Location: Peanut and Small Grains Research Unit
Project Number: 3070-22000-017-004-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 15, 2016
End Date: Aug 31, 2022
Objective:
The objectives of this project are to: (1) monitor development of sugarcane aphid populations in sorghum and host grasses throughout the year to provide data to validate synoptic model for sugarcane aphid migration and to define geographic overwintering potential; and (2) assess AWPM affects on sugarcane biocontrol by natural enemies.
Approach:
Daily migratory flights of sugarcane aphid (SCA) will be simulated using the NOAA Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model (HYSPLIT PC version 4.9). The 40-km resolution EDAS (Eta Data Assimilation System) data set will provide input to HYSPLIT model simulations of sugarcane aphid migration. The proportion of migrants will be estimated based on local host suitability, which will be associated with crop growth stage and presence of alternative plant hosts, and direct measurements of sugarcane aphid populations of winged individuals. Resident and migratory aphids will contribute to infestation only within the spatial extent and suitability of susceptible host plants. The number of winged aphids that develop during a specific time period will be pooled into a single cohort for comparison with scouting data. Seasonal patterns of simulated abundance of aphids originating from source areas will be mapped. Predictions will be validated by ongoing monitoring in AWPM monitoring areas and intensive ground-truthing at locations where model predictions indicate sugarcane aphid deposition. The biocontrol focus will be on how SCA resistant varieties impact biocontrol of SCA by natural enemies at both within field and landscape levels. To address within field dynamics, natural enemies will be monitored in resistant and susceptible sorghum fields. We will quantify natural enemy densities and SCA mortality for resistant and susceptible sorghum to demonstrate effects of the SCA AWPM program on biocontrol.
