Location:
Project Number: 3072-22000-017-006-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 15, 2016
End Date: Sep 14, 2021
Objective:
The objectives of this project are: 1) to 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) to develop and deliver technology transfer and outreach programs for sugarcane aphid areawide pest management in Texas in coordination with similar projects in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Eastern Coastal Plains states.
Approach:
Objective 1. 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) following the methods of Westbrook. Seasonal patterns of simulated abundance of aphids originating from source areas will be mapped. Predictions will be validated by ongoing monitoring in AWPM demonstration areas and intensive ground-truthing at locations where model predictions indicate sugarcane aphid deposition. Objective 2. Sorghum growers are the primary target for education programs because they will directly implement the program. Crop consultants are the second target and our goal for this group is to enhance implementation of supporting technologies, such as myFields.info. Extension educators are the third target and our goal for them is to enhance delivery of information based AWPM tools and resources to consultants and growers. In order to reach these groups effectively, we will train extension educators and crop consultants on all aspects of the SCA AWPM project, including economic and pest management implications of the program and use of myFields.info for implementing SCA AWPM tools. Extension educators will deliver the program to growers and crop managers. Training extension educators and crop consultants will be accomplished through workshops during existing agent programs/events. Promotion of SCA AWPM will include media outlets regularly used in Extension channels, such as radio spots, newsletters, field days, crop tours, and social media outlets (blogs, Twitter, and Facebook).
