Project Number: 5325-42000-037-04
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Mar 09, 2010
End Date: Nov 02, 2012

Objective:
1. To collect the ex situ and/or in situ volatile emission of select native and non-native oak trees (Quercus spp.). 2. To analyze collected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) via GC-MS and identify possible chemotaxonomy trends and/or chemotype identifiers of selected trees to various insect pests. 3. To identify VOCs with kairomonal behavior to select insect pests.

Approach:
To accomplish the stated objectives the following approach will be utilized by the graduate student under the mentorship of a UC Davis professor and secondary supervision of an ARS Albany location scientist: 1. Perform ex situ VOC analysis on a large portion of selected oak tree (Quercus spp.) leaves to determine general VOC emission trends. 2. Utilize the in situ small-scale collection method (collection bag, SPME) of the USDA-ARS PMR unit to acquire VOCs from select trees identified from ex situ analysis. 3. Separate and identify collected VOCs via GC-MS analyses. 4. Develop a chemotaxonomic tree based upon trends of identified VOCs and herbivore damage. 5. Utilize electrophysiological and/or behavioral bioassays to determine kairomonal activity. Documents NFCA with UC Davis. Formerly 5325-42000-036-05N (June, 2011).