutherford, Transylvania, and
Yancey) were trapped.
For adult male trapping, the Jackson fruit fly trap was used. Traps were hung
on or near host plants in the nursery. The components of the female sex pheromone used are (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate and (E,E)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate used in a 20:1 ratio at a 3 mg dose per septum. The pheromone is dispensed on rubber septa distributed by the USDA, APHIS, PPQ-CPHST Laboratory at Otis Air Force Base, MA. The septum is placed in the center of the
sticky card on the bottom of the trap.
Due to the highly polyphagous nature of LBAM, many states in the United
States contain at least one of the many primary or secondary hosts of LBAM. 21
The host map for LBAM gives an overview of LBAM distribution in the United
States based on six primary and thirteen secondary hosts. Based on the
information available, there do not appear to be areas within the continental
United States where LBAM is less likely to occur based on the prevalence of
preferred hosts and temperature. In addition, information from regions where
LBAM is established (England, New Zealand, Australia) was analyzed and
LBAM has only been reported in USDA Plant Hardiness zones 7 and above.
Therefore, regions of the United States in USDA Plant Hardiness zones 1-6 may
have a less likely chance of LBAM establishment. These areas, however, are not
to be considered excluded from possible establishment.
Traps were checked every two weeks and the lures should be changed every four
weeks. Traps with removable bottoms or inserts were changed as needed.Survey dates in North Carolina were July 1st - November 20th 2009.
Two Thousand Two Hundred and Twenty trap bottoms were collected from traps and sent for identification to Dr. Ken Ahlstrom, SSC, NC who has over 30 years of taxonomic expertise with
insects.
No Light Brown Apple Moths were found in North Carolina.
2010
North Carolina was again asked to take part in the National Survey for Light
Brown Apple Moth. Territories were changed to get a better coverage of traps.
The mountain area remained the same but the Piedmont and Coastal Plain areas
were combined and divided into northern and southern regions. Traps were set out
on June 1st with the following distribution:
Mountains - 60 nurseries in 20 counties (Alexander, Avery, Buncombe,
Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham,
Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, Mitchell,
Transylvania, Watauga, and Yancey) are being surveyed.
Northern Coastal Plain and Piedmont - 78 nurseries in 22 counties
(Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Davidson, Davie, Durham, Edgecombe,
Forsyth, Granville, Guilford, Halifax, Iredell, Nash, Orange, Person,
Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Stokes, Surry, Wake, and Yadkin) are
being surveyed.
Southern Coastal Plain and Piedmont - 60 nurseries in 20 counties (Anson,
Bladen, Brunswick, Cabarrus, Columbus, Cumberland, Harnett, Johnston,
Lee, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Moore, New Hanover, Pender,
Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, and Union) are being
surveyed.
Grape Commodity Survey
Because of the tremendous growth of the wine and grape industry in North Carolina during the last few years, and coupled with the discovery of two serious pests of grapes in California last year, it was decided that, in 2010, a grape survey would be 22
conducted which would be both beneficial and informative to winegrowers in the state.
Pests being surveyed for are Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM), European
Grape Berry Moth (EGBM), Grape Berry Moth (GBM), False Codling Moth (FCM), Egyptian Cotton Leafworm (ECL), Rice Cutworm (RC), and Summer
Fruit Tortrix Moth (SFTM). Surveys are being conducted using Jackson, delta,
and wing traps baited with pheromones.
Rationale underlying survey methodology
In March 2007, Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) was found for the first time in the United States mainland near Berkley, California by a private citizen who reported two suspect moths in a blacklight trap on his property. The identification was confirmed by the Systematic Entomological Laboratory in Washington, DC. LBAM is native to Australia and has been introduced into India, New Caledonia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. LBAM has a host range in excess of 150 plant genera in more than 70 families, including nursery stock, cut flowers, stone fruits (peaches, plums, cherries, etc.), pome fruits (apples and pears), grapes and citrus, and many others.
The European Grape Berry Moth (EGBM) has not yet been detected in the United
States. It is widespread across the European part of Russia, eastward through
southern Siberia to the Pacific Ocean. It is also known from Western Europe, Asia
Minor, Iran, China, Korea, and Japan. Known hosts are grape, viburnum, ivy,
honeysuckle, cherries, maples, and other trees and fruits. Females overwinter and
egg-laying begins with the inflorescence status of grapes.
The Grape Berry Moth (GBM) was detected in the Napa Valley of California in
October of 2009 and has now been detected in an additional five counties in
California. It is a significant pest of berries and berry-like fruit in Europe, the
Mediterranean area, southern Russia, Japan, the Middle East, Near East, and
northern and western Africa. Although the threat of introduction into the US was
determined to be low, the consequences of establishment is considered to be
severe because of the dramatic increase in vineyards and wine production across
the US in recent years. In addition to grapes, other hosts of GBM are blackberry,
cherry, dogwood, persimmon, and plums.
False Codling Moth (FCM) has not yet been detected in the United States. It is
found in most of sub-Saharan Africa where it has caused significant damage to
cotton. In addition, FCM has over 70 hosts including beans, castor bean, citrus,
grapes, oaks, okra, and peppers.
The Egyptian Cotton Leafworm (ECL) and Rice Cutworm (RC) have not yet been
detected in the United States. Their ranges are Africa and Asia respectively. ECL
and RC have host range of over 40 families, containing at least 87 species of
economic importance including camellia, squash, soybeans, cotton, sweet potato,
sunflowers, tobacco, corn, and grapes.
The Summer Fruit Tortrix Moth (SFTM) has not yet been detected in the United
States. While it is not considered a primary pest of grapes, it is capable of causing 23
damage to Vitis sp. Its host range consists of over 50 plants, most of which are of
economic importance. Some of the hosts are: apple, ash, blackberry, cotton,
honeysuckle, lilac, maple, oak, peach, roses, and strawberries.
The trapping season began in June and will continue through November. Two
hundred and ten traps were placed at thirty vineyards in seventeen counties
(Alamance, Burke, Caswell, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Lee, Lincoln,
McDowell, Polk, Rowan, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Watauga, and Yadkin).
Tropical Spiderwort (Commelina benghalensis)
Tropical Spiderwort (TSW) survey in 2009 confirmed a continuing infestation at the Cherry Research Station near Goldsboro, NC. The objective of this project is to continue with intensive surveys at currently quarantined field stations (Cherry Research Farm and Tidewater Research Station) and treat plants before they flower. Fields with confirmed TSW outside of the Farming Systems Research Unit (FSRU) at the Cherry Farm and at the other Research Farms can be treated with herbicides and fumigants, unlike any of the infested fields in the FSRU, due to the nature of the research in the FSRU.
Survey outside of the Farming Systems Research Unit is done on every field at least every 3 to 4 weeks and surveys on fields where infestations have been known to occur in the past are done more frequently. Survey in the Farming Systems Research Unit is done within a 15 by 15 meter grid. The survey schedule in the Farming Systems Research Unit is determined on the basis of past TSW detections. The survey of high priority fields (highest level of past infestation) is done four times per month, survey of mid-priority fields (fields with moderate infestation or fields next to high infestation fields) is done three times per month and survey of low-priority fields (fields with no known infestation in the past) is done two times per month. TSW plants that are discovered are bagged and destroyed. Glyphosate herbicide is used to “burndown” vegetation around all fields outside of the Farming Systems Research Unit to improve visibility for survey.
To prevent the spread of TSW within the quarantined areas, equipment is washed prior to movement from one field to another and all regulated articles are moved outside of the station by permit only.
Survey and Treatment
One plant pest aide was re-hired in early May for survey at the Cherry Research Farm and one new plant pest aide was hired in July for survey at the Tidewater Research Station. Training on TSW identification for the new survey aide was done at the Tidewater Station on July 6.
Survey
Estimated total acreage considered infested is now 194 acres.
All areas were surveyed at the Cherry Research Farm, Tidewater Research Station and Caswell Research Farm. Acreages are as follows:
•
Cherry: 2,245 acres, 24
•
Tidewater: 1,558 acres, and;
•
Caswell: 1,259 acres.
No TSW was discovered during the reporting period at the Tidewater Research Station. TSW is still found within the Cherry Research Farm, primarily within the FSRU. TSW was also detected during the year in a 3 acre area outside of the FSRU.
Detailed data for TSW located in the Farming Systems Research Unit is being logged and mapped by survey staff of the Center for Environmental Systems Research Unit.
Treatment
All TSW finds are treated by hand pulling the plants and fumigating them. The goal of survey is to catch plants before they flower and produce more seed. It is hoped that residual seed will eventually be depleted.
The 3 acre area outside of the FSRU was prepared for fumigation with plans to fumigate the soil before year end. Wet and cold weather however, has delayed the fumigation application until early spring. In addition, 2 small spots within FSRU (Fields 37 and 28) were fumigated with approval of North Carolina State University (NCSU) researchers as per a compliance agreement.
Regulatory
To control the movement of people and equipment around the quarantined research stations, all visitors are required to sign in at the central office. Through December there were 173 visitors that registered at the Tidewater Research Station and more than 2,500 visitors that registered at the Cherry Research Farm.
Wash stations were used 215 times during the year at Tidewater and more than 1,500 times at the Cherry Research Farm.
Seven scientific permits were issued to enable researchers to move regulated articles from either the Cherry Research Farm or Tidewater Research Station.
A compliance agreement was issued in cooperation with NCSU to establish stipulations for the harvest, movement and disposition of hay harvested from the FSRU. A proposal for feeding the hay from within an area at the Cherry Farm was approved by NCSU and NCDA&CS. Any hay harvested from FSRU will stay within the CEFS area at Cherry and be fed to cattle inside an enclosure, where cattle will remain sequestered for at least 48 hours to allow for passing of any TSW seed which may have been ingested. 25
2010 Survey
One plant pest aide was re-hired in mid May for survey at the Cherry Research Farm and one new plant pest aide will be hired in July for part time survey at the Tidewater Research Station. Training will be provided for the new Plant Pest Aide, if needed.
No TSW has been discovered during this reporting period at the Tidewater Research Station.
The first TSW plant appeared in May 24 at the Farming Systems Research Unit (FSRU) at the Cherry Research Station.
Treatments
The first TSW within the FSRU has been hand pulled. As a precaution, a 3.9 acre area outside of the FSRU where TSW was detected last year was fumigated by NCDA on April 15. Also an area of 0.3 acres that had been the site of a terminated seed longevity study was also fumigated.
Regulatory
To control the movement of people and equipment around the quarantined research stations, all visitors are required to register at the central office. The number of registrations will be tallied and reported in the year end report.
Six scientific permits were issued to enable researchers to move regulated articles from either the Cherry Research Farm or Tidewater Research Station.
Entomological Programs
Movement of Live Insects for Research or Commercial Purposes
The NCDA&CS evaluated and approved 58 federal applications, PPQ Permit Number 526, for the movement of live plant pests into North Carolina for 350 lots of insects, including 1,422 different species. The large number of applications to move plant pests into North Carolina reflects the continued market in commercial production, sale, and movement of butterflies and other insects for education, outdoor weddings, and other functions, in addition to the substantial amount of scientific research conducted in North Carolina’s academic and private institutions.
Boll Weevil Eradication Program
Cotton acreage for 2009 was 373,613 acres. Cotton was grown in 55 counties. There were ~6,678 traps installed on 341, 055 acres. There was an average of 51 acres per trap. Trap installation began August 1, 2009, and trap removal was completed November 27, 2009. Eleven contractors, 2 quality control, and 1 program manager assisted with trapping and quality control during the 2009 season. 26
Boll Weevil Capture
No boll weevils were captured during the 2009 cotton-growing season.
North Carolina Boll Weevil Assessment Information
(As of Jun 30, 2009)
2009
2008
2007
Number of Acres
373,613
424,405
498,530
Number of Growers
1933
1816
2047
Acre Assessment
$1.25
$2.10
$2.50
Assessments Due
$467,016
$891,250
$1,246,104.41
2009 Trapping Data
Unit
Counties
Acres
Traps
1
Northampton, Hertford
41916
746
2
Gates, Chowan, Perquimans, Pasquotank, Camden, Currituck
35371
747
3
Halifax, Warren
40373
746
4
Bertie, Martin
58460
954
5
Franklin, Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson
35507
713
6
Pitt, Beaufort
23738
404
7
Washington, Hyde, Tyrell, Dare
20200
394
8
Jones, Craven, Pamlico, Carteret
8605
220
9
Johnston, Lee, Harnett, Cumberland
19525
521
10
Wayne, Greene, Lenoir
22139
495
11
Hoke, Scotland, Robeson
24861
428
12
Richmond, Anson, Union, Stanly, Cabarrus, Davidson, Rowan, Montgomery, Cleveland, Rutherford, Lincoln
10360
310
27
2009 Cotton Acres
County
Acres
County
Acres
County
Acres
Anson
1444
Greene
5453
Perquimans
11298
Beaufort
13354
Halifax
39472
Pitt
10384
Bertie
28030
Harnett
10660
Richmond
62
Bladen
4286
Hertford
9814
Robeson
11394
Cabarrus
208
Hoke
8325
Rowan
328
Camden
596
Hyde
12540
Rutherford
93
Carteret
585
Johnston
4199
Sampson
12687
Chowan
11955
Jones
6031
Scotland
5144
Cleveland
1561
Lee
351
Stanly
6246
Columbus
3173
Lenoir
12278
Stokes
82
Craven
2574
Martin
30430
Tyrrell
3485
Cumberland
4669
Moore
24
Union
903
Duplin
3659
Nash
6220
Vance
16
Edgecombe
19860
Northampton
32103
Wake
91
Forsyth
113
Onslow
1703
Warren
903
Franklin
144
Pamlico
575
Washington
7661
Gates
10195
Pasquotank
1925
Wayne
4409
Granville
195
Pender
297
Wilson
9428
Imported Fire Ant Survey and Monitoring Program
The red imported fire ant (RIFA) continued to spread into new areas in North Carolina in 2009-2010. Results from the 2009 surveys resulted in revisions to the IFA quarantine for the 2010 calendar year. Those recommendations were published in early January 2010, and included the addition of the following:
•
Currituck County – The entire county.
•
Hertford County- The entire county.
•
Vance County- Everything south of I-85 from the Warren Co. line to the Granville Co. line.
•
Granville County- Everything south of Hwy 158 from the Person Co. line to the Vance Co. line.
•
Durham County- The entire county.
•
Alamance County- Everything south of I-85 from the Guilford County line to the Orange Co. line.
•
Guilford County- Everything south of I-40 from the Alamance County line to the Forsyth Co. line.
•
Iredell County- Everything south of I-40 from the Davie Co. line to the Catawba Co. line.
•
Rutherford County- Everything south and east of Hwy 108 from the Polk Co. line to the junction of Hwy 64E to the McDowell Co. line.
Four temporary employees surveyed along the existing quarantine line in over 40 counties. The table below summarizes the 2009-2010 RIFA temporary employee survey efforts. 28
RIFA Work Completed From Jul 1, 2009-Jun 30, 2010
RIFA Survey Totals by County
County
Sum of Miles Surveyed
Sum of Acres Surveyed
Sum of New Sites
Alamance
466
224
21
Alexander
532
98
37
Alleghany
10
1
4
Brunswick
84
8
0
Buncombe
2705
195
77
Burke
1347
102
15
Caldwell
798
48
4
Catawba
2206
175
38
Currituck
1162
237
150
Dare
136
Davidson
295
260
16
Davie
519
11
1
Durham
1233
606
390
Forsyth
80
19
4
Graham
664
140
39
Granville
888
151
52
Guildford
297
121
7
Halifax
3136
592
105
Harnett
70
6
2
Haywood
386
105
Henderson
624
242
4
Hertford
244
68
61
Iredell
1892
303
105
Jackson
987
360
10
Lincoln
752
55
15
Macon
899
156
65
Madison
838
274
14
McDowell
745
35
35
Northampton
1174
256
27
Orange
1581
239
102
Person
275
24
10
Rowan
588
53
37
Rutherford
1429
119
146
Stanley
121
1
1
Surry
2
2
1
Swain
1354
451
50
Transylvania
825
240
28
Tyrell
107
3
Vance
571
49
11
Warren
827
68
25
Totals
32849
6097
1709
Thirty-two imported fire ant inspection blitzes were carried out at North Carolina weigh stations in support of the federal fire ant quarantine on movement of articles regulated by the quarantine. Approximately 156 trucks were inspected and over 25 media/soil samples were collected for analysis. No paperwork violations both in-state and out-of-state were found. There were approximately 100 people educated on the IFA Program during 2 IFA presentations given throughout the state for various agricultural agencies. The IFA Quarantine Program responded to more than 120 calls and requests for information that came in from consumers during this reporting period.
Sweetpotato Weevil Trapping Program
NCDA&CS personnel continue the statewide comprehensive sweetpotato weevil trapping survey on all commercially grown sweet potato fields. Traps containing the female sweetpotato weevil’s pheromone will be placed at the rate of one trap per ten acres with a minimum of two traps per field. In 2009, 7,757 traps were set in 3,429 fields on approximately 37,512 acres. The traps in all the commercial production areas were negative for 2009. Approximately 42,351 acres of sweet potatoes on 5,529 fields were planted in 2010. Results from the 2010 trapping season will be available in October.
Storage facilities continue to be monitored on a year-round basis with one trap placed in each section of the storage house and an additional trap stationed outside the principal entrance. No sweetpotato weevils were captured during the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
2010 Blueberry Export Certification Program
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency requires that all fresh blueberries shipped to Canada come from growers who participate in a Blueberry Certification Program. The program consists of monitoring and control procedures for the blueberry maggot, Rhagoletis mendax. Forty-nine North Carolina production areas were monitored (5,500 acres total representing 96 fields) throughout the harvesting and shipping period and were issued certification documents. No blueberry maggots were detected in any of the fresh market blueberries being shipped to Canada in 2010.
2009-2010 Gypsy Moth Slow the Spread (STS) and Eradication Program
In 2009-2010 the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Plant Industry Division carried out an extensive survey, treatment, and regulatory program for Gypsy Moth. The program was divided into two separate areas, Slow the Spread and Eradication. The 2009 Project Boundaries are shown in the map below. 29
2009 Gypsy Moth Trapping ResultsThe presence and density of gypsy moth populations in North Carolina is determined by the placement of numerous relatively small traps. These traps are baited with the female sex pheromone, which is attractive to adult male gyspy moths. If a population is present, a portion of the adult males are attracted to NCDA&CS traps.
Gypsy moth trap.
Malegypsy
In the Slow the Spread area, traps were placed on a 2-kilometer base grid with 1-Kilometer and 500-meter delimit grids in areas that had high catches or treatments in 2008. The Slow the Spread area was divided into 26 separate trapping bid units. Eleven private contractors placed and removed 8,199 traps at an average cost of $16.25 per trap.
Ten Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-four traps were placed and removed in the statewide eradication area. These traps were placed on a 3-kilometer base grid with 500-meter grids in areas of concern. Of these traps, the North Carolina Forest service placed 1,156 traps in 12 counties. Fifteen temporary employees and 24 permanent NCDA&CS’ personnel set traps in the remaining counties. Between the STS and statewide programs, a total of 18,993 traps were deployed in 2009 with 4,201 moths caught in 629 positive traps.
Aately 19,435 gypsy moth traps were placed in the spring of 2010. Results are pending; however, midseason trap check results on select locations have been conducted. Two locations had several low moth captures. Due to the proximity of these captures to
pproxim2009 gypsy moth trap locations and moth captures
30
ports and military bases, which can act as a pathway for movement of gypsy moths from overseas, these captured moths were sent to USDA-APHIS for genetic testing.
The specimens from one of these areas, just east of Hampstead, NC, returned with mixed results. The significance of these results is as of yet unclear. (European gypsy moths are the primary target of the program and are present in North America. Asian gypsy moths have the potential to be more damaging and spread more rapidly than their European siblings.) USDA-APHIS is currently working to determine the likelihood that these moths are genetically European.
Alternate Life Stage Surveys
NCDA&CS conducts ground surveys of locations with unexpectedly high moth captures in an attempt to locate life stages other than the male moths captured in the traps. Egg masses, buff-colored, hairy, and the size of a quarter, are the most common alternate life stage found, though spent pupae and larvae are occasionally located. If found, an alternate life stage confirms that there is a reproducing population at that location. Along with data from gypsy moth traps, this information helps determine whether control measures are necessary at a given location.
Gypsy moth egg mass in
Macon, NC
After reviewing the gypsy moth monitoring data, 11 locations were identified for alternate life stage surveys. NCDA&CS’ personnel conducted these surveys during the fall of 2009, and successfully found alternate life stages in seven of the 11 locations.
Area
County
Project
Highest Moth Capture
# Alternate Life Stages Found
Ringgold
Caswell
STS
42
>100
False Cape
Currituck
STS
1096
>100
Knotts Island
Currituck
STS
150
25
Corolla
Currituck
STS
15
3
Mossy Island
Currituck
STS
4
0
Jarvisburg
Currituck
STS
33
>100
Nelson
Granville
STS
15
2
Macon
Warren
STS
11
>100
Hubert
Onslow
Erad
500
>100
Silver Hill
Scotland
Erad
9
0
SE Goldsboro
Wayne
Erad
11
0
31
Helicopter treating Hubert blockApril2010DWall2010 Gypsy Moth Treatments
In the fall of 2009, seven locations were identified as needing intervention. Among these blocks, a total of 10,791 acres were treated in the spring of 2010. Four of the seven locations were treated by both aircraft and ground equipment, while three were treated only by aircraft.
In preparation for the treatments, a detailed Environmental Assessment process was conducted. The planning process revealed numerous challenges in implementing the gypsy moth treatment program this year. The treatment blocks were difficult to implement logistically, numerous landowner comments and concerns surfaced, numerous agencies were involved, and airspace issues required considerable attention.
NCDA&CS collaborated closely with landowners to ensure that the impact of treatment was minimal. Most notably, NCDA&CS used a certified-organic product to allay certification-related concerns of two small organic farms within two treatment blocks. Both farms were satisfied with the treatments.
The program conducted a more thorough public notification process so that all members of the public had the opportunity to remain informed of program activities before, during, and after treatments. Email listserves and Twitter were implemented, in addition to the more customary mailings, phone calls, and personal contact. As a result, the number of complaints received during the course of the project was greatly reduced from last year.
The program also utilized a new technology for intra-departmental communication during treatment. All members of the operational team were given VIPER radios (Voice Interoperability Plan for Emergency Responders). Relying on 800 MHz towers, VIPER radios allow for dependable, continuous, and instantaneous communication statewide. In the event of an incident, VIPER technologies would have allowed program personnel to seamlessly integrate emergency responders into the program’s communication network, allowing for a more rapid response.
VIPER
Two additional treatment blocks were located partly or entirely within the range of state rare moths and butterflies which could have been adversely impacted by Bt, the product of choice for these treatment blocks. In lieu of the more effective and less costly Bt, NCDA&CS opted to use Gypchek, a product which only affects gypsy moth, to address these concerns. The program is awaiting final removal of gypsy moth traps to determine if these treatments achieved their objective.
32
Mapof2010treatmentblocks2010 Treatments: Aerial Blocks
Block
County
Project
Acres
Dosage
High Catch
Alternate Life Stages
Jarvisburg
Currituck
STS
1,491
Btk, 24 BIUx2
33
> 100
Ringgold
Caswell
STS
1,863
Btk, 25 BIUx2
42
> 100
Macon
Warren
STS
523
Btk, 25 BIUx2
11
> 100
SE Goldsboro
Wayne
Erad
297
Btk, 24 BIUx2
11
N/A
Hubert
Onslow
Erad
399
Gyp, 3x10^12
500
> 100
False Cape NC/VA
Currituck
STS
2,694
Gyp, 3x10^12
150
> 100
Corolla
Currituck
STS
3,524
MD, 6g
15
3
Yanceyville#
Caswell
STS
0
N/A
Total
10,791
#Yanceyville was not treated because of budget restrictions.
2010 Treatments: Ground Blocks
Block
County
Project
Acres
Appli-cations
Product
Highest Catch
Alternate Lifestages
Jarvisburg
Currituck
STS
8
2
Tebufenoz, 8 oz
33
> 100
Macon
Warren
STS
5
2
Tebufenoz, 8 oz
11
> 100
Nelson%
Granville
STS
0
0
15
2
False Cape NC/VA
Currituck
STS
5
1
Gypchek
1096
> 100
Hubert
Onslow
Erad
5
1
Gypchek
500
> 100
Total
23
%Nelson was not treated because of lack of landowner response..
2009 Gypsy Moth Regulatory Program
The gypsy moth program also seeks to mitigate the risk of introduction through a comprehensive regulatory program. An area that is generally infested is quarantined such that the movement of certain high-risk articles is strategically restricted and regulated. In North Carolina, Currituck and a small portion of Dare Counties were quarantined in 1988. A map of the US quarantine is included below.
North Carolina quarantine.
Regulated articles may be moved from quarantined to non-quarantined areas if the appropriate personnel undergo training and submit to the stipulations of a compliance
33
agreement with NCDA&CS. These compliance agreements require inspection and/or treatment of articles to ensure that they are free of gypsy moth life stages.
Public education efforts are also an important part of the regulatory program. Regulatory personnel regularly visit NC Cooperative Extension and NC Forest Service offices to update county personnel. Also, program personnel monitor all high-risk locations in the STS program area by placing one or more gypsy moth traps.
During the 2009-2010 fiscal year, special focus was placed on inspection of compliance agreement paperwork. Timber mills, firewood dealers, moving industry offices, and Christmas tree lots were visited to ensure that all parties were meeting their legal obligations. While the majority of companies were compliant, there were several incidences of non-compliance. Each incident of non-compliance was followed up with additional training and inspection to ensure future compliance.
Logs with bark must be inspected to ensure they are free of gypsy moth 35
Nursery Certification Program
NCDA&CS’ Plant Protection Specialists inspected 2,929 nursery dealers and 1,882 nurseries during the 2008-09 season. Four Stop Sale/Movement notices were issued to prevent the sale of infected or prohibited plants. These plants were either treated or destroyed. One Stop Sale notice was issued for pallets of bundled firewood that was not properly certified free of gypsy moth. This wood was destroyed.
The fees for nursery certification were increased as of October 1, 2009. This fee had not changed since 1987. A Registered Nursery license increased from $6 to $20. The Certified Nursery license was increased from $10 for the first acre and $2 for each additional acre to $100 for the first acre and $3 for each additional acre. The fee for the Collected Plant Certificate went from $1 to $20. Many small nurseries have decided to drop to the Registered Nursery license due to the fee change.
Number of Nurseries by Category 2008/09 2009/10
•
Retail 118 103
•
Wholesale 239 224
•
Retail and Wholesale 999 932
•
Institutional 73 69
•
Registered 332 554
Total Nurseries (All categories*) - 1,761 1,882
Number of Acres by Category 2008/09 2009/10
•
Retail 700.4 625.0
•
Wholesale 6,482.0 5,856.5
•
Retail and Wholesale 12,133.4 11,358.8
•
Institutional 78.0 77.3
•
Registered 167.4 338.4
Total Acreage (All categories*) - 19,561.2 18,256.0
Total Collected Plant Certificates Issued - 82
Total Number of Nursery Dealers** - 2,929
*Categories
A—Retail - Any nursery where 80% or more of the nursery stock sold is to the final consumer for their use.
B—Wholesale - Any nursery where 80% or more of the nursery stock sold is to other nurseries, dealers, or other persons for resale.
C—Retail and Wholesale - Any nursery where sales consist of nursery stock which is sold as follows: (1) Directly to the final consumer, and also (2) To other nurseries and/or dealers for resale with the percentage of total sales for each category being less than 80%.
I—Institutional - Any nursery owned or operated by any governmental agency.
R—Registered - Any nursery less than one acre in size that produces nursery stock, but does not sell, barter, or exchange such articles outside the state. 36
**Nursery Dealer – Any person not a grower of nursery stock who obtains certified nursery stock and/or collected plants for the purpose of distribution or sale independent of the control of a nursery.
Phytosanitary Certification Program
Imported Plants and the Post-Entry Quarantine (PEQ) Program 2010
The federal Post-Entry Quarantine Program, conducted cooperatively between USDA-APHIS-PPQ and State plant pest regulatory officials, enables individuals or companies to import plant material from outside the U.S. that may pose a plant pest risk. Plants must be kept under quarantine for two growing seasons and be inspected for pests of quarantine significance (primarily diseases) before the importer is allowed to move, use, or sell them without restriction. The program also involves conducting pre-importation, site-screening inspections.
•
Shipments of Hydrangea plants from New Zealand, and Jasmine and
Dianthus plants from Japan were received and entered post entry quarantine in 2010.
•
One pre-importation, site screening inspection occurred in 2009.
Export Certification Program 2010
Within the Export Certification Program, Plant Protection Specialists issue Phytosanitary Certificates to growers and/or brokers to facilitate movement of agricultural commodities to other states and countries. Phytosanitary Certificates indicate that inspections and other specific requirements of the importing states and countries have been met. State certificates are used for movement within the U.S., and federal certificates are required for movement to another country. Countries and states vary greatly in what they require for various types of commodities such that careful research and interpretation of requirements are needed for each request for phytosanitary certification. Primary use of the USDA PCIT (Phytosanitary Certificate Issuance and Tracking System) to issue Federal certificates began in October 2009. All Plant Protection Specialists are now using the PCIT system to issue both Federal and State Phytosanitary Certificates. Fees for Federal Certificates increased as of October 1, 2009. Exporter payment of fees associated with the issuance of Federal certificates is also being managed within the PCIT system. The use of PCIT to process exporter applications, issue phytosanitary certificates, and to collect and manage the fees for Federal certificates has been highly successful. Certificates were issued for the movement of commodities to 64 countries, 19 states and Puerto Rico. The majority of phytosanitary certificates issued were for lumber, tobacco, cotton, cotton seed, Christmas trees, peanuts, nursery and greenhouse plants, sweetpotatoes, and sweetpotato cuttings. 37
Summary of Certificates issued in 2010 by Category:
Category Number Issued
Federal Certificates
Phytosanitary Certificate 1,675
Re-Issue Certificate 194
Re-Export Certificate 27
Processed Product Certificate 68
Total Federal Certificates: 1,964
Number Issued in PCIT 1640 (84% of total issued)
State Certificates
Phytosanitary Certificates 267
Number Issued in PCIT 184 (69% of total issued)
Plant Conservation Program
NORTH CAROLINA PLANT CONSERVATION BOARD
The Program meets quarterly with members of the NC Plant Conservation Board whose 7 members are appointed by the Governor and the Commissioner of Agriculture. This Board recently approved a comprehensive package of updated regulations. These proposed rule changes have been submitted to the Office of Administrative Hearings as have been made available for public comment. Pending a final review of comments these rules could go into effect by the calendar year.
NORTH CAROLINA PLANT CONSERVATION SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
The Program meets frequently and regularly with members of the NC Plant Conservation Scientific Committee. This 7 member committee consists, primarily, of positions designated to the committee by law. Members provide scientific guidance to the Program and Board and were instrumental in developing the comprehensive listing of plants that need immediate conservation attention. In total, the Scientific Committee and Program staff identified 422 native plants that are endangered, threatened, vulnerable, or historic in North Carolina.
PLANT CONSERVATION PRESERVE SYSTEM
The Program manages a Preserve system currently consisting of 19 Preserves scattered around North Carolina (see map below)
A few new additions and pending property closing are making incremental additions to the Preserve system. Expansions have occurred (or are pending) in the following areas:
(1) Tater Hill Preserve – Watauga County
(2) Eastwood Preserve – Moore County
(3) Eno River Diabase Preserve – Durham County
(4) Boiling Spring Lakes Preserve – Brunswick County
(5) Ochlawaha Bog – Henderson County NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST FUND GRANTS
Additional grants were obtained to expand the Preserve system in the near future. These grants include expansion of the following Preserves:
1. Tater Hill $1,895,000
2. Boiling Spring Lakes $ 220,000
3. Eastwood Preserve $ 449,000
4. Rocky River $ 128,500
5. Hebron Road $ 230,880
Map of Plant Conservation Preserves
SITE ACQUISITION PLANNING
The Plant Conservation Program has the regulatory authority and capability to establish Plant Conservation Preserves to protect imperiled plant species. A systematic and comprehensive evaluation of site protection needs was completed and updated this year. This “portfolio of Important Plant Conservation Areas” will guide our efforts in working with land owners and managers across the state to better protect these critical sites.
38
Pondberry Field Trip (Tom Harville and others)
UNITED STATES FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE (USFWS) PARTNERSHIP
The NCDA&CS Plant Conservation Program and USFWS continued a long-standing cooperative agreement related to the recovery of endangered and threatened species in North Carolina. Grant funds obtained under this cooperative agreement provide approximately $100,000 to North Carolina each year.
PROGRAM CAPACITY
The Plant Conservation Program continues to operate with a single full-time state funded position.
PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS
The Plant Conservation Program is a member of several statewide or regional conservation partnerships and staff participates in these partnerships as time allows. In addition, staff regularly reaches out to the public with special presentations and by filling information requests.
REGULATORY PROGRAMS
There are currently 164 plant species or varieties on the NC protected plant list; 27 of these species are also federally protected.
Program staff meets quarterly with an interagency panel to review permit requests for projects affecting protected plant species and over 25 permits were issued.
AMERICAN GINSENG
American Ginseng harvest and exports from North Carolina continued under regulations adopted by the N.C Plant Conservation Board. Without monitoring by the Program, harvest and export from North Carolina will not be allowed by federal authorities who have listed this plant under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
39
American Ginseng Roots
Approximately 30 violations have been reported during the year, including poaching from protected public lands, illegal harvest without landowner permission, and illegal interstate transport.
NCDA&CS certified 10,392 pounds of wild collected ginseng during 2009 and an additional 85 pounds of wild simulated ginseng. The amount of wild collected Ginseng has declined consistently since 2007.
PLANT CONSERVATION PRESERVE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
The Program continues striving to adequately manage its existing Preserves.
Dan Wall with Chainsaw
Expanded partnerships with N.C Department of Forest Resources (DFR) accomplished several prescribed burns on PCP Preserves in Montgomery and Brunswick Counties.
40
Program staff worked with DFR on a stimulus proposal which was successful at bringing approximately $100,000 to expand burning at the Boiling Spring Lakes Preserve.
Two full time temporary employees who joined the Program this summer have made a big impact. They have cleared extensive amounts of trees and brush from 2 Preserves in Durham county, and treated many infestations of invasive plants species found on these Preserves.
Staff welcomed the first ever “volunteer steward” to help with management planning, public outreach, and management activities on Preserves in Henderson County. Working with the volunteer steward, staff treated a 7 acre infestation of the highly invasive Canary Reed Grass.
Several other management activities have been completed with the help of volunteers. These include picking up trash and providing firewood to needy citizens.
41
42
Volunteers at Denson’s Creek Plant Conservation Preserve
Plant Pathology Program
EXPORT: Disease certification requirements and distribution information
Most agricultural commodities must be certified for export to foreign counties. Countries differ in regard to what is important to them in regard to plant pest risk. The Plant Pathologist received and handled requests from Field Specialists and NC USDA-APHIS-PPQ personnel for assistance with interpretation of plant disease and nematode certification requirements, development of specific certification procedures and protocols, and determination of disease organism distribution. Examples of specific issues were: plants to Bermuda (evaluated changes to the nematode testing protocols for PPQ); plants to California (proof-of-nematode-certification issue); potatoes to Canada (erroneous Ditylenchus destructor nematode distribution data); potatoes to Nicaragua (Ditylenchus dipsaci nematode issue); firs to Costa Rica (evaluation of harmful organism list); logs to China (pinewood nematode testing); and corms to Canada (soybean cyst nematode issue).
EXPORT: Tobacco blue mold oospore survey (for certification of tobacco to China)
A blue mold oospore field survey must be completed annually in States where blue mold was reported in order to certify tobacco for export to China. The Plant Pathologist has been the state survey coordinator every year since the program began in 2001. She updates the NC survey procedures yearly and sends them to the NCSU Tobacco Pathology Specialist for distribution to NC Cooperative Extension Service personnel (county agents). The county agents conduct the survey by collecting samples from affected counties and submitting them to the approved lab (the NCSU Plant Disease and Insect Clinic). Industry groups pay for assaying the samples. Five counties in NC reported blue mold during the 2009 season. No oospores were found in any samples collected in NC or in other States. The survey for 2010 was initiated in June 2010 when blue mold was first reported in NC; results were pending as of 6/30/10. Note: in February 2010, the NCDA&CS gave the Exporter of the Year Award to the U. S. Tobacco Cooperative, citing increased sales of NC tobacco to other countries, particularly China, which had entered into contracts to purchase a total of 52 million lbs from NC’s 2009 crop.
EXPORT: Nematode certification
Before plants and certain other plant products can be certified for exported to Canada from North Carolina, they must be certified free of soybean cyst nematode (SCN). California has a similar requirement for reniform and burrowing nematodes. To assist nurseries that request certification, Field Specialists collect soil samples and submit them to the NCDA&CS’ Agronomic Division’s Nematode Assay Section lab (NAS) according to procedures developed by the Plant Pathologist, who also provides oversight. A sampling table based on numbers of plants or area sampled is used so that costs for assays can be predetermined prior to collection and submission. The Plant Pathologist assisted the NAS with updating the lab submission form this year. During this reporting period, eighteen (18) NC nurseries were soil-surveyed for nematode certification. This involved the collection and submission of 132 field samples (264 lab 43
assays). Target nematodes were not found in any of the samples. (Reniform and burrowing nematodes have never been found in a nursery in North Carolina. Reniform nematode has been found in NC under agronomic field conditions in 8 counties, but burrowing nematode has never been found at any location.)
The Agronomics Division, Nematology Section Chief is cooperating with the Plant Pathologist to test routine samples for soybean cyst nematode in order to validate new county detections. This is possible with the use of PCR testing; normally, cyst nematodes detected in routine samples are not identified to species. Soybean cyst nematode was not detected in any new county in NC during this reporting period. They are also collaborating on the validation of a new real-time PCR test for soybean cyst nematode. This work was initiated within the Plant Industry Division several years ago but was never sent out for peer review nor published. They plan to do this in 2010.
IMPORT: Movement of plant pathogens for research and other purposes
The Federal PPQ Form 526 (“Application and Permit to Move Live Plant Pests or Noxious Weeds”) permits the movement of plant pathogens and other pests into North Carolina from other states or countries for research, diagnostic identifications, or commercial uses. USDA-APHIS-PPQ receives the applications initially, evaluates them, adds conditions, and forwards the draft permits to the Plant Pathologist via the e-Permit system for final evaluation and approval. Because all plant pathogenic organisms are subject to this requirement, the pest-risk of each organism must be individually-evaluated to ensure that adequate safeguards are listed in the conditions of the permits. Forty-two (42) permit applications were evaluated by the Plant Pathologist, with most requiring further clarification or documentation from PPQ before State approval could be given. Three (3) permits were for receiving non-specified or unknown organisms (diagnostic labs). Individually-requested organisms included 142 fungi, 10 bacteria, 2 viruses, and 16 nematodes.
Involvement in the refinement of the “widely-prevalent” organisms lists (fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes) continues in some form every year. The purpose of these lists is to expedite the issuance of PPQ Form 526 (for the movement of pests and pathogens across state lines) when the intended use of the plant pathogenic organism is for laboratory studies only. It is a joint effort between the USDA-APHIS-PPQ permit unit, American Phytopathology Society committees of experts, and individuals from the various State Plant Regulatory Officials offices. The Plant Pathologist was involved with reviewing the widely-prevalent nematode list during this reporting period.
NURSERY: Submission and diagnosis of problem-plant samples
The Plant Industry Division does not maintain a lab for general diagnostic purposes. Plant Protection Specialists collect problem-plant samples from nurseries during nursery inspections and submit them to the NCSU Plant Disease and Insect Clinic (Raleigh) for diagnosis and control recommendations. The Plant Pathologist serves as the liaison between the Specialists and the Clinic, assisting with interpretation of diagnoses and recommendations when necessary. Twenty-nine (29) problem-plant samples were submitted during this reporting period. In addition to routine problems, a recurring pathogen of special note was hosta virus X. 44
The Plant Pathologist also facilitated through the Clinic the identification of a fungus growing on peanut seed in a germination test being conducted by the Seed Section.
NURSERY: Strawberry Plant Nursery Certification
The Plant Pathologist updated the Memorandum of Understanding that the Plant Industry Division maintains with the N. C. Crop Improvement Association (NCCIA) in order to clarify roles and overlapping responsibilities for inspection of strawberry plant nurseries. NCCIA no longer has a “certified” plant class and so no longer inspects that generation of plants produced from their “registered” plants. Inspections of such plants now fall to the Plant Protection Inspectors as does any other type of nursery stock. Acreage is reported with other nursery stock in this report.
SUDDEN OAK DEATH -- CAPS NURSERY SURVEY
Sudden Oak Death disease caused Phytophthora ramorum is killing thousands of oak trees in California and Oregon. To prevent artificial movement out the known-infested areas, shipments of nursery host plants are regulated by federal (USDA-APHIS-PPQ) and state quarantines. The host list is broad and continues to expand. However, the highest-risk types of plants appear to be species of Camellia, Kalmia, Pieris, Rhododendron, and Viburnum. General background and actions taken in NC can be found on the Plant Protection Section website (http://www.ncagr.com/plantindustry/plant/disease/sod.htm ). A survey of selected nurseries and nursery dealers was again conducted in April-June 2010 (7th year). This is funded under the CAPS program. A total of 47 locations were inspected according to the federal nursery survey manual. Field Specialists collected and submitted samples from plants with suspicious symptoms. These were pre-screened by the Plant Pathologist using an ELISA test for Phytophthora species. DNA was extracted from 4 ELISA-positive samples and sent to an approved PPQ lab for PCR confirmation. Phytophthora ramorum was not found in any of the samples. One nursery dealer that was positive in 2008 and 2009 was again positive in 2010. This is discussed under the “SUDDEN OAK DEATH -- REGULATORY ISSUE: Re-detection at a Nursery Dealer” section below.
SUDDEN OAK DEATH -- REGULATORY ISSUE: Re-detection at a Nursery Dealer
Delimiting surveys continued in 2010 at a nursery dealer in Mecklenburg County which had been positive for Phytophthora ramorum (Pram) initially in 2008 and again in 2009. A team of scientists including the Plant Pathologist visited the location in October 2009 and developed recommendations to control Pram. This was discussed with the owner and manager, who worked on implementing the recommendations over the winter months. To measure success, more sampling was initiated in spring 2010 as follows. Each of the following detections resulted in additional plant, soil, media, and/or water sampling, with repeat-surveys at 45-days and 90-days after the initial detection (as required by the USDA-APHIS-PPQ regulatory protocols). This was a very labor-intensive process that is on-going.
􀂄􈑏
On March 8, a series of eight soil samples were collected throughout the location; two were positive for Pram. Those areas were paved as the only soil-treatment option available.
􀂄􈑏
On April 19, a whole-nursery plant survey was conducted, resulting in the detection of one positive Pieris plant. Soil and container mix samples subsequently collected 45
were negative. Plants from the surrounding area were initially negative and remained negative throughout the 90-day quarantine period. Owner opted to pave the area as a precaution.
􀂄􈑏
On April 29, water from 2 separate areas of a trickle-ditch draining the nursery (but still located on the nursery) was collected by NCFS and NCDA&CS personnel and assayed by USFS personnel. Both water samples were positive for Pram. These were the first positive water detections at the location.
􀂄􈑏
On May 25, a major, whole-nursery plant, soil, and water survey was conducted in a joint effort involving NCDA&CS, USDA-APHIS-PPQ, and USFS/NCFS personnel. PPQ transported a mobile PCR lab to the local area to assay the plant samples. Approximately 160 plant samples were collected. Two camellias and one viburnum were found positive. None of the nine soil samples were positive. Water samples collected inside the nursery were negative this time. However, a rhododendron bait placed in the drainage stream downstream from the nursery was later found to be positive (this was the first detection of Pram outside a nursery in NC). USDA-APHIS-PPQ stated that it “does not have a policy or any regulatory authority in regard to detections in water outside a confirmed nursery”, thereby leaving it up to the State to handle. Note that Pram has not been found on plants outside the nursery yet. NCFS/USFS is planning to assist with conducting plant surveys outside the nursery in fall 2010.
􀂄􈑁
A compliance agreement is being developed which will require the owner to not carry certain high-risk plants, keep other host plants on paved surface, clean up plant debris, eliminate standing water, and other measures thought to be helpful in minimizing spread. Surveys of plants, soil, and water will continue in fall 2010 both inside and outside the premises.
SUDDEN OAK DEATH -- REGULATORY ISSUE: Trace-forward notifications
In June 2010, NCDA&CS received a trace-forward (TF) notification for Phytophthora ramorum from USDA-APHIS- PPQ. This involved shipments of rhododendron plants from an infected Oregon Nursery via a Virginia nursery to 22 Home Depots in NC. NCDA&CS’ Field Specialists inspected target plants at 16 Home Depots (6 had no TF plants remaining). Twenty-eight samples of symptomatic plants were submitted to the Plant Pathologist for laboratory assays. All were negative for P. ramorum, although other species of Phytophthora were detected.
In April 2010, NCDA&CS assisted PPQ with a TF investigation involving two shipments of Laurus nobilis (bay laurel plants) shipped from a greenhouse in Pennsylvania. PPQ was the lead on this TF. P. ramorum was not detected at these locations.
SUDDEN OAK DEATH – REGULATORY ISSUE: Trace-back notification
NCDA&CS received two trace-back (TB) notifications during the reporting period. A “trace-back” notification is given when infected plants at one location are found to have originated at another location (i.e., the trace-back location). The July 2009 TB was to a large NC nursery in Guilford County that supplied rhododendrons to a confirmed-positive nursery dealer in Transylvania County (the nursery dealer had also received plants from Oregon). The June 2010 TB was to a different nursery in Guilford County that had supplied camellias to a repeat-confirmed-positive nursery dealer in Mecklenburg County. 46
In both cases, the PPQ TB protocol was followed, and no Pram was detected at the TB nurseries.
SUDDEN OAK DEATH – MEETINGS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
The Plant Pathologist attended the following lab-related workshops during this reporting period: a USDA-sponsored soil and water-baiting workshop at Clemson University (October), and a real-time PCR workshop at the University of Kentucky, Lexington (January). She also attended and provided input at the National Program Review held in Riverdale, MD (December) and the California Oak Mortality Task Force annual meeting in Santa Rosa, CA (June). All these meetings and trainings were paid for by federal agencies, federal grants, or the National Plant Board.
TOBACCO PLANT INSPECTIONS
The NC Tobacco Plant Certification Regulation requires that anyone who moves tobacco plants into NC from another state must do so under an import permit system. There were no import permit applications received in 2010. Another aspect of the regulation requires that plants grown in NC and sold for planting in a location more than 75 miles away from the place of production must be inspected and certified. A major reason for this requirement is to prevent the artificial movement of blue-mold or virus-infected plants from one growing region into another, which could initiate a premature disease epidemic. There were no certified tobacco plant nurseries this year.
VEGETABLE PLANT INSPECTIONS
The Vegetable Plant Certification regulation requires weekly inspections and certification of vegetable plants grown in NC if for sale to commercial growers. There were no NCDA&CS-certified vegetable plant nurseries this year. The NC Crop Improvement Association (NCCIA) certifies a large number of sweetpotato cuttings and seed under its certification program. Because NCCIA certification requirements meet or exceed those of the regulation, NCDA&CS accepts NCCIA’s inspections and certification tags in lieu of its own. The regulation also requires that any plants or seed potatoes entering NC from another state be inspected and certified to meet certain disease standards.
Certification is not required for vegetable plants produced in NC for sale to homeowners in NC. In 2009, there was a late-blight epidemic in the northeastern U.S. that was allegedly traced to infected tomato transplants for sale to homeowners at “big box” locations. Although NC did not experience this epidemic and was not the supplier of these infected transplants, we wanted to ensure that any large NC producers of vegetable plants that shipped into another State met any requirements set by the receiving States. No violations or other problems were found. Special arrangements were made with at least one location to certify plant shipments into another State.
MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS related to Plant Pathology Issues:
The Plant Pathologist must stay current on emerging pathogen issues and information related to plant pathology and nematology. She routinely reviews issues of three journals (Phytopathology, Plant Disease, and the Journal of Nematology) and other sources of current pest problems (NC Pest News. APSnet, Plant Management Network).47
Subsequently, she also becomes involved with many smaller issues too numerous to mention in an annual review. Examples include such things as evaluating whether or not to apply for Farm Bill money to conduct a Plum Pox Survey, answering questions regarding the White Pine Blister Rust Quarantine as it relates to importing currants and gooseberries, updating information pertaining to the federal Black Stem Rust Quarantine as it relates to certification of nursery stock, representing the Plant Pest Administrator or Division Director on conference calls when they are not available to do so, providing input for the Department’s Innovations Advisory Group, maintaining a functioning lab to assay survey samples for sudden oak death disease, and so forth. She also is responsible for providing operational procedures related to her programs for Plant Protection Specialists. These are posted on a secure website designed as an electronic field manual. All such postings must be periodically updated.
Regulatory Weed Program
Program Objective
The North Carolina Regulatory Weed Program protects North Carolina agriculture, public health and native plant ecosystems from the harmful impacts of noxious weeds. The regulation of noxious weeds is authorized by the North Carolina Plant Pest Law and the Aquatic Weed Control Act of 1991. Program activities include inspections, issuance of Phytosanitary Certificates, issuance of Scientific Permits for movement of regulated articles and the survey, control and eradication of listed noxious weeds. The program manager is also accountable for management of the Witchweed Eradication Project funded by USDA, APHIS.
Program Accomplishment Highlights
Witchweed Eradication
•
The witchweed program continues to make gains in released acres in spite of the discovery of new or re-infested fields. The total acreage of active fields (i.e. fields with fewer than 5 points) is now 2,135 acres.
•
4,539 acres were treated in NC as part of the witchweed eradication program
•
A total of 81,037 acres were surveyed to evaluate status of witchweed infestation in Southeastern counties of NC
•
Plans have been made and details are being arranged with USDA, APHIS, PPQ to revise the witchweed eradication manual and to utilize GIS tools to track fields and generate maps.
Tropical Spiderwort
•
The only significant infestation of tropical spiderwort (Commelina benghalensis) continues to be contained within the Cherry Research Farm. Most of the infested acreage is located within the Farming Systems Research Unit (FSRU) of the Cherry Farm.
•
A small infestation outside of the FSRU was managed by applying methyl bromide soil fumigant to about 3 acres.
Other Noxious Weeds
•
The NCDA&CS assisted with the treatment of a small infestation of bushkiller at a small nursery in Lexington in Davidson County 48
•
Approximately 118 tropical soda apple plants were found at Martin Meats in Sampson county during the growing season. All plants were bagged and incinerated.
•
Small broomrape (Orobanche minor) continues to be confined to only a few plants in several locations of Mitchell County. Annual surveys are necessary to find the plants and destroy them to prevent additional spread.
•
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) continues to be confined to only a few plants in several locations throughout the state. Annual surveys are necessary to find the plants and treat them with herbicide to prevent spread.
•
Approximately 3,600 acres were surveyed for the presence of Itchgrass in Robeson county. Glyphosate was applied during summer/early fall 2009 to control emerged plants and pendimethalin herbicide was applied along affected roadsides in late March, 2010 to prevent germination.
Regulatory
•
119 phytosanitary certificates were issued to support the witchweed quarantine program
•
Twelve new scientific permits were issued during 2009 to support the Benghal dayflower (a.k.a. tropical spiderwort) quarantines at the Cherry and Tidewater Research Stations
Public Relations and Outreach
•
The NCDA&CS’ Weed Specialist was elected President of the NC Exotic Plant Pest Council (NC-EPPC) at the NC-EPPC annual meeting in December. The Weed Specialist is also a board member of the Aquatic Weed Control Council and the North Carolina Vegetation Management Association.
•
A presentation describing NC and SC Noxious Weed Regulatons and the procedure for listing new weeds was delivered at the annual meeting of the SC Aquatic Plant Management Society annual meeting (Figure 1)
•
Presentations on cogongrass were delivered to participants in an NCVMA field day workshop, to participants of a Dept. of Defense workshop on invasive species management and to participants of the annual NC-EPPC meeting.
•
A presentation on Japanese stiltgrass was delivered to participants of the annual NC-EPPC meeting and a Dept. of Defense workshop on invasive species.
•
A session on pesticide calibration was organized and presented to participants in a Dept. of Defense workshop on invasive species
•
An update on the witchweed eradication program was delivered at the annual meeting of the Weed Science Society of North Carolina
•
A press release on behalf of the NC-EPPC, intended to generate awareness regarding the impact of invasive species in conjunction with the National Invasive Species Awareness Week in Washington, DC, was delivered to statewide media with the assistance of The Nature Conservancy. The Press Release made USA Today news for North Carolina.
•
The Weed Specialist helped to organize and participated as an instructor in an Early Detection and Rapid Response Workshop designed for key agency contacts in coastal areas of NC.
•
On numerous occasions, assistance was provided to help identify weeds and provide weed control recommendations. Figure 1. Rick Iverson describing the Noxioius Weed listing process at the South Carolina Aquatic Plant Management Association annual meeting.
Weed Survey and Eradication Program Details
Survey Methodology and Rationale
Surveys for all projects were done by visual reconnaissance. Objectives were: 1) identify new infestations of target noxious weed (i.e. detection surveys); and, 2) delimit the boundaries where the weeds were mapped in previous years (i.e. delimiting surveys). Detection survey location targets were selected based on probability that subject plant pest would be present. In some instances GPS coordinates were recorded to provide reference points for mapping and relocation, if needed.
Roadsides close to wet areas and home landscapes were targets for purple loosestrife detection surveys. Locations known to have been infested with Orobanche minor in the past were checked at least three times in spring or early summer for reoccurrence of the weed. A known infestation in a hay field was monitored to delimit the size of Orobanche minor infestation and prevent additional spread by hand pulling plants at time of survey. Also past known locations for itchgrass (Rottboellia cochinchinensis) were surveyed in June to confirm results of 2008 treatments and delimit known past infestations. Cattle slaughter houses and holding farms in Sampson county are surveyed annually for infestations of tropical soda apple. Old stock markets in Ashe and Watauga counties as well as a cattle weigh station in Alleghany county were also surveyed during 2009 for tropical soda apple and Benghal dayflower.
Since plant species must be identified during the growing season, all surveys are done during the period from full leaf (June) through the first hard freeze (usually mid November). No taxonomic services were budgeted or used in the projects.
The Survey Aide doing surveys in the Western N.C. counties started surveys on June 29 and completed surveys during the week of August 24, 2009
49
The Survey Aide doing itchgrass surveys in Robeson County worked for six weeks at various times during the summer, 2009.
Results
Broomrape (Orobanche minor) See Figure 2.
There are eleven infested road shoulder sites in Mitchell County. On the following dates in 2009, surveys resulted in no Orobanche detections: April 20, 27; May 12, 19, 28; and June 2, 8, 15, and 22, including surveys of a hay field near Ledger, NC where Orobanche had been found in the past..
Eleven plants were found alongside Orchard Road between Snow Creek and Wing Roads on June 30 and 2 plants were found at along Highway 26 near Bakersville on June 30.
All Orobanche plants were pulled, bagged and incinerated when they were encountered during surveys.
Figure 2. Survey and detection locations for Orobanche minor in Mitchell county in 2009.
50
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) (Figure 3 and 4)
Figure 3. Purple loosestrife.
Figure 4. Survey and detection locations (4 sites) for purple loosestrife across Western NC during 2009.
Ashe County
There are 10 purple loosestrife (PLS) sites in Ashe County and only one site located in a residential backyard in the Beaver Creek community had PLS. The owner was informed and will presumably destroy the plant.
51
Alleghany County 52
Two sites near Roaring Gap golf course were surveyed with negative results.
Avery County
All four previously infested sites in Avery county were surveyed with negative results.
Mitchell County
There are five PLS sites in Mitchell County. One site had PLS in 2009 consisting of only 3 plants which were spot treated with glyphosate.
Watauga County
Sixteen sites which had histories of PLS were surveyed in Watauga County. Only two of these sites had PLS. The largest infestation is located on the fringes of Bass Lake at the Moses Cones Estate of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Approximately, 35 plants were treated at this site in 2009. None of the 35 plants had flowers at the time of treatment. Another site at Muncy Winds on Highway 105 in Boone had one plant which was treated with glyphosate.
A location near the airport at Banner Elk, NC where a plant was discovered in 2008 was surveyed on June 30, 2009. No plants were found.
Yancey County
One plant found last year at a residence in Burnsville at the is still present. Attempts to notify the homeowner were unsuccessful.
Onslow County
One site with a past history of PLS plants (approximately 1.25 acres in size) near New River in Onslow County was surveyed in 2009 with negative results.
Forsyth County
Sixteen sites containing a total of approximately 91 acres near Winston/Salem were again surveyed in 2009 (See Table 1). Two of the sites contained plants in areas where soil was disturbed. All PLS plants were treated with a 2% solution of triclopyr at the time of survey.
Table 1. Acreage surveyed and treated for purple loosestrife control by date and site location designation.
Sites
11-Jun
4-Aug
30-Sep
Total Acres Treated by Site
I-40 West
4.51
4.51
4.51
13.53
Rec Center
2.03
0
0
2.03
Substation
7.66
7.66
7.66
22.98
Farmingdale
1.71
1.71
1.71
5.13
Oak Grove Church Rd
0
0
0
0
Megahertz
1.97
1.97
1.97
5.91
Krispy Kreme
0.79
0
0
0.79
Corning Plant
2.05
2.05
2.05
6.15
Goose Pond
7.83
7.83
0
15.66
Chaucer Lane
0
0
0
0
Fox Meadow
1.75
0
0
1.75
Villas
0
0
0
0
1-40 East Pasture
1.46
1.46
1.46
4.38
Wallburg
2.23
2.23
0
4.46
White Church/Hwy 109
0.85
0
0.85
1.7 Willshire Golf Course
3.32
3.32
0
6.64
Total Acres Treated by Date
38.16
32.74
20.21
91.11
Total
Treated
Acreage:
182.22
Tropical Soda Apple (Solanum viarum)
The old stock market sites in Ashe and Watauga counties and the livestock weigh station in Alleghany County were all surveyed for tropical soda apple and no plants were found.
Approximately 275 acres at Martin’s Meats in Sampson County was surveyed for the presence of tropical soda apple on July 23 and September 29, 2009. One plant was found on 7/23 and 117 plants were found on 9/29. All plants were pulled and destroyed by incineration. Approximately 850 acres was surveyed at Coharie farms on 9/29. No plants were found again this year at Coharie farms .
Itchgrass (Rottboellia cochinchinensis) (Figure 5)
Figure 5. Itchgrass. Notice the hairs on stem which irritate skin when touched, hence the common name “itchgrass”.
Approximately 3,600 acres were surveyed for itchgrass presence in 2009. Infested acreage includes 193 acres which will be planted to corn in 2010, 10 acres which will be planted to soybean in 2010 and 12 acres which will be planted to cotton in 2010.
Roadside itchgrass sites estimated at about 2.0 acres in size were treated with pendimethalin on March 23, 2010 in cooperation with the NC DOT. A drainage ditch in one of the infested fields was also treated with pendimethalin in April.
53
Accent DF, Prowl H2O, Fusilade DX and Induce adjuvant were all purchased during the year in preparation for itchgrass treatment in cooperation with farmers during the 2010 growing season.
A proposal was accepted by the 2010 NC State Government Internship Program to provide funding for one survey aid to do survey, document sites and implement treatments for itchgrass during a 10 week internship beginning May 24, 2010. Survey results and treatment applications will be recorded and entered into a computer tracking program.
Florida betony (Stachys floridana) (Figure 6)
Florida betony is a very persistent problem weed of lawns and landscape plantings. It is also known as rattlesnake weed because of the resemblance of tubers to rattlesnake tails. (Figure 7)
Florida betony has been confirmed on several sites outside of quarantined counties, including Carteret county in the towns of Atlantic Beach and Morehead City, as well as in Johnston county near the town of Four Oaks. Treatments are discussed with landowners when infestations are found.
Figure 6. Florida betony in a landscape planting.
54
Figure 7. Tuber of Florida betony showing resemblance to a rattlesnake tail.
Witchweed (Striga asiatica)
Witchweed Eradication Program Objectives, Methods and Rationale
Witchweed (Striga asiatica) is a Federal Noxious Weed and a Class A State Noxious Weed in NC. It is an obligate parasite which attacks corn, sorghum, millet, and other warm season crops in the grass family. Heavy infestations of Witchweed can eliminate yield from these crops, resulting in devastating economic losses. The presence of this quarantined pest also imposes a regulatory burden on crop production and on the movement of farm commodities, equipment, and other regulated articles. The Witchweed eradication program includes an organized and effective set of survey, control and regulatory procedures developed through early USDA, APHIS research. Specific objectives of the program include: 1) characterization of the infestation through survey; 2) control of existing infestations; and, 3) containment by preventing the movement of potentially infested articles out of established quarantine boundaries.
1.
Survey – Survey is necessary to detect and verify the extent of Witchweed (Detection and Delimiting surveys), evaluate the effectiveness of eradication treatments on infested properties (Appraisal surveys), and verify eradication of Witchweed on sites released from quarantine (Released surveys). Additional survey of terminated acreage is required in order to confirm the long-term effectiveness of the eradication program. Survey is done through the growing season after host plants have started to grow from about the middle of June through the end of October or until the first frost.
55
2.
Control – The objective of control treatments is to prevent Witchweed seed production and eliminate Witchweed seed from the soil. Herbicide treatments, hand pulling and disking help to control witchweed host plants and witchweed plants before they can flower and produce seed. Methyl bromide fumigation of additional infested acreage will destroy reserves of witchweed seed in the soil and accelerate completion of the eradication program. Ethylene applications also help to deplete soil 56
reserves of witchweed seed by encouraging germination and subsequent control by exposure to treatments or a non-host crop. Control treatments can be completed during the growing season and into the winter months provided soil moisture and temperature are favorable for soil fumigation.
3.
Regulatory – Regulatory activities aid in preventing the artificial spread of Witchweed from infested areas to non-infested sites. These regulatory functions facilitate the interstate and intrastate movement of agricultural commodities from Witchweed regulated areas.
Witchweed Eradication Program Data Compilation Description
All control treatments and surveys are tracked in an ACCESS database that updates the status of infested fields and released fields. New or re-infested fields are added to the infested field list when Witchweed is confirmed in new fields or fields that have been previously released. A point system was developed for the program that provides a quantitative measure for moving fields from infested to a released status and from a released status to a terminated status. Infested fields are assigned points depending on the nature of the field and the control activities that were done on it during the season. Once a field accrues five points it is advanced to “Release” status which means it is surveyed on a schedule for a minimum of 10 years and assigned either 0.5 points for a spot survey or 1.0 points for a general survey. Once a field acquires 10 points it is terminated from the program.
The following summary tables show the status of acreage in NC and SC as of the end of survey and treatment for the current growing season which usually occurs by mid-November each year. Note that this report summarizes witchweed acreage status and activities during the 2009 calendar year even though the report specifies a period that matches the fiscal year which covers the period Oct. 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009. Since point values for a field are adjusted only once at the end of the growing season, it is not possible to obtain an accurate end of season account of field status until survey and treatment have ended for the year.
Following is a description of year-end activities that are required to summarize year end data:
•
A “switchboard” routine is executed in the ACCESS data base that automatically increments point values for released fields to account for surveys done on them during the season.
•
Based on input from each inspector, infested field point values are manually adjusted to reflect current field conditions and treatments that were done during the year. In most instances fields will be advanced in point value. Some fields may qualify for release based on reaching a point value of 5. Infested field point value at the end of the season is a judgment based on knowledge of witchweed biology, field treatments and current field conditions and can be discussed with the program manager. The new field values are done at the end of the growing season after the first frost when it is assumed no more treatments for the year will be implemented and no new witchweed will be found.
•
New fields are added to the data base and are assigned a new farm and/or field number. Re-infested field point values are changed to bring them back to values less than 5 so that they will be tallied as infested fields. 57
•
After end of growing season adjustments, the data base is queried and standard reports are generated that provide status reports of acreages infested, released, surveyed, treated and so forth that can be compiled by county or other criteria.
2009 Witchweed Eradication Program Summary of Results
This report contains the following Witchweed Status Data Tables for 2009:
􀀹􃤲
2009 North Carolina Acreage Status
􀀹􃥉
Infested Acres in NC Quarantined Counties by Point Value
􀀹􃥏
Other Statistics for NC
􀀹􃤲
2009 South Carolina Acreage Status
􀀹􃥉
Infested Acres in SC Quarantined Counties by Point Value
􀀹􃤲
2009 Summary of Survey Acreage
􀀹􃥎
Number of Farms and Fields with Fewer Than 5 Points (infested) by County
􀀹􃥔
Treatment Summary by Crop and Treatment Type
2009 North Carolina Acreage Status
Total Acres Infested 2,135.04
Total Acres Released in 2009 239.60
New or Re-infested Acres 157.86
Net Gain in Eradicated Acres 81.74
Total Acres Treated 4,538.62
Acres Surveyed 81,036.90
Infested Acres in NC Quarantined Counties by Point Value
County
0-0.9
1-1.9
2-2.9
3-3.9
4-4.9
Total
Bladen
0
309.10
87.60
95.90
143.00
635.60
Cumberland
107.40
150.10
70.60
77.40
574.70
980.20
Pender
0
8.50
4.00
4.60
0
17.10
Robeson
0
0
0
321.3
130.80
452.10
Sampson
4.30
2.40
28.64
9.50
5.20
50.04
Total
111.70
470.10
190.84
508.70
853.70
2135.04
Other Statistics for NC
Acres Treated by Contract--------------------------------20
Counties now Infested in NC-----------------------------5
Number of Witchweed Bounty Payments--------------32
Associated Witchweed Bounty Acreage--------------- 227.56
Number of Phytosanitary Certificates Issued ---------119 58
2009 South Carolina Acreage Status
Total Acres Infested-----------------------0
Total Acres Released------------------66.0
New or Re-infested Acres----------------0
Net Gain in Eradicated Acres--------66.0
Total Acres Treated-----------------219.40
Total Acres Surveyed-------------6,318.10
Infested Acres in SC Quarantined Counties by Point Value (Currently none)
County
0-0.9
1-1.9
2-2.9
3-3.9
4-4.9
Released
Marion
0
0
0
0
0
23.9
Horry
0
0
0
0
0
42.1
Total
0
0
0
0
0
66.0
Other Statistics for SC
Acres Treated by Contract-----------------------------0
Counties now infested with Witchweed-------------0
Number of New Witchweed Finds------------------15 (hills subsequently treated in 2009)
2009 Summary of Survey Acreage
State
Survey Category
Total Acres
North Carolina
Appraisal
16,237.70
Release
32,254.60
Delimiting
9,450.00
Detection
23,078.10
Regulatory
16.50
Total Survey Acreage for NC
81,036.90
South Carolina
Appraisal
395.70
Release
1,116.40
Delimiting
4,806.00
Total Survey Acreage for SC
6,318.10
Grand Total Survey Acres
87,355.0
Number of Farms and Fields with Fewer Than 5 Points (infested) by County
North Carolina Only
County
Number of Farms
Number of Fields
Infested Acreage
Bladen
35
58
635.60 59
Cumberland
58
72
980.20
Pender
1
4
17.10
Robeson
30
40
452.10
Sampson
9
11
50.04
Total
133
185
2135.04
Treatment Summary by Crop and Treatment Type
Treatment Acreage by State and Crop.
State
Crop Name
Number of Acres Treated
Number of Fields
North Carolina
Corn
1156.04
100
Garden
110.41
34
Idle (noncrop)
1736.90
273
Other
136.67
37
Peanuts
0.02
1
Soybeans
1265.61
116
Wildlife Planting
104.65
28
Yard
16.30
5
Horticultural Crops
12.02
4
Total
4538.62
598
South Carolina
Corn
38.00
1
Idle (noncrop)
152.20
5
Soybeans
29.20
1
Total
219.40
7
Grand Total for NC and SC
4758.02
626
60
Treatment Acreage by Treatment Type in North Carolina
Treatment Description
Treated Acres
Number of Fields
North Carolina
SUTAN +ATRAZINE 3-6+1-1.5 PPI
10.50
1
2, 4-D 1.0 PD, OT
2.55
3
2, 4-D 1.0 + LIQUID NITROGEN
8.02
2
PREFIX 1 QUART
89.00
6
GRAMOXONE 0.50 PD, OT
69.62
10
PROWL 07.5-1.5 PPI, PES
9.42
1
OUST 0.05-0.2 PD, OT
1.00
1
ATRAZINE 1.0-1.5 PPI, PES
31.60
3
BASAMID “G” 295 SA
2.78
9
COMMAND 0.75-1.5 PPI
64.40
3
GOAL 1.0 PD, OT
1.00
1
2, 4-D + GRAMOXONE 1.0 + .125-.25PDOT
1.55
2
DISKING-100% GRASS KILL
1206.81
180
DUAL 1.125-3.0 PES
402.94
19
ETHYLENE (HAND) 1.5
2.00
1
ETHYLENE (TRACTOR) 1.5 INJ
724.89
66
EVIK 2.0 PD
21.80
2
METHYL BROMIDE (CONTRACT) 436.0
22.10
12
METHYL BROMIDE (SPOT) 436.0
0.40
2
POAST 0.2-.05 OT, PD
11.10
3
REFLEX 0.375 PD, OT
16.05
2
ROGUE- 100% WITHWEED REMOVAL
106.46
52
ROUNDUP 0.50-2.0 OT
1472.03
98
TREFLAN “G’ 3.0-4.0 SA
0.35
2
TREFLAN-EC 0.5-1.0 PPI
129.28
17
ENVIVE 4.3 OUNCES
115.40
8
ROUNDUP =2,4-D.5-2.0+1.0 OT, PD
3.57
5
VELPAR 1.0-2.0 PD, OT
11.00
1
Total
4537.62
512
Treatment Acreage by Treatment Type in South Carolina
Treatment Description
Treated Acres
Number of Fields
South Carolina
BASAMID “G” 295 SA
.10
1
GOAL 0.75 PD, OT
19.00
1
DISKING-100% GRASS KILL
63.90
5
ETHYLENE (TRACTOR) 1.5 INJ
65.50
6
ROUNDUP 0.50-2.0 OT
55.10
4
TREFLAN-EC 0.5-1.0 PPI
8.50
1
REFLEX + FUSILADE .375+.06-.19PD, OT
7.30
1
TOTAL
219.40
19
The soil injection of Witchaway ®, ethylene gas, is an important eradication treatment in the witchweed progam (Figure 8)
Figure 8. Injection of ethylene gas in field corn.
61
62
2009 Witchweed Program Discussion
An analysis of fields not yet released (i.e. fields below 5 points) shows that close to 40% of the NC acreage is within one point value of the five points required for release. However, an increase in corn acreage increases the probability of detecting new fields that may have been idle for several years after release or termination. Corn acreage in North Carolina has increased from 790,000 planted acres in 2006 to 1,100,000 acres in 2007 and 830,000 acres in 2008. If ethanol production from corn in NC is of continuing interest in 2010, corn acreage will likely remain at levels higher than in 2006 and it is expected that we will continue to detect new or re-infested fiel