Research Projects for 2009
ME08364-07MRF
F. Drummond
Watershed exports of nutrients to Maine rivers and coastal waters
The heavy reliance on insecticides for insect pest management
may put honey bees at risk to exposure of harmful residues that compromise their health.
The purpose of this study is to design and implement integrated pest management tactics in
lowbush blueberry that will minimize the risk of insecticide exposure to honey bees.
ME08456-05 C. Campbell
Evolutionary biology of shadbushes (Amelanchier, Rosaceae) and spruces (Picea, Pinaceae)
The proposed research concerns the evolutionary biology of two
groups of trees, shadbushes and spruces, that are ecologically and economically important in Maine.
Relationships among the species in these groups are poorly understood, in part because of the
occurrence of hybridization between the species. The purpose of this project is to improve our
understanding of species and their evolution in shadbushes and spruces.
ME08451-09
S. Tavantzis, R. Larkin, A. Alyokhin, S. Erich
An integrated approach for suppression of soil-borne diseases, enhanced
soil fertility, and improved plant health
In Maine and the Northeast, crop losses and reduced crop quality due
to pests and diseases, and low overall crop productivity (yield) are
critical limitations in many crop production systems including
potato. Due to relatively high levels of plant disease pressure,
pest problems, and high fertility requirements, conventional
agricultural production routinely uses high inputs of agricultural
chemicals. In contrast, sustainable farming practices involve the
principles of improving soil quality, increasing soil biodiversity,
and enhancing natural disease and pest suppression. Although
sustainable production provides major improvements over conventional
agriculture regarding soil and crop management practices, there are
still many limitations to sustainability, crop productivity, and
farm profitability that need addressing. In the work proposed here,
three primary tools of sustainable management, biological control,
other biological amendments, the use of organic matter amendments,
and effective crop rotations, will be customized, managed, and
combined to provide improved control of soil-borne diseases and
increased crop yield in sustainable crop production systems in
Maine. UMaine and Maine Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station
have a long tradition in potato research and sustainable approaches
to crop production. A major advantage to conducting this work is the
presence of a critical mass of multidisciplinary expertise (Drs.
Andrei Alyokhin, Sue Erich, and Robert Larkin) needed to conduct the
proposed research. Dr. John Jemison of the Cooperative Extension and
a member of the Board of Directors of Maine Organic Farmers and
Growers Association will have a direct role in outreach and
dissemination of information generated through the project. We also
report at grower meetings on a regular basis. Some of the
impacts/outcomes of this project are: a) Maine growers will have the
opportunity to assess the value (cost/benefit) of different
amendments (organic matter, biocontrol agents, mutualistic
organisms) that are thought to offer major advantages in disease
management and increased crop production; b) More conventional
farmers will adopt sustainable approaches to crop production; c)
More organic growers will use biocontrol and mutualistic
microorganisms to improve disease management, enhance crop yields,
and increase soil fertility. d) Relative abundance of healthier,
locally grown, food for consumers; e) Higher incomes, through higher
product value, for Maine growers; f) Reduced rate of environmental
pollution through a decreased use of synthetic agrichemicals.
ME08455-05
C. Cronan
Watershed exports of nutrients to Maine rivers and coastal waters
This investigation will examine the contribution of watershed
nutrient exports to non-point pollution and nutrient cycling in Maine rivers and coastal waters.
The purpose of this study is to quantify the export fluxes of soluble carbon, nitrogen,
and phosphorus from the landscape to riverine and coastal ecosystems. Excess exports of nitrogen
and phosphorus can contribute to eutrophication and stress in receptor ecosystems.
ME08456-05 C. Campbell
Evolutionary biology of shadbushes (Amelanchier, Rosaceae) and spruces (Picea, Pinaceae)
The proposed research concerns the evolutionary biology of two
groups of trees, shadbushes and spruces, that are ecologically and economically important in Maine.
Relationships among the species in these groups are poorly understood, in part because of the
occurrence of hybridization between the species. The purpose of this project is to improve our
understanding of species and their evolution in shadbushes and spruces.
ME08462-03 S. Annis
Diversity and pathogenicity of fungal pathogens
Leaf spot and stem diseases may affect yields of lowbush
blueberries. Blueberries vary in their resistance to the mummy berry fungus. Use of a single
strain of a fungus for insect biocontrol may affect indigenous strains. The persistence of
fungal pathogens and the effect of genetic diversity of lowbush blueberry plants on disease
will be determined. The effect of a commercial strain of Beauveria bassiana on indigenous
isolates will be examined using molecular tools.
ME08464-06 F. Drummond
Vertical dispersal of blueberry flies within tree canopies
This proposal builds upon research conducted during my
current HATCH project. In developing and field testing field border perimeter treatment
strategies (both insecticide application and insecticide treated spheres) for blueberry fly
it was noticed that blueberry flies move up high into trees which surround the periphery of
blueberry fields (see appendix). The questions-(1) what are the spatial and temporal aspects
of vertical fly movement and (2) from a high vantage point when colonizing blueberry fields
will flies pass over perimeter field treatments--are important to answer if perimeter strategies
are to be recommended in the future for dependable blueberry fly pest management. The purpose of
this study is to learn more about the movement behavior of blueberry maggot fly. A quantitative
description of fly movement from tree canopies into blueberry fields will enable fly management
strategies based upon perimeter treatments to be implemented that have less risk associated with
them.
ME08465-03 C. Schwintzer
Function of hemoglobin in culture and symbiosis
Only a few kinds of plants can form nitrogen-fixing symbioses
that allow them to grow vigorously on nitrogen-poor soils. To produce new nitrogen-fixing plants
by genetic engineering, the factors controlling oxygen within root nodules must be known. This
project examines the possible role of hemoglobin in regulating oxygen at the site nitrogen
fixation within Frankia, a filamentous bacterium that is a good candidate for the formation of
new symbioses.
ME08466-06 A. Alyokhin
Effects of soil amendment on Colorado potato beetle damage to potato
Plants grown on organically managed soils fertilized with
manure and compost have been shown to be less favorable hosts for phytophagous insects than
plants grown on conventionally managed soils fertilized with synthetic fertilizers. The overall
goal of this research is to increase potato tolerance of the Colorado potato beetle damage by
improving soil management practices.
ME08468-06 M. Kinnison
Evolutionary Ecology of Maine Fishes: Adaptive Variation and Conservation
Preservation of adaptive variation within and among populations
is an important element of many conservation and management programs. However, little is generally
known about adaptive diversity in many species of practical concern or the best approaches to
maintain such diversity. Indeed, the implications of most conservation and management schemes for
adaptive variation are largely untested. This work characterizes potential adaptive variation in Maine
salmonids and employs simulation and biological model systems to understand management implications
for preserving adaptive variation in Maine fishes and other species in general.
ME08469A A. Alyokhin
Migration and dispersal of agriculturally important biota
The lack of understanding of the principles underpinning
migration and dispersal of pest and beneficial organisms across a wide range of spatial
scales has dramatically impeded the development and deployment of effective and socially
acceptable IPM programs. NCR-148 provides a positive forum for information exchange in the
area of dispersal and migration of agriculturally important biota. It cuts across disciplines,
including landscape ecology, meteorology, entomology, bacteriology, plant virology, botany,
and mycology.
ME08470-05 B. de los Reyes
Allele mining in the genus Solanum: Comparative genomics of the CBF/DREB transcriptional
activator gene homologs
DREB/CBF alleles from wild Solanum species are more
efficient regulators of the stress response gene regulon, because of the timing, strength and
stability of their expression. This project will examine the variation in the upstream
regulatory regions of the different CBF/DREB orthologs and paralogs as possible basis of
allelic polymorphism among CBF/DREB genes from cultivated and wild Solanum species.
ME08474-06 R. Holberton
An ecophysiology approach to understanding links between Maine's natural resources
and its wildlife
Wildlife abundance depends on resource availability and quality.
How these factors influence individual growth, breeding success, and survival are largely unknown,
particularly across different life history stages. Physiologic indicators of individual condition
are needed to understand how Maine's wildlife are responding to events that occur before and after
they arrive in Maine. This research program focuses on migrant and resident birds during different
stages of the annual cycle, linking habitat suitability, individual condition, breeding success,
and events that occur in and outside of Maine.
ME08801-06 E. Groden
Development,
evaluation and safety of entomopathogens for control of arthropod pests
There is an urgent need to accelerate the development and
implementation of cost-effective, environmentally safe alternatives to chemical pesticides for
insect control. Insect pathogens represent a largely untapped group of biological agents for
biological control of pests. This project is aimed at development and evaluation of pathogens
for insect pest management programs.
ME08914-08 F. Drummond
Biological control of arthropod pests and weeds
In Maine, lowbush blueberry is a native perennial crop.
Natural enemies have evolved with the majority of insect pest species and yet insecticides are
the predominant tactic used for pest management. The effectiveness of these natural enemies at
suppressing these native pest insects and their conservation and integration into modern
integrated pest management will be the focus of our research. The Allegheny mound ant will be
the focus of our initial efforts.
