United States Department of Agriculture National Program 305 Research, CROP PRODUCTION Education, and Economics AGRICULTURAL ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT 2007-2011 RESEARCH SERVICE Office of National Programs MARCH 2012 Captions of front page photos: 1. ARS research enables variable-rate aerial application of pesticides, fertilizers, and harvest aides to row-crops in field zones that require different amounts of spray 1 material while minimizing off-target drift under different atmospheric conditions. Photo by Steve Thomson/ARS 2. The brown marmorated stink bug, a recently introduced invasive insect, has 2 developed into a significant pest to tree fruit and vegetable crops in the Mid-Atlantic 3 area. Photo by ARS Kearneysville. 3. Experimental honey bee colonies set in a California almond orchard. Almonds 4 alone use 60 percent or more of all honey bee colonies in the United States each year. Photo by Robert Danka/ARS. 4. An alfalfa leafcutting bee (Megachile rotundata) on an alfalfa flower. Photo by Peggy Greb/ARS. National Program 305 Crop Production ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT 2007-2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS ____________________________________________________________________________________ NATIONAL PROGRAM 305 BACKGROUND AND GENERAL INFORMATION ...............................................1 NP 305 Component 1 – INTEGRATED SUSTAINABLE CROP PRODUCTION SYSTEMS ............................... 7 Subcomponent 1A: Annual Cropping Systems Problem Statement 1A1 ..................................................................................................................8 Problem Statement 1A2 .................................................................................................................9 Problem Statement 1A3 .................................................................................................................14 Problem Statement 1A4 .................................................................................................................16 Subcomponent 1B: Perennial Crops Problem Statement 1B1 ................................................................................................................20 Problem Statement 1B2 ................................................................................................................27 Problem Statement 1B3 .................................................................................................................30 Subcomponent 1C: Greenhouse, High Tunnel, and Nursery Production Systems Problem Statement 1C1 ................................................................................................................33 Problem Statement 1C2 ................................................................................................................37 Problem Statement 1C3 .................................................................................................................41 Problem Statement 1C4 .................................................................................................................42 NP 305 Component 2 – BEES AND POLLINATION ..................................................................................47 Subcomponent 2A: Honey Bees [Apis] Problem Statement 2A1 ...............................................................................................................48 Problem Statement 2A2 ...............................................................................................................57 Problem Statement 2A3 ...............................................................................................................59 Subcomponent 2B: Non-Apis Bees Problem Statement 2B1 ................................................................................................................64 Problem Statement 2B2 ................................................................................................................67 APPENDICES .............................................................................................................................................. APPENDIX 1 – Research Projects in National Program 305 .............................................................. APPENDIX 2 – Publications by Research Project .............................................................................. APPENDIX 3 – Selected Supporting Information and Documentation for Accomplishments and Impact of NP 305 Research.................................................................................. National Program 305 Crop Production Components and Problem Statements Component 1: Integrated Sustainable Crop Production Systems SUBCOMPONENT 1A: ANNUAL CROPPING SYSTEMS Problem Statement 1A1: Develop Integrated Strategies for Soil, Water, and Nutrient Management for Optimal Yield and Economic Returns in Annual Cropping Systems. Problem Statement 1A2: Develop Automation and Mechanization Systems and Strategies to Optimize Pest Management, Improve Crop Yield and Quality, Reduce Worker Exposure, and Protect the Environment While Maintaining a Profitable Production System. Problem Statement 1A3: Decision Support Systems to Optimize Pest Management. Problem Statement 1A4: Develop Crop Production Systems that are Productive, Profitable, and Environmentally Acceptable. SUBCOMPONENT 1B: PERENNIAL CROPS Problem Statement 1B1: Develop Integrated Strategies for the Management of Pests and Environmental Factors that Impact Yield, Quality, and Profitability of Perennial Crops. Problem Statement 1B2: Develop Mechanization and Automation Practices that Increase Production Efficiency. Problem Statement 1B3: Develop Perennial Crop Production Systems that are Productive, Profitable, and Environmentally Acceptable. SUBCOMPONENT 1C: GREENHOUSE, HIGH TUNNEL, AND NURSERY PRODUCTION SYSTEMS Problem Statement 1C1: Develop Integrated Strategies for the Management of Pests and Environmental Factors that Impact Yield, Quality, and Profitability of Greenhouse, High Tunnel, and Nursery Production Systems. Problem Statement 1C2: Develop Sensors and Automation Technologies for Greenhouses, High Tunnel, and Nursery Production Systems. Problem Statement 1C3: Develop Decision Support Systems Optimized for Greenhouse, Nursery, and High Tunnel Production Systems. Problem Statement 1C4: Develop Improved Crop Production Systems for High Quality Greenhouse, High Tunnel, and Nursery Crops. Component 2: Bees and Pollination SUBCOMPONENT 2A: HONEY BEES [APIS] Problem Statement 2A1: Improving Honey Bee Health. Problem Statement 2A2: Pollination of Crops. Problem Statement 2A3: Developing and Using New Research Tools: Genomics, Genetics, Physiology, Germplasm Preservation, and Cell Culture. SUBCOMPONENT 2B: NON-APIS BEES Problem Statement 2B1: Management for Crop Pollination. Problem Statement 2B2: Bee Biodiversity and Contribution to Land Conservation. [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.] United States Department of Agriculture Research, Education, and Economics AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE NATIONAL PROGRAM 305 Crop Production ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT 2007-2011 BACKGROUND AND GENERAL INFORMATION National Program 305 – Crop Production has been described by some as the crop research program within the USDA Agricultural Research Service ‘where the rubber meets the road.’ This national program builds on other ARS research that develops better crop varieties and devises ways to keep them safe from diseases and pests and applies information to develop ways to bring those crops to the field and produce better yields with fewer amounts of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. This is the home of research dedicated to solving the field-scale challenges facing U.S. producers, including the critical area of plant pollinators. The research conducted by the scientists involved in NP 305 seeks to enhance American agricultural productivity and sustainability; to ensure a high quality and safe supply of food, fiber, feed, ornamentals, and industrial products for the nation; and do so in a way that protects the environment. Maintaining U.S. agricultural competitiveness is a continuing challenge to provide economically viable and environmentally sound sustainable crop production systems, while meeting the increased U.S. and world demand for agricultural products. Sustainable production dictates that agricultural practices benefit the producer, the worker, the consumer, and the general public. Management practices must be economical, while safeguarding surrounding ecosystems. New mechanization technologies must promote a safe work environment, a more efficient system of production, and the production and processing of a higher quality product. The mission of NP305 focuses on conducting the research to address these challenges, and those of emerging problems as needed, such as the recent outbreaks of colony collapse disorder (CCD) of bees and the brown marmorated stink bug. As this report documents, during 2007-2011, NP 305 has made significant contributions to U.S. crop production, in terms of the number and quality of accomplishments as well as the breadth of issues addressed. ARS scientists have developed improved nutrient, water, and pest management strategies; decision support software and models; new sensors and mechanization technologies; safer and more efficient aerial and ground-based spray application technologies; strategies to expand market niches; and new production systems. These significant advances and Office of National Programs 5601 Sunnyside Avenue ● George Washington Carver Center Beltsville, Maryland 20705 AN EQUAL