Project Overview

S22-032

Project Type: IPM Centers Grant

Funds awarded in 2022: $23,897.00

Grant Recipient: University of Georgia

Region: Southern

State: Georgia

Cooperating States: Georgia, South Carolina

Project Coordinator:

Brett Blaauw

University of Georgia

Investigating Insecticide Concentrations in Peach Extrafloral Nectaries

Reports

Commodities

Fruits: peaches

Target Pests

Target Pests: other

Practices

Crop Production: pollination/pollinator health/habitat

Sustainable Communities: sustainability measures

Proposal abstract:

Pollinating insects, such as bees, play a significant role in world-wide agriculture with over 35% of the global food production dependent on insect pollination. While most peach varieties are self-pollinating, pollinators still visit peach flowers and can improve fruit set. Additionally, many varieties of peaches have nectar producing lobes on their leaves, known as extra-floral nectaries (EFN). These EFNs are attractive to insects, luring pollinators into the orchards even after crop bloom, which subsequently has the potential to subject the EFN visiting pollinators to commonly used systemic insecticides. As such, the likely increased risk to insects visiting peach orchards may affect the insect community of other pollinator-dependent crops nearby within the region. To improve the sustainability of insect pest management program in Southeastern peach production, we must determine the potential risks to the pollinator community presented by neonicotinoid use. The goal of this project is to evaluate potential risks to those communities from systemic insecticide applications over time. The objective of the proposed project is to determine whether neonicotinoids are present in extra-floral nectar of peaches when applied at standard dose rates over time. By doing so we plan to take the first step in improving the sustainability of insect management programs and mitigate non-target effects on pollinator communities.

Project objectives from proposal:

Planned Outputs	Anticipated Outcomes	Problem/Priority Targeted
1. Identify concentration of neonicotinoid insecticides in EFN from foliar and drench application methods.
Conduct greenhouse bioassays at UGA greenhouse complex	Collect EFN samples from treated peach seedlings	Lack of information regarding impact of low-risk pesticides on beneficial insects
Analyze EFN content with ELISA	Quantify concentrations of insecticide in EFN	Develop a more thorough understanding of adverse non-target impacts of pest management tactics and means of mitigating those impacts.
Present results from bioassays at extension grower meetings	Increase grower knowledge of translocation of neonicotinoids in peach EFN.	Address concerns of pollinator & natural enemy health, protection, and conservation.
Update pest management guide	Increase grower knowledge of translocation of neonicotinoids in peach EFN.	Develop strategies to help support beneficial insects with the goal of reducing insecticide inputs
Seek additional extramural funding	Facilitate funding for student to further aid investigation of pollinator risk	Develop a more thorough understanding of adverse non-target impacts of pest management tactics and means of mitigating those impacts.